Texas Capitol Correspondent
Wes Rapaport is a Capitol Correspondent, reporting on the Texas Legislature and other statewide issues in Austin for a dozen stations in Texas. He joined the Nexstar Austin Bureau in June, 2017.
Wes reports from the heart of major Texas stories. Wes was one of the few reporters who was in Rockport, Texas, when the eye of Hurricane Harvey passed over the Texas coast. He was one of the first reporters on scene after the deadly church shooting in Sutherland Springs. His reporting has taken him from El Paso to Houston, and the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley. He has covered two presidential administrations, including visits to the US/Mexico border by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. He also covered both of former President Barack Obama’s inaugurations. Wes is a regular contributor to KXAN-TV’s political program, State of Texas.
Wes moved to Lubbock, Texas, in 2015 as a reporter and multimedia journalist for the duopoly station, where he also anchored and produced weekend broadcasts. He was one of the original contributors of KAMC’s Talking Points, and continues to participate on that political program.
His work during Hurricane Harvey, specifically uncovering price-gouging of hotels in the aftermath of the storm, was nominated for a Lone Star Emmy. His reporting on firefighter health in in Lubbock earned him a merit award from the Texas State Association of Firefighters. His work was recognized by the Radio and Television News Assiciation of Southern California and the Orange County Press Club.
His prior work and internship experience ranges from local news at KION-TV, to NBC Network News, to investigative and sports internships with NBC Los Angeles. Wes graduated from Chapman University with a B.F.A. in Television and Broadcast Journalism. He led the student-run TV program, Chapman News, working as an anchor, producer, and reporter for the only live newscast in Orange County. He was the sports director of the school’s radio station, and a PA Announcer for the athletics department.
His production experience includes camera operation for minor league baseball and countless hours of high school sports coverage. He has an extensive background in public access television through the Midpeninsula Community Media Center as a producer, director, and mentor.
Originally from Northern California, Wes loves the coast, and enjoys catching a baseball game or two when he can! Wes credits his family, friends, and motivation to tell people’s stories, as inspiration for his broadcast journalism career.
If you have a story idea, or would just like to say hi, feel free to contact him!
Email: wrapaport@nexstar.tv
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wesrapaporttv/
Twitter: twitter.com/wesrap
