Burlington, Vt., NBC affiliate WPTZ will launch its first 4 p.m. newscast.
“Our mission has always been to serve our communities in Vermont and Northern New York to the highest journalistic standards,” NBC5 President and general manager Ryan Rothstein said. “Between coming out of a global pandemic, entering an extraordinary political season that will have very real cultural and societal impact, and dealing with the effects of climate change on our local agriculture and tourism industries, it is crucial that NBC5 provide more opportunities to inform the public with ever-evolving, need-to-know information that affects our communities.”
The newscast will be anchored by Liz Strzepa and newly hired reporter Jack Thurston.
“Jack Thurston and Liz Strzepa bring nearly 30 years of combined reporting experience in our market to the anchor desk,” said news director Michael LaFlesh said. “That’s nearly three decades of listening to people in our communities, hearing their experiences and learning their needs. With their experience and Tyler Jankoski’s proven local weather expertise and leadership, we couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter in NBC5’s history of serving Vermont and Northern New York.”
Thurston comes from NBC Boston/NECN. He’s also worked at WCAX in Burlington.
“Whether it’s delivering critical public safety messages or showcasing our communities’ resilience and recovery,” Thurston said. “It has been an honor to tell the stories of the people that make up a region I love, and a true privilege to carry on this dedication to our communities in such a meaningful and impactful way.”
The 4 p.m. newscast will begin Monday, September 11.