
Maria Salazar
María Salazar joined FOX 26 News in February 2018 as a reporter. Raised in Georgia, Maria is delighted to be back in the South and feels at home in Texas. She comes from Reading, Pennsylvania where she worked for two years as bilingual reporter for WFMZ. While at WFMZ, she covered the impacts of increased immigration enforcement in Reading and shed light on the city’s drug trade problem. Maria was also sent to Washington, D.C. to cover President Trump’s inauguration and the women’s march. Previously, María was a reporter at Telemundo Atlanta where she worked in partnership with the local ABC affiliate in Atlanta, WSB-TV, to uncover abuse and fraud at a local private school for troubled teens. The school closed due to loss of enrollment after the investigative reports aired in August 2015. The school's director was later arrested on multiple fraud and theft by deception charges. Moreover, at Telemundo Atlanta, Maria worked on a four-part Southeast Emmy-nominated political special during the 2014 elections. Maria interviewed the front runners for Georgia Governor and U.S. Senate. She also produced in-depth reports on the electoral process for first time voters. María is a three-time Southeast Emmy award-winning reporter including one for a report on sex trafficking in the Atlanta area. Born in Chicago to immigrants from Mexico, Maria is proud of her Mexican-American heritage. She holds a BS in Public Policy and a MS in Social Foundations of Education from Georgia State University. When Maria isn't reporting, you can catch her pretending to be a mariachi singer and trying a new recipe.
The latest from Maria Salazar
Texas Senate bill to protect privacy of sexual assault victims advances in legislature
Currently, Texas law does not protect the confidentiality of alleged victims of sexual assault in civil court. However, there is a bill making its way through the state legislature that could change that.
FEMA is now accepting applications for COVID-19 funeral expenses
Financial relief could be on the way for the families of the nearly 50,000 Texans who died from COVID-19. FEMA is now accepting applications for COVID-19 funeral expenses.
YMCA International Services helps unaccompanied teens in federal custody in Houston
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee says, so far, 300 unaccompanied migrant children have arrived at an emergency housing facility in North Houston operated by the National Association of Christian Churches.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo gets COVID-19 vaccine, urges providers to reach communities of color
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo rolling up her sleeve at a mobile vaccination site at Pitner Pocket Park in Spring Branch.
Health experts optimistic COVID-19 vaccine for kids 12 and older could be available by next school year
Could some kids and teens have the opportunity to get the COVID-19 vaccine by the start of the next school year? With the latest announcement from Pfizer, some health experts certainly think so including, Dr. Michael Chang, pediatric infectious disease expert with UTHealth/UTPhysicians.
Will Houston area colleges and university require COVID-19 vaccine to enroll?
As more COVID-19 vaccines become available, some universities in the U.S. are looking into how their students can have access, and whether or not it'll be a requirement for enrollment.
"Three years too long": Family, friends waiting for arrests in deadly shooting on the East Freeway
Eric Fulcher says he has long recovered from getting shot in the shoulder. However, he still dealing with the emotional pain of losing his friend.
Houston research group prepares to conduct COVID-19 vaccine trials in young children
The vaccine trial is led by Ventavia Research Group in the Houston. Dr. Renu Garg, a local pediatrician with a private practice, is the principal investigator.
Man arrested for Pasadena home invasion; suspect is also person of interest in recent murder
Pasadena police say 35-year-old Gilbert Viera is in jail for a violent home invasion on Thursday morning and could be linked to other crimes in the area. Police have named him a person of interest in the murder of a 70-year-old woman, Patrice Ward.
Authorities seek potential victims following arrest of former Texas state trooper
Potential additional victims are asked to contact the FBI following the arrest of a former Texas DPS trooper from the Houston area.