HOUSTON – Houston, meet Taylor Bruck!
If you happen to see KPRC 2’s newest reporter running through a Houston neighborhood, playing pickup basketball, checking out a new restaurant or asking strangers if they want to join a run club, don’t be surprised.
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That’s just Taylor being Taylor.
The bubbly Ohio native is settling into Houston and already making herself at home. And while she’s here to tell your stories, she’s also excited to experience everything the Bayou City has to offer.
“I really like being active and meeting new people,” Taylor said.
That may be an understatement.
3 fun facts about Taylor
Taylor plays basketball, has run track and played soccer, and also competed in rowing. These days, she’s looking for a new run club, recreational basketball league or cycling group to join.
And yes, there’s a story behind the goggles and mouth guard she sometimes wears while playing basketball.
Taylor said she chipped a tooth after being hit in the mouth with a baseball when she was younger, so these days, she protects the entire face.
“I protect my whole face,” she joked.
Sports aren’t her only creative outlet. Taylor also played the trombone growing up.
And then there’s cheese.
Taylor is a self-described cheese lover, particularly when it comes to soft cheeses like brie. Give her a charcuterie board and she’s happy.
She describes herself as a flexitarian, so her diet can go back and forth between meat and vegetarian options. She’s also already exploring Houston’s food scene.
So far, Tex-Mex has made quite an impression.
“We have been eating the yellow queso pretty much every single night,” Taylor said.
Houston, you may have found yourself a new queso enthusiast.
From Ohio to Houston
Taylor is originally from Granville, Ohio, about 35 minutes outside of Columbus. She attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and yes, she’s quick to point out that it’s Ohio University, not Ohio State.
She began her journalism career in Cleveland, working for Spectrum News 1 Ohio, the statewide network, before moving to Columbus.
She spent three years as a reporter and another three years as an anchor and reporter, giving her the opportunity to work in her home state and stay close to friends and family.
Eventually, she was ready for something new.
Enter Houston...
Taylor said the move represents a major step in her career and an opportunity to continue growing in a much larger market.
And then there was the weather.
“I was ready to get out of the cold,” she said.
Coming from Ohio, Houston’s warmth was definitely a selling point. And the city itself was just as appealing.
Taylor said she was drawn to Houston’s size, food scene, proximity to the beach and the seemingly endless number of things to do.
She’s already checked Texas barbecue off her list. She’s also tried Tex-Mex and says she’s impressed by the flavor she’s found at Houston restaurants.
Now, she’s looking for recommendations, so leave any food recommendations below!
She loves Italian food, quesadillas and vegetarian sushi. Although she doesn’t eat seafood, Taylor is open to trying just about anything.
She’s ready to tell your stories
While Taylor is excited about exploring Houston outside of work, she’s equally excited about the stories she’ll tell on the job.
She’s especially drawn to stories that can help people live better lives.
That includes accountability journalism, finding solutions to problems and giving a voice to people whose stories may not always be heard.
“I really like stories that provide people different perspectives,” she said.
Taylor said she wants to connect people through their “common humanity” by sharing their experiences, struggles and triumphs.
That could mean a wide range of stories, including those involving communities that are often misunderstood or overlooked.
And she wants viewers to know that when they see her on their television screens, she genuinely cares about the people behind the stories.
“I want people to be willing to share their stories, tell me things, I want to find solutions to their problems, and just know that I do really care,” she said.
So, what’s next on Taylor’s Houston bucket list?
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is definitely on it.
Taylor has already bought the cowgirl boots and hat. She just needs a few more pieces to complete the look.
She’s also looking forward to checking out Houston’s professional sports scene, including the NBA, along with baseball, soccer and concerts.
And outside of work, she loves creating fun social media videos, the kind where she can simply be herself and hopefully make someone smile.
That may actually be one of the biggest things Taylor wants to bring to Houston.
Joy.
“I really want people to enjoy their lives, live happy, like, not take themselves so seriously, smile more,” she said. “So I hope that I bring them some of that light and joy to their life when they see me on their TV screens.”
Oh, and there’s one more thing Houston should know...
Taylor loves to travel internationally and has visited more than six countries, so don’t be surprised if her curiosity extends well beyond the Houston city limits.
But for now, Houston is her newest adventure.
Please welcome Taylor to our city and list of any recommendations from food to activities she can join below!