Robert Bettes is the host of KTSM’s Studio 9, the Borderland’s premier lifestyle show. Studio 9 is positive Southwest living… a chance to be a tourist in your own town. Robert is also a certified meteorologist, the only weather anchor in the Borderland with the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society. With fewer than 600 active CBM seal-holders in the world, this is a rare scientific honor.
Robert served as the chief meteorologist for KVEO-TV in the Rio Grande Valley for over a decade and previously served as chief meteorologist for both KDBC-TV and KVIA-TV in El Paso. Robert worked for the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi in the summer of 1994.
Robert headed up special weather teams for Hurricane Alex (summer 2010) and Tropical Storm Don (summer 2011) and filed live reports from the streets of New Orleans during Hurricane Isaac (summer 2012). Robert is dedicated to keeping the Sun City safe in case of any significant weather threat.
Robert graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from the prestigious Walter Cronkite School at Arizona State University. He went on to complete a second degree in Atmospheric Physics (Meteorology) from the University of Arizona. Robert is one of the few accredited meteorologists with a minor in Theater Arts. In addition to the CBM, Robert has also earned the National Weather Association Seal of Approval.
Robert hosts and produces The Open House Show, a syndicated real estate and entertainment home program that airs every Sunday morning at 8 right here on KTSM.
Robert grew up in the town of Bosque Farms, New Mexico and graduated from Del Norte High School in Albuquerque. His grandparents and aunt lived in Alamogordo, and Robert spent his summers there. His first job was as a clerk at the Hastings Books and Records in Alamogordo.
Robert’s time off is devoted to his wife Amy and family. He’s the father of three children: Mason, William, and Corbin (a daughter). In December 2019, Robert donated his kidney to his son Mason and is an advocate for being a living donor to get people on dialysis off the transplant waiting list. Robert created a 57-minute documentary about everything it takes to be a living donor entitled “The Gift: Be A Living Donor.” It’s available to view on Amazon Prime, Google Play, Itunes, Vudu, and other platforms.
Robert became a published author in 2019 with a Christian children’s book he wrote entitled, Dear Bubble Bath, Give Back My Dad! It’s a story of a young daughter who engineers a way to bring her dad back into her life after he refuses to leave his bubble bath.
Do you have ideas about interesting places, businesses, artists, community leaders, or anything else that would be great to feature on Studio 9? Send Robert an email here: rbettes@ktsm.com
