Updated 11:50pm – UTICA-ROME — Management confirms Joe Parker has exited his post as news director and anchor at the Eyewitness News operation at ABC affiliate WUTR and Fox affiliate WFXV. Parker’s bio has disappeared from the stations’ website and co-anchor Elsa Gillis reportedly anchored tonight’s early newscast alone.
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Many local broadcast journalists were honored by their peers at the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association’s annual news awards competition last week. From the “better late than never” file, we’ve got the full list of local winners. Thanks to a guest contributor, we’ve also got some “bonus coverage” from the college competition, as well as some awards for CNY “alumni” who now work elsewhere in the state.
SYRACUSE – CBS News extended the long-running Sunday morning interview show Face the Nation from 30 minutes to a full hour last July, but local affiliate WTVH-5 pre-empts the second half-hour in favor of an infomercial. Although that in itself won’t be changing, it will soon be possible for local viewers to watch the full hour, live on their televisions — but there’s a catch.
SYRACUSE — Time Warner Cable’s 24/7 local news channel, YNN, is looking for a new Executive Producer. The vacancy comes after an anonymous CNYTVNews.com reader shares word that Nathan Holst has accepted a similar position at ABC affiliate WMTW in Portland, Maine.
Updated 2:10pm – UTICA — One of the original reporters from the 2011 launch of Eyewitness News on WUTR (ABC-20) and WFXV (Fox-33) is moving on. Chelsea Rarrick announced yesterday was her last day on the job in Utica. She’s got a new job lined up at the CBS affiliate in Richmond, Virginia.
ALBANY — Several radio and television news operations from Central New York are finalists for New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards. We’re told the professional finalists were announced last week, and NYSAPBA announced finalists for college-level categories today. And in the college TV categories, it’s a battle between two Central New York institutions.
SYRACUSE — Longtime NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) anchor Bill Worden, who retired last November after 35 years with the Utica NBC affiliate, received the Syracuse Press Club’s Career Achievement Award this past weekend. Thanks to one of his former co-workers, we’ve got a few photos to share.
UTICA — Just a few months shy of her second anniversary at NewsChannel 2 (WKTV), reporter Lexie O’Connor is packing her bags and moving north. Friday was O’Connor’s last day with the NBC affiliate. She has accepted a new job with CBS affiliate WGME in Portland, Maine.
SYRACUSE — Three people will share the honor of being named the “Best News Source” at the Syracuse Press Club’s annual awards dinner this Saturday. Additionally, the Press Club officially confirmed the previously-leaked winner of the Best Newcomer Award.
UTICA — Although Bill Worden received plenty of accolades during his final newscast prior to retiring from NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) last November, there’s still at least one more on the way. Worden, who was the NBC affiliate’s primary anchor for 35 years, will recieve the Syracuse Press Club’s Career Achievement Award next weekend.