Happy Friday to all who celebrate and happy Memorial Day to those who get Monday off. For those who have to work, let’s hope this weekend’s news cycle is as frantic or as slow as you desire and you get compensated and recognized for your hard work.
In our weekly roundup of stories we didn’t get to this week, we see the usual TV station talent churn including one Atlanta station that laid off the husband days after the wife quit.
Let’s get to it:
Gray Television is suing the Federal Communications Commission over its decision to fine the broadcaster over half a million dollars for an affiliation move in Alaska the regulator said violates its duopoly restriction. Click here for more. (subscription site)
WDRB in Louisville, Kentucky has hired Tyler Greever as a news director. Recently, he was a weekend sports anchor and reporter at ABC station WHAS also in Louisville. Click here to read more.
Longtime reporter and anchor Joe Kayata said goodbye to the Providence, R.I. NBC affiliate WJAR “After 18 years at @NBC10, today is my final day. I’m very excited to begin my new (add)venture. My final show is at 6 pm tonight. I will also be on the @GeneValicenti Show this morning on @wpro at 8:35 AM to look back on my tv career.” Here’s his tweet.
WRAL, part of Capitol Broadcasting Company, announced on-air anchor lineup adjustments for their news team on Wednesday. Longtime anchor Debra Morgan extends her extraordinary 30-year run on the anchor desk, moving to daytime, and continuing to helm the anchor desk for WRAL News at 5 and 6 p.m. Click here for more.
Rodney Ho, media writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that “In a case of bad timing, Fox 5 reporter Claire Simms Chaffins (pictured) decided to leave the station for a job outside TV. Then a couple of days later, the station laid off her husband, weekend sports anchor Cody Chaffins. Click here to read about it.
Ernie Zuniga, the longtime KABB anchor who helped created the Fox News First morning show, said his final goodbye to the station on Tuesday, May 23, meaning viewers will no longer see him on their screens as they start their day. Click here to read about it.
Gray Television, Inc. has promoted Matt Moran to senior managing vice president. He will oversee a group of Gray’s television markets in the Midwest, effective immediately. Click here to read more.
News 12 in the Tri-State area has made some newsroom changes:
Stan Kowalski has been named news director of Long Island and Westchester/Hudson Valley, effective immediately. A 15-year veteran of News 12, Stan operates with the highest journalistic integrity and fosters newsrooms, focusing on innovation, positivity, and high-impact news production.
Annette Stellato, formerly assistant news director for Westchester/ Hudson Valley, has been named director of network special projects for all of News 12. Annette started at News 12 as an intern 18 years ago, and in her time at the network, has won numerous Emmy, Murrow, and Press Club awards. As Director of Network Special Projects, she will focus on the development and execution of long form programming, be Well, The East End, specials, shorts, and live events across the entire ring.
Billy Fitzpatrick will take on the role of executive producer Westchester/Hudson Valley. Billy has proven himself to be an exceptional leader in Westchester, improving the AM ratings and fostering a collaborative environment among his team.
Frank Pokorney has been promoted to director of digital news. In this new role, Frank will focus on driving a viewer-friendly approach across all of News 12’s digital and social platforms to increase engagement and impressions. In addition, he will boost awareness and usage of the News 12 apps on Roku, FireTV, and Apple TV while continuing to increase viewership for News 12 New York.
Robin Llompart-deMasi has been promoted to News 12 marketing manager. Robin has been at News 12 for five years, starting as a temp and growing throughout the organization in various positions supporting marketing. Robin will be responsible for developing and executing marketing campaigns to drive viewership and revenue.