Meet Art and Jacob Rascon
Like father, like son. For one day only.
Sure, there have been father-and-son TV newscasters before, plenty of them, like Mike and Chris Wallace, Tim and Luke Russert, Lester and Stefan Holt, Steve and Peter Doocy, Ron and Ron Stone Jr. here in Houston and more.
But Channel 13’s Art and Jacob Rascon are the first father-son duo to anchor a newscast together. The Rascons accomplished the feat on Monday, Jan. 3. Poetically, it was Art’s final newscast before retirement (after nearly 50 years in journalism) and Jacob’s debut with Channel 13. Moving forward, Jacob’s position will be on the station’s morning newscast.
Hounited caught up with the Rascons on the eve of their historic newscast.
Hounited: Jacob, how did your father's career influence you getting into TV news?
Jacob Rascon: Not only was I not interested in following in dad’s footsteps as a kid, I was against it. But there really wasn’t a good reason. We loved dad’s stories and souvenirs and we sometimes wished we could join him on his trips. I just imagined I would do my own thing. He was shocked when I announced after a year of college and two years in Uruguay on a volunteer church mission that I would pursue a journalism career. Like dad, I enjoy writing and telling stories and asking questions. We enjoy learning and sharing what we learn with others.
Hounited: Art, it used to be a tradition in America that sons followed in their father's footsteps. But not lately. Did you encourage Jacob to get into TV news?
Art Rascon: The brief answer is, I sort of encouraged him, but that’s not likely the reason he decided this path in life. He vicariously lived the world of journalism and the countless stories that come with it throughout his childhood and teen years. We would sit at the dinner table and I would talk with my children about interviewing fascinating people in my various travels. During our evening family gatherings I would often rehearse the stories and complexities along with the numerous problems and beauties of the world. As he got older and was considering his path in life, I would often suggest, “You should become a reporter, a journalist.”
Hounited: Jacob, what is the most important thing you’ve learned from your dad?
Jacob Rascon: To put God first in my life and all other things will fall into place. To care about and serve others. To move forward with faith that things will work out. To always try to be grateful.
Hounited: Whose idea was it for you guys to co-anchor a newscast?
Art Rascon: The idea came from Wendy Granato, the president and general manager of ABC Houston. We were in a meeting discussing how my final day would evolve. She suddenly blurted out, “Hey, why not have you and Jacob anchor together.” I laughed. I said, “That would be a first on many levels, I don’t know if that’s ever been done anywhere.” She said, “Let’s do it!”
Hounited: Jacob, is anchoring with your dad a dream come true?
Jacob Rascon: I never imagined anchoring with dad and we never could have orchestrated this. So many things out of our control had to fall into place. It just worked out. We are surprised and grateful. Dad knew he’d be leaving the business soon and my contract at a previous station was coming up. Dad’s boss and I had lunch. I told dad later, when I was in the middle of the interview process. We were both surprised. It happened really fast.
Hounited: What are the chances this experience will end up with you two on the Jerry Springer Show? You're in uncharted territory.
Art Rascon: I hope not. Haha. But you never know, we might start throwing chairs at each other. It would remind me of the days when Jacob put his fist through the sheetrock in his bedroom. I bought him a punching bag after that episode. But in all seriousness, we’re the opposite of wild and crazy. We’re both pretty calm, level-headed guys. But as you say, this is uncharted territory and there is an unquestionable deep knowledge of one another, so, who knows what might be said during the anchor banter. It could be fodder for a reality show!
