Lileana Pearson
Lileana spent 2019-2021 reporting for WOWT in Omaha, NE. During her time in the Midwest, she interviewed nearly a dozen presidential candidates for 2020 Iowa caucus season, covered a historic flood of the Missouri River, and interviewed the first Americans to contract COVID-19 as they were transported to receive treatment at Omaha's biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medicine.
Lileana received her undergraduate in media studies at Lindsey Wilson College in her hometown of Columbia, Kentucky before moving on to earn a master's degree in broadcast and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Lileana was born in Washington State but has lived in Washington, Rhode Island, Kentucky, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina and now Texas. She did most of her growing up in rural Kentucky, so she calls that home.
She is thrilled to have landed in the Lone Star State and looks forward to many new, exciting adventures here in Houston and around the state. In her off time, you can find her walking her dog Lentil, enjoying the outdoors, or getting creative in the kitchen.
If you have a story, issue, or concern, reach out to Lileana on her social media or at Lileana.x.pearson@abc.com. She looks forward to telling your stories!
Lileana's Stories
Houston Public Works promises fix after ABC13 reaches out about 6-month-old water leak in Alief
ABC13 contacted city officials about a leak after bugs, algae, and mud have tormented an Alief neighborhood for nearly half a year. Here's what they told us.
Deadly shootout at West Houston gas station leaves 1 dead, 1 injured
An altercation escalated into a shooting at a gas station in West Houston Sunday morning, leaving one dead and two injured. Houston police said the people in the fight appeared to know each other.
Houstonians remember George Foreman's love and loyalty to city
A global sensation, Olympic champion, and successful entrepreneur, the legendary boxer became a champion for Houston's youth, opening up a youth center in the northeast part of the city to inspire future athletes.
2,360-acre wildfire in Sam Houston National Forest traced back to prescribed burn, fire marshal says
The Texas A&M Forest Service confirmed the fire was traced back to a prescribed burn in San Jacinto County. Crews are working to put out hotspots as a high fire risk remains.
Wildfire risk increases across southeast Texas as local climate changes
A look at wildfire risks in general shows the risk in Harris County is low. However, outside of that, the chances skyrocket.
Spring man charged after chasing down, shooting suspected car thief, Pct. 4 says
The incident unfolded near Cypresswood Drive on Tuesday. ABC13 spoke to a legal expert who shared some advice on using self-defense for property.
New report finds some HISD schools are overcapacity while others are on the brink of closure
The full schools are mostly out west, and the empty schools are mostly to the east. A researcher said this could be attributed to young families being drawn to the more affluent communities and schools out west.
23% of HISD budget is federal funding. Here's how Department of Education cuts could impact it
ABC13 spoke to an expert to learn more about how department cuts might impact Houston-area students who rely on federal assistance.
Former sergeant fired from HCSO over misconduct hired by another agency
After being acquitted in the 2022 deadly shooting of Roderick Brooks, former HCSO sergeant Garrett Hardin is back on the force at a different Houston-area agency.
Why experts say 24-hour education committee likely won't impact legislation's final outcome
The marathon meeting lasted almost 24 hours, but that didn't deter constituents from speaking their minds.