Digital first! We hear that a lot in the news business these days since so many stories are broken on social media and the web before they ever hit TV. Sometimes stories that make digital platforms never make air on TV. I kept that in mind when I pitched this feature about 5th grader Jaron Collins getting a brand new trumpet from an anonymous Spring ISD (a suburban Houston school district) employee. The kid had been noticed on social media by his music teacher pretending to play using toys. His dream is to play trumpet for the Southern University marching band.. One of the premier HBCU bands in the nation. The college reached out to me after seeing the story I wrote up for our website and shared on Twitter. The attached story aired on TV after the band offered an honorary membership.
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
Monday, January 25, 2021
Second "cancer cluster" concerns Houston neighborhood
I first met Barbara Beal in the Kashmere Gardens area of Houston around this time last year. Her neighborhood had just been included in a newly-identified "cancer cluster" where health officials reported higher-than-normal rates of adult cancers. The Texas Department of State Health Services just revealed information about a second cluster regarding childhood cancers in the same area. I went back to the neighborhood for Ms. Beal's reaction. I also reached out to Union Pacific Railroad.. The entity blamed by many for causing the health issues via a longtime creosote facility that operated across the street from Ms. Beal's home.
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Looking back at Presidential Inaugurations
I was a History major and always jump at the chance to do a History-related story. In this case, it was looking back at inaugurations of the past as we approached Joe Biden's big day. Boiling down so many swearings-in to a 1:45 story was difficult. But I tried to hit interesting highlights.. From those who skipped their successor's inaugurations to some of the more unique ones thanks to national tragedies. A UH History professor helped take me through the timeline and offer insight.
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Putting faces to COVID cases
COVID continues to surge across the nation, including here in Houston. This story was about a Cy-Fair ISD (Texas's third largest district) teacher's aide who died after contracting the virus. Her daughter agreed to speak with us during a funeral visitation. It was heartbreaking hearing her describe her mother's last moments as family members watched via Zoom. Daily COVID stats become white noise after a while. It's important to tell the stories behind the numbers.
Saturday, December 26, 2020
Christmas in Houston isn't complete without a visit from "Pancho Claus"
Covering Pancho Claus's annual ride through Houston's East End has become my holiday tradition (since I usually work on Christmas). Richard Reyes created the character 40 years ago and hands out hundreds of toys thanks to lots of help from sponsors and volunteers. The pandemic impacted some fundraising efforts this year.. But the low riders assembled once again to spread holiday cheer. It's always a fun and inspiring story.
Katy high school student self-publishes COVID-inspired textbook
I'm the education reporter these days. That's meant a lot of COVID-related school stories. This one is included.. Yet a little different. A Seven Lakes High School student reached out to me after a I did a story on her school being temporarily shut down thanks to an outbreak. Turns out, she had written and self-published her own textbook inspired by the pandemic. I thought it would make a nice story and her interview turned out better than I expected. Like Mia (the anchor) says in the tag.. Someone's future is very bright.
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Houston Police officer shot and killed on his way to work
I was already at work on a school-related story (my primary beat these days) when we got word of breaking news on the north side of Houston. A police officer was possibly shot and killed. I immediately jumped in the car and went to the scene. Three of our photographers met me there. I quickly assessed that the officer, a 25 year HPD veteran, was killed while on his way to work. The circumstances of what may have led to the deadly encounter along the North Freeway remains under investigation. But Sgt. Sean Rios was not in uniform and was driving his personal vehicle. The attached live shot is from KHOU 11 News at 6:00. Editors put the video and sound together back at the station and I ad-libbed my script since a press conference wrapped up just minutes before.