Morning Y’all and The Noon Show anchor Dana Hughey is a native East Texan. A little-known fact — she was born in Lufkin, but she spent most of her life growing up in Kingwood. She’s called East Texas home for 25 years and counting.
During her 20-plus years in television news, she’s covered historic events — including the collapse of the Space Shuttle Columbia over East Texas, hurricanes in Galveston and Southeast Texas, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the historic ice storm in 2021.
One of Dana’s greatest joys is covering stories that are uniquely East Texas through Totally East Texas. From the juicy Jacksonville tomatoes and a festival named in their honor, to Hawkins FFA students making history and Van students spreading kindness through art via social media, there are so many amazing people places and events that make East Texas special and Dana loves to tell stories about those hidden gems. Fit City and Lighten Up East Texas became another passion of hers when those programs launched with the Tyler Paper and NETHealth. Each week, she told success stories of East Texans prioritizing their health and fitness, and how that changed their lives.
As a mom of three, probably her biggest passion is children. She’s been part of the lives of countless Children’s Miracle Network families and volunteers through the CMN Telethon and Celebration. Helping raise money for the kids of East Texas who may need medical care in the Special Needs Clinic at Trinity Pediatrics, the ER or the amazing NICU at Christus TMF has brought her endless joy. As a mother of twin boys who spent nearly six months in the NICU as 25-week miracles, she feels deeply connected to helping the children of East Texas in any way she can, whether that be through news stories, volunteering for a fun run or emceeing an event for CMN.
Speaking of those miracle twins, Ford and Hayden are now 16 years old and their sister, Hampton is 14. Dana loves watching them play sports, act on stage or even listen to Ford play his favorite video games with friends. Dana feels truly blessed for all the CBS19 viewers’ prayers for her boys and her mother who has battled colon cancer.
Dana is a proud Texas A&M Aggie and loves watching not only college football, but pretty much all sports. When she’s not working or with the family, she likes to enjoy a nice jog or walk outside in beautiful East Texas. Dana also volunteers with Hangars of Hope as their emcee for Runway for Hope, as the emcee of the Texas Rose Festival Coronation and serves on the board at All Saints Episcopal School, among other community activities.
FacebookYou can email Dana at DHughey@cbs19.tv or follow her on Facebook.
