Here's a look at some of the key changes. WTHR posted Pearce's farewell message video Wednesday morning. I'm not sure where they found the weather reporter that is now on there, but she doesn't have the personality to be a weather anchor. Scheduling and workplace adjustments during treatment were made difficult by management. "I just felt so fortunate to have viewers that genuinely cared," she said. "Really WTHR? and after the firing of Ann on national TV and not Matt, I will not watch it again until he is fired!!! Her husband, Scott Peterson, was later convicted of her murder. Pence joined Fox59 and CBS4 in June 2014, where she helped launchFox59 NewsPoint at 11 p.m. and joined CBS4's morning program as an anchor in August2015. She was a beloved face in Indy and described as "an absolutely sweet, kind, smart wonderful lady. Please enable JavaScript to view this content. Her latest passion is coaching others and sharing her business saavy with aspiring entrepreneurs through her Instagram Community, @CashTalkingWomen. Credit: WTHR. Join the thousands of business and community leaders and Indiana residents that choose IBJ as their primary local news source. Read more: What you need to know about former Morehead's suit. I switched to Jim O'Brien and Ron Smiley on Fox 59. Very sad news to share. It's a shame that this woman was trying to do a good job and bring us something that was actually an interesting story and was fired for it. Sounds like someone was looking for a reason to get rid of her. I have to think some of this is due to the change in ownership and the Tegnafication of the news broadcasts. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Felicia is a big supporter of HBCUs. You'll make the big time someday Nicole. unethical is her middle name from friends to work. Amid this instability in ownership, WLWI found the going rather difficult. Here's a look at some of the key changes. Miscellaneous unorganized material/WTXF-TV, Miscellaneous unorganized material/WBOY-DT, 395543.2N 861054.9W / 39.928667N 86.181917W / 39.928667; -86.181917, analog television shutdown and digital conversion, Query the FCC's TV station database for WTHR, BIAfn's Media Web Database -- Information on WTHR-TV, http://www.dispatchbroadcast.com/wthr.html, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Y1nGJ3G7w, "WBNS-TV Station Image Promo; Alamoth Lane - Carousels (Dreaming of Tomorrow)", http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrchyqZWTtY, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijLAPCGTAY0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_lmawGVpF0, WTHR - Indianapolis News and Weather - Westfield Insurance Brain Game, http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-1082A2.pdf, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qTfl7AEdHg, http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer_main.php?media=opens,2190,0, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOjfdrCZXbU, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpkwgFwahuE, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POTL4aAGpfM, http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer_main.php?media=opens,2192,1, http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer_main.php?media=opens,2193,0, http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer_main.php?media=opens,2194,0, http://www.southernmedia-nmsa.com/audioplayer_main.php?media=opens,2197,0, WTHR 13, Channel 13, or WTHR Channel 13 (general). Now you have neither what? Follow him on Twitter @lawrencegandrea. Can't wait for this year! Under the partnership, WTHR produced a 10 p.m. newscast for WNDY. I did not care for Nicole Pence from the beginning! Now we have neither! Connie Chung turns 70 on August 20th. She should sue so there would be an investigation into her filing. As a former anchor I can tell you folks one thing, Nicole Pence was the worst talent WTHR has hired since the 90's with the likes of Teresa Tanoos and a couple of others with no talent. She said she hopes to do volunteer work in the Indianapolis area and is not considering a return to full-time employment, but who knows, anything is possible.. BE A GIANT. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) originally awarded the license to a group headed by Union Federal Savings and Loan president George Sadlier. John Doran. Not long ago, Channel 13 had 3-4 full-time sports staffers, and added more during peak times, like in May and during football season. It sounded like she had such a great career going for her! I really like Mary Milz and have always trusted her reporting. ", "Naomi, you are a star!" But station officials and Flye aren't saying what led to the departure. The previous owner, Dispatch Broadcast Group, held the station for 44 years. . WRTV and Flye confirmed the exit via social media last week. The family tells 13News she died at home over the weekend, of natural causes. With new ownership in place, on-air quality began to improve, but WTHR was still rating third behind WISH and WRTV. I really enjoyed watching Nicole Pence on the weekends especially when it was Nicole and Nicole. Ross Becker (Anchor/reporter; now at KTVX in Salt Lake City) Phil Bremen (Weekend anchor/reporter; currently Telecommunications Professor at Ball State University) Linda Buchberger (Weekend weathercaster) Brent Cameron (Weekend meteorologist; now at WSVN-TV, Miami) Bob Campbell (Former News Director; now Realtor "Reliable Robert"; Bellingham, WA) Being a journalist is very demanding. You can read about Hugh's career HERE . According to the Wrap's new Q Score survey, CBS' Scott Pelley is the most-liked news anchor, while Chris Matthews falls in last place as the least-liked newscaster. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. In his Facebook post, Kopp says he will pursue other career opportunities in the Indianapolis area. The only response came fromWTHR General Manager Michael Brouder statinghewas unable to comment on pending litigation. Kopp told IndyStar this monththat after a year away from the anchor desk, he was actively searching for a new full-time job. Felicia Lawrence currently co-anchors the top rated 5pm news hour at WTHR-Channel 13 and contributes to the 11pm newscast. RIP, Jill. She graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University. Rich van Wyk also retired, Andrea Morehead was unfairly terminated, and others have left as well. Prior to WTHR, she was a TV Host on one of Chicagos premier morning talk shows, The Jam on CW26 Chicago/WCIU-TV. AnotherWTHR-13 fixture is leaving the local news team. Theyre nearly unwatchable. She will be missed! After 18 years as a reporter and news anchor at WRTV-TV Channel 6, Ericka Flye has flown the coup. In addition to thanking the community for allowing her to tell their stories, Morehead cited her faith as the driving force helping her through the difficult time particularly since news of the lawsuit went public. Through a lawyer, Pearce responded to the IndyStar, saying she had no comment at this time other than "WTHR made changes to its traffic operations" and she can stillbe heard on WFMS. I currently work as an Anchor/reporter for WTHR in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pearce, who grew up in Martinsville and is a1986 Butler University graduate,came to WTHR in 2002 as the Sunrise team traffic anchor. Biles credits IndyStar for revealing gymnastics abuse. ", Related:When TV meteorologist Randy Ollis won that culture war. INDIANAPOLIS Former WTHR anchor and reporter Jill Ditmire has passed away at the age of 56. Matt McCutcheon, a reporter and anchor for WTHR since 2013, also departed in January, sayingthat he had retired from the news industry and was taking a corporate communications gig with a local life sciences firm. You did read the second paragraph, right? BE BOLD. Condolences to her friends and family. "Hopefully in those 19 years I've kept you out of a traffic jam or I've just touched your heart.". Digital: She also cited other journalists who served as her inspirations throughout her career, saying she hopesshe had a similar impact as a "positive mentor" to interns and young journalists she has worked with. That's why I don't, anymore. WRTV General Manager Lana Durban Scott confirmed Flyes departure, but declined to say why the Emmy Award winner who anchored the 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscastsleft or where she is headed. . Ben Hill, who has been a "Sunrise" co-anchor at WTHR-13 since 2016, is taking a TV job in Nashville. WTHR.com is the news leader for Indianapolis and Central Indiana. In 2009, Flye founded a not-for-profit organization, Wings to Flye Inc., focused on youth empowerment. [3] [4] [5], WTHR also produces the Brain Game, a weekly televised quiz bowl competition for high school students. Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. "When my disabled daughter, Annalee, took a liking to you several years ago you went above and beyond to make her happy by spending time with her at cookbook signings," wrote Carl Camacho, " and you even sent her a birthday card, which is still hanging in her room. "Wow, 19 years," Pearce said. She had the WHOLE package for a reporter. WTHR's Bruce Kopp After 33 years with WTHR, Kopp announced in January that he was leaving the station to pursue other opportunities. "And boy, have I had fun. The journalist said her faith has been paramount in getting through the experience, especially since the lawsuit gained public attention. What you need to know about former Morehead's suit, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Learning as she accepted the new challenge. . From 1957 to 1962, the station was tied up in one of the most heated licensing disputes in early television history. Don't think it was just about spending more family time either. Tiernon is currently the 5:30 and 6 PM anchor.====Current on-air staff (as of July 2010)====. I have not read a book or seen a movie or had time for lunch with friends for a long time. if ( typeof LD == "object" ) { LD.initPage(); }. WTHR now airs a short 8 minute "First Forecast" on the company-owned SkyTrak Weather Network, channel 50, in lieu of a 10 p.m. newscast. By 2002, WTHR beat WISH in all news timeslots and changed its slogan to "Indiana's News Leader". They were a great duo!And yes, politics are all over television, that is why she got her job, and I guess Karma made the last call. Radio-TV Broadcast History is a FANDOM TV Community. Pearce's post received more than 500 comments with many viewers outraged -- not only that Pearce was being let go from the station, but that it happened duringan uncertain time in America with the coronavirus outbreak. At one time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Kevin Silva had the biggest Batman collection you'd find anywhere in the entire world. #BREAKINGNEWS I retired from TV today (for now!) Indianapolis news anchor sues WTHR-TV's parent company, Former WTHR anchor says lawsuit tells 'small portion' of mistreatment, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. https://t.co/JUlSOLVufc pic.twitter.com/qruCFNZfkT. Heres how it got the story. Morehead saidthere is more to the story of the "pervasive and unconscionable treatment" at WTHR in the post and told how the experience stole "the pure joy of the profession to inspire and give hope to others.". . I muted the sound whenever she spoke or simply changed the channel. "As the sun sets on this chapter, I will now take time to heal, forgive, and press forward. Veteran TV journalist Mary Milz has resigned from WTHR-TV Channel 13 to head into retirement after a career that took her across the country covering some of the biggest national stories of the time. Her TV career started as an anchor/reporter for the ABC and NBC affiliates in Joplin, Missouri. After 33 years with WTHR, Kopp announced in Januarythat he was leaving the station to pursue other opportunities. She will be very successful. Mimi Pearce, 55, was let go from the Tegna-owned television station Wednesday morning, according to a Facebook post on her Mimi Pearce WTHR page. I often considered commenting on Nicole Pence, but didn't want to hurt her feelings. ", Search for accused Johnson County scammer ends in arrest, Boone County Deputy Jacob Pickett remembered on 5 year anniversary of line of duty death, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Record-breaking rain raises ongoing flood concerns, Live Doppler 13 Weather Blog: Mild air returns with more rain, snow returning late week. I have also changed from WTHR and moved to Channel 6 news. One of the other competitors, Richard Fairbanks, owner of WIBC-AM 1070 sued the FCC. This is very disappointing. She also contributed to the programs "Indiana Outdoors" and "The Good Life.". WTHR-13 weekend anchor Naomi Pescovitz, an Indianapolis native, is the latest to announce she's leaving the local market. Speedway Indianapolis police badly botched the original investigation by failing to treat . Copyright 2005-16. "Its true that I am taking that crucial step toward opening my heart, my mind, and my soul to walk with the wind, and continue to be an agent of good change for others," she wrote. Good for you Mary much success in anything you chose to do going forward life is not a dress rehearsal! She covered news, politics, culture, hot topics and chatted with Hollywood celebs like Denzel Washington, Gabrielle Union, Giuliana Rancic and so many more! 2022-23 Looking for Talent? One thought on " WTHR, WRTV add morning news anchors " Rhea P. says: January 13, 2021 at 10:42 am. I hate to see you go.". Indianapolis news anchor Andrea Morehead recently filed a lawsuit against her former employer in Indiana federal court. Pearce, who grew up in Martinsville and is a 1986 Butler University graduate, came to WTHR in 2002 as the Sunrise team traffic anchor. ", Related: Ex-WTHR meteorologist Nicole Misencik joins Indy marketing firm. Whether youre a broker, developer, or serve the real estate industry, youre invited to a night of mixing + mingling. Shutterstock. Beginning with the 10 p.m. Eyewitness News Nightbeat newscast on November 12, 2006, WTHR became the first station in Indiana to broadcast local news in High Definition, making it one of only seven TV stations in the Midwest broadcasting news in HD (the others being fellow Indianapolis station WISH-TV, WKYC-TV in Cleveland, KSDK in St. Louis, KARE-TV in Minneapolis/St. ", "I am grateful to each and every one of you. Being strongly rooted in the community and philanthropy, Felicia hosts a number of events and often books speaking engagements to motivate women, youth, and those looking to step into a higher version of themselves. I watched the Today Show for many yrs. It was also dogged by a weaker network affiliation; ABC would not be on an equal footing with CBS and NBC until the 1970s. I always enjoyed Nicole's reporting. Investigative reporter Sandra Chapman resigned in January after 17 years at the station and 34 years in local news. 2019-20 - Former Indy 500 Driver Crosses College Finish Line. "Its been a lot of fun. She also took time to thank the community for allowing her to tell their stories and noted other journalists who have inspired her throughout her career. Milz grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and earned a broadcast journalism degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Purchase your ticket today. 17. All rights reserved. Heres how it got the story. Im ready to do some new things. Broadcasting can be a very political. One of the original WKY gang who migrated to Tampa in 1957, Ken spent 12 years at Big 13, eventually becoming . [2][3]WTHR anchors Anne Marie Tiernon and Julia Moffitt. Its the American way right? After leaving Channel 13, Jill went on to own a wine shop on Mass Ave and later featured artist and musicians through a program called "Curious Mix" at WFYI. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. IndyStar reached out to employees named in the lawsuit. INDIANAPOLIS Former WTHR anchor and reporter Jill Ditmire has passed away at the age of 56. Linsey Clutter isn't much better, she stumbles over her words all the time. The station wished Flye good luck on Facebook. God be with you Nicole. 13.3 Universal Sports, Channel 13 (1957-2009) That was riveting Wthr. "You'll do great in Minnesota. Dan O'Rourke, after news internship became WRTV's youngest reporter @ age 21 & youngest anchor @ 22. INDIANAPOLIS Former WTHR-13 news anchor Andrea Morehead has filed a civil lawsuit against the station and its owners. WISH-TV then assumed responsibility of the production of WNDY's 10 p.m. newscast. He was moved from the early-morning "Sunrise" program in March 2016 to take on "other tasks." And now . Co-workers betting on her return to work after radiation and immunotherapy. Morehead is suing the parent company forWTHR-TV Channel 13, which is Tegna Inc. Let's take a look back at TV broadcasters over the years and see how they have changed. Co-hosting a four-and- a-half hour morning show, she interviewed a number of celebrities, sitting down with big names like Tyler Perry, Morris Chestnut, Kid N Play, Anthony Hamilton, CeeLo Green and many others. The Wolfe family, owners of the Columbus Dispatch and WBNS-TV in Columbus, bought the station from Avco in 1974 and changed the calls to WTHR two years later. Wow, four grammar mistakes in a single sentence. About. On September 2, 2007 WTHR celebrated its 50th anniversary[2] like its sister station in Columbus, WTHR used the song "Carousels (Dreaming of Tomorrow)" by Columbus, Ohio rock band Alamoth Lane, which was also used on WBNS as a large marketing campaign to promote the launch of its newscasts in high definition. "So, my 'reboot'is just about complete, and I'm ready to get back to work.". Please note our updated comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated. Please note our updated comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated. Advance Indiana, LLC. Fred Rogers. Morehead in the Facebookpost said her "troubling experiences" at the station robbed her of "the pure joy of the profession to inspire and give hope to others." Greg Cooper wrote sharing the post. Pearce said she may talk further in the future. Other material must be reorganized into appropriate categories of articles. Join the thousands of business and community leaders and Indiana residents that choose IBJ as their primary local news source. She is also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, and the National Association of Realtors. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com. Before joining WRTV in early 2000, Flye was an anchor and reporter for the Ohio News Network. They capture insider Rev news leading up to and at Rev! ( wow ) what a fox.she could replace Nicole pence. She had the most sincere smileof all your newscasters. On Tuesday, IBJ reported that WISH-TV Channel 8 is losing two popular on-air personalities: morning anchor Lauren Lowrey and reporter Brittany Lewis. I would hope she follows her goals and keeps us informed wherever she goes on her career. "With so many established and blossoming local ventures underway," Kopp wrote, "I am extremely excited about the opportunities ahead.". So when an anchor, this fixture in our daily lives,departs, viewers feel a loss. Flye's departure is the third one in this market to make news this week. She also worked from 1993-97 at WTHR-TV Channel 13 as a production assistant, on the news assignment . According to the Detroit Free Press he was a Marine, then a self-taught videographer who played bass on the side. There's a reason they're called "personalities". Morehead in her lawsuit is seeking attorney's fees, compensatory and punitive damages, lost wages and benefits and other relief. I loved Nicole Pence and I really miss her and Nicole Misensik on the weekends. Follow her on Twitter @AllisonLCarter. She hopedto have left an inspirational impact oninterns and young journalist, as well. Even my wife, who never spent more than a minute inside a studio, said what were they thinking when they hired this one ?I am sure it had a lot to do with connections and what a reporter might be able to get with those connections, as it often does in the TV. Also, work she pre-taped featuring Heartland Film will air this Thursday night on WFYI. Morehead, a 1987 graduate of Highland High School, alleges the. The stories she covered included the saga of Baby Jessica, an 18-month-old toddler who fell into a well and was stuck for three days before being rescued. The Chicago native then found herself at the FOX affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina.