"And so much of your legacy at Channel 9 was based on what Mahaffey brought and what Mahaffey built. 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. She also didnt want any cameras anywhere near her altogether. 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. I know she was banned from going after BRPD's Chief Murphy Paul. About Us - WAFF But the WAFB position with the coveted part-time hours was too good to pass up. This is the complex process she must follow to vote. After years of waiting, North Carolinas hospitals celebrate Medicaid expansion deal, 16-year-old Raleigh teen charged with murder in Robeson County killing. Pretty well known that Mayor Broome and the police chief hated her since she was the only reporter in Baton Rouge whod call them out on things. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome does not like Kiran Chawla of WAFB Asians arent immune from cancel culture. Submitted: Annie Fugler 225 802-6454 anniefugler@aol.com, 1978 LSU Flag Line -- listed by MAIDEN NAMES. They approached me and asked if I would be willing to work full-time and I said no if I wanted to do that, I wouldnt have left the job I had!. Identifed below by MAIDEN NAMES. George Sells, third from left, with former newsdesk anchors Andr Moreau and Mike Graham on hand for Donna Britt's final newscast. Through two gracious campaigns from his show, Buckskin Bill helped to start the Baton Rouge Zoo. 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. Before the end of the program the winners of the annual Color Guard competition were announced by LTG Middleton Chapter Commander, LTC Patrick L. Widner, USA Ret. Former ABC11 anchor Tisha Powell talks about new job at WAFB | Raleigh Pennington Biomedical Research Center is hosting a wellness day for women on March 4th from 7:00am through 1:00pm. Donna loved to travel and she and her family saw much of the world together. Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. WAFB also carried some ABC programming with WBRZ until WRBT (now WVLA) signed on in 1971 and some programming from DuMont until that network folded. Remembering Donna Britt: Look through pictures of her time at WAFB Nicole Nalepa is the anchor of Connecticut's #1 morning newscast, "Eyewitness News This Morning", and the co-host of WFSB's newest lifestyle T.V. I also saw Kevin Gallagher fanning flames on Twitter. Syndicated programming on WAFB (as of September 2022) includes Tamron Hall, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Inside Edition, 25 Words or Less, TMZ and Access Hollywood. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping.. her last tweet regarding the guy crashing his car into target in hammond, The guy who ran his car through the Hammond Target. Coincidentally, the call letters of the station, WAFB, also spelled out their new owner: American Family Broadcasting (although the WAFB calls predate this ownership by 40 years when its former original sister radio station signed on in 1948 with the slogan "Always For Baton Rouge"). Updated: Jan. 22, 2021 at 3:35 AM PST. Shes probably just going to another network or something, it's not like that's a direct quote from the news station or anything, Looks like she got cancelled for forgetting to use the #Defundthepolice hashtag. She was 62. Shes a great investigative reporter. Beloved WAFB anchor Donna Britt passes away, Donna Britt's last newscast - June 13, 2018 (end of show farewell), LSU WR Malik Nabers arrested in New Orleans; prosecutors refuse to charge with condition, Health experts, former athletes respond to NCAAs proposal to reduce game time and plays. Whether in a nearby gas station or your local smoke shop, youve likely seen kratom on the shelves of one store or another. CBS affiliate after eight years. 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. 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. and Wheel of Fortune until 1995 when the shows moved to WBRZ. 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. . Beloved Louisiana news anchor Donna Britt dead at 62 - New York Post PROVIDED PHOTO "I'm moving on," Kiran Chawla said. Kiran Chawla gone from WAFB? | Page 2 | O-T Lounge I was a little apprehensive at first because I got my mind wrapped around coming back here and just finishing school and decompressing and going in a different direction, Powell said. Davis was one of the first Black officers in the elite Army Green Berets. Chris Scheuermann is currently serving as the National Executive Director of The Pershing Rifles Group. For most of its history, WAFB was a distant second to WBRZ in the ratings given WBRZ's consistent history on the VHF band and former roots in the Baton Rouge Advocate. Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years Donna Britt, who worked for Baton Rouge station WAFB for nearly four . Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th Louisiana students have struggled in the classroom for years, but minority children appear to be falling behind the most. Over the years, she played for thousands of church services as well as hundreds of weddings and funerals. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. Community is key: How one ice cream parlor in Cary aims to be inclusive. United Cajun Navy and community partners will organize a Search for Millard. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey passes away, LSU WR Malik Nabers arrested in New Orleans; prosecutors refuse to charge with condition. Originally broadcasting an analog signal on UHF channel 28, WAFB moved to VHF channel 9 in 1960. Im sure her employer hasnt been thrilled with her dating partner being a news topic on multiple occasions in the past few years. In an interview with The News & Observer the week before her final broadcast on ABC11, Powell said that she had worked nights for about 15 years at the station, and that working from home some during the pandemic had opened her eyes to the time she was missing with her youngest daughter, who is 7. Donna 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. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrigs disease, her former employer said Thursday. He called her in for an interview and hired her right away. Former WAFB reporter Kiran Chawla says her love of investigative reporting and the viewing public sparked her to start her new YouTube channel. Because of concerns about COVID-19, the family plans to wait to hold a memorial service for Donna at a later date, he 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. I have ALS, Lou Gehrigs disease. 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. I'm an Emmy & Murrow Award Winning Investigative Reporter who simply loves my job!. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. This includes two newscasts on sister station WBXH-CD (weeknights at 9, which began on January 8, 2007, and Saturday mornings). The penny campaign was successful enough to purchase two. Keyword Holiday Fair, Advocate staff photo by Kerry Maloney. Another bonus? Good dudes, but definitely not journalists. A lot of people dont get the opportunity to work part-time anchoring, she said. Donna passed away. Copyright 2016 WAFB. "The whole John Wayne moniker - that John Wayne was The Duke," she said. Shown are, from left, Jeremiah Anthony Rogers, Teresa Bruno, Bea Gyimah, Britt and . Donna Britt,who worked for Baton Rouge station WAFB for nearly four decades, succumbed on Thursday at age 62 to the neurological disease, which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, according to the news outlet. Beloved WAFB anchor Donna Britt passes away - KPLC 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. During an investigation, police say evidence was found to place the babys mother under arrest. Advocate staff photo by JOHN OUBRE -- Cancer survivor Donna Britt, with WAFB news, speaks to the audience on Saturday during a Relay for Life rally in Gonzales. And they look at me like, Youre one of us and we want to make this work for you.. Donnas husband, Mark Ballard, says her family was by her side as she passed away peacefully Thursday morning. Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt waves as she sees her husband and son in the studio, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Donna Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. 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. Photo provided by LAURIE HARDISON --- Volunteer breakfast --- Salvation Army Capt. WAFB was one of a handful of stations that shifts the air times of various CBS programming. The WBXH broadcasts were included in the upgrade. [9] However, on September 9, 2019, WAFB resumed airing TPIR and Y&R at their respective network-recommended times of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.[10] The station aired Jeopardy! Picture shot on 3-13-01. She commended the group on their publication of two issues of a race and ethnic studies journal titled 'America the Beautiful In Spite of It All.' 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. Guests were served a variety of appetizers, entrees and dessert prepared by DeAngelo's of Denham Springs and served by Livingston Parish Celebrity Waiters, Sen. Dale Erdey, Assessor Jeff Taylor, Sheriff Willie Graves, Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Denham Springs Council members Annie Fugler and John Wascom, Walker Police Chief Hunter Grimes, Denham Springs Police Chief Scott Jones, Greystone Managing Director Ron Menville and architect Jay Labarre. I have ALS, Lou Gherigs disease. 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. My whole family is very excited. Power of 9 -- Veteran WAFB news anchor Donna Britt receives a bouquet of flowers from Capital Area United Way CEO George Bell, left, and Capital One Baton Rouge President David Mullens for her dedication to the Power of 9 initiative. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt 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. Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". "He was a remarkable guy in that he had no ego and that's really rare in the news business," Spain said. I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. Bella Notte Gala held at Greystone The third annual Bella Notte Gala was hosted by Greystone Golf & Country Club in Denham Springs on Saturday, March 19, 2011. "He was a steady hand and a steady voice,"Hodge said Friday. The Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums played their traditional bagpipe favorites, along with a medley of patriotic songs. Now, she's battling ALS. Fruit plant? The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 46 to VHF channel 9. I freelance for a company out there, and she was quite pissed to seecameras videoing the seminar. Under new ownership, the station underwent many changes. Tisha Powell's new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didn't think was possible. WAFB - Wikipedia WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. A legal challenge to a consent judgment announced Wednesday is possible, a lawyer for Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, The Kentwood Police Department along with members of the Hammond Police Department and other law enforcement agencies arrested a Kentwood man after a months-long drug investigation. 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. Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. She is the service journalism editor and writes about TV and local media for The N&Os Happiness is a Warm TV blog. She is a terrific reporter. Meet the Team - WFSB 18 LSU football jersey, sent to her by the university a few days before she retires. When her father retired from the church ministry, the family continued to preach by rescuing failing churches. Please continue, we want to know how deep your knowledge is, That she made a comment that got out of hand, Nick Tullier's father is somehow involved? Does anyone know why she was let go? I feel so fortunate to be able to find that and to be able to find that at home. 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. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom will result in WAFB gaining new sister stations in nearby markets, including CBS/ABC affiliate KNOE-TV in Monroe and NBC/CBS affiliate KALB-TV in Alexandria, in addition to its current Raycom sister stations. It's made worse by other officers standing by. There were several characters that were regulars on the show including "Seor Puppet" (a marionette voiced by Sid Crocker) and "Whatsyourname" (another puppet voiced by Mary Hillen). In 1997, AFLAC sold its entire broadcasting division, including WAFB, to Raycom Media. He was born in Tulsa, OK, grew up all over the country, and moved to Baton Rouge in July 2003. Ms. Donna Britt, WAFB 9 News Anchor, delivered a focused and rousing challenge to the youth to lead the charge to honor those that have and continue to serve the nation while learning the founding ideals that make our nation exceptional. She's not white. 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. Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. 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. 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. WAFB's Donna Britt, left, speaks with colleague Greg Meriwether before the start of the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content from any device with a subscription now. What to Watch Friday: Dateline and 20/20 update Murdaugh murder trial coverage, $3B superstar region project planned for Apex after years-long delay, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son in June 2021.