WFAA’s Daybreak is set to welcome two rising stars from Channel 8 as it prepares to say goodbye to anchor Marc Istook. Starting in late February, Matt Howerton, a general assignment reporter, and Dia Wall, an experienced anchor and reporter, will join the morning show lineup.
Expressing his excitement, Howerton shared on social media, “After 8 years of running around the metroplex telling the stories of so many Texans, I’m incredibly grateful (and excited) for this new chapter. See you in the mornings!” A native of Ennis, Howerton reflects fondly on his childhood memories of watching Channel 8. He credits the station’s iconic anchors and stories as his inspiration to enter the field of journalism.
Dia Wall echoed similar sentiments, describing her new role as a dream come true in an Instagram post. Wall, originally from Irving, began her journalism career covering the Dallas Cowboys after graduating from Texas Christian University in 2008. She joined WFAA in 2024, where she has been dedicated to highlighting significant events across North Texas. “The ability to showcase what’s happening across North Texas and the ways it affects us all is powerful,” she noted, emphasizing her commitment to using journalism for equity and justice.
Wall will officially join Daybreak on February 23, followed by Howerton, who will start on February 24, while Istook’s final day is set for February 20. His future plans remain undisclosed.
In addition to these changes, anchor Kara Sewell has announced her maternity leave, set to begin next month, and the team has recently welcomed a new traffic anchor, Erica Lopez. With these adjustments, Daybreak continues to evolve, maintaining its promise to deliver informative and engaging news to its audience during the morning hours.