Allysa Tellez is a morning reporter / multimedia journalist for KENS 5 in San Antonio, Texas. She joined the team in May 2021.
Allysa was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. She is proud to be from such a culturally vibrant city. In fact, it was in El Paso where Allysa first discovered her love for journalism. Realizing her passion for writing, she is grateful to the many teachers who pushed her to uncover her potential.
Allysa’s first encounter with journalism was writing for the Eastwood Sabre, her high school’s student newspaper. While there, she covered the school’s varsity football team. She also participated in her school’s audio/video technology club. Allysa helped to produce and anchor the school’s video announcements on KEHS TV. She also participated in Student Television Network competitions.
Committing to a career in broadcast journalism, Allysa attended New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in mass communications with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. She minored in political science.
While attending NMSU, Allysa reported and anchored for News 22, a student-produced newscast. She also wrote for the university newspaper, The Round Up. While there, she covered local politics, including President Trump’s visit to the Sun City and U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s presidential campaign announcement.
She interned with KFOX/KDBC in El Paso, Texas, as well as Latinitas, a non-profit organization meant to empower young women through media.
Upon graduation, Allysa spent two years as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor for KLBK/KAMC news in Lubbock, Texas. While in the Hub City, she covered the inception of the coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the local community. She was also present when Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced in Lubbock that Texas businesses could reopen at full capacity, garnering national attention.
Additionally, Allysa covered the Midland-Odessa mass shooting in 2019 that left eight people dead and 25 injured. She spent several days assisting their sister station, KMID/KPEJ, on their coverage.
Allysa also provided extensive coverage of the “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance. The controversial piece of legislation is a near-complete ban on abortion within city limits. At the time, Lubbock was the largest city to pass such an ordinance, which eventually became a precursor to Texas Senate Bill 8. Allysa’s work in Lubbock has been featured on News Nation in collaboration with WGN America.
Allysa is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
In her free time, Allysa enjoys cooking, watching movies, reading and trying new restaurants around town. She also loves spending time in the great outdoors.
Allysa is excited to call San Antonio home, as the Alamo City has always been a dream of hers. She is grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing stories that matter to the community.
Contact Allysa Tellez at atellez@kens5.com or you can follow Facebook.com/AllysaTellez or Twitter.com/AllysaTellez.
