After three years at WFLD, Bob Sirott (left) will sign off from the Chicago Fox O&O next month.
Sirott’s future with the station has been the subject of speculation since he was announced as the co-host of a daily radio show on WGN. His last day anchoring the 9 p.m. newscast alongside Robin Robinson will be September 5.
“Bob is a talented journalist who has brought dedication and passion to the station every day. We want to thank him for his tremendous contributions; he will always be a member of the FOX 32 family,” WFLD vice president and general manager Dennis Welsh wrote to TVSpy.
Taking over for Sirott will be Jeff Herndon (right), who will begin October 1 as Robinson’s co-anchor on the evening newscast. Herndon comes to Chicago after 12 years in Wichita, where he is the evening co-anchor at ABC affiliate KAKE. He has also worked at KTKA in Topeka.
“Jeff is an outstanding communicator and journalist with a proven track record of excellence. He is a leader and sought after journalist and we are excited to welcome him to this role at FOX 32,” WFLD vice president and news director Tom Doerr said in a statement.
More in the official announcement from Fox after the jump.
CHICAGO – Jeff Herndon has been named co-anchor of “FOX 32 News at 9 p.m.,” announced Tom Doerr, the station’s Vice President and News Director. Effective October 1st, Herndon will co-anchor the weekday evening newscast and report for various newscasts throughout the week.
In making the announcement, Doerr stated, “Jeff is an outstanding communicator and journalist with a proven track record of excellence. He is a leader and sought after journalist and we are excited to welcome him to this role at FOX 32.”
Most recently, Herndon served as co-anchor for KAKE-TV in Wichita, KS, a position he held for 12 years. Previously, Herndon was the weekend sports anchor for KTKA-TV in Topeka, KS. He began his career as a sports photographer/reporter at KAKE-TV.
Added Herndon, “I’m looking forward to joining a talented team of journalists at FOX 32. The opportunity to join a newsroom focused on making a difference in the Chicago community made this an easy decision.”
A graduate of Wichita State University, Herndon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism.
WFLD FOX 32 is part of the FOX Television Stations group, one of the nation’s largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, comprising 28 stations in 18 markets and covering nearly 37.28 % of U.S. television homes. This includes six duopolies in the top 10 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Houston; as well as duopolies in Minneapolis, Phoenix, Orlando and Charlotte.