ABC13’s Melanie Lawson Announces Retirement After Four Decades

By: Erin Slaughter

Melanie Lawson, one of Houston’s most respected journalists, will retire from ABC13 in January 2026 after a career spanning more than 40 years. The station, along with local news outlets, confirmed her retirement, marking the end of an era for viewers who have relied on her reporting for decades.

Lawson grew up in Houston’s Third Ward and demonstrated academic excellence from an early age. She earned a degree in politics from Princeton University in 1976 and later completed a joint law and journalism degree at Columbia University in 1980. She is licensed to practice law in both Texas and New York, though her career path led her to journalism rather than full-time law practice.

Before joining ABC13, Lawson worked for three years as an attorney at a Wall Street law firm. She returned to Houston to pursue broadcast journalism and joined ABC13 on Sept. 13, 1982. Over the next 43 years, she became one of the city’s most trusted journalists. She anchored programs including Live at 5 and Eyewitness News at 11 a.m., contributing to investigative reporting, special coverage and live reporting during breaking news events.

Lawson reported on major local, national and international stories, covering elections, natural disasters and other significant events that shaped Houston and the nation. Her reporting also included international stories, helping Houston audiences understand events and issues beyond the United States.

Outside the newsroom, Lawson has been actively involved in the Houston community. She has supported arts, education and civic organizations, including the Houston Ballet, SHAPE Community Center, Rothko Chapel and the Houston Association of Black Journalists. She has served on the board of trustees at Princeton University and has mentored aspiring journalists, offering guidance and encouragement to the next generation entering the field.

Her work has been recognized with multiple Emmy Awards and lifetime achievement honors. Colleagues praise her not only for her reporting but also for the mentorship and support she has offered fellow journalists. Lawson is the daughter of the late Reverend William A. Lawson, a prominent civil rights leader and founder of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, reflecting a family commitment to service and community leadership.

ABC13 plans to celebrate her career throughout January 2026 with tributes highlighting her influence on the station and the city. Lawson leaves a legacy of professionalism, integrity and dedication. Her work informed and inspired countless viewers and shaped the way Houston experiences local and international news. She will be remembered not only for the stories she reported but also for the trust she built and the example she set for future journalists.

Melanie Lawson’s career demonstrates the importance of local journalism, civic engagement and mentorship. Her retirement marks the conclusion of a long and influential career, but her impact on Houston journalism and the many journalists she has guided will continue to be felt for years to come.