Getting out of Traffic
KENS (San Antonio) traffic reporter Natalie Tejeda is getting out of traffic and into news anchoring.
Tejeda said she's leaving the station next month for an anchor/reporter job in Birmingham, Ala. At CBS station WIAT-TV, she'll anchor on weekends, do some nightside reporting and presumably enjoy better hours.
Although Birmingham is a slight drop in market size — No. 40 vs. San Antonio's current ranking of 37th — Tejeda said the job represents not only a step up in her career but also a way to be closer to her family.
“They live in Atlanta,” which she said is only 21/2 hours from Birmingham.
She said she's sorry to leave KENS, particularly now that executive news director Triston Sanders is, as she put it, bringing some welcome “fresh blood” to the station. But the new job will offer more opportunities for her to grow, she added.
Tejeda's last day at KENS will be Aug. 9.
“Natalie has done a wonderful job for KENS 5,” Sanders said. “She has a very bright future ahead of her. I know anchoring is a focus for her, and we'll miss her, but I absolutely applaud her for pursuing her dreams.”
Tejeda's replacement is Danielle Saar, whom Sanders describes as warm and accomplished. Her last job was as morning traffic reporter for KOMO-TV, Seattle's ABC affiliate. Saar starts at KENS Aug. 5.