KVUE Austin Reporter Melia Masumoto Departs

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Melia Masumoto, a reporter and multi-skilled journalist at KVUE Austin, is leaving the station. Masumoto joined KVUE in February 2023 after graduating from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor's degree in journalism and fashion media. During her time at SMU, she gained extensive newsroom experience as a reporter, anchor, and senior executive producer for SMU-TV, as well as a writer and production coordinator for the university's award-winning lifestyle and fashion magazine.

Why it matters

Masumoto's departure represents a loss of young talent for KVUE, which has seen some turnover in its reporting staff in recent years. Her background in both journalism and fashion media also made her a unique voice in the Austin market.

The details

A Southern California native, Masumoto grew up in Huntington Beach before heading to SMU in Texas. In addition to her work in the SMU newsroom, she also gained hands-on reporting experience as an intern at 5NEWS KFSM in Fort Smith/Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the summer before her senior year. Outside the newsroom, Masumoto has trained and competed in multiple styles of dance from a young age, including participation in professional training programs with the Bolshoi Ballet and the Radio City Rockettes in New York City.

• Masumoto joined KVUE in February 2023.
• Masumoto graduated from SMU in December 2022.