FOX 7 Austin photographer arrested at UT protest

A FOX 7 Austin KTBC photojournalist was arrested at the pro-Palestine protests held on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin Wednesday afternoon.

Guy with camera gets rko’d by police at Palestine protest. #ut #palestine #protest pic.twitter.com/5HI2SU8VKs

— Christopher Kuhlman (@Chris_Kuhlman00) April 24, 2024

KTBC did not identify the photographer, but as he was being taken away by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, the TV photog said in an X video posted by KXAN weekend anchor Nabil Remadna that his name was Carlos.

This man says he is a member of the press. An officer said his camera hit an officer. The man claims it was not on purpose. ⁦@KXAN_News⁩ pic.twitter.com/mZUcTSNJuZ

— Nabil Brent Remadna KXAN (@RemadnaKXAN) April 24, 2024

"They were pushing me, and they said that I hit an officer," Carlos said in the video. "I didn’t hit an officer. They were pushing me.

"No, this has never happened to me. I was just covering things, and they were pushing. Yeah, I told him that I was the press. This one says I was hitting an officer. I was not hitting nobody."

According to FOX 7, its photographer was booked into the Travis County Jail later in the evening and charged with criminal trespassing. KVUE reports that more than 50 people were arrested.

"This is ridiculous. I worked with Carlos @fox7austin," abc13 Houston KTRK reporter Shannon Ryan posted to X.  "Like the rest of their team, he is kind and professional. The fact he is sitting in jail for having done nothing but his job is an embarrassment and waste of public resources."

This is ridiculous. I worked with Carlos @fox7austin. Like the rest of their team, he is kind and professional. The fact he is sitting in jail for having done nothing but his job is an embarrassment and waste of public resources. https://t.co/IbufKsX9GU

— Shannon Ryan (@_shanryan) April 24, 2024

"I can’t remember a journalist ever being arrested for doing his job in my 24 years of reporting in Austin," Austin American-Statesman and KVUE reporter Tony Plohetski posted.

I can’t remember a journalist ever being arrested for doing his job in my 24 years of reporting in Austin. https://t.co/onOzhh6yPq

— Tony Plohetski (@tplohetski) April 24, 2024

Camilla Rambaldi joins NBC Los Angeles

Camilla Rambaldi announced today that she is joining KNBC 4 LA as a reporter after leaving her evening anchor role on San Antonio TV.

Here is the career update Rambaldi posted on social media:

"I’m thrilled to announce I’ll be joining the NBC Los Angeles team. 

I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter in my career, reporting in Southern California, where I was born and raised. 

It’s truly a dream come true to be back home in LA. I’m immensely grateful for this opportunity and thankful for everyone who has supported my journey."

After nearly eight years, Rambaldi concluded her tenure as a FOXSA 29 Puro San Antonio KABB evening anchor with her final newscast on January 12, 2024.

Ashley Paredez, who has a background in Texas TV, was hired from ABC 15 KNXV Phoenix to replace Rambaldi.

Rambaldi joined KABB in January 2016 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. She was elevated to the 9pm newscast in 2019.

Before her time in Texas, she was an Anchor, Reporter, Producer, and multimedia Journalist at KTVH in Helena, Montana.

A graduate of California State University-Northridge, Rambaldi was involved with KCSN Radio-88.5FM as a morning producer/anchor and LA Channel36 Valley View News as an MMJ. She also interned with ABC7 KABC, Access Hollywood, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Where is KHOU 11's Maria Aguilera?

I have been getting viewer questions about the whereabouts of KHOU 11 reporter Maria Aguilera.

She had not posted on her KHOU social media accounts for around a month and, from what I hear, hasn't appeared on channel 11 either.

Aguilera just posted to let us know what is happening. She is recovering from surgery:

"In sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life. Happy one year anniversary!  We thought we’d be on a beach somewhere celebrating. Instead my husband has been by my side taking care of me as I recover from surgery. I couldn’t be more thankful."

As I blogged back then, Aguilera was married in 2023. Before she joined KHOU, I had blogged about how the then-KVUE reporter got engaged in 2022.

(Thanks Shad)

Bill Barajas and other Texas TV talents are engaged, married

KPRC 2 Houston weekend anchor Bill Barajas was engaged to Carla Salinas in Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy.

"Engaged to the most beautiful woman, in one of the most beautiful places in the world," Barajas posted to Instagram.

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WFAA 8 Dallas-Fort Worth reporter Jay Wallis got engaged to WFAA Brand Marketing Manager Maria Delgado. 

"She officially said yes! Can’t wait to start this next journey of life with you," Wallis tweeted.

She officially said yes! Can’t wait to start this next journey of life with you. pic.twitter.com/0yXZzpGuA4

— Jay Wallis (@WFAAJayWallis) April 20, 2024

And congratulations are in order for KENS 5 San Antonio Meteorologist Ryan Shoptaugh, who was married in March.

Two Texas media members die Saturday

San news to report in the Texas media world as we lost a radio DJ and TV photojournalists in separate incidents this past weekend.

Amy Garza, 45, known as afternoon host "Amy-O" on 104.9 The Beat KBTE Lubbock, was killed in an early Saturday morning motorcycle crash in San Antonio.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Amy. It is rare to find a person as passionate as she was to her career and community," Jay Richardson-Sr Vice President-Alpha Media Lubbock said on the station's website.  "I had the opportunity to work with Amy for the last 14 years and she was the face and energy behind 104.9 The Beat. It is impossible to replace what she brought to our organization and to the people of Lubbock."

Also in San Antonio, KSAT 12 photojournalist Jose "Joe" Arredondo, 49, died while asleep before his Saturday morning work shift.

"Joe was a beloved and energetic journalist who always had a smile," KSAT News Director Mario Orellana said on the station's website. "He had been with KSAT since 2019 and was someone we depended on for the big stories and events. Joe’s creativity, hustle, and kindness will be missed throughout the building."

Texas TV stations open-closes from 2004 to 2006

These just appeared on YouTube so enjoy...

The Art of Podcast Storytelling

Andy Adler apparently no longer with CBS News Texas KTVT DFW

Andy Adler has apparently left her sports anchor role with CBS 11 KTVT Dallas-Fort Worth, now CBS News Texas. 

Adler's bio has been removed from the KTVT website. Her last social media posts on station accounts are from early April at the time of this post's publishing.

If this type of CBS 11 Dallas - Fort Worth post seems familiar, Metroplex TV watchers have recently seen the same disappearances with KTVT morning anchors Brooke Katz in November 2023, followed by Keith Russell in March 2024.

The station's 6pm newscast recently disappeared, too, for those keeping score.

Adler, also the co-host of the Dallas Cowboy's Pre & Post-Game Shows, joined KTVT in 2022 after leaving WPIX 11 New York in November of 2021. She had been with Pix11 since 2014 as lead sports anchor and host of Giants, Yankees and Jets pre-game shows. While in NY, she also hosted "One On One with Andy Adler" and collaborated with Sports Illustrated.

Before the Big Apple, Adler was on the opposite coast, hosting the Los Angeles Lakers pre- and post-game with James Worthy, Kurt Rambis, Robert Horry, and Spectrum SportsNet's "Access SportsNet."

Adler also worked for: 

- NBC 4 News KNBC LA 'Today in LA' weekend morning anchor/reporter and "Prime Time News LA" host following NBC's Sunday Night Football

- FOX 5 WNYW New York "Good Day New York" sports and fill-in news anchor and "Sports Extra" host

- "American Latino TV" host 

- CBS Local 2 KPSP Palm Springs, CA reporter and "Eye on the Desert" host

- KSBW Action News 8 Salinas, CA reporter 

While in college, the Stanford University honors grad worked as the news director/anchor for the school's TV station.  Adler also interned for KPIX 5 San Francisco and "The Late Show with David Letterman."

(Thanks Susan)

Adam Bennett leaves KHOU Houston for KVUE Austin

Adam Bennett is leaving his KHOU 11 Houston reporting position and returning to Austin to join KVUE, TEGNA's sister station.

Here is what Bennett posted on X:

"After 9 years, today is my last day at KHOU.

Starting April 29, I’m excited to join the team at our Austin station, KVUE, as Weekend AM Anchor/Senior Reporter!

Houston, THANK YOU for welcoming me into your wonderful city and helping me share your stories. Forever grateful."

Bennett will replace Dominique Newland, who left the KVUE weekend morning anchor position for FOX 10 KSAZ Phoenix last year.

Bennett joined KHOU in 2015 from CBS Austin KEYE where he was a morning reporter/multimedia journalist (MMJ).

He got his professional TV start with KAMR NBC 4/KCIT Fox 14 Amarillo as a reporter/weekend anchor/weekend producer.

The University of Texas at Austin grad interned with FOX 7 Austin KTBC and WFAA 8 DFW.

Speaking of North Texas, Bennett comes from a broadcasting family. Adam's father, Dan Bennett, is the Regional Vice President for Cumulus Media, covering the Dallas and Houston radio markets with more than 50 years of radio experience!  In fact, I cover Dan on this very blog.

On the same day of Bennett's announcement, KTXS News 12 Abilene weeknight co-anchor Farrah Walton said she's joining CBS Austin KEYE.

After 9 years, today is my last day at @KHOU.

Starting April 29, I’m excited to join the team at our Austin station, @KVUE, as Weekend AM Anchor/Senior Reporter!

Houston, THANK YOU for welcoming me into your wonderful city and helping me share your stories. Forever grateful 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/UHN5dOUTYq

— Adam Bennett (@AdamBennettKHOU) April 19, 2024

(Thanks Shad and Taylor)

Shel Winkley to leave KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station

Shel Winkley announced he is leaving his KBTX News 3 Bryan-College Station chief meteorologist in April of 2024.

Here is what Winkley posted on Facebook: 

"After almost 15 wonderful, exceptional years at KBTX, my last day on-air in the Brazos Valley is April 25th.

From my intern days while at Texas A&M, to walking back in as an employee in 2009, to gaining your trust to lead the PinPoint Weather Team since 2013, this really has been a dream job that I honestly never imagined stepping away from. Know that it had to be an incredible opportunity to further the science of weather and climate that would take me out of your TV. This opportunity is exactly that.

I have grown so much both professionally and personally in my time at KBTX. I cannot say thank you enough for allowing me to earn your trust to cover the storms, hurricanes, historic temperatures, impacts of a changing climate, and just the day-to-day weather of Central and Southeast Texas. But also thank you for the conversations, the questions, and most importantly the support and friendships you have gifted me over this decade and a half.

We can talk about this new chapter and the work I will be doing at another time – but the good news is that I get to do it from right here in Bryan-College Station. While we may not see each other inside of an app or on-air anymore, please do say hello if you see me around town. 

My success as a meteorologist has come entirely from you. So sincerely…thank you, Brazos Valley."

Winkley joined KBTX in 2009 as its morning meteorologist.  He was promoted to chief meteorologist in August 2013.

"Going to miss working with this guy," morning anchor Karla Castillo posted.  "He’s so talented and passionate for what he does. Most importantly, he’s a wonderful dude and amazing friend."

He started his TV news career with KFDA NewsChannel 10 Amarillo as a weekend meteorologist and storm chaser.

The Texas A&M University grad interned with KBTX.  According to his LinkedIn, Winkley has been a meteorologist liaison with A&M since 2014 and a visiting lecturer since 2013.

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