WACO, Texas – A new voice is bringing local stories to the forefront of the Brazos Valley and Central Texas as Karla Castillo marks a milestone in regional media. At 23 years old, the Houston native has officially stepped into her role as the first Telemundo Central Texas bilingual news reporter based in Waco, bridging a critical information gap for Spanish-speaking residents.
The daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Castillo credits her professional drive to the lessons instilled in her during childhood. Her mother, who insisted that Castillo remain fluent in Spanish by reading books and biblical texts at home, often reminded her of a powerful mantra: “Si tu naciste sola, tu puedes hacerlo sola” — “If you were born alone, you can do it alone.”
That sense of independence and purpose was solidified in 2017 when Hurricane Harvey devastated her hometown of Houston. Witnessing the catastrophic flooding and the subsequent struggles of non-English speakers seeking help, Castillo found her calling. She recalls watching reporter Daisy Rios provide non-stop coverage, at one point seeing her embrace displaced families at the George R. Brown Convention Center. “That’s kind of when it all clicked for me,” Castillo said.
Now, she is channeling that inspiration into local service. Since joining the station, Castillo has become a fixture at community outreach events, including the annual Telemundo Central Texas backpack giveaway and the KWTX News 10 Food for Families drive. Her presence is already paying dividends in digital engagement; since early 2025, the station’s social media footprint has seen explosive growth, with Facebook followers surging from 18,000 to over 52,000, and Instagram following rising to 56,000.
“It feels amazing that I can go out and do an interview and somebody’s like, ‘Oh, wow, Telemundo exists,'” Castillo said. “To this day, I still get that same question, and I’m always so excited because I’m like, ‘Yes, we do. We’re here, we’re bringing you local news in the time that it matters. You no longer have to wait.'”
As KWTX highlights community leaders during Hispanic Heritage Month, Castillo views her position as more than just a job; it is a platform to prove that success is attainable regardless of language or background. “Sometimes all people want to do is be heard,” she noted.
A graduate of the University of North Texas, Castillo brings a unique, well-rounded perspective to the newsroom. When she isn’t reporting, she stays connected to her roots, frequently visiting El Salvador to enjoy family-made pupusas and local traditions. As the first of her kind in Waco, she continues to break barriers, ensuring that the Spanish-speaking community in Central Texas has a dedicated advocate telling their stories.
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