KVUE News: The Return of Ilona

KVUE TV (ABC) Chief Meteorologist Mark Murray is grinning these days.  While he’s sad to see morning meteorologist Meghan Danahey leave.  He’s happy about the return of Ilona McCauley and a four-person weather staff.

Danahey announced on her blog Monday, June 21, 2010 that she'll is moving to the Charlotte, North Carolina area to be with her future husband.  “They plan a June 2011 wedding. We're very, very happy for her and wish her all the best! Her last day at KVUE will be Friday, June 25th,” Murray said. 

Murray says Albert Ramon will be setting his alarm clock a little earlier beginning June 28, 2010 as he assumes the forecasting responsibilities for KVUE's Daybreak and MidDay newscasts.  “It's a well-deserved promotion for Albert!” Murray said.  

The good news is that a good friend is returning to KVUE.  Ilona McCauley (formerly Ilona Torok) has been teaching middle school science in the Leander School ISD for the past 2 years.  She's decided to rejoin KVUE for our weekend Daybreak newscasts. This will allow her to spend more time at home during the week with her two young children. Her first morning on the air will be Saturday, July 3rd. 

“Finally, I'm thrilled to announce that we'll be returning to a four-person weather team in August with the addition of Andrew Chung,” Murray said.  Chung earned his degree in meteorology from Florida State, but he has plenty of forecasting experience in Texas having worked in Beaumont/Port Arthur where he became hurricane savvy.  Right now, Chung is at KVIA (ABC) in El Paso.  Chung will forecast for KVUE's weekend evening newscasts beginning in mid-August. 

“I graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's of Science degree in Meteorology plus a minor in mathematics, and finished all but the thesis for a master's degree in Meteorology from FSU,” Chung says on the KVIA web site.  His resume is impressive:  “In April of 2008, I was awarded the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist designation from the American Meteorological Society, considered an upgrade to the original AMS Seal of Approval, and in June of 2008 I was awarded Best Weather Presentation from the Press Club of Southeast Texas for severe weather coverage in the Beaumont area.”

Originally from Miami, Florida in his spare time he enjoys playing the piano and violin, being a graphic artist, lifting weights, watching football games both on television and in person, and studying foreign languages.  With all of that, Chung must not have much spare time left!

© Jim McNabb, 2010