KXAS, the NBC O&O in Dallas, is facing criticism after a Facebook post about a Fort Hood solider’s death.

The soldier was shot accidentally by a fellow soldier, who held a gun to his face in an attempt to scare away his hiccups. The post (right) reads “BOOops” and features an image of a gun, along with encouraging viewers to share their cure for hiccups.

The post generated many comments on the station’s Facebook page.

“It’s not funny to make a joke about someone’s death. Especially a young soldier who died because of a stupid, stupid prank,” one person wrote.

“It is good to know that a MAJOR TV outlet can admit its errors. Thank You, do not change,” another commented.

A tipster tells us the post was up for 40 minutes before KXAS removed it and posted an apology.

“We have removed the previous post to our Facebook page that many of you felt was insensitive,” the station wrote. “We apologize for the error in judgement.”

Carla Wade is joining WFAA in Dallas as a reporter and Sunday night anchor, according to Dallas media blogger Ed Bark.

Wade comes from Oklahoma City, where she spent three years at KOCO. She has also worked at WTVQ in Lexington, Ky. and KSWO in Lawton, Texas.

Beginning next month, Wade will anchor on Sunday nights alongside Jason Wheeler. She will also report four days a week.

Eight months after resigning from KXAS in the wake of her DUI arrest, Jane McGarry is returning to Dallas television.

McGarry will contribute to the WFAA morning newscast, presenting a segment called “Starting Over with Jane McGarry.” The segments will air over a five-week period beginning January 24.

“I am excited to be working with the talented team at Good Morning Texas on this project,” McGarry said in a statement. “I hope the information will be helpful to the loyal viewers of North Texas, whom I have had the pleasure of knowing for more than two decades.”

McGarry spent 30 years as an anchor at KXAS, the NBC O&O in Dallas. She pleaded no contest to driving while intoxicated last year.

Sports anchor Matt Barrie is leaving KXAS to join ESPN, according to Dallas media blogger Ed Bark.

Barrie joined the NBC-owned station in Dallas in 2008. His final day at KXAS will be March 3.

“Matt is a terrific journalist who brought fantastic energy to the NBC5 sports team,” VP of news Susan Tully said. “We’re sorry to see Matt leave, but wish him success in his new network job.”

Meteorologist Lindsay Riley has joined KXAS, the NBC O&O in Dallas.

Previously, Riley has worked at WLEX in Lexington, Ky. and WIVB in Buffalo. She will be the weekend morning meteorologist, as well as reporting on environmental and weather-related stories and features.

“I’m very excited to join the NBC 5 team of meteorologists because I’ve been a true weather enthusiast since I was four years old,” Riley said in a statement. “To work in such a large and dynamic weather region like North Texas is a dream come true!”

Mark Antonitis has been named vice president and general manager of KTXD, London Broadcasting’s Me-TV affiliate in Dallas.

Antontitis joins the station from KRON in San Francisco, where he has been president and general manager since 2004. In a statement, Antontitis called his new position “the kind of challenge I’ve been preparing for my entire career.”

Before joining KRON, Antontitis was vice president and general manager of KELO in Sioux Falls. He has also worked as vice president and news director of WMAQ in Chicago.

“All of us at London Broadcasting feel that Mark is uniquely qualified for the Dallas leadership position and we feel fortunate to employ Mark with his years of experience in large market television,” London Broadcasting EVP and COO Philip Hurley said in a a statement.

Add Brian New as the second San Antonio reporter hired by Dallas CBS O&O KTVT this week.

The investigative reporter for CBS affiliate KENS joins Mireya Villarreal-Gideon who was hired from San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI Monday.

“I am very excited to be joining a station that is committed to original investigative reporting as well as good story telling,”  New told TVSpy. “(news director) Adrienne Roark‘s commitment to investigative reporting is a big reason why I decided to join her news team”

New has been at KENS since 2007.  He previously worked as a reporter/anchor at Cheyenne, WY ABC affiliate KTWO, Amarillo ABC affiliate KVII and Omaha NBC affiliate WOWT.

A KTVT spokesperson told TVSpy New will begin working as a general assignment reporter on New Year’s Eve.

[unclebarky.com]

Mireya Villarreal-Gideon is making the jump from San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI to Dallas CBS O&O KTVT.

Villarreal-Gideon, who has been hired at KTVT as an investigative reporter, has been a member of WOAI’s “Trouble Shooters” investigative team since 2008.

She began her on-air career for NBC affiliate KGNS in Laredo, TX as a sports anchor/reporter.  Before working for WOAI, she was a general assignment reporter at ABC affiliate KRGV in Welasco, TX.

A KTVT spokesperson confirmed with TVSpy, Villarreal-Gideon’s first day at the station will be January 2.

[unclebarky.com]

Deion Sanders, former NFL star and co-founder of Prime Prep, a Dallas charter school, took aim at an unnamed WFAA reporter while on Dallas radio station KRLD.  Sanders went on the program to address allegations that his charter school had engaged in illegal recruiting for both football and basketball.

“First of all, this all started mainly by a Caucasian reporter from a news station, Channel 8, you know who I’m talking about, and he seems like he’s the African American killer,” Sanders said. “It’s always something against a brother. And that bothers me. I’ve never been accused of cheating with anything, in any sports, in any arena, in my life. Now to be accused of something as stupid and as simplistic as this and all I have is 30 kids out there. And the sad thing about it, Channel 8 and Dallas Morning News, they’re partners.”

Sanders’ comments were most likely aimed at WFAA (ABC) reporter Brett Shipp who has done a series of reports about Prime Prep’s athletic program.  You can watch one of Shipp’s reports after the jump.  In it, he was antagonized by Prime Prep coaches and players while investigating the uncertainty surrounding the school’s athletic program. Read more

Jobin Panicker will join Dallas ABC affiliate, WFAA, as a reporter.  Panicker comes from Fresno, CA NBC affiliate KSEE.

Dave Muscari, WFAA’s vice president of product development told TVSpy, Panicker is, “a bright journalist and a strong writer who has earned several regional Emmy awards and 4 regional Murrow awards during his time in Fresno.”

Panicker, whose first day at WFAA will be December 4, started his reporting career at WBOC in Salisbury, MD.

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