KFOX-TV Channel 14 (cable Channel 8) News Director Liz O'Hara announced today that morning anchor Israel Balderas will leave the station and El Paso at the end of September. Balderas -- an El Paso native -- will return to the Washington, D.C., area with his wife, who has landed a job there.
Balderas has anchored the morning news at KFOX with Noreen Jaramillo for two years. Previously, he has worked for TV stations in Tulsa, Okla.; Nashville, Tenn., and Washington. He also had a producing stint with Fox News Channel.
O'Hara said in a memo to her staff that the search for a new morning anchor will begin immediately.
How come there's nothing in here about Rachel leaving?
Posted by: Letti Z. | August 31, 2009 at 03:29 PM
this is off the subject, but has anyone taken a liking to kvia's new weekend morning team? i think maria brings out the snob in abe. it is like lately, he talks down to viewers. and at times, the dialogue gets a tad awkward with maria and andrew.
Posted by: Frank White | August 31, 2009 at 03:33 PM
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Balderas on a couple of occasions. He was extremely nice and pleasant. He seemed like a very genuine and good hearted individual. I am sorry to see him leave and wish him and his family the very best. Good luck Israel!
Posted by: gary clarke | August 31, 2009 at 03:46 PM
Ismael Balderas will be greatly missed by the Fort Bliss community for all the support he provides. Godspeed Balderas family!
Posted by: CW3 Manny Rodrigez | August 31, 2009 at 04:20 PM
Next to the plate Lou Romano. Reunite those circle 7 ex's that would make a great team. He was one of the original candidates anyway.
Posted by: q ti mporta | August 31, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Israel was always on vacation! Seriously! He was never around. I only remember seeing Noreen and Brad. It must be nice to get a paycheck for not doing anything!
Posted by: Eddie | September 01, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Hire Lou Ramano
Posted by: Pam | September 01, 2009 at 03:13 PM
A guy like Baldo is the solid earth. I will sorely miss him and I have no doubt that as he moves to D.C., we'll one day see him anchoring the evening news on a network. His drive, determination and journalistic integrity are unmatched in this city and the sky is the limit for someone as talented and handsome as he.
Posted by: Bart | September 01, 2009 at 03:55 PM
Are you kidding me Bart??? He WAS always on vacation by manipulating the comp system, was pissy when you asked him to do anything, and was extremely demeaning to collegues. He constantly talked about how aweful El Paso was and kissed O'hara wide hide every chance he got (hence all the time off). For the love of letting KFOX regain some of it's dignity...have corporate do the next big hire.
Posted by: AM Photog | September 01, 2009 at 11:31 PM
That's racist. You just have it in for him because he's Hispanic and he's become a huge success.
Posted by: Bart | September 02, 2009 at 05:50 AM
I have to agree with AM Photographer. Israel was always on vacation. He was rarely on the morning news show on KFOX. This has nothing to do with him being brown, purple, or green. You could tell that Izzy does not like El Paso. This is not a secret.
Posted by: EDub | September 02, 2009 at 07:14 AM
He's going back to being a federal judge.
Posted by: Billy Bob | September 02, 2009 at 08:07 AM
I mean really, do you blame him for not liking El Paso coming from D.C.?
Posted by: elcabron | September 02, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Going back to Wash DC? Good luck with the exorbitant DC/Virginia/Maryland taxes, the DC-Virginia traffic, and the snow. That better be a good-paying job for the missus. And DC TV stations are big-time stations, so getting an on-air job will be tough, but he is talented. We'll see.
Liz O'Hara belongs back on the air. She's missed!
Posted by: rbsprods | September 02, 2009 at 09:06 AM
I have a hard time believing anyone misses Liz O'Hara on the air except Liz O'Hara.
Posted by: Anon | September 02, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I agree that all these criticisms are racially motivated. Why shouldn't we be happy that a fellow Latino could get ahead?
Posted by: Paco | September 02, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Because of the crab mentality. Although the soon to be minority will be the majority, they won't ever dominate in the world of media, business, or politics because of this deficit thinking
Posted by: elcabron | September 02, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I'm not quite sure what the crabs have to do with it but I agree that it's racialist.
Posted by: Chuy | September 02, 2009 at 01:37 PM
Ignorance abounds! In fact I am MEXICAN and the way I feel abuot him is based on his mistreatment, arrogance, and lack of work-ethic. Not his skin color. Truth be told he doesen't have a job lined up and is leaving cuz he got the same healthy dose of O'Hara that he had been kissing wide-hide to avoid. He went as far to mock the dozen others who left before him. The syrup doesen't go down so well when you've got the medicine in your mouth huh Izzy?
Posted by: Brown AM Photog | September 03, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Chuy - You are a complete & total idiot... you say something is racist when you don't even know what the hell it means. Google the phrase "crab parable" if you want to know what he was talking about.
Racist moron, who accuses people of racism when they're not being racist at all - which only means YOU'RE the racist, just sitting there waiting & hoping to play the race card at any opportunity, whether it's a valid one or not.
Idiot.
Go ahead... hit it: "crab parable". Learn a litle something.
Posted by: Anti-Racist | September 03, 2009 at 09:53 PM
AMPhotog, Eddie, and EDub:
About vacation, what is your problem? Are you sore that he worked many hours out of your sight and got vacation time that you don't enjoy? People like you, full of envy and resentment, make me sick! Work! and maybe you will enjoy vacation.
Posted by: ugotit | September 04, 2009 at 09:50 PM
Have you noticed that KFOX hires new news anchors every two years? It is obvious that management does not care for their employees; that is why people here in El Paso like Chanel 7 or 9 because they know how to treat their news anchors. Management should fire Elizabeth O'Hara.
Posted by: tomorrowyes | September 04, 2009 at 09:59 PM
He worked many hours out of sight? Where and when? Oh! Are you talking about that plant program a few years ago? How is this guy going to be missed, if he was never around. The only hours he spent out of sight were on looking for another job outside of El Paso. It was obvious that he never wanted to return to El Paso, and I do not blame him.
Posted by: Eddie | September 07, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Are you an employee at Kfox? 'cause it is obvious you are jealous and envious of what he did here and not you! Go ahead, it's your chance to apply for his place, do you think you can meke? You have no skills, personality and everything else that Balderas has. I dare you to try!
Posted by: tomorrowyes | September 07, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Ah! Eddie, something else, you are resentfull that people like Balderas can make it everywhere in the US and not you, you are stuck here like typical envious people, and then, complain about lack of opportunities here in El Paso; go ahead, make my day! Apply for his position, it's open! Good luck with Elizabeth!
Posted by: tomorrowyes | September 07, 2009 at 01:45 PM