Linda Lorelle

Linda Lorelle made her move to broadcast journalism in 1987 after a career as a professional dancer and actress. At that point, Linda had already attained a B.A. in Developmental Psychology and a B.A. in Italian Language from Stanford University when she decided to turn to a new career in journalism.[2] She went back to school to attain an M.A. in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. While in graduate school, she became weekend anchor at KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri. After completing her Masters, she went on to reporting at KMOV-TV, the CBS affiliate in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 1989, Linda signed on with KPRC-TV in Houston as a weekend anchor, but was soon promoted to anchoring the weekday 6 and 10 pm newscasts, a position she held for 14 years. In the last two and a half years of her employment at KPRC, Linda moved to anchoring the 5 and 6 pm newscasts as well as the mid-day and 4 pm newscasts. Throughout her years at KPRC, she anchored Dateline Houston, led the station's documentary projects, and hosted several special programs, including the Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon and the College Fund (UNCF) Telethon. While at KPRC, she won two Emmys for “Beyond Brown vs. Board: The Journey Continues,” a documentary on how Houston desegregated its schools, and “Sydney’s Story,” her first person account of another local news anchor's (Sydney Seaward of KNWS-TV battle with cancer.

Linda has reported on a variety of stories and events through the years as a reporter and anchor, including Hurricanes Katrina and Rita; President Bill Clinton's first inauguration; President George W. Bush's first inauguration; the shuttle flight of Dr. Mae Jemison, the first woman of color in space; John Glenn's return to space; the shuttle Columbia tragedy; Super Bowl XXXVIII; numerous NBA and WNBA Finals; the World Series; the Houston Rockets in China, and President George H.W. Bush's 80th birthday, complete with a first person account of what it's like to sky dive with the Golden Knights of the U.S. Army.

Her documentary on the former President George H.W. Bush now has two permanent homes: at the Bush Presidential Library in College Station and in the Peabody Collection of the Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago, Illinois. The Brown vs. Board documentary also rests in the Museum.[3]

Linda left KPRC-TV in 2006. She later freelanced at Houston's Fox O&O station KRIV and then went on to work in Real Estate

In addition to her two Emmys, Linda is also a two-time recipient of the national Gracie Award from the American Women in Radio and Television, as well as numerous honors on the local, regional and national level:

• 2007 Houston Treasure Award, for her tireless commitment and contributions to the Houston community
• 2006 Loving Hearts Caring Hands Award from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, for her commitment and contributions to M.D. Anderson
• 2006 Honoree at the Rose Gala, benefiting the Women’s Home, for being an outstanding community leader
• 2005 AWRT Gracie Award, for 41@80: An Incredible Journey, a portrait of former President George H.W. Bush on his 80th birthday
• 2005 Houston Press Club Award, 1st Place, for “Houston’s Chinese Connection”, a documentary on Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets in China
• 2005 Houston Press Club Award, 2nd Place, 41@80: An Incredible Journey
• 2004 Emmy Award, for “Beyond Brown vs. Board: The Journey Continues”
• 2004 AWRT Gracie Award, Individual Achievement – Best Reporter/Correspondent for a 3-part series, “Goodbye Felicia Moon”
• 2004 AWRT Star Award, Best Houston Television Personality
• 2004 Whitney M. Young Humanitarian Award, Houston Area Urban League
• 2003 Macy’s Heart and Soul Award, honoring excellence in the fight against breast cancer
• 2002 Chron’s & Colitis Gold Key Award, recognizing Linda as an Exceptional Woman in the Houston community
• 2000 Anson Jones, M.D. Award for “Sydney’s Story”, a first person account of Linda’s experience covering the breast cancer battle of Houston anchor Sydney Seaward. The article appeared in Health and Fitness Magazine
• 2000 Texas Associated Press Award for “She Got Game”, a one-on-one interview with WNBA star Cynthia Cooper about the Houston Comets’ 3rd championship and the death of teammate Kim Perrot
• 1997 Houston Press Club Award, 1st Place News Series, for “Sydney’s Story”
• Several awards for “Buddy Check 2: Beating the Breast Cancer Odds” series on breast cancer, including the 1995 Commendation Award from the American Women in Radio and Television, the Cancer League's Media Community Service Award and the Cancer Counseling Media Award of Excellence
• 1994 Makeda Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, for outstanding contributions to the community
• 1993 Matrix Award from Women in Communications, for the series “Mae's Dream”, documenting the shuttle launch of the first black woman astronaut
• 1992 Sampson Award from Houston Tennis Association for outstanding contributions to youth
• 1992 Media Award from the Texas Association for Year-Round Education in recognition of positive reports on “The New System”, aired during the 1991-92 school year
• 1991 and 1990 School Bell Award from the Texas State Teachers Association, for outstanding news or feature series “They Should Know That” and “They Should Know That, Too”

Linda's interest in education and children led her to found the Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund, a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity that provides major college scholarships and support to Houston area students. The LLSF targets students with average grades from challenging backgrounds. To date, the LLSF has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships to more than 300 students. Each year the LLSF also hosts thousands of Houston area students and parents for a free, citywide College Preparatory Conference.[4]

Linda's community activities include current and past, board and advisory board memberships in: the Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund; the Texas Woman’s University Institute of Health Sciences-Houston Center, the Houston Police Foundation; San Jacinto Girl Scouts; the Women's Resource; Society of Professional Journalists; Sisters Network; the Houston Zoo; the Junior League; the Children's Assessment Center Foundation and Casa de Esperanza and I Have A Dream. Linda also served as the Selection Committee Chair for the 2002 Leon Jaworski Award.

• Happy Holidays 1990
• SWAT Shooter 1993
• Yao Mania 2005