Don Dahler, the WCBS weekend anchor, is leaving the station. FishbowlNY has learned that the veteran newsman will be a correspondent for CBS News.

Although Dahler’s time at WCBS was productive, it can also be described as dizzying. He joined WCBS in September 2007, initially as weekend evening anchor. By May 2008, Dahler was named weekday noon and 6 p.m. co-anchor.

That lasted until September 2011 when Dahler was shifted back to weekends to make way for Chris Wragge following his stint on The Early Show.

• Related: FishbowlNY, WCBS Shuffles Don Dahler to Weekends 

Upon Dahler’s return to weekends, he was given the tiring split shift, early morning anchor with Cindy Hsu and solo at 11 p.m. (usually delayed on Sundays due to sports coverage). During the week, Dahler files reports for WCBS and sister site WLNY. Since Wragge has been filling in mornings on Channel 2, Dahler has been the co-anchor at 6 and 9 p.m  (on WLNY) with Dana Tyler.

Sources say Dahler will be based in New York as a reporter for the CBS Evening News and CBS This Morning. CBS News declined a comment to FishbowlNY.

It’s a homecoming of sorts for Dahler, who got his start in network news as a 48 Hours producer.

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There is a void in local news, but that is quickly and effortlessly being filled by Chris Wragge. In the wake of Rob Morrison‘s abrupt departure following the wife-beating allegations, Wragge shifted from evenings to mornings. The ugliness didn’t just rock the Morrisons, his former ”family” was hit hard too.

Related: FishbowlNY, Rob Morrison Faces ‘Very Serious Blow to His Career’: Legal Expert

We recall the 1994 Robert Redford film, Quiz Show, about the 1950s quiz show scandal. Congress was set to hold subcommittee hearings with former 21 contestant Herb Stempel as the star witness. But the more famous (on and off the show) Charles Van Doren, played by Ralph Fiennes, was not going to participate. Therefore, the young government lawyer (Rob Morrow) cautions Van Doren not to say anything.

A short time later as the committee convenes in DC, NBC president Robert Kintner (Allan Rich) speaks to Van Doren, who since took a self-imposed dive and was hired by the network’s Today show.

Kintner encourages Van Doren to hold a press conference. But the former game show contestant was reluctant because he hadn’t received a subpoena.

Kintner’s line echoed since Morrison’s alleged incident like someone reading a letter to themselves on a soap opera.

“Television is a public trust.”

It’s a main reason for Morrison’s resignation, although indications are high that WCBS management had an influence on his decision. It’s also the reason that following the scandal in the 1950s or today, viewers always want someone they can feel comfortable with. Wragge is that familiar, calming presence.

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Chris Wragge trudging through unplowed roads.

Chris Wragge earlier this week was nominated for several more New York Emmy Awards. But the WCBS/WLNY anchor should win a trophy for his snow reporting this morning.

Wragge, who anchored this TV 10/55 newscast last night with Dana Tyler, was on the road for the extensive Channel 2 blizzard coverage starting at 6 a.m. Reporters joined Maurice DuBois and Kristine Johnson who guided viewers throughout the tri-state, especially hard-hit Long Island. Hazel Sanchez and Carolyn Gusoff were stationed in Suffolk and reported on the lack of street and highway plowing. Gusoff spoke to a stranded hitchhiker, complete with sign and thumbs up.

As for Wragge, he took to Mobile 2. He was seen driving on the desolate Long Island Expressway with nothing but abandoned cars to greet him.. Since his full-time return to WCBS in 2011, Wragge has been a regular in Mobile 2 when weather conditions deteriorate, and the worse it gets, the more Wragge shines.

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Christmas is drawing near, and so is the holiday staple, the Yule Log.

WPIX/Channel 11 resumes the famed fireplace with the Christmas soundtrack. WPIX first aired Yule Log in 1966. The 2012 edition will be shown on December 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Not to be outdone, WLNY/TV 10 55 is offering its own version of Yule Log Christmas Eve.

WLNY will bring the updated look to the holiday standard with John Elliott, Carolina Bermudez, and Lisa Kerney, hosts of Live from the Couch, and WLNY News at 9 anchors Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler.  The WLNY talent will be flanked by Jim Douglas and Kim Berk, the Fresh 102.7/WWFS morning team.

WLNY’s Yule Log will be accompanied by a simulcast of music on Fresh.

It airs December 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., then after the news it returns from 10 p.m. until midnight. Viewers can get another helping of ‘LNY’s Yule Log from 7 to 9 Christmas morning.

To say that WCBS/WLNY “got the message” might be too strong, but we are seeing some positive signs for a Long Island presence.

First, WCBS, which completed its purchase of independent WLNY (TV 10/55) in April, has finally added the only pre-acquisition holdover.

Richard Rose is reporting from the WCBS/WLNY Long Island bureau, a revamped, HD facility to WLNY’s former Melville location. Rose delivers a Long Island business segment each night on the News at 9, anchored by Chris Wragge and Dana Tyler.

FishbowlNY previously argued that WLNY, especially its new prime time newscast, needed a larger Long Island focus, given that the FCC has the license based in Riverhead. At the time, a spokesperson said Rose’s delay was because the studio was not ready. However during that time, Rose did not report from the CBS studios on West 57th where the broadcast originated, nor did he hit the road within the Island to find stories.

Now Rose and the new studio are in place. The spokesperson says Rose joined the News at 9 on July 30, one week after our “review.” His contribution is included in the second half of the newscast.

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It’s a double “homecoming” for Chris Wragge. The veteran WCBS news anchor is returning to sports, at least for two weeks. Wragge is getting a spot with CBS Sports at the U.S. Open Tennis Championships beginning Monday, August 27 at Flushing Meadow.

Wragge says it was “totally unexpected” when he was asked last month by Harold Bryant (VP/Production/CBS Sports). Groundwork had been laid by CBS Sports president Sean McManus, who was integral in hiring Wragge for The Early Show in late 2010.

“Sean has been great to me over the years,” Wragge says. “This was a welcome home call.

With the blessing of WCBS executives David Friend and Peter Dunn, Wragge makes his first network appearance since the morning overhaul at the start of the year, and his premiere on CBS Sports.

Wragge is called on primarily as a weekend studio host. The move was necessitated, thanks to the ascension of Bill Macatee to lead play-by-play voice at the Open.

“What it boils down to is, you’ll see more of me if there are rain delays,” Wragge laughs.

But Wragge isn’t joking when it comes to the CBS Sports brand.

“Obviously, it’s just such an amazing franchise, top to bottom,” Wragge says. “To be associated, and to be asked to be a part of any of their properties, I was overwhelmed and flattered to be honest with you.”

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When WCBS/Channel 2 formally acquired WLNY 10/55 the promise was an upgrade technologically and in front of the camera. However, the most important aspect is missing, keeping WLNY locked in to its home–Long Island.

WLNY, for more than 25 years, was an independent station based in Melville. Its news presence was just a 30-minute broadcast weeknights. It was neither high-tech nor featured the best talent, but viewers knew they had an ally in coverage of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

Now with WCBS at the helm, cross off the need for better talent from the wish list. Having the entire Channel 2 news team at its disposal, led by anchors Chris Wragge (at his best here, especially hosting a nightly viral video segment) and Dana Tyler, WLNY need not worry about on-air product.

Viewers, on the other hand, can worry that Long Island news they’ve come to rely upon at TV 10/55 is no more. When WLNY does have a Long Island presence with Jennifer McLogan or Carolyn Gusoff (rarely have we seen the two on the same newscast), it’s nothing extra beyond what other stations covered that night.

In a one-hour newscast, you can count on one hand how many Long Island references are made. At the start, the graphic shows “Riverhead, New York,” where the station is licensed. There are the one or possibly two stories based in Nassau or Suffolk Counties. Making it worse, those stories are often pushed down in the broadcast.

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WCBS/Channel 2 is one step closer to showing off its revamped WLNY 10/55. The Long Island independent station, now owned by WCBS, is scheduled to debut a two-hour morning news block Monday, July 2. The 7 to 9 a.m. show, being called, The Couch, is a direct competition to WNYW/Channel 5 and WPIX/Channel 11.

That same night, according to the station’s Facebook page, WLNY unveils its new one-hour, prime time newscast. As we previously reported, the Channel 2 at 6 team of Chris Wragge, Dana Tyler, plus Lonnie Quinn and Otis Livingston will be the face of ‘LNY’s nightly broadcast airing at 9.

However, a station spokesman tells FishbowlNY that it still has no word on the morning talent being used.

The Tony Awards are coming to CBS this weekend, and Channel 2 has its annual preview show. At the Tonys with Dana Tyler runs tomorrow night at 7.

The 30-minute special examines this year’s nominees for Best Musical, Best Play, Best Revival of a Play and Best Revival of a Musical.  At the Tonys will feature interviews with more than 20 actors and actresses from
this year’s nominated productions.

In addition, Tyler will take viewers behind the scenes to interview Linda Lavin (nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play) from The Lyons, Michael Cerveris (nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Musical) from Evita, and Tracie Bennett (nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Play) from End of the Rainbow.

The 66^th annual Tony Awards will be broadcast live from the Beacon Theatre Sunday from 8 p.m to 11 p.m.

The Fair Media Council was created as a media watchdog on Long Island. Its main event for the year is the Folio Awards, held each April.  Beyond that, one piece of news captivated the Council.

Viewers are yet to see the full effects of WCBS/Channel 2′s acquisition of WLNY/Channel 10, 55.

Fair Media Council executive director Jaci Clement says this is important on so many levels.

“It’s a wonderful thing when you look at the total media landscape of the island,” Clement tells FishbowlNY. “Because what you have here is one major news source [Cablevision] that dominates the news of Long Island.”

Cablevision created News 12 Long Island in 1986. Then the Bethpage-based company bought Newsday in 2008, giving Long Islanders no recourse for finding news and information via TV and newspaper.

“Since they merged, you see more and more of them working closely together and actually producing less local news,” Clement says. “…We actually have less news now than we had in the past.”

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