Erika Fernandez
Erika joined KBTX as a multi-media journalist in July 2018. A year later, she moved over to anchor Brazos Valley This Morning alongside Josh Ninke and Max Crawford. Now, she anchors a digital show Monday-Friday from 12:30-2 p.m. and anchors First News at Four on the weekdays.
Erika previously worked at WCTV in Tallahassee, Florida for two years from 2016 to 2018. While there, she covered two hurricanes, spoke with students while marching to the state's Capitol after the tragic school shooting in Parkland, and won a Florida Associated Press Award for her work on a veteran's fight with the homeowner's association to keep an American Flag wrap on his mailbox. Erika also went on two Honor Flights with Big Bend heroes and captured their reactions as they saw the memorials built for them for the very first time.
Before working in Florida, Erika spent 11 months in Alpena, Michigan. That's where she got her anchoring debut and even won a Michigan Association of Broadcasters award for her work on how recycling is done on the Sunrise Side. Her time in Michigan was short, but that's where Erika found her passion for speaking up for veterans and shining a light on some of the issues they face every day.
Erika is a proud alumni of Sam Houston State University and she loves being back in the Brazos Valley! When she's not working, you can find her hanging out with her best friend and dog, Sammy, doing CrossFit, or watching a scary movie!
She loves working on stories surrounding our nation's heroes. If you have a veteran story idea, let her know! Shoot her an email at fernandez@kbtx.com.
Sam Houston State University
2020 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award - Excellence in Sound
2018 Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Award - General Assignment
2016 Michigan Association of Broadcasters Award - Special Interest Programming
Traveling Bearkats: Group wraps up Inauguration Day trip, heads home to Huntsville
By Erika Fernandez and Alex Bukoski
The trip took a group of students from the Sam Houston State University to see some of the places in our nation where democracy was tested, fought for, where it prevailed, and where it failed.
Traveling Bearkats: Students learn about the Little Rock Nine
By Erika Fernandez
The group from the Sam Houston State University Center for Law, Engagement, and Politics has been touring the American southeast to visit important historical sites for American democracy in the week leading up to Wednesday's inauguration.
Virtual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom March and Program honors the activist
City and county leaders talked about what Dr. King meant to them and how they hope his legacy lives on in our community.
Traveling Bearkats: Students explore more of The Big Easy for Inauguration Week trip
Sam Houston State University students continue to learn about important historical sites for democracy in the American southeast.
Traveling Bearkats: Students visit New Orleans
On Day 3 of their Inauguration Week tour of important sites across the southeast for American Democracy, we talked to the Sam Houston group of students about what they're doing in the Big Easy.
Traveling Bearkats: Students visit Civil War battlefield in Mississippi
On day 2 of the Sam Houston State University Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics inauguration week tour of American historical sites, the group stopped in Mississippi and the Vicksburg battlefield.
Traveling Bearkats: Students visit historic sites leading up to Inauguration Day
Sam Houston State University students are touring key sites in American democracy
COVID-19 vaccination clinic available Saturday for veterans 75 and older
Veterans must bring proper identification with them to verify VA enrollment and schedule their second dose.
Central Texas VA begins vaccinating veterans 85 and older
Proper identification is required to verify VA enrollment and scheduling.
How to talk with kids about ongoing national tension
Updated: Jan. 8, 2021 at 5:41 PM CST
"If you don't address events like this with them, they're left to process things on their own and they may turn to lean on unreliable resources."
College Station ISD updating COVID cases daily through website
Superintendent Martindale says 86.5 percent of the student population is learning on-site. That is about a 20 percent jump from the 68 percent who enrolled in in-person learning last fall.
Focus At Four
Central Texas VA now distributing Coronavirus vaccine
Updated: Jan. 7, 2021 at 12:54 PM CST
"We are a very large operation and merit getting that vaccine out to as many people as possible."
"It's a very ugly day here in the District of Columbia": KBTX Chief National Political Correspondent weighs in on Capitol riots
The congressional session was suspended as authorities worked to regain control and escort rioters out of the Capitol building.
Bryan ISD sees spike for in-person learning ahead of spring semester
Superintendent Christie Whitbeck was on News 3 Now Tuesday afternoon to talk about how they're tackling the new semester and what they learned in 2020 during a pandemic.
Seasonal Affective Disorder could be on the rise during pandemic winter months
Updated: Dec. 22, 2020 at 5:49 PM CST
"It is a real problem when it's debilitating, when it stops a person from being able to do their normal activities, that's when it's a disorder."
Second round of stimulus checks: Who will get them and how much?
It seemed like it was touch-and-go for a while. Many people didn't think the stimulus package would be approved.
A&M economists say recovery from recession is continuing
The Brazos Valley's recovery from the recession in March and April is continuing with only minor downfalls
Treat of the Day: Marine Corps League takes Santa to visit Aggieland Humane Society
Updated: Dec. 21, 2020 at 9:13 AM CST
Santa and the Brazos Valley Marine Corps League banded together to bring some toys, treats and supplies to the sweet pets of Aggieland Humane Society last week.
Treat of the Day: Marine Corps League visits Texas Children's Hospital
Updated: Dec. 18, 2020 at 10:32 AM CST
Santa accompanied the Marine Corps League as they dropped off some toys
Texas A&M surveys tracking health of local businesses says we're headed in the right direction
Throughout the pandemic, economists at Texas A&M's Private Enterprise Research Center have been monitoring the health of our local economy. In order to do so, they have created two surveys to track local businesses.
Blood banks in dire need of donations, convalescent plasma from recovered COVID patients
Despite the pandemic, hospitals still need blood to treat patients. But social distancing and COVID-19 protocols have made donating difficult.
Rapid antigen testing vs. Molecular testing: Which is best for our public schools?
Updated: Dec. 9, 2020 at 6:07 PM CST
The Texas Medical Association is now recommending that schools across the state use rapid antigen testing to detect possible coronavirus outbreaks before they become a problem.
Local expert weighs in on Fort Hood report findings after 25 soldiers die there this year
Sweeping changes at Fort Hood are coming as the Army announced Tuesday it has fired or suspended 14 officers and enlisted soldiers there.
Junior League B/CS hosting 'A Night of Giving' to help local organizations
Junior League of Bryan-College Station is hosting 'A Night of Giving'. Their hope is to fundraise to help other programs and people in need.
Free COVID-19 testing for Huntsville community
Updated: Dec. 8, 2020 at 10:14 AM CST
The COVID-19 testing kiosk on the Sam Houston State University campus is moving to a new location to serve the community.
Local data shows college enrollment is dropping nationwide
Enrollment at colleges and universities across the nation is declining and economists at Texas A&M say that's a strange phenomenon in an economic recession.
Bryan ISD staff getting one-time bonus before Christmas
The Bryan ISD School Board has approved a one-time supplemental payment in the form of about $1 million.
Texas rural hospitals in serious bind with COVID cases surging
The issue is that many doctors want to live and work in bigger cities. At SHSU, they are looking specifically for candidates who are dedicated to practicing in rural and underserved communities.
BackPack program in need of money for food insecure students
Updated: Dec. 2, 2020 at 9:12 AM CST
Along with food donations, monetary donations go a long way towards helping kids in the Brazos Valley.
Students urged to complete FAFSA before approaching deadline
For priority consideration, students should submit their application by Jan. 15, 2021.
Wreaths Across America needs more sponsorships for local veteran graves
Wreaths Across America needs your help. They are lacking sponsorships for wreaths for veterans and Tuesday is the last day to donate.
Bryan businesses gear up for holiday shopping in Downtown
Updated: Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:37 PM CST
This hasn't been the best year for small businesses, but local shops are hoping traffic picks up as we head into the holiday season.
'We've got a tough winter, but there is hope on the horizon'| Brazos County Alternate Health Authority looks at COVID numbers before holidays
With just one week away from Thanksgiving and one month from the winter holiday season, Brazos County Alternate Health Authority Dr. Seth Sullivan was on First News at Four Tuesday to talk about how to handle the next few months and what cases might look like.
Election 2020: What comes next?
Updated: Nov. 6, 2020 at 5:12 PM CST
Kirby Goidel, a political communications expert at the Texas A&M Public Policy Institute joined us on First News at Four to help break down what is happening with election 2020.
How to deal with stress during election season
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 68 percent of U.S. adults say this year's election is a significant source of stress in their lives.
How to safely celebrate the holiday weekend
Updated: Oct. 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM CDT
As we head into a holiday weekend, many families are trying to figure out how to have fun with their kids while also staying safe during a pandemic.
Airbnb bans one-night stays for Halloween weekend, impacting Aggie game day visits
Airbnb bans one-night stays for Halloween weekend. It also happens to be a home game weekend for Aggie Football.
SHSU cyber security expert weighs in on foreign election hacking
Sam Houston State University director of Cyber Forensics Intelligence Center weighs in on foreign election hacking after national security officials announce both Iran and Russia have obtained American voter registration data.
Breast cancer survivor say doctors diagnosed her a few months after clear mammogram
Madisonville woman diagnosed with breast cancer just a few months after receiving a clear mammogram.
Baylor Scott & White celebrates one-year anniversary of TAVR procedure
Updated: Oct. 26, 2020 at 10:03 AM CDT
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in College Station is celebrating a big anniversary this month.
Treat of the Day: Reveille becomes honorary DEA K-9
In recognition of Red Ribbon Week this week, the Houston division of the DEA made Texas A&M's own Reveille an honorary DEA K-9.
Your Vote Counts: College Station Place 3 Linda Harvell and Dell Seiter
College station residents will have a choice between an experienced councilwoman and a newcomer when electing someone for place three on the city council.
Domestic terror expert breaks down militia groups after Michigan arrests
On First News at Four, we talked with an associated professor at The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, Danny Davis. He studied domestic terrorism for 30 years.
Treat of the Day: Southwood Valley students get unique vending machine
Updated: Oct. 9, 2020 at 5:01 PM CDT
Students at Southwood Valley Elementary in College Station ISD were recently treated to a new vending machine. But you won't find chips or candy inside.
Free Music Friday: Carson Jeffrey
Today's Free Music Friday guest featured Carson Jeffrey with his original song "Ranch Girl Dream."
College Station man charged for selling drugs near school
Michael Ballas, 21, is in jail after police executed a search warrant and found several drugs and cash inside his home.
Absentee ballot legislation will affect access to voting
A group of voting rights activists are suing Governor Greg Abbott in federal court over a new rule limiting where voters can drop off their absentee ballot.
First Friday celebrates 15 years this month
Tomorrow marks the First Friday in the month of October. It also marks the 15th consecutive year that the folks in Downtown Bryan have celebrated the First Friday of each and every month.
New online math program for Texas students learning at home
Updated: Sep. 23, 2020 at 3:32 PM CDT
When schools went to online learning in the spring, organization Great Minds found kids weren't getting consistent access to instruction or getting to talk about math.
A&M Expert: "Fans will not be screened prior to the game"
By Alex Bukoski and Erika Fernandez
A Texas A&M official says fans will not be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before entering Kyle Field for Aggie football games.
By Rusty Surette
Among those helping are members of the Bryan Police Department, Brazos County Sheriff's Office, and eight members of the Texas A&M University Police Department.
Somerville Mayor's son arrested following search warrants
By Clay Falls
Police Chief Jake Sullivan tells us Mayor Micheal Bradford's son, Ethan Bradford, was arrested following search warrants being executed at the family's home.
3 dead in helicopter crash in New York, National Guard says
The craft, a UH-60 medical evacuation helicopter, crashed around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in Mendon, New York, a rural town south of Rochester.
By Mekena Rodriguez
JBG Plumbing is offering services to help keep restaurants open that are struggling through this pandemic.
Republicans and Democrats are closely watching the change in our nation's leadership.
Free COVID-19 testing locations in Brazos County open through February
By Rusty Surette and Adrienne DeMoss
Free testing will be available this week in College Station, Anderson, Huntsville, and Brenham.
Two injured after suspected drunk driver slams into RV
This is the suspect's second DWI arrest in the past year, according to jail records.
Local health experts attribute low flu cases to things like flu shots and COVID-19 precautions.
COVID in Context: How many vaccine doses is the Brazos Valley receiving, distributing compared to other regions?
By Kathleen Witte
The Brazos Valley makes up Trauma Service Area Region N. Because each region has a differing number of eligible vaccine recipients under Phase 1, the data has been adjusted for those populations.
By JONATHAN LEMIRE, ERIC TUCKER and JILL COLVIN
President Donald Trump pardoned former chief strategist Steve Bannon in the final hours of his White House term as part of a flurry of clemency action that benefited more than 140 people.