NBC-owned regional cable network New England Cable News just announced it has hired two familiar Boston faces along with an anchor with Boston roots.
NECN has added former WHDH chief meteorologist Pete Bouchard and former WFXT reporter Joy Lim Nakrin along with Boston educated anchor Melody Mendez.
The announcement came about 30 minutes after NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations president Valari Staab told staff in her announcement about the launch of NBC Boston, “Over the next year, we will be ramping up to prepare for the launch of our new station, including adding significantly to our local team.”
We reported last month Bouchard had resigned from WHDH for parts unknown, which turned out to be NECN. He had worked at WHDH for more than 13 years.
“New Englanders are tough and they know their weather,” said Kenny Plotnik, NECN’s vp of news. “Blizzards, tornadoes and nor’easters do not faze them, but they do depend on their local meteorologist to make sure they’re ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at them. Pete Bouchard has been doing just that for more than two decades and we’re proud to welcome him to our already strong necn weather team.”
Nakrin left Boston’s Fox affiliate in November. She joins NECN as an afternoon anchor and an evening reporter. She came to WFXT from KSTP in Minneapolis in 2013.
Mendez departed Chicago’s Fox-owned station WFLD in December. She started her career in Boston at Neighborhood Network News with a bachelors degree from Boston University. She’ll be a weekday morning anchor.
Nakrin and Mendez will join the station in the spring. Bouchard starts Monday.