Tammy Rose, a familiar voice in Houston's skies as the daily helicopter reporter for ABC13, announced her departure from the station on Sunday, concluding a 17-year tenure. Rose plans to transition to independent journalism, seeking the freedom to delve deeper into stories and ask more critical questions.
"Our industry is changing," Rose stated on social media. "More journalists are becoming independent, giving them the freedom to go behind the headlines, ask difficult questions and take the time to uncover the full story. That is the kind of journalism I want to do for you."
Her final day at ABC13 will be October 2. Rose shared her decision with fans via social media, accompanying the announcement with a photo from her helicopter cockpit and a nighttime view of the Houston skyline. She emphasized that this is not a retirement from journalism itself, but a shift away from daily helicopter reporting. She will continue to work part-time on assignments outside of Houston and will remain active on her YouTube channel, Tammy Rose Reports, and her website.
Rose intends to focus on content related to true crime, aviation, and investigative journalism. She also mentioned plans to work on her fourth book, following the recent release of a historical fiction novel. "I’ll travel to find the stories that matter to you - sometimes from the air and sometimes on the ground," she promised her audience.
Rose's career at ABC13 followed over a decade of helicopter reporting in various locations across the country, including Texas, Arizona, and Wisconsin.
The reporter cited an increased workload, stating her responsibilities had doubled over the past year. Her exit occurs amid a challenging period for local television news, marked by declining advertising revenue and the diminishing influence of traditional linear TV due to cord-cutting and the rise of streaming services. Stations nationwide, including in Houston, have responded with layoffs and cutbacks. A recent survey indicated that full-time local TV news employment saw its first decline in over a decade by the end of the previous year.