Max Crawford promoted to chief meteorologist at KBTX Bryan-College Station

Morning meteorologist Max Crawford is taking over as KTBX News 3 Bryan - College Station chief meteorologist from Shel Winkley, who signed off on April 25, 2024.

Here is what Crawford posted on Facebook:

"I owe a lot to this guy. A lot of other people do, too. He never asked for recognition or praise. That’s one of the MANY things that makes him such a great leader. 

Meteorologist Shel Winkley KBTX and I always said we wouldn’t leave this job unless it was for an amazing opportunity. I’m thrilled for my former boss and one of my best friends for embarking on a new adventure. 

We have BIG shoes to fill, but he’s laid a great foundation.

I’m honored and privileged to be your next Chief Meteorologist, Brazos Valley!"

Anchor Rusty Surette says Crawford will become only the third person to hold the title "Chief Meteorologist" at KBTX.

The Texas A&M University grad interned under Winkley in 2013.  He then worked with Tom Tefertiller at KWES 9 Midland/Odessa before returning to KBTX in June 2015.

Crawford's wife, Kimberly, gave birth to a baby boy on Christmas Day 2022. 

Leigh Waldman leaves KSAT San Antonio

Leigh Waldman announced she is leaving her KSAT 12 San Antonio San Antonio role.

Here is a portion of what Waldman posted to Facebook:

"My time at KSAT is coming to an end at the end of the month. 

I've said it time and time again to our team here, working at KSAT is my favorite thing in the world.

The journalists who serve this community tirelessly every day are unmatched in their dedication, skill, and devotion. 

This is not just a job, this is a passion. Management at KSAT took a chance on me coming from Omaha, Nebraska, with only a few years of experience under my belt and has allowed me to continue taking chances."

Waldman added she is keeping her "next chapter quiet for just a little bit longer," but she will share it soon.

Waldman joined KSAT in 2021. In 2023, she was promoted to the KSAT Investigates Team.

She arrived in San Antonio from 6 News WOWT Omaha, Nebraska. 

The Texas Tech University grad started her professional TV career with KAVU 25 Victoria as an anchor/producer.

Fox 7 Austin photographer has charges dropped upon release

Carlos, the FOX 7 Austin KTBC photojournalist, who was arrested Wednesday at the pro-Palestine protests on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, was released from jail Thursday.  

The station reports the criminal trespass charges against the FOX 7 photographer and others were dropped.

- SPJ condemns arrest of Fox 7 News photojournalists, calls for law enforcement to allow journalists to report without interference

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.

UPDATE
Fox 7 Austin photographer has charges dropped upon release

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bill Barajas (@kprc2billbarajas)

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