If you lived in Houston between 1999 and 2017, you knew the face. It was steady. It was reliable. Greg Hurst, the man who anchored the evening news at KHOU 11 for nearly two decades, wasn't just another talking head. He was the person you turned to when hurricanes threatened the Gulf or when local politics got particularly messy. Then, suddenly, he was gone.
People still ask: where did he go?
The departure of a staple news figure usually sparks a flurry of rumors. Did he retire? Was there a contract dispute? Honestly, the reality was much more personal and, frankly, a bit more heartwarming than the typical industry drama.
The 18-Year Run at KHOU 11
Greg Hurst arrived in Houston in 1999. He wasn't a rookie. He’d already put in major time at WABC-TV in New York City—the biggest market in the country. To jump from the "Big Apple" to "Space City" was a move that signaled he wanted a place to plant roots. He found it at Channel 11.
For 18 years, he anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. broadcasts. You've probably seen him alongside local icons like Shern-Min Chow or former chief meteorologist Neil Frank. He had a way of delivering heavy news without being overly dramatic. It was professional. It was old-school.
But the TV news business changed.
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By 2017, the parent company of KHOU, TEGNA, was going through a massive restructuring. Longtime veterans across the country were taking buyouts or moving on as stations shifted toward younger, cheaper talent and digital-first strategies. Hurst’s exit in March 2017 was part of a larger exodus of "legendary" Houston talent, including people like Mario Gomez and Doug Miller.
The Memphis "Homecoming"
When Hurst signed off for the last time in Houston, he didn't head for a beach or a golf course. He headed to Tennessee.
Specifically, he joined WREG-TV in Memphis. To casual viewers in Texas, it seemed like a step down in market size. Why leave the 4th largest city in America for Memphis? It turns out, it was never about the market rank. It was about family.
"In many ways, this is a homecoming," Hurst said at the time. His wife grew up in Memphis. They were married at the Quince Road Church of Christ. His oldest daughter attended the University of Memphis. Most importantly? His granddaughter lived there.
Sometimes, even the most dedicated journalists realize that being "Grandpa" is a better gig than being "Lead Anchor." He spent several years at WREG, bringing that same polished, authoritative style to the Mid-South. He helped the station navigate the chaos of the late 2010s, proving that local news still needs a "grown-up" in the room.
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What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There’s a common misconception that Hurst was just a "teleprompter reader." That’s a disservice. Before he was an anchor, he was a reporter who covered major national stories. He traveled to Kosovo. He was on the ground during the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York.
He also didn't just stay in the studio. During his Houston years, he was deeply involved in the community, often seen at charity events or working with local non-profits. He understood that a TV anchor in a city like Houston is a civic figure, not just a celebrity.
The Shift Away from the Spotlight
As of 2026, the era of the "Mega-Anchor" is largely over. People like Greg Hurst represent a specific period in American media where families sat down at 6:00 PM to hear what was happening from a person they felt they knew.
Today, Hurst has largely stepped back from the relentless daily grind of the newsroom. While he remains a respected figure in the industry, his focus has shifted toward private life and occasional consulting. He’s part of a generation of broadcasters who realized that the 11:00 PM news cycle is a young person's game.
Why Greg Hurst Still Matters to Houstonians
You don't spend 18 years in someone's living room without leaving an impression. Even now, years after he left KHOU, his name comes up in Reddit threads and local forums.
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- Consistency: He was the bridge between the "Wild West" era of Houston news and the modern digital age.
- Reliability: In a city prone to disasters, having a calm voice matters.
- Authenticity: Even though some critics found his on-air persona "too polished," those who met him off-camera often remarked on his genuine interest in local issues.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Broadcasters
If you're looking at Hurst's career as a blueprint, here are a few things to take away.
First, market hopping isn't everything. Moving to a smaller market for family or quality of life isn't "failing"—it's winning at life. Hurst showed that you can have a massive career in NYC and Houston and still find fulfillment in a smaller city.
Second, build a brand on trust, not flash. Hurst didn't rely on viral gimmicks. He relied on being the same person every night. In a world of "fake news" and "alternative facts," that old-school credibility is actually becoming more valuable again.
Lastly, know when to turn the page. Hurst’s "Turn the Page" segment at KHOU wasn't just a gimmick; it was a philosophy. He knew when it was time to move from New York to Houston, and he knew when it was time to prioritize his grandkids over the 10 o'clock news.
If you’re a fan who misses seeing him on your screen every night, the best thing you can do is support local journalism that prioritizes the same values he did: accuracy, community involvement, and a steady hand in the face of a storm.