"And so much of your legacy at Channel 9 was based on what Mahaffey brought and what Mahaffey built. Louisiana students have struggled in the classroom for years, but minority children appear to be falling behind the most. Known for her bubbly personality and community involvement, WAFB news anchor Donna Britt shows off her red wig in 2016's Red Wig Walk, which raises awareness for HIV prevention, treatment and supportive services. Attached is a group shot of the 1980 LSU Flag Line. WAFB's Donna Britt, left, speaks with colleague Greg Meriwether before the start of the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. She is a good journalist and if WAFB fired her, they let one get away and one of their competitors will scoop her up quickly. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. WAFB (channel 9) is a television station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, affiliated with CBS.It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. Southern alumnus, Vietnam Vet receives Medal of Honor, Arrests made during investigation of prostitution happening at massage parlors, Attorney General Jeff Landry seeks endorsement from Trump, plans to travel to Florida, Cajun Navy joins search for Nathan Millard, organizes outreach, Deputies: 1 wanted, 3 arrested after video of witness testimony shared on social media, First Free Sundays return to LSU Center for River Studies, La. Copyright 2021 WAFB. Live with Regis and Kelly and The Oprah Winfrey Show were seen until the late 1990s. When longtime WAFB-TV weathercaster Diane Deaton first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet. From left, longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt on set as she is watched by her son, Louie Ballard, and husband Mark Ballard, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. Before an audience of 650 students and members of the public, twenty (20) Color Guard units paraded in and lined the gym with the US Flag and their unit colors to an inspiring march played by the Parkview HS Band. The station aired the syndicated version of Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey until 2020 and aired the versions hosted by Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, and John O'Hurley, with the exception of Karn's first season, which aired on KZUP-CD, and Harvey's second through fifth seasons, which aired on WVLA. You have permission to edit this collection. They did not release the mans name or the reason for the arrest, but the stationmaster is responsible for rail traffic on that stretch of the tracks. The WBXH broadcasts were included in the upgrade. WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. Based on the BRPD press conference the other day, it is abundantly obvious that BRPD needs no help looking like fools. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. But a group of folks is already trying to take care of the problem. To avoid any potential conflict of interest, Liz has not reported on Minneapolis Police and Minneapolis Police Union issues for at least two-and-a-half years." Both stations share studios on Government Street in downtown Baton Rouge, while WAFB's transmitter is located on River Road near the city's Riverbend section. But the WAFB position with the coveted part-time hours was too good to pass up. Jun 1 "That was inappropriate. 3 Local TV Group", "Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger", ":: Baton Rouge Business Report:: Ron Winders heads back to Savannah", "Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt dies following battle with ALS", "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds", Louisiana State Archive and Research Library, LA Art and Science Museum (Yazoo&MS. Powell, who worked at WTVD for nearly 17 years before leaving last month, said in the WAFB. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. A large storm system took aim at the Northeast on Friday, threatening heavy snow and coastal flooding after heavy winds and possible tornadoes damaged homes and buildings, left thousands without power and caused five deaths in a wide swath of the South and Midwest. My whole family is very excited. i mean, no way it was a race thing. SI Predicts Three Permanent Opponents For Each SEC Team If League Moves To Nine-Game Model, NCAA Proposing Timing Rules Changes In College Football To Shorten Games, Four-Star Destrehan LB Kolaj Cobbins Commits To LSU, Skenes Tallies Career-High 13 Strikeouts In 12-2 Victory Over Butler, Lady Tigers Set For Matchup vs. Georgia In Quarterfinals Of SEC Tournament, Nick Saban Not Happy With Proposed SEC Schedule, Incredible Sucker Punch Landed In Yesterday's SIU-Edwardsville vs.UT Martin Game, Checking In On Mississippi State Softball Player Brylie St. Clair At The Farm, XFL QB Reportedly Cut For Leaking Plays To Other Team, Georgia's Jalen Carter Returns To The NFL Combine After His Arrest On Wednesday Night, Nick Saban Adds Charlie Strong To His Staff, Kirby Smart Issues Statement On Latest Jalen Carter Arrest Warrant News, NFL Inside Jay Glazer Shows Off Girlfriend While On Vacation, Kliff Kingsbury's Girlfriend Is Back At It With New Swimsuit Photos, Tennis Star Genie Bouchard Celebrated Her Birthday At The Pool With Her Sister, CBS Sports Includes Jayden Daniels In Top 10 QB Power Rankings. Carys biggest bookstore turns the page. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office is searching for a man who reportedly exposed himself to a woman. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. The People's Court also once aired on WAFB before going to WBRZ and later WGMB. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. Advocate Photo by MARK BALLARD -- Three of the four candidates for Louisiana governor prepare Thursday as AARP forum moderator Donna Britt of WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, reads a question picked out by seniors. Submitted by SVCINC COL Clay C. Le Grande, Jr., USA (Ret) Baton Rouge, LA 70817-3432 H - (225) 752-9780 c.legrande@cox.net. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. After years of your input and suggestions, BREC is putting your vision into your parks. Those are some big shoes to fill. "They just looked for somebody who looked all right . Perhaps doing so made her grow close to the families in their difficult aftermath and seeing basically a repeat of 2016 prompted her to say something that "wasn't acceptable" by the social media mob. Picture shot on 3-13-01. WAFB-TV anchor is honored with a No. new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge, After leaving ABC11 last month, Tisha Powell lands a new anchor job, Given a second chance: ABC11s Tisha Powell on why shes leaving the news business, NC Supreme Court blocks transfer of school funds in Leandro court case, Get ready to change your clocks. Through two gracious campaigns from his show, Buckskin Bill helped to start the Baton Rouge Zoo. Thats nothing controversial in the least. WAFB Anchor Matt Williams is an anchor for 9News This Morning and Early Edition. Im sure her employer hasnt been thrilled with her dating partner being a news topic on multiple occasions in the past few years. Updated: Jan. 22, 2021 at 3:35 AM PST. The longtime ABC11 evening anchor, who left the station at the end of July to move back to her native Louisiana and start a new career with more family friendly hours, told The News & Observer on Tuesday that part-time anchor jobs just dont happen. I always enjoyed the WAFB news promo ad where she's standing there with her microphone held out and the guy says "Please LEAVE" and shuts the door in her face. Keyword Fashion Clothing Association Communications. Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. Former WBRZ News Director John Spain hired Mahaffey away from WAFB. Her family moved as her father first preached in small-town Texas, then on to church fields in Georgia peanut country as well as along the Florida panhandle. That means dinner at home every night with her husband and daughter. In all, the 10-day excursion cost the public approximately $100,400 to cover 14 government officials travel, according to financial documents. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. and Hibernia National Bank. A lot of people dont get the opportunity to work part-time anchoring, she said. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Photo 3 - US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge Color Guard of MMST2 James Nichols, MST3 Michael Thacker, ME3 Joseph Maldonado, BM3 Jarret Guerra was the lead Color Guard for the MOC ceremony. Donna also served on boards for the Baranco-Clark YMCA, the Southern University Art Museum, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater and the Louisiana Association for Arts in Education. There you go. (Photo provided by KATHERINE JENSEN BOCCACCIO). Community is key: How one ice cream parlor in Cary aims to be inclusive. I felt really flattered that they had enough faith in what they were getting that they were willing to create something that works for me, she said. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO -- Our America Writers' and Artists' Project -- The Our America Writers' and Artists' Project received a Power of Nine Award on WAFB-TV on Aug. 25. On September 12, 2011, WAFB became the first station in the market (and, to date, the only station) to begin its morning newscasts at 4:30a.m. instead of 5 a.m. On March 26, 2020, WAFB became the second station in the Baton Rouge market to launch a 4 p.m. newscast in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on August 3, 2020, WAFB became the first station in Baton Rouge to expand its 6 p.m. newscast to a full hour.[11]. A write-up slip from elementary school showed she called a fellow 2nd grader poo-poo face. Her two children include her daughter Annie and son Louis. I freelance for a company out there, and she was quite pissed to seecameras videoing the seminar. In 2003, Raycom acquired former The Box affiliate WBXH-CA, which became a sister station to WAFB when the channel became Baton Rouge's third UPN affiliate and later MyNetworkTV affiliate in 2006. Bond has been set for a St. Gabriel police officer who was arrested in connection with the murder of a Denham Springs man that happened overnight, officials said. WAFB anchors Donna Britt, left, and Greg Meriwether during the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Donna Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. In the mid-1990s, WBRZ experienced significant staff turnover and several news format changes while AFLAC and Raycom invested heavily in improving WAFB's news product by maintaining low turnover in its news staff and presentation (WAFB used the "Newschannel" theme by Gari Media from 1990 until Raycom switched its news music client to Stephen Arnold Music in late 2014), leading WAFB to overtake WBRZ's news ratings in 1994. Thanks for contacting us. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! This launched such a voracious battle to win the party, that the schools reading comprehension scores on standardized tests went up 4.7% the very first year and continually improved. George Sells, third from left, with former newsdesk anchors Andr Moreau and Mike Graham on hand for Donna Britt's final newscast. She told them it would have to be a part-time job that would allow her to finish working on her Leadership and Communications Masters of Science degree at Purdue University, and also give her time with her family. "Andre has been a big part of our success story and we're sorry to see him go," WAFB News Director Robb. All rights reserved. I have ALS, Lou Gherigs disease. Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th If theyre looking for a woman to replace her they can give her spot to Jim Engster. He was worried about how he'd get his car fixed. This is the complex process she must follow to vote. The two shows he hosted were called Storyland (for younger children during a.m. broadcasting) and The Buckskin Bill Show (for older children during the afternoons, which ended September 1977). Her husband, Mark Ballard, serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate newspaper. Donnas husband, Mark Ballard, says her family was by her side as she passed away peacefully Thursday morning. Donna loved to travel and she and her family saw much of the world together. WAFB anchor Andr Moreau is leaving the Baton Rouge, La. The unit is performing for the first time in its new LSU historical cadet uniforms. Visiting at the Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council's annual banquet Aug. 9 are, from left, Co-Chairwomen Twana Malveaux and Geraldine Simms, Distinguished Citizenship Award recipient Donna Britt, Distinguished Service Award recipient Elmer Roy Burris and council President Mary Alice Darby. Tisha Powell's new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didn't think was possible. What are we talking here? She's not white. DA popular local celebrity. (PP), Photos shot 12 Feb. 02 at Norwood Mardi Gras parade by James Minton: Warden Burl Cain, who rules over Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in his day job, took on added responsibilities Tuesday as king of the 16th annual Norwood Mardi Gras parade, sharing the royal float with television personality Donna Britt, the parade queen. One person was taken to the hospital after a crash in Zachary early Thursday, March 2, according to emergency responders. All rights reserved. [4][5][6] The sale was approved on December 20,[7] and was completed on January 2, 2019.[8]. Tisha Powells new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didnt think was possible. If they are not WAFB viewers now, they will be.. Photos: Congrats to 2018 Golden Deeds award recipient, Donna Britt! The East Feliciana Police Chiefs Association held an appreciation luncheon on April 8 at Centenary Inn in Jackson. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 46 to VHF channel 9. From 1988 until 2019, The Price Is Right aired at 11 a.m. instead of 10 a.m., and The Young and the Restless aired at 4 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. One of Donnas biggest passions while at WAFB was her ten years as a volunteer at Progress Elementary School where she referred to herself as the schools library elf. Every month, she decorated the schools library with giant cardboard decorations she painted at home. In 1988, Guaranty sold the station to AFLAC. Mahaffey paid to get his car fixed and, when it broke again, he bought him a new car,"Hodge recalled. One locally produced show that brought years of enjoyment to children was hosted by "Buckskin Bill" Black (William Black) that ran in different formats from 1955 until 1990. Id like to share some personal news with you tonight, Donna said. Click to become an INSIDER for under $2.00 a week, Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years, 2022 Welcome: Official Visitors Guide to Greater Baton Rouge. Davis was one of the first Black officers in the elite Army Green Berets. Britt first announced her ALS diagnosis to viewersduring a newscast in 2017. The Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums played their traditional bagpipe favorites, along with a medley of patriotic songs. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrigs disease, her former employer said Thursday. According to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. BATON ROUGE, La. The Supreme Courts new 5-2 Republican majority voted along party lines to prevent the transfer of school funds. The beloved former WAFB-TV personality died Thursday after a battle with ALS. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. Cadet Commander of Troops, Cadet LTC Alisha Parker of Tara High School issued the vocal commands that moved the mass of flag carrying corps through the ceremony. seems like she was on the same side as most. The station also aired Time for Beany during its early years on the air from the Paramount Television Network and was briefly affiliated with the NTA Film Network, airing programs Sheriff of Cochise, How to Marry a Millionaire, and This is Alice. Originally broadcasting an analog signal on UHF channel 28, WAFB moved to VHF channel 9 in 1960. CBS affiliate after eight years. She was eventually teamed up with George Sells and the two of them became one of the most successful news anchor teams in the country. 6,529 talking about this. It originally aired a digital signal on UHF channel 46 from a transmitter at its studios. She started at WAFB in 1980 as a news reporter. The camps offer several activities like recreational games, community field trips, cultural arts, recreational sports, and more. Photo 3 - US Coast . During that time, she spent 8 hours every week in December those 17 years manning a Christmas kettle. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. When her father retired from the church ministry, the family continued to preach by rescuing failing churches. WAFB news director Rob Hays, left, poses with longtime anchor Donna Britt, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt prepares to sign off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. After years of waiting, North Carolinas hospitals celebrate Medicaid expansion deal, 16-year-old Raleigh teen charged with murder in Robeson County killing. Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING. LTC Widner presented the award to St. Amant High School with its near perfect synchronization as champion, and first runner up was Broadmoor High School with its specialized marching footwork. The emcee for the evening was WAFB News Anchor Donna Britt and Auctioneer Jeff Taylor conducted silent and live auctions. He was 77 years old. In the recent ratings period, it beat the others stations' combined weeknights at 5, 6, and 10. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. WAFB was one of a handful of stations that shifts the air times of various CBS programming. A Denham Springs animal fostering program, Rescue Rehome Repeat, needs volunteers to take in local dogs. She had joined the station in 1980 and appeared on the air as an anchor until her deteriorating health from the disease forced her to retire in June 2018. [3] In 1965, the station moved its transmission tower from Zachary to south of LSU's campus, allowing viewers in a 90-mile (140km) radius to receive its signal; it was also in that year that the station started broadcasting in color. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. Photo provided by LAURIE HARDISON --- Volunteer breakfast --- Salvation Army Capt. Its happening at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. Louisiana State Police Major Doug Cain, left, presents longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt with the Superintendent's Award for Excellence as she is surrounded by friends, family, and coworkers, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as she signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. "But he was a solid journalist, he loved the news business, and he loved to beat the competition. [2] It launched as a television counterpart to local radio stations WAFB and WAFB-FM, which both signed on in 1948 and were affiliated with MBS. WAFB's weekday morning news is repeated on that station. (WAFB) Tisha started her career in journalism as a reporter and producer for WCBI-TV in. Bottom row, left to right: Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt, Allison Gustavson, Ginger Bishop, Katherine Jensen, Becky Terkel, Tanya Arnold, Sonya Godwin. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. Gates started his career at WAFB-TV in March 1977 . Bond set at $1.5 million for Walter Allbritton III, man accused of driving into Target in Hammond, La last Friday. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. I also saw Kevin Gallagher fanning flames on Twitter. She is joined by colleagues Kiran Chawla, center, and Greg Meriwether. Golden Deeds recipient Donna Britt gets a standing ovation during the Golden Deeds awards Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Baton Rouge Marriott. WAFB's Greg Meriwether, left, applauds honorary chairwoman Donna Britt, Saturday, July 14, 2018, during Dancing for a Cause benefiting the Arc of East Ascension at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. Another bonus? Left to right, first row: Sherrie Holliday, Gwen Kelly, Ronnell Nolan, Karen Tabor, Crystal Seeley, Judy Hignight, Cheryl Bagert, Sheri Stevenson, Beth Allison, Dianne Mays, Kathy Tremont. Photo provided by Sonya Gordon Participating in the Phi Delta Kappa Walk for Education on Nov. 7 are, from left, front row, Jayne Fleener, Donna Britt, Gwen Hamilton; back row, W.T. Jeanne Burns is a veteran broadcaster with 25 years of experience in news. Britt, who has been with WAFB for over 37 years, has announced she will retire from the local news station after being diagnosed with ALS 11 months ago. WAFB also airs the Sunday services from the First United Methodist Church in the city. The show had a way of educating young children while making it fun to learn. She was 62. Every year in the United States, about 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Valley Rail Depot), Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American Museum, sorted by primary channel network affiliations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WAFB&oldid=1132905661, Television channels and stations established in 1953, Television stations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox television station, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, derived from former radio sister stations, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 05:47. Wtf ? For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however, many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases, she said at the time. Hey! "And, if you think about it, those of us who knew him so well knew that Mahaffey did sort of have this presence and manly swagger about him that was not unlike a John Wayne persona." He called her in for an interview and hired her right away. Had to be about the Hammond stuff, that was the last thing she covered. Does anyone know why she was let go? Press J to jump to the feed. Those relatives she moved back to Louisiana to be near can now watch her on TV. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases. Donna passed away. The station began broadcasting on April 19, 1953, as the first television station in Baton Rouge, and the second television station in the state of Louisiana. AT a luncheon marking National Girl Scout Week are, from left, Colette Dean, Donna Britt, Marilyn Zimmerman and Nell McAnelly. Shown are, from left, Jeremiah Anthony Rogers, Teresa Bruno, Bea Gyimah, Britt and . Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. Left to right, second row: Katherine Jensen, Liz Jensen, Mary Greenfield, Sonya Godwin, Colleen Colclough, Rhonda Silvio, Renee Breaux, Dedee Alford, Lorna Matlock, Cheri Mullinex, Margaret Elgin, Merietta Spencer, Tammy Norton, co-captain Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt.