Former FOX 26 Houston anchor José Griñán dies at 72
Griñán, who spent over three decades at the station, passed away leaving behind a powerful legacy in Houston's media landscape.
José joined FOX 26 in 1993 and quickly became a beloved figure across the city. Known for his warm presence and journalistic integrity, he anchored thousands of stories ranging from breaking news to human interest features. He became FOX 26's first male morning show anchor, shaping morning news coverage in the city.
Before his television career, Griñán served as a cinematographer in the U.S. Army, where he developed his passion for storytelling. His broadcasting career spanned major cities including El Paso, Tampa, Miami, New York, and Dallas before settling in Houston. He was also one of the first reporters to cover the Waco Branch Davidian siege in the 1990s.
Off-camera, José was a pillar in the Houston community. He volunteered for organizations such as the National Kidney Foundation, Special Olympics, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He also served on the boards of the Dive Pirate Foundation, Houston Read Commission, and Keep Houston Beautiful.
Born July 24, 1952, in Tampa, Florida, José was proud of his Cuban heritage. He is survived by his wife Kathy, two daughters, and a community of colleagues and viewers who admired his work. A member of both the National Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, José Griñán's legacy lives on in the city he served so passionately.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Released Israeli-Argentinian hostage fights for brother still held by Hamas
KFAR SABA, Israel (AP) — As Israel has announced steps to increase humanitarian aid in Gaza, a former Israeli-Argentinian hostage knows first-hand what that could mean for captives of the Hamas militant group. Iair Horn, who spent a year and a half in captivity, said hostages could tell when more aid was available because they would receive more food. 'When there's less food, then there's also less for the hostages. When there's aid, there's a possibility you might get a cucumber,' said Horn, 46. Hamas militants kidnapped Horn from his home at Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with 250 other people, during the group's cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023. He was released Feb. 15 after 498 days in captivity. For most of that time, he was held in an underground cell in a tunnel with several other hostages, including his younger brother Eitan Horn, 38. Since his release, Iair Horn has deferred his own recovery to fight for the release of his brother and the other 50 hostages still being held in Gaza, 20 of whom are still believed to be alive. Negotiations collapse again Hearing that negotiations between Israel and Hamas were once again frozen over the weekend was devastating for his family, Horn said. Since his release, he has made four trips to the U.S., where he has met with President Donald Trump and other American leaders to plead for the hostages. He wasn't sure what to make of a comment Thursday by President Donald Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff, who said the U.S. would consider 'alternative options' after recalling its negotiating team from Qatar. 'I'm not a politician, and I'm not getting into those things because I don't understand them. What I understand is very simple: I want my brother back,' Horn said. 'My life is frozen right now. I live in a nightmare that every day they are kidnapping me anew,' he said. Horn, who is single, is currently living with family in Kfar Saba, a city near Tel Aviv. Previously, he worked a variety of jobs in Kibbutz Nir Oz, including in education, maintenance and the kitchen. He also ran the kibbutz pub. Every morning when he opens his eyes, he must think for a few moments to remember where he is, to remember he is no longer a hostage, Horn said. He's gained back some of the weight he lost in captivity, but his list of physical and psychological ailments is long. He does not know where he will live, what he will do in the future, or if he will go back to Nir Oz. The only thing he concentrates on is advocating for his brother's release. 'I never imagined that another half year would pass without seeing my little brother,' he said. Israel's war in Gaza has killed more than 59,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The agency's count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children. The U.N. and other international organizations see the ministry, which operates under the Hamas government, as the most reliable source of data on casualties. Brothers were held together Iair Horn is the oldest of three brothers who grew up in Argentina. He moved to Israel at age 20, followed by his middle brother, Amos. Eitan and their parents, long divorced, joined later. On Oct. 7, 2023, Eitan was visiting Iair at his home on Kibbutz Nir Oz when the sirens started, warning of incoming missiles. Soon they received text messages alerting them to the fact that militants had infiltrated the kibbutz. Militants entered Iair's home, where he was hiding in the reinforced safe room with Eitan. Iair attempted to hold the door shut until they began shooting through the door. Then he decided to surrender, worried they might use grenades or stronger weapons. Iair, who was immediately taken into Gaza, didn't know what had happened to his brother until around the 50th day of his captivity, when the militants placed the two brothers together, and Iair realized Eitan had also been kidnapped. Being together, even in their small, barred room, was a stroke of luck, Iair said. 'There's a lot of time with nothing to do, and we talked a lot about our childhoods, about elementary school, about the youth movement, about soccer,' he said. 'We tried to keep our sense of humor. He would ask me, did you brush your teeth? And I'd ask him, did you wash your bellybutton?' 'It was silly things, silly things between siblings that I don't have right now. Many times it happens now that something happens to me on the street that I have to tell him. And I can't, and I'm so sorry,' he said, starting to cry. Captors tell hostages that two will be released For most of the time, the Horn brothers were held with three other hostages. In early February, their captors came to the group of five and said that two would be released. 'For four days, we're looking at each other and wondering if we can decide or influence the decision,' he said. After four days, the captors arrived with a small plate of snacks and a video camera. They announced that Iair and another hostage would be leaving and filmed the emotional interaction between Iair and Eitan. Hamas later released the video on its social media channels, as it has with other videos of the hostages filmed under duress. Their last night together, Eitan and Iair laid side by side in silence. 'There was no conversation because in your head you don't want to have a conversation as if it's your last conversation,' Iair Horn said. When their mother, Ruty Chmiel Strum, learned that Iair was coming out but not Eitan, she said to anyone who would listen, "Why are you doing this to my sons? They are together and you're separating them?' No one gave her an answer, but Strum clung to hope that Eitan would be released soon. Now she mostly ignores news about the negotiations, tuning out the information to protect herself. She said she raised her three boys 'as a single body,' and their support for each other is unshakable. She clasps Iair's hand as they sit together on the couch in her home and looks forward to the day Eitan returns. 'I will feel the hug of my three sons, enjoying life, each supporting each other," she said. "It will happen.'
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
INDYCAR Driver 'Happy to Not Get Hit' While Stuck in Blind Spot
In the closing laps of the Java House Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, INDYCAR driver Marcus Ericsson high-centered on the exit of turn six, lost control, and slid into the gravel and back onto the racing surface before stalling. He then sat there for several laps trying to get the race restarted while the course was under a local yellow in his sector. INDYCAR on Fox broadcaster James Hinchcliffe noted on the replay of Ericsson's crash that he was lucky to stop and not go further into the racing line to get collected by the full-speed traffic at the time of the incident. "So lucky to not continue going driver's left and be collected by another car," Hinchcliffe said. "That could've been much, much worse." The problem was that Ericsson was marooned, unable to start, sidelined on the asphalt as drivers continued, not seeing the No. 28 Andretti Global until they were within a few yards of it. The INDYCAR on Fox broadcast showed a portion of the course from Pato O'Ward's helmet cam, highlighting just how close the drivers were before Ericsson came into view. The full-course yellow was thrown after several laps, and the Andretti of Ericsson was brought back to the pits for a DNF with heavy damage to the floor of the race car. When Ericsson was first released from the race care center and asked if he thought the yellow was thrown late, he said he didn't know since he was too focused on getting his car going. "I don't know," Ericsson answered Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass, "I was just trying to get the car started again, that was my main focus." Following the race, Ericsson posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he was happy to be safe following being stuck in a blind spot for multiple laps. "Happy to not get hit whilst sitting at a blind spot on the track for 3 laps..." Ericsson wrote. "Onto Portland." You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Hughes admits Ellis impressed in surprise midfield role
Mark Hughes admits Jack Ellis impressed him in his surprise midfield role for Carlisle United. The Cumbrian defender was given a role in the centre by Hughes for the 2-0 win at Harrogate Town. And 21-year-old Ellis's positive display has given Hughes further food for thought. The head coach says he always felt Ellis's attributes could be worth testing in midfield. He got his chance alongside Callum Whelan on a day summer signing Josh Grant was out injured, while Ethan Robson started on the bench. 'You've heard me mention before that I think we probably lack a bit of physicality in there [midfield], and I thought Jack could come in,' said Hughes. 'I think he's been excellent in pre-season. I believe he's been one of our better players in the pre-season games he's taken part in, so I knew that he could go in there and do a job in terms of just breaking things up and getting us on the front foot. 'He certainly did that in the first half when we were on the front foot and jumping on those second balls. Hughes felt Ellis read danger well and gave United extra physicality in midfield at Harrogate (Image: Ben Holmes) 'From that point of view, for me, it was good to know that what I thought could happen actually did.' Ellis, prior to Saturday, had mainly featured in the centre of defence during Carlisle's friendlies so far. Hughes confirms Dutch-born midfielder who's on trial with Carlisle United Hughes went on to speak approvingly about the character of the home-grown player, who earned a new deal this summer after impressing at right-back in the closing weeks of 2024/25. 'He's very receptive. Jack is a good player,' Hughes told the News & Star. 'He wants to get better. At times, he'll sacrifice himself for the team. That's what you want. 'We've talked about it [using him in midfield]. We've looked at him in different areas. He's been centre-back, he's been a full-back, and now midfield [at Harrogate] was an opportunity to look at him because I just felt in the last few games, at times, we lost a little bit of control just because we didn't have that physicality. 'So I was pleased for him.' FLASH SALE: Get unlimited access to every Carlisle United article by subscribing to the News & Star for £6 for 6 months or a full year at half price - click for details
