ABC 30 promoted news director Martin Ortiz to president and general manager, the station announced this week.

Ortiz served as news director since 2020 at the ABC-owned and operated station. The Central Valley native and Fresno State grad returned to Fresno after working as executive producer for the network-owned KGO-TV in San Francisco.

“ABC 30 has an enduring relationship with our viewers that we never take for granted. I’m very much looking forward to building on that connection, leading this exceptional team, and growing viewership across platforms,” Ortiz said in a news release.

Ortiz replaces Mike Carr, who left for a similar role at the ABC-owned station in Houston.

Lopez Moves from KMPH to ABC 30

Christina Lopez left her morning reporter role at KMPH Fox 26 for a new job at ABC 30. She serves as reporter and will also deliver the weather.

Lopez, born and raised in Visalia, worked at KMPH for three years, 2021 through last month.

This will be her second stint at ABC 30. She worked briefly for the station in 2020.

Her resume includes working as a producer for ABC News’ “20/20,” teaching at Bakersfield College, and as a news writer in San Diego.

KMPH Down Two, Hires Two

Lopez isn’t the only recent KMPH departure. Reporter Sophia Lesseos left the station last month, returning to her Southern California home.

Before she left, the Fresno City Council honored her with a proclamation.

After 2 years at KMPH FOX26 in Fresno, I have decided to head back down to LA.

Today the City of Fresno honored me with a proclamation. It’s official September 26th is “Sophia Maria Lesseos Day” in Fresno! pic.twitter.com/cdyzjfYHzY

— Sophia Lesseos (@SophiaLesseos) September 27, 2024

New to KMPH is Karl Cooke, a boomeranger returning to Fresno. He graduated from Clovis East High School, Fresno City College, and Fresno State.

Cooke reported at KION, the CBS-affiliate in Monterey/Salinas, working there from 2022 to earlier this year.

Rudy Reyes also recently joined the station. The Arcadia native previously reported on sports at KGWN, the CBS affiliate in Cheyenne, Wyoming; KSBY, the NBC affiliate in San Luis Obispo; and some radio gigs.

Byus Joins KSEE-24/CBS 47

Another Central Valley native recently returned home on the air.

Briana Byus attended College of the Sequoias before graduating form Biola University.

She spent the last three years at WFFT, the Fox affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

NPR Host Makes Fresno Appearance

NPR’s “Latino USA” host Maria Hinojosa is scheduled to speak in Fresno on Wednesday.

The Central Valley Community Foundation and Fresno DRIVE are hosting Hinojosa at Tower Theatre, starting at 6 p.m.

“This event will delve into the transformative power of storytelling and how it can shift narratives to reflect a thriving Central Valley — a region home to over 7.2 million people and rich in a spectrum of languages, cultures, and shared experiences,” a news release for the event said.