Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Middleton.
Hi Denise, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I got my start in journalism growing up in Houston, watching local newscasters on TV and always wanting to know more about what was happening in the world around me.
I was fortunate to receive several college scholarships that helped me stay focused on my goals. One of those programs allowed me to deliver a speech at a fundraising gala, and I remember looking out and seeing former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush in the audience. Speaking in front of such an influential crowd as a high school senior pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped solidify my confidence in pursuing a career in broadcast journalism.
I stayed close to home for school, graduating from the University of Houston and I couldn’t wait to leave.
I was eager to start my career in broadcast journalism, and I was willing to go anywhere in the country to make it happen.
My journey started in Hastings, Nebraska as a general assignments reporter, where I gained some hands-on experience working in a small newsroom. From there, I moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where I was promoted from reporter to morning anchor. Then, I spent five years in Little Rock, Arkansas as an evening anchor.
I finally had the chance to come back home to Houston, which was my goal from the very beginning because I always wanted to work in a top 10 market.
All of those stops helped shaped me as a journalist, but it all started with being willing to go wherever the story and opportunity took me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I started my first job as a one-man band reporter, which is a journalist who handles almost every part of a news story on their own, I quickly learned how fast paced and challenging it could be. I had completed two internships that weren’t very hands-on, so I wasn’t fully comfortable shooting video or editing my stories. Their systems were also very different from what I had seen before, and my boss assumed I had those skills. So, I was learning everything from scratch while trying to keep up with daily deadlines.
A lot of my coworkers already had experience from college, so I was under a lot of pressure just trying to keep up. There were definitely times I felt unprepared, out of place, and even worried that I might lose my job.
On top of that, I was in a small town where I didn’t know anyone, and no one looked like me. It was a huge culture shock, and I had to figure out how to build stories in a place that felt unfamiliar in every way. I’d call my dad and cry out of frustration when we talked about my day at work. That’s when he told me to join a church. I met a sweet couple who made me feel welcomed and often invited me over for dinner. They helped make my time there more enjoyable, along with visits from my husband, who was my boyfriend at the time.
After that first job, I actually took a few months off because I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in the business.
It ended up being one of those experiences that forced me to grow fast and learn how to persevere through tough times. So, I decided to give it another shot and even though there were more challenges ahead, each job just kept getting better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a weekend morning anchor and reporter at FOX26. During the week, I’m usually covering breaking news or the day’s top story, and I also fill in on the anchor desk. I’m passionate about storytelling that informs people while also making a real connection with viewers.
I like to bring personality and authenticity to my work. News can be heavy, so I try to balance professionalism with being approachable and relatable because I want viewers to feel like I’m someone they can trust with important information, but also someone they’d feel comfortable talking to about everyday life.
One of the things I’m most proud of is being named Communicator of the Year by the Texas Speech Communication Association in 2023. Receiving that honor in my hometown, while doing work I genuinely love, made it especially meaningful. I’m also proud to serve as president of the Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund, which is the same scholarship I received in high school. It allows me to help provide scholarships and support to Houston-area students, which is my way of paying it forward.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Get as much hands-on experience as possible and learn to tell stories across multiple platforms. It’s also important to build relationships and be willing to learn and adapt. Make sure you’re reliable, professional, and accurate because people remember that. The best journalist are the one’s who ask good questions, listen closely, and genuinely care about people’s stories. It’s not always an easy career, but I’ve found it to be very rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fox26houston.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denisetv_26/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeniseMiddletonFOX26
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-middleton-19719ab6/
- Twitter: https://x.com/DeniseFOX26
