Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 10 > Entry
Familiar face to replace KXAN’s Valles
A familiar face will soon be perched alongside Robert Hadlock on KXAN’s evening newscasts.
Beginning Oct. 27, Leslie Rhode — better known to Austinites as Leslie Cook — will slide into the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. co-anchor slot vacated by Michelle Valles. Valles left the station last month after turning down a contract extension she deemed unacceptable.
Rhode returns to KXAN, where she helmed the station’s morning and evening newscasts from 1995 to 2003, after relocating to Washington, D.C., to be with husband Patrick, who worked with President Bush. In D.C., she was a reporter and weekend anchor at ABC station WJLA. The two moved back to Texas earlier this year.
“The way things timed out was great,” said KXAN news director Michael Fabac. “Our opening came up at the same time Leslie became available.”
“I’m just thrilled to be back,” Rhode said. “Austin feels like home to me and home to my family.
“I did not expect this opportunity to come up. I kind of feel like this was meant to be.”
Fabac said news of Rhode’s return was warmly received by KXAN staffers.
“People here were sad to see her leave,” he said, “and they’re glad to have her back.”
The station plans to place Rhode into the field from time to time to take advantage of her reporting skills, something Hadlock regularly does, as well.
“Her credibility and familiarity with the market will let her hit the ground running,” Fabac said.
Photo courtesy of WJLA-TV, Washington, D.C.
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Comments
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By Jeffrey
October 12, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this
Great to have Leslie and her family back home again in Texas. They were such a tremendous asset to the Austin community when they were here before and it will be great to have them involved again!
By This stinks
October 11, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
I don't have KXAN anymore. Because of these greedy people. They should both be ashamed of themselves. This is simply a greed dispute. The signal from KXAN is free, and was free - So they want money. GREEDY GREEDY. Hope they are happy with all of the lost advertising. IDIOTS.
Both sides need to get it together, and leave the consumers out of it!
By Bob
October 11, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this
The return of Leslie Cook/Rhode is a gem of an announcement in the rubble of panic news these days. She and Hadlock ought to take best newsteam in Austin this time next year. Imagine, a news team for grownups! Well done, KXAN!
By Chitwood
October 11, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Welcome back, Leslie -- we missed you! In response to Brownie's post above: Patrick is a top-notch individual and one of the kindest, big-hearted people around. He actually was the one person with the guts to go out in front of the cameras afer Katrina's landfall to take the heat for this bumbling Administration. Patrick also stood up and admitted the mistakes and actually did his best to fix the problems -- quite a contrast to other high-profile leaders in this day and age of "finger-pointing and no accountability." Let's not forget that Patrick proudly and unselfishly served our country in a number of Federal leaderhip positions during some very difficult times for our country (9/11, Columbia disaster, 2004 Hurricane Season, etc.). Patrick's leadership abilities have also been noticed and sought after in the private sector as he has served in executive positions for at least three Fortune 500 companies. Austin is very lucky to have Leslie and Patrick back in town. Rather than taking "cheap shots," let's welcome back to our community the Rhodes and be thankful that we have such a wonderful and loving family coming back "home."
By loring
October 11, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
This is my take on it:
I think Lin is greedy- I think regardless of right and wrong they could have kept the channel on during negotiations. Also interesting-
See info below from the wikipedia page on LinBroadcasting:
In March 1990, McCaw Cellular Communications purchased a 52% interest in LIN Broadcasting. McCaw was acquired by AT&T in 1994, after which LIN Broadcastings television operations were spun off as a public company traded on the NASDAQ stock market and 45%-owned by AT&T. The new company, LIN Television Corporation, owned and/or operated 12 stations and its stock price increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 31% between 1994 and 1998.
(Im no expert but they just seem to be not wanting to accept less profit margins and figure intimidation is better than innovation)
By carlus
October 10, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
I have time-warner.I miss robert not michelle does northland cable carry kxan,do they pay or is it just time-warner they want to pay?
By ht
October 10, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this
what is this channel you are calling KXAN? It is dead to me. No great loss, it was always a lame channel anyway.
By another time warner customer
October 10, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
Too bad few people will actually see her.
Lame KXAN
Signed another Time-Warner customer.
By Fred
October 10, 2008 8:19 PM | Link to this
YEAH!!!!! (he said standing clapping with applause)
It's like a small piece of the crazy universe has just become right again.
Welcome back Leslie!!!
I hated seeing her standing out in the freezing cold doing a report on the DC news when I went there for the holidays.
Peoples, please don't spoil this wonderful event by dragging up the stupid cable company debate.
By Brownie
October 10, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
Leslie's hubby, Patrick Rhode, was FEMA Deputy Director and Chief of Staff during the Katrina fiasco. Doesn't sound as impressive as "worked with President Bush," does it? This has no relevance to Leslie, of course. Just interesting factual "reporting."
By pam
October 10, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
Dang it. I have liked having STARz. I can catch the news & weather on the other stations.
By keith
October 10, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Not like those on TWC will be able to see her.....being that KXAN is being greedy and had to create a new funding source to pay her salary....
By Barbara
October 10, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Thank goodness for DirecTV!
By southside
October 10, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
Forget buying rabbit ears. It's called a paperclip and it's practically free.
By joe
October 10, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I am not a Time Warner subscriber, but I was a Suddenlink customer when they were fittings with KXAN. Really could care less because Suddenlinks service wasn't all that great anyway. We have U-verse now and it is great. But don't let the cable companies fool you. Their advertising is full of un-truths. You don't get anything for free from them. In some way or another you pay for what you get. They have been charging customers for years for signals they recieve at no charge. I had one of those big dishes a few years back and it would suprise you what all they do get for free. So don't feel bad for TW, they are just like any big corporation. They are in the business to make money. And they will do whatever it takes to do so.
By beargirl
October 10, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
HD rabbit ears are $30 at Radio shack. Don't let Time Warner rule your life!
By mark
October 10, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I miss KXAN!!! Robert, Jim, Roger and welcome back Leslie!!! Get this over and done already!! Please!!
By John
October 10, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Everyone in Austin should mail 1 cent to KXAN so that they will stop crying and make up with Time Warner. This whole affair is so silly...
By Tim
October 10, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
Go buy rabbit ears for your tv. I have TW, and I've been watching KXAN (in HD, no less) with the antenna, easily switching back and forth to digital cable without.
By Jean
October 10, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Michelle who??? Never did like her.
By Leslye
October 10, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Glad Leslie will be back! Great news-bad news is... won't get to see her really until LIN and Time-Warner decide to work out their differences. Yeah Jeff, hopefully it will be before she(and all of us for that matter) are retired! But, I'm not holding my breath.
By Anonymous Coward
October 10, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Uh-oh! Does this mean Ray Benson will soon be woo-ing Ms Cook away from her husband (I hear he has a thing for KXAN newscasters)...
By Jeff
October 10, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
I have Time-Warner. Will she be retired by the time I get to see her?