NBC’s Al Roker was supposed to be in Phoenix tomorrow to help out NBC affiliate KPNX as they open a new streetside studio. Roker was to be a part of the celebration for the new studio in downtown Phoenix beginning at 4:30am. He was then going to host his “Wake up with Al” Weather Channel show and his “Today” show reports.
But the tragedy a couple hours south in Tucson as well as a major winter storm headed for the Northeast tonight, will keep the weatherman in New York. “Al and the ‘Today’ team are very much looking forward to rescheduling his visit to Phoenix and 12 News’ new world-class facility,” NBC News officials told AZCentral.com.
The event will still go on as planned and will be a fundraiser and blood drive in honor of the victims of Saturday’s massacre in Tucson.
“We’re attempting to do the right thing,” said John Misner, general manager of 12 News and chief operating officer of Republic Media. “In a way, we’ll be bringing Arizonans together.”
KPNX has moved into a facility with the The Arizona Republic in downtown Phoenix. Gannett owns both KPNX and the Republic. Both entities provide content to the website AZCentral.com.