Shake-ups are always happening in the Texas TV world, and July is no different with anchor and meteorologist exits, new beginnings and reports of a departure from the Spurs play-by-play spot.
Courtesy of Emma Allen/CBS News Texas/NBC 5
July was an eventful month for TV stations across Texas — not just here in San Antonio, but also in Dallas, Corpus Christi and Austin. Between longtime meteorologist exits, new reporters joining stations and more, here’s what you may have missed.
CBS News Texas meteorologist Jeff Ray retires after 40 years on air
After about four decades on air and 16 years at CBS News Texas in Dallas, meteorologist Jeff Ray retired late last month. He came to the station in December 2010 and holds degrees from the University of Texas at Austin, Mississippi State and the University of Missouri.
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“Jeff has spent his career helping North Texans through Texas’ unpredictable weather,” the station said of the Lubbock-born meteorologist. “His love for this community, his leadership in the newsroom and, of course, his love for plants have made him such a special part of our team. Around the newsroom, Jeff has also brought so much laughter, joy and unforgettable stories to the people lucky enough to work alongside him. Thank you, Jeff, for the forecasts, the guidance and the memories you’ve shared with us over the years. We’ll miss you, but we’re so excited for this next chapter!”
News 4 anchor Emma Allen exits after just a year in San Antonio
The next exit MySA covered didn’t happen after decades. News 4 and FOX SA Live Desk morning anchor Emma Allen announced her departure on July 1 after just a year in San Antonio. Allen said she’d be moving back to KATV in Arkansas, the state “that first made me fall in love with weather” and the station she left to come to San Antonio in the first place.
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“If you had told me a few years ago that I’d leave Arkansas to chase my dream, learn from an amazing newsroom in Texas, and then return home to forecast the weather for the state that raised me, I don’t know if I would’ve believed you. But here we are,” Allen wrote. She called the move back home bittersweet as San Antonio “became so much more than just a place I worked.”
Her last day on air was July 2.
Former KSAT 12 reporter Avery Everett shares big update
After departing from San Antonio’s KSAT 12 in June, reporter Avery Everett gave an update on her whereabouts this month. According to social media posts, Everett made the jump to WESH 2 in Orlando, Florida. She had been with the local ABC affiliate since May 2023, previously having worked at an NBC station in Missouri.
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“Hello, Central Florida! I moved to Orlando and I’m thrilled to be one of WESH 2 News new reporters,” she wrote on Instagram. “Incredibly excited to start this journey. Thank you all for the support throughout my move.”
KRIS 6 welcomes reporter Jordan Benavides to Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, one new reporter is returning home. KRIS 6 welcomed Jordan Benavides to the station shortly after his graduation from the University of North Texas. Benavides grew up in Corpus Christi and graduated from W.B. Ray High School, getting his start in broadcast at UNT’s NTTV newsroom.
“Jordan knows the Coastal Bend like the back of his hand – because this is where his story began! When he’s not chasing down the next big story, you’ll find Jordan enjoying time with family and friends, hanging out with his orange tabby Garfield, catching the latest wrestling match, discovering new movies, or vibing to live music,” KRIS 6 wrote.
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Samantha Davies departs NBC 5 in Dallas after nearly 20 years
Samantha Davies, who came to NBC 5 in Dallas in 2009, announced her last week on air on Tuesday, June 30. “I’m so thankful for my managers and teammates for supporting me over the years,” Davies wrote. “It’s been a journey and am so honored NBC was my home for so long. Thank you to my family for the constant support- the hours were not easy, but you made it possible!”
Before her departure, the Rochester, New York, native could be found covering traffic from 5 to 7 a.m. on weekdays, as well as the 11 a.m. forecast. She had also been a meteorologist for national programs NBC Weather Plus and MSNBC, appeared on Nightly News and was the morning meteorologist for CNBC World’s Squawk Australia.
Spurs announcer Jacob Tobey reportedly out after scandal
A report shocked San Antonians this month with claims that Spurs play-by-play commentator Jacob Tobey was out from the organization after an alleged affair with a player’s sister. Screenshots of Tobey’s own Instagram story quickly circulated on social media, showing a photo of Tobey and his girlfriend with the caption, “This is my girlfriend of six years but I cheated on her with Loren Waters. @lorenkwatrs.” The post continued, saying “feel free to continue following me if you really think I’m a good guy because I’m not. :)” The account tagged belonged to Loren Waters, the sister of Spurs player Lindy Waters III.
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Neither the team or Tobey himself appeared to publicly address the situation, but a report from Front Office Sports said he was no longer with the Spurs. MySA reached out to Spurs Sports & Entertainment for confirmation, but did not receive a response. The TV personality’s Instagram profile is currently private.
Multimedia journalist Shay Lawson joins Austin’s KVUE
In Austin, a familiar face returned. Emmy-winning multimedia journalist Shay Lawson joined KVUE in the Capital City after two years in Southern California. KVUE news director Travis Sattiewhite said she “brings energy, curiosity, and a commitment to telling stories that matter. We’re excited to have her back in Austin and on the KVUE team.”
It’s not her first time in ATX. Prior to her time at KESQ in Palm Springs, Lawson interned at the Texas Newsroom in Austin in audience engagement. She jumped to KESQ in 2024 shortly after graduating from the University of Missouri, where she anchored at KOMU. She told MySA she’s “thrilled to return to Austin, TX and tell stories that matter!”
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KSAT 12 adds two new reporters in San Antonio
This month, KSAT 12 added two new reporters to its San Antonio lineup: Olivia Dague and Hunter King. Both hail from the Lone Star State and are having a bit of a homecoming after working at TV stations across state lines. Dague is an Arlington native who joins KSAT from WBIR in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she spent three years. As for King, he’s a Houstonian coming in from Georgia’s 13WMAZ.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hunter King and Olivia Dague to our growing team of dedicated and experienced journalists, focused on serving our viewers where they live,” KSAT 12 News Director Jace Larson said in a statement to MySA. “KSAT12’s focus is deep-rooted reporting in our communities — sharing the stories that matter and bringing answers to our neighbors. Hunter and Olivia’s knowledge and storytelling experience will continue to place a spotlight on the communities we serve.”