The CBS 11 news team in Dallas-Fort Worth, operating under the primary brand CBS News Texas, consists of a veteran group of journalists, meteorologists, and sports experts. Led by anchors such as Karen Borta, Keith Russell, and Madison Sawyer, along with Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett, the team provides 24/7 coverage across North Texas through its broadcast signal KTVT and its dedicated streaming platform.
The Evolution of CBS 11: From KTVT to CBS News Texas
To understand the current composition of the CBS 11 news team in 2026, one must first look at the significant rebranding and structural shifts that occurred in the early 2020s. For decades, the station was known primarily as "CBS 11," a name that reflected its position on the VHF dial. However, as part of a national initiative by CBS News and Stations, the Dallas-Fort Worth outlet transitioned to the brand CBS News Texas.
This change was not merely aesthetic; it represented a fundamental shift in how the news team operates. In 2026, the newsroom functions as a "streaming-first" entity. This means that while traditional evening and morning broadcasts remain the flagship products, the news team is constantly feeding a live digital loop. This evolution required the team to expand its roster of "multi-skilled journalists" (MSJs) who can report, film, and edit their content in real-time, ensuring that North Texans have access to breaking news regardless of the broadcast schedule.
KTVT is a CBS Owned-and-Operated (O&O) station, meaning it is owned directly by the network. This provides the Dallas news team with direct access to global resources from CBS News, while maintaining a deep focus on the specific needs of the DFW Metroplex—the fifth-largest media market in the United States.
The News Desk: Anchors and Investigative Reporters
The faces of the CBS 11 news team are seasoned professionals who, in many cases, have spent decades reporting on North Texas. The anchor desk serves as the central hub for the station’s daily news delivery.
Morning and Midday Leadership
The morning news team is tasked with helping North Texans start their day with a mix of breaking news, traffic updates, and weather forecasts. Karen Borta, a cornerstone of the station for over 25 years, remains one of the most recognizable figures on the team. After spending years as the primary evening anchor, Borta transitioned to the morning desk, bringing a level of gravitas and local knowledge that is rare in modern local news.
Working alongside the morning crew is Madison Sawyer, who has grown from a specialized reporter into a primary anchor role. Sawyer often bridges the gap between traditional news and community-focused storytelling. The morning team is supported by a robust traffic department that utilizes the station's "First Alert" technology to navigate the complex highway systems of Dallas and Tarrant counties.
Evening and Nighttime Coverage
The evening broadcasts are anchored by Keith Russell and a rotating cast of veteran journalists. Russell, who transitioned from a successful career in sports broadcasting to the news desk, brings a high-energy, personable style to the 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM slots. His ability to handle breaking news with composure has made him a staple of the evening lineup.
The I-Team (Investigative Reporting)
The CBS 11 news team is perhaps best known for its "I-Team." This investigative unit focuses on long-form journalism, uncovering government waste, consumer fraud, and safety concerns. By 2026, the investigative team has integrated data journalism more deeply into their reports, using public records and digital forensics to hold local officials accountable. These reporters often work behind the scenes for weeks on a single story, providing the kind of "deep-dive" content that distinguishes KTVT from its competitors.
First Alert Weather: The Meteorological Experts
In North Texas, weather isn't just a segment; it’s a matter of public safety. The CBS 11 weather team, branded as the First Alert Weather Team, is responsible for tracking everything from triple-digit summer heatwaves to the volatile tornado seasons.
Chief Meteorologist Scott Padgett
Scott Padgett leads the weather department with a focus on "science-first" forecasting. Known for his calm demeanor during severe weather outbreaks, Padgett oversees a team that includes Jeff Ray and Anne Elise Parks. Ray, in particular, is noted for his "Gardening Report" and his expertise in the local climate, while Parks provides essential coverage for the early-morning commuters.
Technical Capabilities and the Mobile Weather Lab
The news team utilizes the Texas Weather Tracker, a mobile unit equipped with high-resolution cameras and atmospheric sensors. This allows the meteorologists to station a reporter directly in the path of a storm (safely) to provide real-time ground-truth data that radar alone cannot capture. The station’s "First Alert" radar system provides street-level tracking, which is essential for a market as geographically vast as DFW.
Sports and Community Coverage
Dallas-Fort Worth is arguably the most sports-centric market in the country, and the CBS 11 sports team reflects that intensity.
The Sports Department
Bill Jones, the longtime Sports Director, leads the coverage of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, and Dallas Stars. Jones’ deep connections within the Jerry Jones organization and his decades of experience covering North Texas sports give CBS 11 an edge in "locker room" access. The team also produces specialized programming like The Fan Sports Show, which leverages the station's partnership with local sports radio.
Community Impact
Beyond the headlines, the news team is heavily involved in local initiatives. This includes "CBS News Texas Cares," a program that highlights non-profit work and community service. Reporters are often assigned "beats" based on geography—such as the Collin County or Tarrant County bureaus—ensuring that the "11" in CBS 11 continues to represent the entire region, not just the Dallas urban core.
CBS 11 News Team Composition (2026 Snapshot)
The following table outlines the primary roles and personnel that define the current news team.
| Name | Primary Role | Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Karen Borta | Morning Anchor | Community Affairs & Local History |
| Keith Russell | Evening Anchor | Breaking News & Live Events |
| Madison Sawyer | Morning/Midday Anchor | Traffic & Lifestyle Reporting |
| Scott Padgett | Chief Meteorologist | Severe Storm Tracking |
| Jeff Ray | Meteorologist | Climate & Environment |
| Anne Elise Parks | Meteorologist | Morning Forecasts |
| Bill Jones | Sports Director | NFL & MLB Coverage |
| Ginger Allen | Investigative Reporter | Consumer Advocacy (I-Team) |
| Jack Fink | Political Reporter | State & Local Government |
Technology and the "NextGen" Newsroom
The physical newsroom at KTVT, located in Fort Worth with a significant secondary presence in Dallas, underwent a massive technological overhaul leading into 2026. The news team now operates within a NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) environment. This technology allows the team to send hyper-local emergency alerts and high-dynamic-range (HDR) video directly to compatible televisions.
Furthermore, the team utilizes an integrated social media command center. This allows producers to monitor real-time trends across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Nextdoor. By the time a viewer sees a story on the 10:00 PM news, the digital team has likely already updated the story multiple times on the CBS News Texas app, complete with interactive maps and raw footage.
How to Interact with the News Team
A local news team is only as effective as its connection to the audience. CBS 11 maintains several avenues for public interaction:
- News Tips: The I-Team maintains an encrypted tip line for whistleblowers and citizens to report wrongdoing.
- Social Media: The anchors and reporters are active on social platforms, often conducting "Live Q&A" sessions after their broadcasts.
- The CBS News Texas App: This serves as the primary portal for the team's streaming content, weather alerts, and breaking news notifications.
- Community Events: The team frequently appears at local festivals, charity drives, and school events throughout the year.
Summary of Recent Changes
By 2026, the transition from a traditional "Channel 11" broadcast mentality to a multi-platform "CBS News Texas" identity is complete. While the branding has shifted to emphasize "Texas" and "Streaming," the core of the team remains built around veteran journalists who understand the unique culture and challenges of North Texas. The integration of KTVT (CBS) and KTXA (independent sister station) has allowed the news team to provide more hours of local news than almost any other entity in the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Chief Meteorologist at CBS 11 Dallas? As of 2026, Scott Padgett remains the Chief Meteorologist. He leads the First Alert Weather team, focusing on severe weather safety and advanced radar technology. Padgett joined the station in 2013 and rose to the Chief position following the retirement of previous veteran meteorologists.
Did CBS 11 change its name? Yes, while the station still operates on Channel 11, it has rebranded its news operations to CBS News Texas. This is part of a broader corporate effort to unify CBS local newsrooms under a single streaming-friendly identity that emphasizes regional coverage.
Where is the CBS 11 studio located? KTVT maintains its primary studios and business offices in Fort Worth, specifically in the Bridge Street area. However, they also operate a large newsroom and studio facility in Dallas to ensure they can cover the entire DFW Metroplex effectively.
Who are the main evening news anchors? The evening broadcasts are led by Keith Russell. The station often utilizes a dual-anchor format for its 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM shows, pairing Russell with other veteran reporters or anchors to provide a balanced perspective on the day's events.
How can I watch the CBS 11 news team without cable? You can stream the news team's coverage live through the CBS News Texas streaming channel, which is available on the CBS News app, Pluto TV, and the station's official website. Additionally, since KTVT broadcasts over-the-air, you can receive the signal for free using a digital antenna.
What happened to Doug Dunbar? Doug Dunbar was a long-time fixture at CBS 11. By 2026, he has transitioned away from the daily anchor desk, having left a legacy of award-winning investigative journalism and "Texans with Character" segments. Many of the current junior anchors were mentored under his leadership.
Practical Recommendation for Viewers
If you are looking for the most consistent and detailed weather information in North Texas, it is recommended to download the CBS News Texas app. This provides direct access to the First Alert Weather team’s street-level radar and live updates during tornado or ice storm warnings, which are often more timely than traditional broadcast "crawls." For investigative concerns, contacting the I-Team through their dedicated email portal remains the most effective way to bring local issues to the station's attention.
