KINT-TV Channel 26 reporter Pedro Villagrana is no longer working at the Univision affiliate, officials at the No.1 rated station confirmed today. Officials would not comment on the unscheduled departure of their longest-serving reporter, but did say his last day with the station was Friday.
Pedro was somewhat of an institution at Channel 26. He was part of the station's original line up when it launched its newscast in 1985. He was a fixture at City Council meetings and at one point served as a board member of the El Paso Press Club.
No word yet on what's next for Villagrana, but he could fit in the reported newscast launch that the El Paso Telemundo station, KTDO-TV Channel 48, has allegedly been planning.
That's sad. I hope this is a good move for him.
Mr. Villagrana came to speak at my high school years ago about what it's like to be a reporter. Years later I would become one myself and got to meet him in the field while we covered the same story.
Good luck to him.
Posted by: Former El Pasoan | March 23, 2010 at 04:35 PM
Well its sad, but Pedro had lost his way when doing news reports on channel 26. Years ago he was a really good reporter, but over the past few years his stories were just not up to par, and sometimes my wife and I couldn't even understand what he was saying.
I wish him luck, he is a good person and in these tough times you hate to se anyone out of a job.
Posted by: wheninElPaso | March 23, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Thats so sad that he is gone. I wish him nothing but the best wherever he goes. He always did good reporting it just that the station wasn't giving him hardy any air time anymore.
Posted by: Terry | March 23, 2010 at 05:37 PM
I agree with wheninElPaso. I saw him a couple of times but I couldn't understand a word of what he was saying either. It sounded like gobbledygook to me.
Posted by: Blago | March 23, 2010 at 05:57 PM
Pedro, thanks for your upmost professionalism and dedication to your community. It's too bad we didnt see more of you. You set the standard high for other to strive for.
Posted by: Jose Ramirez | March 23, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Pedro, thanks for all the years and support you have giving me thru the years. You have always been a very good friend of the community, your professionalism has always been uncomparable.
I do want to see you in TELEMUNDO. Good luck in you new endeavor, KINT lost an excellent person and reporter. Please keep in touch.
Love Always my friend.
Posted by: Norma Borunda | March 23, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Wow, I really hate to see him go. Pedro is a genuinely good person and a class act! NMSU has always recognized Pedro for all of his professional accomplishments, which are many. As a grad with both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from NMSU, he serves the University proud. From one Aggie to another, good luck Pedro in all of your future endeavors. Aggies far and wide are proud of you, Pedro. Here's wishing you the best in your future endeavors.
Posted by: Aggie Alum in LC | March 24, 2010 at 12:24 AM
Hey Pedro!! I remember seeing you as a reporter when i was 5 yrs old when you did a story at my elementary school. 22 years later hate to see you leave canal 26... I will never forget your famous saying "Pedro Villagrana canal 26.. Univision!"
Posted by: Big Pedro Fan | March 24, 2010 at 09:19 AM
Pedro is on my short list of EP reporters who busted it day in day out. He never has a huge ego or acts like a jerk to anyone. He does a job he loves for the sake of doing it well.
Posted by: suzie | March 24, 2010 at 10:58 AM
Mr. Villagrana, Thank You for all those years at channel 26; Best of Luck in whatever you do in the future.
Posted by: liz | March 24, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Never met the guy, but judging by the comments he was well liked.
Unfortunately this is a trend nationally, stations are replacing the reporters that have been around for a while all across the country. Why? because younger reporters are cheaper, and they are still hungry to work in the business, and willing to do whatever it takes to get on the air, shoot, edit, their own stuff and TV managers LOVE IT.
Having watched the news on 26, (I doubt many of the people that commented actually watch, porque si hablo espanol) Villagrana was on EVERYDAY during the 5pm newscast., so I don't agree with him having less and less face time.
Villagrana was an ok reporter, but cannot compare with the Molestinas, Griego's, Balderrama's, Kocherga's, Dupont's, Porter, etc. and several other reporters on the English language stations that break stories, and really do investigative stuff. That in my opinion is what ch.26 has lacked for a while, I like their news but it lacks substance many times.
While I wish Pedro luck in his future, I hope that the station really goes out and gets a true "running back" that's willing to carry the ball, break tackles, and push his way into the goal line. (sorry about the football analogy, but that's what it takes these days to be a GREAT reporter)
Posted by: former El Paso newsinsider | March 24, 2010 at 12:42 PM
Suzie, I'm sure Mr. Villagrana is a good person, however I must comment on him not having a "huge ego." Sadly, you are mistaken. A few years back, I was working off-duty (I'm a retired police officer) at a local dance hall and recall that the event was a wedding. The couple that got married must have been very popular because they had a line of people that wound its way around the building waiting to get into the hall. The only fair way to allow people entrance was as soon as someone exited, then one entered. Mr. Villagrana showed up at the wedding and wanted to make his way inside and came directly to the front door. In a very arrogant way he stated something to the effect "I'm Pedro Villagrana from Channel 26 News and need to get into the wedding." It was almost comical, really, that he DEMANDED to be let in when others had been waiting their turn. I told him that I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to let him in as soon as he got a note from each and every individual allowing him to cut in line (ahead of them)and enter the wedding. Needless to say, if looks could kill, I'd be dead a million times over. Needless to say he was not very happy for not being allowed into the wedding.
Posted by: Sean Paisano | March 24, 2010 at 01:45 PM
Sean, as usual your post is pointless and hateful.
Posted by: peeps | March 24, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Pointless and hateful? I only write about what is true. How can the truth be "pointless and hurtful?"
Posted by: Sean Paisano | March 24, 2010 at 10:58 PM
Obviously, Sean, truth is pointless and hateful whenever the people in here disagree with it.
On another note, suzie says that Pedro "busted it" day in and day out but she doesn't say what exactly he busted. That could mean he's a hard worker or he could be a sex fiend.
Posted by: Blago | March 25, 2010 at 08:06 AM
Sean and Blago, here's some truth for you: you two are sour mood-killers. hehehe. FTP
Posted by: noseasmamoon | March 26, 2010 at 10:21 AM
At least Blago isn't going on and on in graphic detail about what a hot piece of tail (fill in the blank with any female reporter in town) is, so just count your blessings. Oh yeah, good luck Pedro. I never worked directly with you, but crossed paths with you many times in the field over the past 20 years. You always had a smile and seem like a stand up guy.
Posted by: if you can't say something nice... | March 26, 2010 at 11:15 AM
Yes, out of the many rampant egos in media, Pedro was the kind of guy you wouldn't mind having a real conversation with and you wouldn't have to worry about him backstabbing you. Man was dedicated to his craft and community. He even ran to work!
Buena suerte, Pedro, y miles de bendiciones.
Posted by: former kinter | March 26, 2010 at 11:32 AM
The impact and "huellas" that Pedro leaves will be long felt not only at TV 26 but throughout the region as well. He is a straight-up reporter and will undoubtably be a success wherever he goes. I am sure that we will all look foward to his next venture and will duly support his efforts. Journalist like Pedro are few & far between. Integrity & Professionalism best describe his work. Un Abrazo Pedro y Dale Gas -- tu amigo Gilberto Guillen.
Posted by: Gilbert Guillen | March 26, 2010 at 04:32 PM
Pedro, fue una sorpresa enorme cuando me dijeron que ya no laborabas en el 26. Espero y pueda contactarme contigo pronto, o escrÃbeme a pardo1995@yahoo.com Saludos, Fernando Pardo
Posted by: Fernando | March 29, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Yeah! at least! But I will say this, hot tail is hot tail. hehehe.
Posted by: noseasmamoon | March 29, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Pedro, you are a great journalist and a person with a a heart of gold, people like you deserve the best, i've known you for 23 yrs and always saw an excellent son/father. I know you will always succeed in life due to your dedication and love for your career, God bless you always and keep being as nice as you are!
Posted by: Norma Abreu | May 23, 2010 at 06:58 PM
OBVIAMENTE LOS OFICIALES DE KINT NUNCA VAN A COMENTAR NADA SOBRE LA INJUSTICIA QUE LE HAN ECHO A PEDRO VILLAGRANA, QUIEN QUE ES UNO DE LOS POCOS BUENOS HUMANOS QUE QUEDABAN EN LA BASURA QUE DESDE HACE TIEMPO SE HA CONVERTIDO ESE CANAL. DE TODO CORAZON, LA MEJOR DE LA SUERTE, AUNQUE SE QUE NO LA NECESITA PORQUE PERSONAS BUENAS COMO USTED SIEMBRE LES VA BIEN, Y A LAS PORQUERIAS, LA VIDA LES COBRARA TODAS LAS QUE HAN ECHO!!!!! TODO SE PAGA EN ESTA VIDA!!!!!!
Posted by: N/A | May 25, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Hey he is My Professor Wow didnt knew he was from Channel 26 Reporter he is excellent In teaching :)
Posted by: JoelParga | November 11, 2011 at 09:29 PM