Legendary Local Anchor Melanie Lawson Hangs Up Her Microphone After 43 Years with ABC13
In a bittersweet farewell, beloved local news anchor Melanie Lawson is retiring from her role at ABC13 after four decades of dedication to journalism and service to the community. With an extraordinary 43-year tenure under her belt, Lawson has left an indelible mark on Houston's television landscape.
Lawson's impressive career has been a testament to her passion for storytelling and commitment to sharing the voices of those who need to be heard. As anchor of Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 11 a.m., she has established herself as a trusted voice in the community, guiding viewers through pivotal moments in Houston's history and beyond.
From covering historic elections to reporting on natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the deadly Texas ice storm, Lawson has traveled far and wide to bring global stories home. Her extensive travels have taken her to Cuba, Panama, Australia, Sudan, and South Africa, as well as iconic destinations like New York City and Washington D.C., where she's secured some of the most notable interviews in KTRK history.
Over the years, Lawson has interviewed a veritable Who's Who of American icons, including four U.S. presidents – Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton – as well as notable figures like Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, the Dalai Lama, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Ann Curry, Maya Angelou, Yolanda Adams, Aretha Franklin, and Michelle Obama.
However, Lawson has always been drawn to telling stories that celebrate Houston's rich cultural diversity, particularly those highlighting children and unsung heroes making a difference in their lives. Her collaborations with local organizations like the Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, and the Ensemble Theatre have helped bring these important stories to light.
Lawson's impressive legacy has earned her numerous accolades, including three Emmy Awards, lifetime achievement awards from the Houston Press Club, Houston Community College, and Women in Film and Television, as well as honors from the YWCA, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and the Anti-Defamation League.
As ABC13 bids farewell to its beloved anchor, we look forward to celebrating Lawson's remarkable career throughout January with tributes, stories, and memories. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on her well-deserved retirement and celebrate her extraordinary legacy, which will continue to inspire generations of journalists and community leaders to come.
In a bittersweet farewell, beloved local news anchor Melanie Lawson is retiring from her role at ABC13 after four decades of dedication to journalism and service to the community. With an extraordinary 43-year tenure under her belt, Lawson has left an indelible mark on Houston's television landscape.
Lawson's impressive career has been a testament to her passion for storytelling and commitment to sharing the voices of those who need to be heard. As anchor of Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 11 a.m., she has established herself as a trusted voice in the community, guiding viewers through pivotal moments in Houston's history and beyond.
From covering historic elections to reporting on natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey and the deadly Texas ice storm, Lawson has traveled far and wide to bring global stories home. Her extensive travels have taken her to Cuba, Panama, Australia, Sudan, and South Africa, as well as iconic destinations like New York City and Washington D.C., where she's secured some of the most notable interviews in KTRK history.
Over the years, Lawson has interviewed a veritable Who's Who of American icons, including four U.S. presidents – Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton – as well as notable figures like Beyoncé, Destiny's Child, the Dalai Lama, Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer, Robin Roberts, Ann Curry, Maya Angelou, Yolanda Adams, Aretha Franklin, and Michelle Obama.
However, Lawson has always been drawn to telling stories that celebrate Houston's rich cultural diversity, particularly those highlighting children and unsung heroes making a difference in their lives. Her collaborations with local organizations like the Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, and the Ensemble Theatre have helped bring these important stories to light.
Lawson's impressive legacy has earned her numerous accolades, including three Emmy Awards, lifetime achievement awards from the Houston Press Club, Houston Community College, and Women in Film and Television, as well as honors from the YWCA, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and the Anti-Defamation League.
As ABC13 bids farewell to its beloved anchor, we look forward to celebrating Lawson's remarkable career throughout January with tributes, stories, and memories. We extend our heartfelt congratulations on her well-deserved retirement and celebrate her extraordinary legacy, which will continue to inspire generations of journalists and community leaders to come.
she's been a staple in Houston for so long and has done so much for the community - I mean have you seen her interviews with world leaders and celebrities? 
and I know some ppl might say she's retired but let's be real she's just taking a break from saving the world one news story at a time 
anyway I'm looking forward to celebrating her legacy this january - gotta catch up on all the stories I missed 
... she's been there through all the good and bad times, sharing stories that need to be told 
... it's not just about her, though - it's about the impact she's had on so many people's lives 
... I'm gonna miss her anchor voice, but I know there are gonna be other amazing journalists who'll follow in her footsteps 
43 years is a whole lotta time! I'm so gonna miss watching Melanie Lawson on the news 
. But at the same time, it's crazy she lasted 43 years - that's like watching a whole generation grow up! 
. She had this gift for making us care about what was happening on the other side of the world 
. And it's so cool she got to share some of her own life experiences too - like meeting Michelle Obama, that's a first! 
I'm gonna cherish those tributes in January, looking forward to reliving all the amazing moments Melanie Lawson brought us 
after 43 yrs with ABC13! She's been a total inspiration to us Houstonians, sharing stories that matter most & giving voice to those who need it most 
. And can you believe all the amazing interviews she's had? From U.S. presidents to Beyoncé 
. And wow, three Emmy Awards and a whole lot more, she truly is a legend in our eyes #AwardsGalore
#TheHashtagHeroSalutesYou
. And let's be real, she's still goin' to miss bringin' the news home to us Houstonians 
. But we're all gonna miss her on air and it's great that ABC13 is celebratin' her legacy with tributes and stories throughout Jan 
? I mean, ABC13 is losing one of the best anchors ever... Melanie Lawson has been a part of our lives for so long it's crazy to think she's hangin' up her mic after 43 years 
! All those iconic interviews with big names and local heroes will be remembered forever 
. 43 years is a long time, i'm sure she's exhausted 
. all these accolades just make me think about how rigged the awards system is 
. mark my words, they'll forget everything she taught them in 5 years 
She's been a part of our lives for so long, bringing us the news and sharing the stories that need to be told 
and yaaas she deserves all those emmys and lifetime achievement awards shes a true houston legend
can't wait to see what she does next
I mean, 43 years is pretty impressive, but it's about time someone else took over the news desk. I'm sure she'll still be around, making cameos and collecting checks for appearances 
. The fact that ABC13 is doing a whole month of tributes to her is kinda cheesy, tbh 
. Can't they just put up a nice bio on their website or something? Anyway, it's always sad when an old institution like this one retires... said no one ever