Matt Howerton is a reporter at WFAA in Dallas, TX, specializing in general assignment reporting.
Who are you? Howdy! My name's Matt Howerton! Nice to meet you, and thanks for taking the time to read this. I assume you're here because you want to know a little more about me? I'll try not to make this forgettable. I'm a proud Texan cut from the fabric of a small town and one of the few (likely the only) people who show up to WFAA in cowboy boots daily. It's been a childhood dream of mine to work at Channel 8. After my dad would get home from work, 'The Spirit of Texas' echoed loudly in our house in Ennis. I reluctantly changed the channel from Nickelodeon around 5 PM Monday through Friday. Little did I know—the words, phrases, iconic anchors, and reporters saying them through our TV set would inspire me to get into the news. I came to WFAA in 2017 and, since then, have won 7 regional Emmys for the station and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award for sports storytelling. I also dabble a bit on the anchor desk as a fill-in.
A lot has happened since I got here. I've seen a global pandemic, I've been shot at (not intentionally), the Texas Rangers won their first World Series, and it feels like North Texas has become too big for its britches with everyone moving here. Before that, I worked in both Waco and Albuquerque, NM. I covered extensive reform/issues within the Albuquerque Police Department, like officers not correctly using their body cameras and a staffing shortage that led to poor response times and increased crime. At my first job in Waco, I was first on the ground to cover the tragic fertilizer plant explosion in West that claimed the lives of 15. I revisited West ten years later, in 2023, and was the only reporter in North Texas who shared stories from the night of the explosion that had never been heard before. I was also among the first reporters to cover the second deadly shooting at Fort Cavazos in 2014, where four were killed.
Before I started reporting, I graduated from Baylor University, where I sadly spent more time at bars than church during my college career. I already mentioned that I grew up in Ennis. I love it there. It's the Bluebonnet capital of Texas! I love going home and wouldn't trade growing up in a small town for anything. Sometimes, open fields and nothing to do can inspire someone more than any bright city lights can. Plus—the traffic is way better. Go Lions—Five-time Football State Champs, baby.
2) What are your interests? At work, I love to tell stories that impact change. Achieving a perfect society is impossible, but working toward one is the next best thing. That goes double if I can genuinely help someone I'm doing a story with. I parachute in on some of the worst days of people's lives—but it's gratifying to lend a hand. I don't really have a specific focus as a reporter—I do it all. But whatever I'm working on—it's my name on the byline, and I make sure it's the best I can give. I also love being a goof. Making people laugh is one of my favorite things to do—so if you see me at a sporting event or on a lighter story, expect to get some comedy. I love quality time with friends and family when I'm not at work. We only have so many measly minutes on this planet—spend them wisely.
3) What do you like about working at WFAA? I've seen so many monumental moments in Texas history handled with class and passion by WFAA. The minute I walk into the station daily, devotion is the first thing I think of. From the floor crew to the news director, it's there. I'm proud to be part of something like that.
4) What's one thing people would be surprised to learn about you? I used to work at Blockbuster! So, I'm a big film/movie buff. I play that 'ol guitar, too. The garage band I was in back in high school could have been huge, I tell you. Is that more than one thing? I'm a writer, not an engineer.
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