Melanie Lawson retiring after 43 years at ABC13

HOUSTON (KTRK) — Beloved ABC13 anchor Melanie Lawson will retire in January after an extraordinary 43-year run with ABC13.

Melanie’s career has been nothing short of inspiring. As anchor of Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 11 a.m., Melanie has been a trusted voice in our community and a guiding presence in our newsroom. His passion for journalism, rooted in his upbringing in Houston, has shaped the way we tell stories and connect with our audiences.

She has covered nearly every city, state and national election, and reported on key moments in our history – from Houston’s first black and female mayors to natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the deadly Texas ice storm. She has brought home global stories by traveling to Cuba, Panama, Australia, Sudan and South Africa, and has chronicled the rise of superstar artists such as Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child.

Melanie’s journalistic talent and thoughtful approach to her subject matter have landed her some of the most notable interviews in KTRK’s history, including four U.S. presidents, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton; Vice President Kamala Harris, prima ballerinas Lauren Anderson and Misty Copeland, the Dalai Lama, distinguished journalists Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts and Ann Curry, the late poet Maya Angelou, gospel superstar Yolanda Adams, Aretha Franklin (“Queen of Soul”), R.&B Girl group Destiny’s Child, former heavyweight champion George Foreman, film directors Tyler Perry and Spike Lee, evangelists Joel and Victoria Osteen, actress and comedian Betty White and former First Lady Michelle Obama, to name a few.

Still, Melanie’s favorite stories have always been those that celebrate Houston’s thriving, multi-ethnic community — especially stories about children and those who are quietly working to make a difference in their lives. She has worked with organizations such as Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, Asia Society, Rothko Chapel, Houston Museum of African American Culture, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Children’s Defense Fund, Volunteer Houston, Ensemble Theatre, and the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She is a member of the Texas Lone Star Chapter of the Emmys, Women in Film and Television, the American Leadership Forum, the Houston Chapter of Lynx Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Melanie also served on the Board of Trustees at Princeton University.

Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous honors, including three Emmys, “Outstanding Woman of the Year” from the YWCA, Houston Press Club, Houston Community College, Women in Film and Television, and lifetime achievement awards from the Houston Association of Black Journalists, as well as a “Woman of Distinction” award from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation and the Ben and Julie Rogers Ecumenism Award from the Anti-Defamation League.

We look forward to celebrating him, sharing stories, tributes and memories throughout the month of January. In the meantime, please join us in congratulating Melanie on her well-deserved retirement and celebrating her extraordinary legacy.