Houston TV news is having a bit of a baby boom.
ABC13 anchor Mayra Moreno returned to the air Thursday after months away on maternity leave, just as other familiar faces across Houston television are stepping away to welcome babies of their own.
Moreno was back behind the anchor desk for ABC13’s 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. newscasts Thursday, marking her first day on air since welcoming her first child, a baby boy, in April.
ABC13 anchor Mayra Moreno returned to the air Thursday after months away on maternity leave. (ABC13)
The return came with plenty of emotions.
“It’s the first day of work. Still dealing with some pregnancy postpartum issues, but I’m here, feeling all the emotions,” Moreno said in a video shared on Instagram before heading into the station.
Moreno said she was trying not to get too emotional before going on air and felt “really blessed” to have her son and return to work. She acknowledged that being away from him would take some getting used to.
“And then the next few weeks are just gonna get harder, I know,” she said.
Moreno has been open with viewers about her journey to motherhood, including her struggles with infertility and her experience undergoing IVF.
Her return comes as the maternity leave shuffle continues elsewhere in Houston TV news.
Re’chelle Turner begins maternity leave
KPRC 2 reporter Re’Chelle Turner announced last week that she was beginning maternity leave as she awaits the arrival of her baby girl.
Turner first revealed her pregnancy in March with a video filmed at McGovern Centennial Gardens and set to Beyoncé’s II HANDS II HEAVEN. She has continued sharing updates with viewers on social media, including photos from a maternity shoot Thursday.
“Waiting for my little Virgo princess to make her grand entrance,” Turner wrote. “Like mommy, like daughter.”
Caroline Brown welcomes second son
Another KPRC 2 personality recently stepped away for maternity leave. Meteorologist Caroline Brown left the weather desk at the end of July before welcoming her second son, George David Chadderdon, on Aug. 5.
Brown hasn’t completely disappeared from KPRC’s feeds while she’s away. She pre-recorded a batch of weather-related videos before going on leave that the station has continued sharing on social media.
Meanwhile, former ABC13 meteorologist Rachel Briers has returned to Houston TV screens to help fill the gap, working with KPRC’s weather team while Brown is on leave.
Allison Gargaro expecting baby No. 2
And another Houston meteorologist already has a new addition on the way. FOX 26 meteorologist Allison Gargaro announced last month that she is expecting her second child, another baby girl, in March 2027.
Gargaro only recently returned from her first maternity leave. She welcomed daughter Chloe in September 2025 and returned to FOX 26 in January, ending meteorologist Peyton Galyean’s freelance stint filling in at the station.
That means Gargaro could be heading out on maternity leave again next year, keeping Houston TV’s baby boom going well into 2027.
More News
Schools | ‘Sexist’ dress-code fight erupts at Houston-area middle school
Rants | Texas Republican goes off on AI, data centers, immigration and elites
Politics | Ted Cruz, Dan Patrick talk Texas ‘crazies’ before 2026 election
| $9.5M of drugs found in trailer at Texas border crossing
For the latest and best from Chron, sign up for our daily newsletter here.
This article originally published at Houston TV news is suddenly in the middle of a baby boom.