Chattanooga’s WDEF Honors Luther Masingill For 70 Years In Broadcasting

By Merrill Knox 

WDEF, the CBS-affiliate in Chattanooga, is honoring local legend Luther Masingill for his 70 years in broadcasting today.

Masingill began his journalism career as an announcer for WDEF radio. The station’s owner talked Masingill, then a gas station attendant, into a job as the station’s telephone receptionist. After hearing his voice, employees at the station convinced him to make a demo tape; he was hired as an announcer at the station in 1941.

In 1954, Masingill began his job as a television anchor at the brand-new WDEF; he still contributes to both the radio and television stations today. According to the station’s website, he is believed to be the only anchor who reported on-air on both the Pearl Harbor and the 9/11 attacks. 

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He was honored today at a ceremony that also included recognition for 12 other long-time employees of WDEF.

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