Houston’s Longtime Broadcast Journalist Deborah Wrigley Celebrates an Illustrious Career and Lasting Legacy at ABC13

Mayor Sylvester Turner Declares Sept. 4, 2020, ‘Deborah Wrigley Day’

Deborah Wrigley, who joined ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston in 1978 as a reporter, will celebrate her last day on air Sept. 4, 2020, announced Wendy Granato, president and general manager, KTRK. Wrigley is Houston’s longest-tenured female television reporter, having spent more than 40 years covering some of the most compelling stories that shaped the city of Houston. As she wraps up more than four decades at ABC13, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will declare Sept. 4, 2020, Wrigley’s last day of reporting, Deborah Wrigley Day.

“Deborah is one of the finest writers and storytellers I have ever met. There will never be another reporter quite like her. She leaves a lasting legacy at ABC13, and we are grateful for her years of service to this station and our communities,” said Granato.

Wrigley reported live from some of Houston’s most catastrophic events, keeping viewers informed and up to date through countless floods, tropical storms and hurricanes, refinery and plant fires, from the 1985 Mexico earthquake to the most recent COVID-19 pandemic. Her consistent storytelling and image are tied to some of the most endearing, native stories of Houston’s history such as NASA’s space program, Houston’s oil boom and bust, entertainment stories like the filming of “Urban Cowboy” in Houston which starred John Travolta, and the “Luv ya Blue” era, a local movement by the fans of the NFL’s Houston Oilers. For more than four decades, Wrigley also kept Houstonians informed of city, state and national politics, interviewing numerous politicians that included seven Houston mayors and the political careers of both Houstonian presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Wrigley is revered by her newsroom colleagues that knew her personally as a mentor, master storyteller, lover of animals, history and for her infectious curiosity. Despite years of delivering landmark stories to the homes of Houstonians, Wrigley says what is closest to her heart are inspiring stories about everyday heroes – being on the ground, sharing individual and communities’ stories of courage, overcoming obstacles, and remarkable achievements, and that she was able to give them a voice.

“I stayed in Houston by choice. My family roots were here for generations. That connection with a place and people reflected in my reporting,” said Wrigley.

About ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
For over 50 years, ABC13 has been Houston’s news leader from sign-on to sign-off. Broadcasting 49 hours of locally produced newscasts each week, ABC13 is the top-rated and most-watched news station among the Houston-area viewers. ABC13 also leads the market in its digital media efforts, with top rankings for its website, abc13.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. ABC13 delivers live and streaming content on Roku, Fire TV, Amazon and AppleTV in the ABC13 Houston App. ABC13 is deeply invested in the Houston community, spotlighting Houston’s diversity with community affairs programs covering issues that affect different segments of the population – from local town halls to ABC13+. The station also hosts several community projects throughout the year including Share Your Holidays, an annual food drive benefiting the Houston Food Bank; and our E-cycle Drive, a collection/recycling effort for outdated electronic equipment in conjunction with Earth Day. ABC13 is also known for broadcasting the city’s major events including the annual July 4th Freedom Over Texas celebration, The Chevron Marathon, Houston Pride and The Houston Rodeo Parade.

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