I'm absolutely thrilled that I'll be starting up as one of the trio of folks on First News at Four, KBTX's newest newscast which debuts Monday, September 12 at 4:00 p.m. (duh).
This won't just be "another newscast". Not only are we going to be first on the air in the late afternoon/evenings with the very latest happening in our community and the world, but we'll also feature experts on a key item of the day, be it local or something that has an impact locally and beyond.
This will also be a show that involves you, the viewer. We want to hear from you before and during the newscast. We'll ask our experts questions you send us via e-mail, text, Facebook and Twitter, and we'll read your comments on the matters. Plus, you can obviously interact with others who are chiming in through social media. We want your help making this the best newscast possible.
My partners in crime on this new venture are a great pair, one of whom you're probably familiar with and another who you'll surely come to enjoy. Karla Castillo has been reporting news in the area for years, and has anchored our newscasts on and off over the years, including noons and weekends. In addition to being a devoted broadcaster, she's also a great wife and a mom to a cute kiddo who actually smiles at ridiculous Elmo impersonations by Mommy's colleague.
The new face to you isn't new to a lot of folks here at the station. Kailey Franz will be providing your forecast at 4:00 p.m. A Texas A&M former student with a meteorology degree, she interned at KBTX before landing her first job in Abilene. After a couple years there, she moved back to our area to be closer to her fiance and family. She's an intensely dedicated forecaster who always has a smile to boot, and is a great addition to our already amazing weather team.
As proud as I am to have been a part of different shows in the past, I'm thrilled to have the chance to help launch this new venture at 4:00 p.m. I hope you'll join us each weekday as we bring you the news and weather that matters to you and yours.
