Sun Sign: Pisces. Kopp has served in a variety of roles at WTHR, including business reporter and weekend anchor. She was a beloved face in Indy and described as "an absolutely sweet, kind, smart wonderful lady. (Television Host and Creator of the Preschool Television Series 'Mister Rogers' Neighborhood') 44. The most challenging time in the history of modern human kind and you do this now?" . Can't wait for this year! Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com. The lawsuit was filed in federal court Jan. 13. WTHR General Manager Michael Brouder previously told IndyStar he cannot comment on pending litigation. My name is Matthew Fultz and storytelling is my passion. Learning as she accepted the new challenge. Right, because they're not news anchors there to report, not to entertain. There's a reason they're called "personalities". She also contributed to the programs "Indiana Outdoors" and "The Good Life.". unethical is her middle name from friends to work. This is very disappointing. Indianapolis news anchor Andrea Morehead recently filed a lawsuit against her former employer in Indiana federal court. Reporter Steve Jefferson told IBJ last week that he had been given a job offer he couldnt refuse from highly regarded WFAA-TV Channel 8 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Thanks for responding, Ms. 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. From 1957 to 1962, the station was tied up in one of the most heated licensing disputes in early television history. All rights reserved. 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. According to the Tegna website, the company owns 64 television stations and two radio stations in 51 markets across the country. However, the partnership ended when WNDY was purchased by LIN TV Corporation, which also owned WISH-TV. Speaking as a Lexingtonian, we do not want Nicole back under any circumstances. You are a class act and we wish you nothing but the best! Since his final sign-off, Barras told IndyStar he hasbeen settling into retirement, which he said still feels a little like a vacation. It's sad that she got fired like that. I often considered commenting on Nicole Pence, but didn't want to hurt her feelings. As a reporter for WHO-TV Channel 13 in Des Moines from 1989 to 2000, she covered the 1989 crash of United Flight 232, the 1993 floods and the Iowa caucuses. What's on now is dreadful. Investigative reporter Sandra Chapman resigned in January after 17 years at the station and 34 years in local news. "And boy, have I had fun. Now it is so boring I never watch it and probably won't go back. No specific dollar amount is mentioned in the lawsuit. Morehead in her lawsuit is seeking attorney's fees, compensatory and punitive damages, lost wages and benefits and other relief. INDIANAPOLIS Former WTHR anchor and reporter Jill Ditmire has passed away at the age of 56. Wow, four grammar mistakes in a single sentence. Biles credits IndyStar for revealing gymnastics abuse. Morehead is suing the parent company forWTHR-TV Channel 13, which is Tegna Inc. In 2009, Flye founded a not-for-profit organization, Wings to Flye Inc., focused on youth empowerment. Hard Knocks to showcase Colts for first in-season episodes, Republic sues flight school students over deal for reduced tuition, Investors wary as Elanco pins hopes on new products, Robotics curriculum initiative targets younger, nonwhite kids. Now we have neither! ("Chronology of call letters WTHR") . They LOVED Nicole Pence in Lexington Ky.Loved herShe had the number 1 morning show there. According to the Detroit Free Press he was a Marine, then a self-taught videographer who played bass on the side. WTHR quickly moved from third to second place after a botched relaunch at WRTV. The reason I watched WTHR weekends was Nicole Pence. Award Recipients 20 in their Twenties CFO of the Year 2022 Honorees Past Recipients Fast25 Health Care Heroes 2021 Honorees Nominations Past Recipients HR Impact Awards Michael A. Carroll Award. Sad to see her go always appreciate TV journalists who are actually out and about doing reporting and dont just sit in front of a monitor and read whats on it like the WTHR evening anchors do. But station officials and Flye aren't saying what led to the departure. Digital: Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. I certainly didn't care for NP at all. Nicole is a budding star of the future. Viewers who want to keep up with Pescovitz can follow her on Facebook and Twitter,and they can stream her new show, which covers a mix of local and national news,online. Ditmire grew up in Logansport and graduated from Butler Univeristy, where she later returned to teach. The study, which measured the popularity of 24 top news anchors, showed CBS' evening news host Pelley beating out CNN 's Anderson Cooper by . The change from weekend anchor Kris Kirshner was abrupt to viewers, and miss Nicole Misensik too! 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. With new ownership in place, on-air quality began to improve, but WTHR was still rating third behind WISH and WRTV. I was lucky to have such a worthy adversary the 10 years Ive been in Indianapolis., Milz said she will the intensity of the news-gathering processstarting with nothing, working a story, seeing it unfold and come together., But most of all, I will miss the peoplemy colleagues, from the on-air folks to the photographers, producers, managers and all the other talented people I worked with on a daily basis., she said. 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. Since 1974, WTHR has been owned by the Dispatch Broadcast Group of Columbus, Ohio. 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. Doesn't even come close to enjoyable for me. Which TV news anchor is your favorite? 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. 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. On Tuesday, IBJ reported that WISH-TV Channel 8 is losing two popular on-air personalities: morning anchor Lauren Lowrey and reporter Brittany Lewis. May you find peace and comfort in these uncertain times and may God Bless You.". "Hopefully in those 19 years I've kept you out of a traffic jam or I've just touched your heart.". Bruce Kopp, who has been with WTHR since 1983, announced in a Facebook post that he will "wrap things up" at the NBC affiliate. Chronology data should be put on the appropriate chronology page I think that is ridiculous that Nicole would be fired for a similar story that another tv station had aired a few years ago! WTHR broadcasts its local newscasts in 1080i high definition, which is the same high definition resolution as NBC network programming. WTHR.com is the news leader for Indianapolis and Central Indiana. "I've enjoyed the past year spending quality time with family, pursuing new opportunities and best of all catching up on sleep," he said in an email. 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). "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," Morehead wrote. Heres how it got the story. TheEmmy Award-winningnews anchor suingWTHR-TV Channel 13's parent companyafter alleging she suffered unlawful and discriminatory actionssaid Wednesday the allegations laid out in the lawsuit are just a "small portion" of the treatment she received. In three decades with the station, Kopp held a variety of. Follow her on Twitter:@hollyvhays. Connie Chung turns 70 on August 20th. I loved Nicole Pence and I really miss her and Nicole Misensik on the weekends. As a health beat reporter, I've never seen anyone who can't pronounce medical terms or the products she's reporting on, like her. Jill was one of Indy's biggest arts, food, and entertainment . SHAKE UP THE WORLD! -FELICIA. 2022-23 Looking for Talent? She had the most sincere smileof all your newscasters. if ( typeof LD == "object" ) { LD.initPage(); }. Four! https://t.co/dsc0odnlq7. I have also changed from WTHR and moved to Channel 6 news. It sounded like she had such a great career going for her! It was also dogged by a weaker network affiliation; ABC would not be on an equal footing with CBS and NBC until the 1970s. Ratings were slow to improve until the mid-1990s, when WTHR hired former CBS News correspondent John Stehr to anchor its evening newscasts. "With so many established and blossoming local ventures underway," Kopp wrote, "I am extremely excited about the opportunities ahead.". So in 1979, WTHR swapped affiliations with WRTV and became an NBC affiliate. John Doran. He was moved from the early-morning "Sunrise" program in March 2016 to take on "other tasks." And now . Custom Content Samples. Go watch Fox news if you want entertainment. Flye, an Anderson native, graduated from Ball State University with a communications and journalism degree in 1992. One of WRTV's former news staff was Emily Gimmel. She must be sleeping with a producer to keep that job. . For the next three years, the station waged a pitched battle with then-dominant WISH for first place. 17. 1. The weekend cast of Nicole and Nicole was unbeatable. 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. Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. As a result, today is my last day on the station," she wrote, next to a photo of her with the quote: "She is clothed in strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future. If the reason for her firing is true, the station is right for choosing credibility over popularity. karma. WTHR president and general manager Michael Brouder did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "As the sun sets on this chapter, I will now take time to heal, forgive, and press forward. 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. The station signed on October 30, 1957[1] as ABC affiliate WLWI (often rendered in print as WLW-I), owned by Crosley Broadcasting Corporation. "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. Also, ethical violations have absolutely nothing to do with whether another station aired a similar story in the past. WTHR posted Pearce's farewell message video Wednesday morning. Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Advance Indiana, LLC. It is important to note the difference between widescreen and high definition, as these three elements are being shot in 1080i, but due to current editing, transmission and storage facilities they are converted to a lower resolution for broadcast. WTHR-13 weekend anchor Naomi Pescovitz, an Indianapolis native, is the latest to announce she's leaving the local market. What you need to know about former Morehead's suit, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The only response came fromWTHR General Manager Michael Brouder statinghewas unable to comment on pending litigation. Now it seems as if Dave and Taylor are both part-time at best, and produce no in-studio content. That's why I don't, anymore. "Watching you early in the morning meant there was a chance the day was gonna be awesome. The family tells 13News she died at home over the weekend, of natural causes. In three decades with the station, Kopp held a variety of positions at WTHR, including business reporter and weekend anchor. She was first on the scene for a number of violent tornadoes, providing real-time, life-saving information to those in need. Skip Navigation. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims. An affiliate of the NBC television network, the station broadcasts its digital signal on VHF channel 13 from its transmitter in Indianapolis. Matt McCutcheon, a reporter and anchor for WTHR since 2013, also departed in January, saying that he had retired from the news industry and was taking a corporate communications gig with a. "Guess the old saying is right: Time flies when youre having fun," Barras said during his final broadcast on Dec. 1. "Its been a lot of fun. Co-workers betting on her return to work after radiation and immunotherapy. Wow! I find it funny that an NBC affiliate would consider anything unethical. Scheduling and workplace adjustments during treatment were made difficult by management. WTHR is owned by Virginia-based Tegna Inc., which acquired the station in 2019. WISH-TV then assumed responsibility of the production of WNDY's 10 p.m. newscast. 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'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. Join the thousands of business and community leaders and Indiana residents that choose IBJ as their primary local news source. . Her focus on this city, its evolution and its people, is something that were very proud of, Rosetti said. 13News Anchor / Reporter - @JaleaBrooks. I'm done with you. Nicole was great and I will miss her. She graduated summa cum laude from North Carolina A&T State University. She has a voice that is like fingernails on a blackboard. She was the only reason I watched WTHR news. Channel 46 (1998-2009), // ", "Naomi, you are a star!" Please enable JavaScript to view this content. We always looked forward to the Nicole's on the weekend. Dan O'Rourke, after news internship became WRTV's youngest reporter @ age 21 & youngest anchor @ 22. Changes continued to be made, and in 1999, WTHR's Eyewitness News surged past then-dominant WISH in several key news timeslots, moving to first place for the first time in its history. She had the WHOLE package for a reporter. For three decades, she has been part of the Morning Show team on WFMS and is married to host Jim Denny. love Nicole Pence and I really miss her.read or download more about financial info from here Click here now :-). So when an anchor, this fixture in our daily lives,departs, viewers feel a loss. From 1985 to 1989, she worked at KTPX-TV Channel 9 in Midland, Texas, as an anchor, reporter and producer. Earlier in 2020, political reporterKevin Rader retiredand traffic reporterMimi Pierce leftas part of a change in the way the station covered commuting. Flyes career in television news began behind the scenes, where she performed several production duties and worked her way up to be a reporter and news anchor. I will also miss the many people Ive met through my job, people from all walks of life, especially those who trusted me to tell their stories. "I pray you couldnt see or feel the pain that was real and emotionally consuming and exhausting," she wrote in the open letter. 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. 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. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals overturned the FCC's decision in 1958, but allowed Crosley to continue running the station pending further FCC action. . Amid this instability in ownership, WLWI found the going rather difficult. "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. Ben Hill, who has been a "Sunrise" co-anchor at WTHR-13 since 2016, is taking a TV job in Nashville. She was the 1982 Morgan County Fair queen, the early morning voice for 30 years on 95.5-WFMS in between country songs and banter and, for the past 19years, she was the woman directing traffic in the mornings on WTHR Sunrise. She covered news, politics, culture, hot topics and chatted with Hollywood celebs like Denzel Washington, Gabrielle Union, Giuliana Rancic and so many more! Our former anchor and news director died in December of 2007. and after the firing of Ann on national TV and not Matt, I will not watch it again until he is fired!!! But its a nice dilemma to have.". Credit: WTHR. Join the thousands of business and community leaders and Indiana residents that choose IBJ as their primary local news source. Now you have neither what? Either way, the truth is liable to come out seeing how Pence is consulting with her attorney. Before joining WRTV in early 2000, Flye was an anchor and reporter for the Ohio News Network. Whether youre a broker, developer, or serve the real estate industry, youre invited to a night of mixing + mingling. Felicia Lawrence, who has previously worked in Charlotte, Chicago and Wichita, joined WTHR as a weekday evening news anchor in early February. He and his wife, Kathy, who also retired this year, are planning a trip to Los Angeles and eventually plan to take a cruise through the Panama Canal. Please note our updated comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated. "It has been an adventure," Pescovitz told IndyStar. wthr should hire McKenzie roth from channel 8 who does a talk show called indy today who also does andy mour auto commercials. I always enjoyed Nicole's reporting. In his Facebook post, Kopp says he will pursue other career opportunities in the Indianapolis area. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Being a journalist is very demanding. It is unfortunate that they would fire her for what they consider an "ethical violation"! Ben Hill, who has been a "Sunrise" co-anchor at WTHR-13 since 2016, is taking a TV job in Nashville. When requests were made during her treatment, management would ask for additional information from doctors and share information Morehead had not intended to share about her treatment with co-workers. Shes been an anchor, reporter, TV Host, and radio commentator on ABC, NBC, CW, FOX affiliates, as well as nationally on FOX News Channel. Twitter Felicia Lawrence currently co-anchors the top rated 5pm news hour at WTHR-Channel 13 and contributes to the 11pm newscast. Radio-TV Broadcast History is a FANDOM TV Community. Please enable JavaScript to view this content. A local news anchor isoften the last face people see before going to bed and the first person they see when they wake up. God be with you Nicole. "Dude you were in the background of every 2 hour delay and school closing for my entire life," one viewer wrote on Facebook about WISH-TV's Dave Barras' retirement. 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. Indianapolis news anchor Andrea Morehead recently filed a lawsuit against her former employer in Indiana federal court. Tiernon is currently the 5:30 and 6 PM anchor.====Current on-air staff (as of July 2010)====. Nicole was moving up the ladder at a rapid pace. I enjoyed watching both Nicole's. I'll go back to channel 8 now. She was a breath of fresh air when you listened to her. The lawsuit claims Tegna fired Morehead aftera formal complaint was made to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission about discriminatory behavior she was experiencing. NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF CONFIDENCE! Tegna is a huge fail in my book. Can't believe the wthr made that move. Purchase your ticket today. Employers, Weve Got You Covered! "I really dont know. Join us for an evening of networking designed especially for real estate professionals. LACK OF BELIEF IN ONES SELF KILLS DREAMS SWIFTLY! Pescovitz said she always is willing to offer dining and shopping suggestions. TV anchors and reporters who left Indianapolis. I have to think some of this is due to the change in ownership and the Tegnafication of the news broadcasts. What a shame. Morehead. Good luck Nicole and let Indiana know where you end up next so we can watch you blossom in your career! She will be very successful. Get the latest news and breaking news from the Eyewitness News team. [3] [4] [5], WTHR also produces the Brain Game, a weekly televised quiz bowl competition for high school students. Paul, Minn., to launch a new 7 p.m. newscast. Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. Copyright 2005-16. "Channel 13 has made a change to traffic operations. 2021-22 Hoosiers Talk About Why Indiana is a Great Place for Your Career, 2020-21 Todays College Students Older, Wiser, 2019-20 Former Indy 500 Driver Crosses College Finish Line, WRTV anchor Starrantino leaving station for new job in California, Fox59 adds Indianapolis-area native to meteorology team, Kurt Vonnegut Museum earns states first Literary Landmark designation. https://t.co/JUlSOLVufc pic.twitter.com/qruCFNZfkT. Five years ago, Kevin sold nearly all of his Batman collectibles to the Children's Museum of Indianapolis. 2023 www.indystar.com. Lawrence will anchor the 5 p.m. hour with Anne Marie Tiernon and the 11 p.m. hour with Scott Swan, Monday through Friday. Her voice was annoying and seemed contrived. Under the partnership, WTHR produced a 10 p.m. newscast for WNDY. "As the sun sets on this chapter, I will now take time to heal, forgive, and press forward. The Chicago native then found herself at the FOX affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. About. Call IndyStar reporter Holly Hays at (317) 444-6156. And nowhe's moving on. "One thing thats been unusual is how many people have asked me what are you going to do now," he said. In some cases, it even fell to fourth place behind WTTV. 2019-20 - Former Indy 500 Driver Crosses College Finish Line. And what the heck happened to local sports coverage? ", Related:When TV meteorologist Randy Ollis won that culture war. God Bless!". WTHR's newscasts surged to second place in 1996 after it hired former CBS News correspondent John Stehr as anchor of its evening newscasts around the same time that WRTV saw its ratings plummet following a botched format change. WLWI spent most of its first 17 years as an also-ran behind WFBM-TV (now WRTV) and WISH-TV. 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