WLNE has made its biggest on-air talent move since being bought by Citadel Communications earlier this year. The Providence ABC-affiliate announced this week that Karen Meyers (right) would anchor the station’s 5, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts, replacing Allison Alexander, whose contract was not renewed.
Alexander had been with WLNE since 2007 and, according to NewsBlues, was the highest paid newsroom employee.
Meyers, a graduate of Boston College, has spent the last four years working as an anchor for NECN, the regional cable news channel owned by Comcast.
“Karen’s journalistic experience, anchoring/reporting skill and her knowledge of New England make her an outstanding choice for this critical position in our news department,” said Chris Tzianabos, WLNE’s newly appointed president and general manager, in making the announcement.
“I’ve lived in New England for a very long time, and love it here,” Meyers said. “This is a wonderful opportunity for me to give back to the community that I call home.”
Since acquiring WLNE in March, Citadel Communications has made aggressive moves in remaking the station’s newsroom roster. In April, WLNE issued a round of layoffs and earlier this month Citadel CEO Phil Lombardo sent a message by shouting down veteran anchor John DeLuca in the middle of the newsroom, inferring that he could have him fired.
Meyers is a veteran of the New England area, having worked at WNNE in Hartford, VT and WPTZ in Burlington before joining NECN.
Here’s a video of Meyers during her time at NECN: