GeneralLast Updated on 8 months by General
Wes Rapaport is a dedicated Capitol Correspondent, diligently covering the Texas Legislature and statewide issues from the heart of Austin for a dozen stations across Texas. He joined the Nexstar Austin Bureau team in June 2017, bringing his passion for reporting to the Lone Star State.
Wes’s reporting takes him to the front lines of significant Texas stories. He was one of the few reporters present in Rockport, Texas, when Hurricane Harvey’s eye swept over the Texas coast. He also swiftly arrived on the scene following the tragic church shooting in Sutherland Springs. His journalistic journey spans from El Paso to Houston, from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley. Wes has had the privilege of covering two presidential administrations, including President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence’s visits to the US/Mexico border, as well as both of former President Barack Obama’s inaugurations. You can catch him regularly contributing to KXAN-TV’s political program, ‘State of Texas.’
Wes’s career in Texas began in 2015 when he moved to Lubbock. There, he worked as a reporter, multimedia journalist, anchor, and weekend broadcast producer for the duopoly station. He was a founding contributor to KAMC’s ‘Talking Points’ political program and continues to be an active participant.
His exceptional reporting during Hurricane Harvey, where he uncovered instances of price-gouging by hotels in the aftermath of the storm, earned him a nomination for a Lone Star Emmy. His coverage of firefighter health in Lubbock garnered a merit award from the Texas State Association of Firefighters. His work has been acknowledged by the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California and the Orange County Press Club.
Wes’s journey in journalism has taken him from local news at KION-TV to internships with NBC Network News, including investigative and sports internships with NBC Los Angeles. He holds a B.F.A. in Television and Broadcast Journalism from Chapman University. During his time there, he played an integral role in the student-run TV program, ‘Chapman News,’ serving as an anchor, producer, and reporter for Orange County’s only live newscast. He also took on the role of sports director for the school’s radio station and served as a PA Announcer for the athletics department.
With a rich background in production, Wes has operated cameras for minor league baseball and has covered numerous high school sports events. He is well-versed in public access television through his involvement with the Midpeninsula Community Media Center, where he has worked as a producer, director, and mentor.
Originally hailing from Northern California, Wes has a deep affinity for the coast and enjoys attending baseball games whenever he can. He attributes his career motivation to his family, friends, and the desire to share people’s stories. If you have a story idea or simply want to say hello, don’t hesitate to contact him through email at wrapaport@nexstar.tv or connect with him on Facebook and Twitter. You can find him at https://www.facebook.com/wesrapaporttv/ and https://twitter.com/wesrap.