L.A. TV News Insider

10/01/2026

🎉 30 YEARS AT ABC7! 🎉

Congratulations to David Ono, who is celebrating an incredible 30 years with ABC7 Eyewitness News!

Ono joined KABC in 1996, beginning what would become one of the most accomplished runs in Los Angeles television news. Over the past three decades, Southern California viewers have watched him anchor some of the biggest stories of our time while also reporting from around the world.

His assignments have taken him from the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the Haiti earthquake, to Hurricane Katrina, major Southern California and Maui wildfires, presidential elections, papal conclaves and royal weddings.

But Ono’s career has also become known for something beyond daily news — his passion for storytelling and preserving history. His documentaries have earned widespread recognition, with two becoming part of the Smithsonian Institution’s collection, and his work chronicling the experiences of Japanese American soldiers during World War II eventually grew into the acclaimed live production “Defining Courage.”

The honors have certainly followed: 32 Emmys, 14 Edward R. Murrow Awards, multiple Journalist of the Year honors from the Los Angeles Press Club and its Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier this year, Ono was also honored with the 2026 Los Angeles Area Emmy Governors Award, one of the highest honors in local television.

And after 30 years, apparently the enthusiasm hasn’t worn off.

Ono told ABC7 today: “I feel like today could be my second day at work. It’s gone so fast and the energy is still there, and I still love what I do.”

From the anchor desk in Los Angeles to assignments around the world, David Ono has spent three decades telling the stories of Southern California — and bringing the stories of the world home to Southern California.

Congratulations to David Ono on 30 remarkable years at ABC7 Eyewitness News! 📺🎤🎉

https://abc7.com/post/david-ono-marks-30-years-abc7-eyewitness-news/19897344/

09/25/2026

We want to wish a very Happy Birthday to NBC LA’s Annabelle Sedano. May this new trip around the sun bring you lots of joy, good fortunes and great health. 💐

09/25/2026

GET WELL SOON ❤️‍🩹

Sending our best wishes to CBS LA’s Jamie Yuccas, who is home recovering after an unexpected bout of appendicitis sent her to the emergency room yesterday and ultimately into surgery.

Yuccas shared that her symptoms initially puzzled doctors because her pain presented on the lower left side of her abdomen rather than the more typical right side. After the pain persisted, she went to the ER, where a CT scan revealed appendicitis. She underwent surgery overnight and was able to return home today — now, as she puts it, “appendix-free.”

She also used the experience as an important reminder to listen to your body and advocate for yourself when something doesn’t feel right.

Here’s wishing Jamie a smooth and speedy recovery. We look forward to seeing her back on CBSLA soon! ❤️‍🩹📺

Photo: Jamie Yuccas Facebook

09/24/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY 📺🌎

Do you remember “Earthman” David Garcia?

Long before environmental reporting became a regular part of local television news, David Garcia was making it his beat.

Southern California viewers may remember Garcia from KNXT/KCBS, KNBC, FOX 11, and KPSP in Palm Springs, but his résumé stretched well beyond Los Angeles. Garcia was one of the pioneering Latino journalists in American television news, becoming one of only a handful of Hispanic network correspondents during the 1970s.

At ABC News, Garcia covered the White House during the Nixon, Ford and Carter administrations. His assignments included Watergate, the Camp David Accords and the SALT II treaty. He later became ABC’s Latin America bureau chief, reporting on major events throughout the region. It was while visiting Latin American rain forests that Garcia developed the interest in environmental issues that would eventually define the next chapter of his career.

After coming to Los Angeles, Garcia worked at KNXT Channel 2, later KCBS, where he hosted the public-affairs program At Issue/With David Garcia. He eventually moved to KNBC, where viewers came to know him for his environmental reporting.

And that’s where “Earthman” was born.

The nickname actually came from KNBC weatherman Fritz Coleman. With one of Garcia’s environmental reports scheduled to follow the weather, Coleman joked on-air that “Earthman” was coming up.

The name stuck. 🌎

It stuck so well that Garcia later recalled receiving mail from children addressed simply to “Earthman.”

Garcia eventually took his environmental beat across town to KTTV FOX 11, where he reported from 1993 until 2001. His expertise extended beyond environmental issues; ABC News later recalled that FOX 11 regarded him as its premier earthquake journalist.

Garcia’s pioneering career earned him numerous honors, including 14 Emmy Awards. But perhaps his greatest contribution was being ahead of his time. KNBC’s Colleen Williams remembered Garcia as someone who established an environmental niche before the subject received the attention it does today.

Garcia died in 2007 at age 63, leaving behind more than four decades in journalism and a career that took him from the White House and Latin America to some of Southern California’s most familiar television newsrooms.

🌎📺 Do you remember “Earthman” David Garcia?

09/23/2026

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂🎉

Sending birthday wishes today to KTLA 5 Morning News’ Kirk Hawkins!

Here’s hoping Kirk gets a little time away from the newsroom to celebrate and enjoy his special day. Wishing him a very happy birthday and another great year ahead! 🎈🥳

09/22/2026

📰 CAMP NEWS IS BACK!

For aspiring journalists and anyone hoping to break into the news business, here’s a unique opportunity to get some real-world experience.

Camp News 2026 returns this December with an immersive, hands-on journalism boot camp designed to give participants a taste of what it’s like to cover breaking news — from reporting and anchoring to storytelling and creating digital content.

The program brings participants together with working journalists and other professionals in the industry like, Hal Eisner Journalist, who serve as mentors throughout the experience.

📅 December 12–13, 2026
📍 Calabasas, California
🎥 Reporting • Anchoring • Breaking News • Digital Storytelling

Camp News 2026 is sponsored by the Academy of Business Leadership (ABL) and will be held at The Salvation Army in Calabasas. Registration is now open, with tickets starting at $250.

If you know a college student, aspiring journalist, or someone looking to make the move into television news or digital journalism, pass this along!

More information and registration:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-news-2026-sponsored-by-the-academy-of-business-leadership-abl-tickets-1998662626719

📺📰🎤 The next generation of journalists has to start somewhere!

Are you ready for CampNews 2026! Experience the ultimate journalism boot camp, where inspiration meets real-world reporting in a weekend!

09/21/2026

Support Eric Spillman’s MS fundraising ride here: https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participants/867931

09/18/2026

WEDDING BELLS 💍❤️

In the wake of a week filled with sadness in the Los Angeles TV news community, we’d be remiss if we didn’t take a moment to share some happy news and congratulate FOX 11 Los Angeles’ Jennifer Lahmers on her wedding this week!

Lahmers revealed that she and her longtime partner quietly eloped at the Santa Barbara Courthouse on Tuesday — exactly six years to the day after their first date.

The couple opted for something simple and intimate, choosing to celebrate their commitment to each other and their son. Lahmers described the day as “pure,” “simple” and “beyond special.”

She shared the happy news on social media, writing about their unconventional love story, which began during the pandemic, and how becoming a mother changed her life.

After such a heartbreaking week for our local TV news family, it’s especially nice to have something joyful to celebrate.

Congratulations to Jennifer and her new husband! Here’s to a lifetime of happiness together. ❤️🥂💍

To see all the beautiful photos by INNIS CASEY photography, head on over to Jennifer Lahmers’ Facebook post.

09/17/2026

CHATSWORTH COMMUNITY VIGIL 🖤

In the wake of the tragedy that unfolded in Chatsworth last night, Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee has organized a community vigil to honor and remember all those who lost their lives in the horrific bus crash and the subsequent news helicopter crash.

At times like this, sometimes people simply want to be around others who are experiencing the same feelings of shock, sadness and hurt. Thursday evening’s vigil will offer the community an opportunity to come together, remember the victims and show support for their families, friends and loved ones.

The vigil will be held Thursday, September 17, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. John Eudes Parish, 9901 Mason Avenue in Chatsworth.

Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by yesterday’s tragedies. 🖤

09/16/2026

DUNIA ELVIR SE DESPIDE DE TELEMUNDO 52 🚨

Después de más de dos décadas con Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, Dunia Elvir ha dejado su puesto como presentadora de noticias de la estación KVEA.

La periodista, ganadora de premios Emmy, más recientemente conducía los noticieros de lunes a viernes de las 6 y 11 p.m. junto a Enrique Chiabra. Su último noticiero fue el 2 de septiembre. Su salida fue anunciada a los empleados de la estación el lunes.

Elvir ha sido un rostro familiar de Telemundo 52 durante años, conduciendo varios de los noticieros de la estación a lo largo de su trayectoria, incluyendo las ediciones de la mañana, el mediodía y la tarde. Antes de incorporarse a KVEA, trabajó en KWHY-TV Canal 22 y KRCA-TV Canal 62 en Los Ángeles, además de colaborar en programas de la cadena Telemundo.

Elvir dice que planea continuar trabajando de manera independiente y produciendo contenido para sus redes sociales. Se espera que pronto dé a conocer más detalles sobre sus próximos proyectos.

Y en un mensaje publicado en Instagram tras conocerse la noticia de su salida, Elvir dejó claro que espera con entusiasmo lo que viene:

“Este no es el final de la historia. Es el comienzo de un nuevo capítulo. Manténganse atentos para más detalles…”

También tranquilizó a los televidentes que se han comunicado con ella para saber cómo se encuentra, escribiendo que está “¡de hecho, mejor que bien!”

Actualmente, Elvir es presidenta de la Asociación Nacional de Periodistas Hispanos (National Association of Hispanic Journalists).

Después de décadas como uno de los rostros más conocidos de las noticias en español en Los Ángeles, estaremos atentos para ver qué le depara este nuevo capítulo a Dunia Elvir.

¿Qué recuerdos tienen de ver a Dunia Elvir en Telemundo 52?