The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports, veteran reporter Ed Gallek is leaving Cleveland’s WOIO for FOX affiliate WJW.
“This has nothing to do with any dissatisfaction at Channel 19,” Gallek said. “I have absolutely nothing bad to say about Channel 19. They’ve supported me during my stay here and couldn’t have been better. This was just a tremendous opportunity that came together at the right time.”
Gallek joins his wife Peggy, who has worked at WJW since 2012.
Gallek’s last day at Channel 19 will be Tuesday, Jan. 27. His first day at Channel 8 will be Wednesday, Jan. 28, but the standard six-month noncompete clause in his Channel 19 contract will keep him off the air until summer.
“He’ll contribute behind the scenes as best he can until we can get him on the air,” [WJW news director Andy] Fishman said. “We’re always looking to get better, and Ed is a veteran reporter with lots of sources. He’s very connected and he has the ability to break stories. He’ll be a good fit.”
Channel 8 will be Gallek’s third Cleveland station. He has been at Channel 19 since the summer of 1999. Before joining the 19 Action News team, he sent four years at WEWS Channel 5.