It appears that paying for news stories doesn't just happen at the network level.

The big story in Houston this week where a 14 year old girl was kidnapped by a 51 year old former family friend.  

The good news is the teen was found over 300 miles away in South Texas.  But, the parents didn't have money to drive down and get her.

Houston insiders tell FTVLive that KHOU offered to pick up the tab to bring the girl and her mom back to Houston.  

Word is that KHOU paid for the mom and teens flight home in an effort to get the exclusive.  KHOU Reporter Malini Basu rode with mom and daughter on the plane and  tweeted pictures along the way back.