FOX San Antonio - NEWS TEAM

Alex Garcia: Chief Meteorologist

Alex Garcia is the Chief Meteorologist for KABB-TV's News at Nine. Alex is a multi-disciplined individual with professional experience as an educator and broadcaster. He holds several degrees and certifications, that include a B.S. in Education, a Masters in Education with Certification as an Educational Administrator, and Broadcast Meteorologist. Alex has taught elementary school and at the University of Houston. In addition, he has more than 2 decades of broadcast experience as news director, assignment editor, meteorologist and reporter. The last two broadcast positions were lead meteorologist for KENS-TV and news director for KAVU-TV. Alex has received the AMS Seal of Approval and has been the recipient of six Associated Press Awards for Best Weathercast. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society, National Weather Association, Knights of Columbus and an inactive member of Rotary International.

He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Incarnate Word. He teaches meteorology, oceanography, astronomy and science for elementary teachers. He is also active in science education programs for teachers and students across the state.

He is married to his high school sweetheart Eva and has a daughter Angelique and a son Alejandro. He is a proud grandfather and enjoys spending time with his grandson Michael and grandaughter Jayla.

E-mail Alex Garcia: avgarcia@foxsanantonio.com

Ted Garcia: Anchor

Ted Garcia considers San Antonio his second home. After leaving the Alamo City in the mid 90’s, Ted is back – joining the FOX San Antonio news team at KABB in August 2010.

Ted grew up in Southern California. After becoming a news anchor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, he decided to make a career out of telling stories with a microphone and a camera. Ted’s first job was at KSWO-TV in Lawton, Oklahoma, where he interviewed soon-to-be first lady, Hillary Clinton, in a small airplane hangar in Wichita Falls, Texas. After that, it was off to south Texas -- the Rio Grande Valley to be exact. Ted was a weekend anchor for KRGV-TV and after a short time was promoted to 5pm anchor.

Ted’s next job was here in San Antonio at KSAT-TV, where he was a reporter, weekend anchor and finally morning and noon anchor. While there, Ted hosted a number of special events and became very involved in the community – even becoming an alumnus of Leadership San Antonio.

Heading back to the West Coast, Ted took a reporter position at KFMB in San Diego, and then spent 9 years as a reporter/anchor at KTLA in Los Angeles. While there, he covered fires, floods, earthquakes, police pursuits and, of course, TV and movie stars (especially when they misbehaved!). Along the way, Ted won an Emmy and three Golden Mic awards.

In his spare time, Ted likes to play tennis, read, go to movies and explore all that San Antonio has to offer.

E-mail Ted Garcia: tdgarcia@foxsanantonio.com

Andy Cunningham: Reporter

Andy Cunningham comes to FOX San Antonio from the Bluegrass State, where he worked as a reporter for WKYT-TV in Lexington, KY. While there, Andy had the amazing opportunity to work the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby. He highly recommends everyone experience the Derby at least once in their lives.

Before Lexington, Andy worked as a one-man-band reporter at two stations in his home state of Iowa. That included FOX 18 in his hometown of Davenport, IA, and at another station in Lancaster County, PA, his first job out of college (University of Northern Iowa).

Andy has never been camera shy; but the desire to become a television journalist didn't really take hold until he enrolled in media classes at UNI. Then he took on several internships in the biz, including one at Dateline NBC in Los Angeles, where he was assigned to cover the death of President Ronald Reagan with Correspondent Keith Morrison. It's an experience Andy will never forget.

On his last day in L.A. Andy stayed up all night to attend a taping of the "Price Is Right." It paid off--he was the third contestant urged to "come on down."

Unfortunately he didn't win the trip to Spain. But he did win a miter saw (which he may have called a "meter" saw) and he did get to spin the big wheel.

Growing up in Eastern Iowa, Andy has always supported the Iowa Hawkeyes and his alma mater, Northern Iowa Panthers. His experience in Bluegrass country has also made him a huge University of Kentucky basketball fan. But what he's really looking forward to, is Texas football--from high school games in San Antonio to watching the Longhorns in Austin. Which he's told is the best place in the country to watch a college football game.

E-mail Andy Cunningham: acunningham@foxsanantonio.com

Christina Coleman: Reporter

Christina Coleman There's no place like home!

I can't help thinking that because I'm finally back in my hometown after an eight-year stint that took me from College Station, Texas, to Anchorage, Alaska. I graduated from Judson High School in 2002 and graduated four years later with a Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Spanish from Texas A&M University. Whoop!!! During my senior year of college, I interned at KXAN, the NBC affiliate in Austin, and KRIV, the Fox affiliate in Houston. Hurricane Katrina, the evacuees, and places to shelter them were huge topics during that time.

I launched my on-air news career at KIMO-TV, the statewide ABC affiliate in Anchorage, Alaska, as a news reporter and nightside co-anchor. My most memorable interview in Alaska was a 30 minute sit-down with former vice presidential candidate (and at the time Governor) Sarah Palin about her future plans. I then took a job at KCEN-TV, the NBC affiliate in Waco. I didn't expect earth-shattering news in Central Texas. Every now and then you had a fast-moving grass fire or severe flooding, but the Fort Hood shooting spree threw everybody for a loop. I was on my way to Waco when my assignment manager frantically told us to get to Killeen because several soldiers had been shot on post. I didn't know what was going on, but I soon found out that night as our newsroom did at least three hours of continuous live coverage. My family and friends were sending me all kinds of texts; everyone desperately wanted to know what was going on. I went live from Fort Hood's main gate multiple times then ended up at Scott and White hospital in Temple where some of the shooting victims were taken. Hundreds of Central Texans donated blood at the hospital that night to help the victims survive. The whole ordeal reminded me just how critical our jobs are as journalists during a time of crisis. I had to work my usual night shift then wake up nearly five hours later for morning live shots a day prior to President Barack Obama arriving on post. I met so many reporters from all over the country covering that tragedy.

The experience from Austin to Houston to Anchorage to Waco has landed me a job in San Antonio. And I must say, I'm so grateful to now be surrounded by my family, friends, and my loving fiance - so don't mind me if you catch me saying "there's no place like home"...because for me, there truly isn't!

E-mail Christina Coleman: cpcoleman@foxsanantonio.com

Chuck Miketinac: Sports Director / Anchor

Chuck Miketinac has been the Sports Director/Anchor for KABB's "Maximum Sports" since 1999 and has worked in various capacities in the sports department at KABB since 1995. Before that, Chuck was a weekend anchor/sports reporter for 5 years at San Antonio's CBS affiliate. Chuck's broadcasting career began at KVTV in Laredo, Texas, as a one-man sports department back in 1988. The son of a retired Army General, Chuck was born at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He spent his childhood moving around the country, wherever his father was stationed. Even though he's been to 44 of the 50 states, Chuck decided to take-up roots in San Antonio because, as he says, "it's the only place that ever felt like home."

Chuck is a 1982 graduate of Madison High school in San Antonio and also received his degree in Broadcast Journalism from Texas State University in San Marcos (the artist formally known as Southwest Texas State). Chuck is an avid baseball fan who enjoys playing "Madden" in his spare time. His great uncle Nick Miketinac was a lineman for the Green Bay Packers back in the 1930's. Chuck is married with three children. And he hates beets.

E-mail Chuck Miketinac: cmiketinac@foxsanantonio.com

Darren Haynes: Sports Anchor / Reporter

Darren Haynes You know Darren M. Haynes is excited to join the FOX San Antonio Maximum Sports team--especially when you consider how hard it was for him just to begin work here. On April 20, 2010, he had to take a boat, cab, train and plane across the Atlantic Ocean to avoid volcanic ash from Iceland for day one on the job. (Darren was wrapping up his honeymoon at the time.)

Prior to joining KABB, Darren was an award-winning sports anchor and reporter at KGBT in the Rio Grande Valley. He also appeared on Fox Sports Net Detroit's “High School Hammer Time” covering high school teams from Northern Michigan; he appeared on ESPN’s Rob Parker’s “Sports Rap” covering the Detroit Pistons; he worked as the sports director at WBKB-TV in Alpena, Michigan; and as a sports reporter at WLAJ in Lansing, Michigan.

Darren Haynes is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. Darren is a graduate and four-year letterman football player at Wayne State University and has also studied at the University of Rhode Island and University of New Haven.

Darren’s life beyond the sports desk strongly includes working within the community. He has been a Special Olympics volunteer, Food Bank spokesperson and hosts seminars to teach aspiring high school and college students about broadcasting.

When he's not working in the newsroom or in the community, Darren loves to listen to music, play pool, follow the University of Connecticut Huskies basketball team and spend quality time with his wife, family, and friends.

E-mail Darren Haynes: dmhaynes@foxsanantonio.com

Ernie Zuniga: Anchor

Ernie Zuniga is a Morning News Anchor and co-host of FOX San Antonio's morning show, Fox News First. He previously spent 9 years as a sports anchor and reporter, including four and a half years in the FOX San Antonio Maximum Sports department. Zuniga also serves as the play-by-play announcer during live high school football telecasts of Kia Thursday Night Lights on MY35.

Ernie was born and raised in Victoria, Texas and began his career there at KAVU-TV. In addition to Victoria and San Antonio, Ernie has previously worked in Phoenix, Arizona.

Zuniga attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Ernie enjoys spending his spare time with his wife and daughter.

E-mail Ernie Zuniga: ezuniga@foxsanantonio.com

Grace White: Reporter

Grace White joined the FOX San Antonio news team in August of 2009. Whether she's reporting live from the coast as a hurricane comes ashore or watching Air Force One land, Grace is always up for an adventure! She's a Texas girl, born and raised in Houston, but the last few years Grace tracked down stories and occasionally sat behind the anchor desk in several gulf coast cities.

Grace came to San Antonio from WEAR-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pensacola, Florida. She was the first reporter on the scene when Byrd & Melanie Billings, the parents of 17 children, many with special needs, were gunned down in their home. Grace also reported live for CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 when a man went on a shooting spree in South Alabama killing 10 people. Before she left Florida, Grace had the honor of flying with the U.S. Navy Blue Angel's C-130 Hercules, affectionately known as Fat Albert.

Grace got her start in television in Lafayette, LA. There she enjoyed all things Cajun and Creole! At KLFY-TV, she reported live from the coast as Hurricane Humberto came ashore. Grace also had the chance to interview former President Bill Clinton during the 2008 Presidential Campaign and Governor Bobby Jindal on his state-wide ethics reform. Her stay in Louisiana was complete with her first real Mardi Gras. Grace rolled through the streets of Acadiana tossing beads and reporting on all the festivities.

Grace graduated from The University of Mississippi with a degree in Journalism. During college she interned at KTRK-TV in Houston and at The White House. After college, she traveled internationally with the White House Advance team coordinating movements for the White House Press Corps.

Grace is thrilled to be back in Texas! She considers it a privilege to bring San Antonians stories that will help them make better decisions for their lives. When she's not chasing stories, she's enjoying her favorite food (Tex-Mex, of course) and exploring the Hill Country. If you have a story idea, she'd love to hear it.

E-mail Grace White: gwhite@foxsanantonio.com

Hector Ledesma: Sports Anchor / Reporter

Hector Ledesma Born and raised in San Antonio, Hector is thrilled to be back home. Growing up on the west side, Hector is proud to say he knows what San Antonio is all about. From the love for family and faith, to the taquerias, to the "mom and pop" mechanic shops, he believes what makes San Antonio unique can be found where he grew up.

Hector is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and of Syracuse University. While at SU, Hector not only got to cover Orange football, basketball and lacrosse, but also got the chance to study abroad in Spain - one of the best experiences of his life. He earned a dual degree in Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication in 2001.

The Sports Director position at KLST in San Angelo, TX followed before he moved across the state to the Tyler CBS Affiliate. While there, Hector realized he wanted to come back home to get involved in the community. You can catch Hector on Maximum Sports, where his goal is to tell the stories that make San Antonio the great sports town it is. Since joining KABB in 2005, he has covered several NFL and NBA playoff runs, including co-anchoring the live broadcast of the Spurs team arrival following their championship in 2007. Recently, Hector was honored by the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters and in 2008, he received first place for Best Television Sports Feature from the Houston Press Club.

An only child, Hector is very close to his parents. They are his heroes. He loves spending time with his entire family and friends. Away from work, Hector is involved with AVANCE, a nonprofit organization for at-risk parents. He is also on the Alumni Association Board of Directors for Central Catholic High School, an Alumni Representative for Syracuse University, and on the Nursing Advisory Council for the UT Health Science Center. Among other things, Hector also teaches Catechism class at his parish, St. Timothy, writes a monthly column for the Westside/Southside Sol, and volunteers as a mentor through the Communities In Schools Program. Hector loves meeting people; so when you see him around, please say hi.

E-mail Hector Ledesma: hledesma@foxsanantonio.com

Jennifer Saucedo: Reporter

Jennifer Saucedo Jennifer was only four years old, living in her native Brownsville, Texas, when she first got bitten by the reporter bug while watching the news with her mom. Her mother says Jennifer pointed to the anchors and said, “That’s what I want to do!” She moved to San Antonio when she was nine. Jennifer’s passion for journalism started her freshman year at Holmes High School, where she was a sports writer and co-editor for the school newspaper. During her junior year, she was one of 16 San Antonio students selected to be part of the “Urban Journalism Workshop.” The workshop is a journalism “boot camp” for high school students. Jennifer’s story was featured in the San Antonio Express News.

Jennifer later attended San Antonio College and Texas State University, where she majored in Broadcast Journalism and Criminal Justice. While interning in the state capital of Austin, she covered the funeral of former Texas Governor Ann Richards. Jennifer first broke into the biz at KTXS in Abilene, where she was the crime and courts reporter. One of the most memorable stories she did was interviewing a man in jail accused of killing a police officer. During the interview, he confessed and asked the officer’s wife and 3-year-old daughter for forgiveness. In West Texas, Jennifer also covered the raid of the polygamist compound in El Dorado.

Jennifer joined Fox San Antonio in November 2008. During the week, you can catch Jennifer reporting, working the assignment desk and writing for Fox News at Nine. When Jennifer’s not at work, she loves spending time with her beautiful daughter Idaly and husband, Roberto. She has two wonderful parents and two brothers, one who serves in the Army. If you see Jennifer out and about, please say hello.

E-mail Jennifer Saucedo: jsaucedo@foxsanantonio.com

Karen Martinez: Anchor / Reporter

Karen Martinez is an anchor for FOX News at Nine. She's a native San Antonian who grew up on our city's south side. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from UTSA, and is a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. Karen came to FOX San Antonio in May of 1999. "I love news and I love San Antonio. I feel blessed to have my dream job here in my hometown."

And giving back to her community is a top priority. Karen has been recognized by the Marrow Donor Program at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center for her commitment to raising awareness about the need for blood and bone marrow donors--particularly the need for minority donors. She has also been recognized by the Silver Stars and Spurs Sports and Entertainment as an inspiring woman for professional and personal accomplishments in the community. Karen is also a member of the Breast Health Awareness Committee, a branch of the American Cancer Society. The Committee helps educate the community on the facts and myths surrounding breast cancer. She also mentors students who are aspiring journalists.

When she's not working, Karen spends time with her husband Joseph and three kids - Joshua, Miranda and Mitchell.

E-mail Karen Martinez: kmartinez@foxsanantonio.com

Michael Valdes: Anchor

Originally from Del Rio, Texas, Michael Valdes has called San Antonio home since 1987. He attended the University of Texas at San Antonio and received a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy. He also received an Associates degree in Radio-TV-Film from San Antonio College.

After interning at both KSAT-TV and KMOL-TV (now WOAI) in San Antonio, Valdes got his first on-air position at KMID-TV, the ABC affiliate in Midland, Texas in the fall of 1994. He was there for four months before getting a chance to return to the Alamo City.

Valdes is one of the original members on the FOX News at Nine team that made its debut in March of 1995. Hired as a reporter, Valdes was named the weekend anchor six months later. He was then promoted to weekday anchor in March of 2000.

Michael spends most of his off time with his wife Laura, and two young sons, Isaiah and Elias. He also owns a small business and remains a life-long fan of the Cowboys, Longhorns, and Spurs.

E-mail Michael Valdes: mvaldes@foxsanantonio.com

Mileka Lincoln: Anchor / Reporter

Mileka Lincoln is the newest addition to Fox News First. Every morning she helps San Antonio commuters "Beat the Traffic" with tips on accidents and closures to make sure they get to their destinations safely and on time. She also regularly contributes as a reporter for Fox News First and Fox News at Nine and produces the station's weekend public affairs show, "Focus on South Texas."

Mileka was born and raised on the Big Island, Hawaii. Growing up in the islands, Mileka enjoyed surfing, dancing hula and dreaming about traveling the world some day.

Mileka graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California (Go Trojans!) with a degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communication Law. The highlights of her college-days include traveling through Europe after studying abroad in London, cheering on the Trojans at the Coliseum, and anchoring Annenberg TV News.

While living in L.A., Mileka helped cover award shows and movie junkets as a production assistant for CNN's Entertainment Department. She also worked at ABC News, where her fondest memory was helping behind the scenes with an interview of Mel Gibson.

Prior to joining the Fox News morning team, Mileka worked along the border in Laredo, TX, as a morning news anchor. While there, Mileka interviewed former President Bill Clinton who was in the Gateway City to campaign for his wife, but her favorite assignment was covering the federal and district courts.

When she's not working, and not watching the news, Mileka enjoys adventuring around San Antonio, trying new places to eat, and learning how to knit. And thank goodness for video chat, because she gets to "see" her family at least once a week!

E-mail Mileka Lincoln: mlincoln@foxsanantonio.com

Monica Taylor: Anchor

Monica Taylor is a Morning News Anchor and co-host of FOX San Antonio's morning show, Fox News First.

Prior to joining the Fox News First team, Taylor made countless appearances on FOX 29 as the face and voice of the San Antonio Spurs and is now happy to call the station her new home.

She loves having the chance to connect to the San Antonio community through the lens of the camera. When people ask her why she left the Spurs, Monica just simply says "working at FOX 29 was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up."

Monica was born in Madrid, Spain and moved to San Antonio when she was just two years old. She is a San Antonio native that graduated from Judson High School and the University of Texas at San Antonio where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. Before graduating from UTSA, she completed an internship at KMOL-TV (now WOAI) in San Antonio.

Monica will tell you that TV has always flowed through her veins. Her family still has recordings of her as a child delivering the news of the day to whoever would listen.

When she is not working, Monica loves to watch professional sports (basketball and football are her favorites), workout, travel, listen to music and dance.

Monica is married and has two Cairn Terrier dogs (yes, they are the same breed as Toto from the Wizard of Oz).

E-mail Monica Taylor: mtaylor@foxsanantonio.com

Shaun Stevens: Meteorologist

Shaun Stevens Shaun can be seen every weekday morning on Fox News First. He loves his morning schedule. It gives him chance to have fun out in the community and forecast the weather all at the same time. Shaun joined Fox San Antonio for the debut of Fox News First in January 2006. He left the snow and cold of Spokane Washington for the warmth of San Antonio, and he loves it here.

Shaun's love of weather started early. It was in the second grade, when a local meteorologist visited his class, that?s when Shaun first knew what he wanted to do when he grew up. Shaun spent the summers of his youth living and working on his grandparent's farm in Eastern Washington State. While farming he realized how important an accurate weather forecast is to people.

Since moving to San Antonio in 2005 Shaun?s been blessed with a wife, new baby son and Bond Dog (his yellow Lab adopted from the Pets on Fox show). When away from work Shaun loves to get outdoors and enjoy what South Texas has to offer. You may catch him on his frequent walk through the nature park with Blond Dog and son Conner.

Shaun has a B.S. in Meteorology from San José State University. He got his start as a weather producer at Telemundo in the San Francisco Bay Area. His first on air job came in Billings, Montana followed by a stay in Spokane. Shaun holds the distinguished American Meteorological Society Seal of Approval.

E-mail Shaun Stevens: sstevens@foxsanantonio.com

Sylvia Rincon: Reporter

Sylvia Rincon was born and raised in San Antonio. Graduated from Highlands High and the University of the Incarnate Word.

She started working as a news radio reporter at KTSA. In 1999 she got a gig in Austin at KLBJ newsradio for the morning show where she also anchored. Started in television at KEYE in Austin on the assignments desk and as a writer before getting a break with ABC 15 in Phoenix. For two and a half years she worked there as a producer, reporter and morning show fill in anchor. Came back home August 2002 to work at KABB with my fellow news hounds.

I love this city and I am a die-hard for the first amendment.

In 2000 won a Texas AP award in Austin 2001 nominated for Rocky Mountain Emmy.

E-mail Sylvia Rincon: srincon@foxsanantonio.com

Yami Virgin: Reporter

Yami Virgin "You can't know where you're going unless you know where you've been."

I was born in Panama City, Panama, and I'm proud to call myself an Army brat. This more than anything built the foundation for that need to find out more about the people around me. It also taught me how to accept others even if they aren't like me. Although I wasn't born in Texas, I consider myself a transplanted Texan and most importantly a San Antonian.

I got my start in broadcasting while taking classes at San Antonio College. A program director at a local radio station heard my show and offered me a job. I went on to U.T.S.A. where I majored in Political Science and minored in Communications. After graduating from U.T.S.A. I worked on several political campaigns. But soon my first love pullled me back to news. So I went back to broadcasting and started working for the local Telemundo station. When you're just 25 and reporting and producing for people who have over 25 years of experience under their belt, you quickly learn to grow very tough skin.

In 2000 I moved up north to follow my husband when he was accepted to medical school. I went to the land of the frozen tundra, "brats" and the Green Bay Packers. After 8 years at the CBS and Telemundo station in Milwaukee, WI, I learned a lot about myself as a reporter. I learned I could stand in 60 below zero wind chills and still talk. My friends from high school aren't too surprised since they did vote me most talkative senior. While in Milwaukee, I reported for the CBS station and anchored and produced the news at Telemundo.

Yes, I've been around for a while. That's why I have 13 Associated Press awards under my belt. But I can truly say all of them were a team effort. While you see me on TV, it's the guy on the other side of the camera who brings you the images that make you understand the joy others enjoy or the pain they sometimes have to go through. If we make you feel something, then I've done my job.

When I'm not at work I enjoy traveling. But of all the beautiful places I've been lucky enough to see, I still find Panama one of the most beautiful on earth. I thank you for letting me into your home every night and letting my stories touch you in some way.

E-mail Yami Virgin: yvirgin@foxsanantonio.com

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