WHNT has announced a major overhaul of talent on the evening broadcasts, shuffling the same five anchors into new assignments to change up the primetime chemistry on the Hunstville CBS affiliate.
“Just like a coach of a football team makes adjustments, the goal with the new anchor teams is to better align the strength of our players to deliver on the expectations of Tennessee Valley viewers,” WHNT news director Denise Vickers said in a statement.
Starting August 29, the 5 p.m. broadcast — currently anchored by Greg Screws and Clarissa Stephens — will be helmed by Stephens and fellow shoe-loving anchor Lee Marshall (watch a promo of the two, above). Screws will move forward an hour to anchor alongside current 6 p.m. anchor Elise Morgan, and the pair will be followed at 6:30 p.m. by Marshall alongside Jerry Hayes. Marshall and Hayes have been teamed up on that newscast since April. Hayes and Morgan will also continue their duties as 10 p.m. anchors.
“I get to anchor with two different women, two times a day, five days a week? What more could a guy ask for?” Hayes said. “Joking aside, we want to give our early evening newscasts the variety that no other station can deliver in the Tennessee Valley.”
“This new anchor lineup will bring fresh energy and ideas to already popular news time periods and allow us to showcase our talented team,” said WHNT president and general manager Stan Pylant.