After three years at WWSB, Lauren Dorsett (pictured) has announced her departure from the Sarasota ABC affiliate, setting changes to the anchor lineup for the morning and evening newscasts into motion.
Dorsett will be replaced on the evening newscasts by Hayley Wielgus, who currently anchors the morning and noon newscasts at WWSB. Wielgus will anchor at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. with Scott Dennis and at 11 p.m. solo. She will also serve as one of the station’s health reporters.
“Hayley is a strong, well respected voice in our newsroom and has proven to be a great storyteller,” news director Steve Sabato said in a statement. “…Hayley will be a dynamic addition to our weeknight broadcasts. I’m confident that she, Scott and Chief Meteorologist Bob Harrigan will make a terrific team.”
Stephanie Roberts, who has worked as a freelance meteorologist and news anchor at WWSB, will join the station full-time as she replaces Wielgus on the morning newscast.
Dorsett plans to return to her native Southern California to be near family. Her last day at WWSB will be November 27.
“Lauren has done a terrific job for ABC 7 over the past three and a half years, both as a journalist and with her many contributions to Suncoast community organizations,” WWSB general manager Jeff Benninghoff said in a statement. “We wish her only the very best.”