Elissa Rivas
She attended college at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, majoring in Political Science and Communications. Elissa took her first job in television news as a reporter and anchor in Yuma, Arizona. Still, her heart longed for Texas so she returned to the Lone Star State to live and work in El Paso. There she covered the intense impact of the 9-11 attacks on immigration and border traffic.
Elissa has been recognized for her work by receiving the regional and national RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for her continuing coverage of a child abduction and murder in El Paso. Through her work documenting teenage alcohol and substance abuse, she earned a National Communicator Award of Distinction and a first place award in Serious Feature reporting from the Texas Associated Press.
Now in Houston, you can find her reporting on Houston traffic in the evening newscasts. She loves to hear from viewers about the stories she covers and with new ideas for stories.
Elissa's parents impressed upon her the importance of education, and that's why she's proud to be involved with the Adult Reading Center of Pearland. She emcees the organization's Red Hat Literacy Luncheon each year, and to honor her commitment, the Adult Reading Center started a scholarship in her name, "The Elissa Rivas Scholarship Fund." The scholarships honor the courage and drive of their clients who've learned to read as adults, and fund their continued education -- GED, community college, and beyond."
Elissa and her husband spend much of their free time trying to keep up with their little girl. Elissa's enjoying the challenge of working as a full-time journalist AND a full-time mom!
Elissa's Stories
METRO laying the groundwork for light rail to Hobby Airport
The prospect of a more convenient and affordable way to make your flight has been in the works for years, but the public transit authority identified some challenges to get it off the ground.
METRO's Silver Line bus lanes in Galleria area not meeting ridership expectations
METRO's projections for how many people would ride the Silver Line in Uptown daily were in the thousands during planning, but that's not what ABC13 unsealed.
Public invited to give feedback on Grand Parkway expansion in Galveston and Brazoria counties
While TxDOT says the expansion goes mainly through rural portions of the region, SH-99 would be near more than 100 established neighborhoods, especially in the Alvin and League City areas.
ABC News' John Quiñones shares inspirational life story with students at South Texas College of Law
Globetrotting journalist John Quiñones says his childhood filled with poverty and discrimination prepared him for his work on his show "What Would You Do?" which tests society's reaction to tough situations.
Latino UH medical students look to improve doctors' Spanish to give equal care to Hispanic populace
The Latino Medical Student Association aims to sharpen doctors' medical Spanish for the Hispanic community to receive quality and proper care to improve patient outcomes.
Houston man wanted for 5 years for allegedly dismembering girlfriend now in custody, records show
Erik Arcenaux was charged in 2018 for his alleged role in Maria Jimenez-Rodriguez's case. After years on the run, he was arrested in a southeast Houston Walmart parking lot, sources said.
EZ TAG users to start paying discounted tolls on Monday, Sept. 4
The upcoming changes will have to do with how you use your EZ TAG, maintain your account, and how much you pay.
Southeast Texas to receive $4 million to create 'Safety Action Plan' to eliminate deadly crashes
The H-GAC Assistant Director of Transportation, Allie Isbell, says the region really needs to focus on more than just reducing crashes but also reducing wreck severity.
I-610 West Loop bridge southbound over I-69 Southwest Freeway set to reopen Monday morning
One of the busiest interchanges in the city has been under construction since 2017. This is one more big step toward completion, and it's coming earlier than TxDOT anticipated.
Police investigate string of robberies targeting rideshare drivers in Houston
In one case, the suspect is accused of robbing and sexually assaulting the driver. In another case, the suspects teamed up against the driver, threatened her, and took off with her car, records state.