The KTRK-TV 2025 Power Shift: 7 Reasons Why ABC 13 News Is Still Houston’s Most Watched Station
ABC 13 News (KTRK-TV), the Houston-based ABC Owned Television Station, continues its decades-long legacy as a dominant force in local media, even as the broadcast landscape rapidly evolves. As of late 2024 and throughout 2025, the station has undergone significant internal shifts, particularly in its anchor lineup and editorial focus, all while maintaining its commitment to hyper-local reporting and community service.
The station’s enduring success is rooted in its powerful "Eyewitness News" brand, a robust investigative unit known as the ABC 13 I-Team, and a deep-seated connection to the sprawling Houston metropolitan area. This article dives into the most current updates, highlighting the fresh faces, new initiatives, and the hard-hitting journalism that keeps KTRK-TV at the forefront of Texas news.
The Current Faces of ABC 13: A Comprehensive Anchor and Reporter Profile
The KTRK-TV team is a blend of seasoned veterans and dynamic new talent, reflecting the diversity and energy of the Houston community. The recent departures of long-time figures have paved the way for a new generation of journalists to lead the "Eyewitness News" broadcasts. Here is a look at the key personnel driving the station’s news delivery in 2025:
- Rita Garcia: Named the new weekday morning anchor, Garcia brings fresh energy to the crucial early hours broadcast, following her tenure in other major markets. Her arrival signals a renewed focus on the morning news slot.
- Tom Abrahams: An Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, Abrahams is a prominent anchor on the Eyewitness News team, known for his extensive coverage of major national and international stories.
- Shannon Ryan: A familiar face to viewers, Ryan has served as a City Hall reporter and fill-in anchor, notably co-anchoring the 8 a.m. weekday newscast on ABC 13+. It was recently announced she will be departing the station in late 2025 to join Spectrum News.
- Elita Loresca: A key member of the Houston weather forecast team, Loresca is one of the station’s trusted meteorologists, providing Accuweather forecasts for the morning newscasts.
- Elyse Smith: Another essential meteorologist, Smith delivers the Accuweather forecast for both morning and evening segments, ensuring Houstonians are prepared for the region's unpredictable weather.
- Dave Ward (Legacy): Though he passed away in late 2025, the legacy of legendary anchor Dave Ward—who held the world record for the longest-serving local TV news anchor in the same market—continues to influence the station's commitment to community, particularly through his work with Crime Stoppers of Houston.
- Tom Koch (Legacy): Longtime broadcast anchor Tom Koch also left a lasting legacy at KTRK-TV, having served as a reporter before becoming a top-rated morning news co-anchor for over four decades.
Major Editorial Shifts: The "Climate Ready" Initiative and Investigative Depth
In 2025, ABC 13 News is not just reporting the news; it is actively shaping the conversation around two of the most critical issues facing the Texas Gulf Coast: climate preparedness and local government accountability.
The ABC News "Climate Ready" Initiative
A major editorial focus for KTRK-TV Houston in 2025 is the newly launched "Climate Ready" initiative. This is a joint effort between ABC News and the ABC Owned Television Stations group, designed to amplify vital stories related to climate preparedness and resiliency.
The initiative moves beyond simply reporting on weather events. Instead, it showcases real-world ideas and practical solutions communities can adopt to stay safe and protect assets against the increasing effects of climate change. Ginger Zee, ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent, has been a central figure in this programming, which is especially relevant for a city like Houston that frequently faces severe weather events like hurricanes and flooding.
Recent I-Team and Local Accountability Reports
The ABC 13 I-Team remains the backbone of the station’s commitment to accountability journalism. The investigative unit consistently breaks stories that hold local institutions accountable. A notable recent scoop involved the team obtaining exclusive HISD (Houston Independent School District) student enrollment records for the 2025-26 school year, a story of immense public interest that impacts education funding and planning across the region.
The I-Team focuses on a range of topics, from consumer protection to exposing corruption in local government and unearthing new details in cold cases, ensuring that Houston local news is not just reported, but deeply investigated. This dedication to in-depth, often difficult, reporting is a core reason for the station’s high viewer trust.
Community Impact: Beyond the Broadcast
ABC 13’s influence extends far beyond the television screen. The station leverages its platform to drive significant community change through charitable initiatives and partnerships, making it a true partner to the city.
- Share Your School Supplies Drive: In partnership with organizations like the Houston Food Bank, ABC 13 organizes its annual drive to collect and distribute essential school supplies, directly benefiting students and families in need across the Greater Houston area.
- Share Your Holidays: This long-standing food drive initiative mobilizes the community to combat food insecurity during the holiday season, working with local partners to ensure food and resources reach vulnerable populations.
- Homelessness Initiative Support: The station has actively covered and supported the city’s new homeless initiative, reporting on how funding from entities like Houston METRO is being allocated to provide access to crucial support services.
- Arts and Culture Partnerships: ABC 13 also supports the arts, spotlighting the Houston Symphony's community and education programs and acting as a media sponsor for events like the Luminescence Gala in partnership with the Houston Arts Alliance.
These initiatives, often highlighted on the ABC 13 app and its 24/7 live stream, solidify the station's role as a civic pillar, not just a news outlet. By blending cutting-edge digital delivery with traditional broadcast excellence and a genuine commitment to local issues, ABC 13 News (KTRK-TV) has successfully navigated the modern media landscape to remain the primary source of information for millions of Houstonians.
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