Linda Lorelle is a journalist who anchored the evening news for nearly 17 years at Houston's NBC affiliate, KPRC-TV. Her accolades include an Emmy for "Beyond Brown vs. Board: The Journey Continues," a documentary on how Houston desegregated its schools, and an Emmy for her first-person account of another local news anchor's cancer. Lorelle also garnered two national Gracie Awards, given by the American Women in Radio and Television.
Professional background
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. 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 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. 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
Awards and acknowledgements
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
from M.D. Anderson
Cancer Center, for her commitment and contributions to M.D. Anderson
2006 Honoree at the Rose Gala, benefiting the , 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 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,
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 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 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 Media Community Service Award and the Media Award of Excellence
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 , for outstanding news or feature series “They Should Know That” and “They Should Know That, Too”
Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund
Linda's interest in education and children led her to found the , a non-profit 501 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.
Community involvement
Linda's community activities include current and past, board and advisory board memberships in: the Linda Lorelle Scholarship Fund; the Texas Woman’s University , the ; San Jacinto Girl Scouts; ; Society of Professional Journalists; ; the Houston Zoo; the Junior League; the and and . Linda also served as the Selection Committee Chair for the 2002 .
