WGCL investigative reporter Jeff Chirico was punched in the chin and knocked to the ground while reporting a piece for the Atlanta CBS affiliate.

Chirico’s was investigating Richard Wilder, who reportedly began operating a business in Gainesville just weeks after he was charged with seven counts of theft by deception and once count of racketeering. While reporting the story, Donald Wilder, presumed to be Richard’s father, approached Chirico and threatened him, punching him in the face and knocking him to the ground.

WGCL says Chirico was not seriously injured. His full report airs tonight on WGCL’s 11 p.m. newscast.

At least one person is dead after a tornado touched down in Adairsville, Ga., Wednesday afternoon. Footage of the tornado was captured by WSB reporter Ross Cavitt, who had just arrived on the scene and was reporting from about a quarter mile away (video above).

All four Atlanta stations — ABC affiliate WSB, CBS affiliate WGCL, NBC affiliate WXIA and Fox O&O WAGA — have been in continuing coverage of the severe weather for several hours. The area remains under a severe thunderstorm warning. [via CNN]

Viewers of WXIA, Atlanta’s NBC affiliate, will notice a new graphic look and music package for the station’s newscasts.

WXIA said the new and cleaner design was the result of viewer feedback. The look is based on the new graphics package station owner Gannett began rolling out a few weeks ago at all of its stations.

WXIA anchor Brenda Wood took viewers through the changes in a video you can watch after the jump. The new package also includes new music called, “This is Home.”

Read more

The DUI case involving WAGA anchor Amanda Davis is moving to Fulton County State Court for trial.

Davis, a longtime anchor at the Atlanta Fox O&O, was arrested after being involved in a wrong-way crash in November. She was charged with DUI, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving.

Davis has been on a leave of absence from the station since the incident. Watch a report from the courthouse from rival WSB, Atlanta’s ABC affiliate, after the jump. Read more

Eric Ludgood is out as news director for WGCL, the Meredith owned CBS affiliate for Atlanta.

“Eric Ludgood is no longer with WGCL in Atlanta,” a Meredith spokesperson told TVSpy.  “We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”

Ludgood had been assistant news director at WGCL before leaving for three months in 2010 to work as news director for WNCN in Raleigh, NC.  He returned to WGCL as news director in February 2011 replacing Steve Schwaid.

WGCL vice president and general manager Trey Fabacher told TVSpy the station would begin its search for a news director, “very shortly.”

Cheryl White, longtime traffic and weather anchor for morning show “Good Day Atlanta,” has announced she will be leaving FOX owned station WAGA.

White, who had been with the station since 1997, posted the news to her facebook page saying, “It’s been a privilege working on Good Day Atlanta for so many years. December 28th will be my last day. I wish continued success to the entire Good Day team.”

White’s bio page on the WAGA website said she earned her Certificate of Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2006.

[Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Justin Lock, meteorologist for Atlanta CBS affiliate WGCL, has confirmed with TVSpy he is leaving the station.

“My wife and I and newborn son are moving back to Charleston, SC where we want to raise our family,” Lock told TVSpy, ” Charleston is where we met and got married.”

Lock, whose last day will be today, started at WGCL in March of 2010.  He began his career in Hastings, NE and has also worked in Charleston and Philadelphia.

Jimmy Kimmel dropped by Atlanta’s ABC affiliate WSB to celebrate his show’s growing ratings and to publicize its new time slot following the 11 p.m. local news in January.

Kimmel’s show will replace “Nightline” at 11:35 p.m. while “Nightline” moves to Kimmel’s old slot at 12:35 a.m. When asked about the move, Kimmel told the Journal-Constitution, ““I feel like we’re ready.  I feel like we’ll succeed.”

>Related TVNewser:ABC Swaps ‘Nightline’, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’

According to ABC, “Jimmy Kimmel Live” is the only late night talk show to increase its viewership this year.  “As strong as the ratings are nationwide, the strongest ratings for Jimmy Kimmel are right here in Atlanta,” Tim McVay, WSB vice president and general manager told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explaining Kimmel’s visit to his station. Read more

WAGA anchor Amanda Davis is taking a leave of absence from the Atlanta Fox O&O after her DUI arrest.

“Amanda Davis is currently away from the television station handling personal matters,” WAGA vice president of news Mike McClain said in a statement Monday afternoon.

Davis had her first court hearing yesterday. She did not appear in the courtroom. Her attorney, William Head, asked that the hearing be reset, according to the station.

Davis was arrested November 11 after she was involved in a wrong-way car accident in the middle of the night. She has not appeared on the station since then.

Linda Stouffer (pictured right) will replace Carol Sbarge (pictured left) as weekday morning anchor for Atlanta ABC affiliate WSB.

“Carol leaves the morning newscast and the team in a terrific place,” said Stouffer in a press release. “I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to follow her and continue her legacy.”

Sbarge will co-anchor the noon news with Fred Blankenship and report for the early evening newscasts.

“We’re so glad to have a veteran like Carol,” said vice president and general manager Tim McVay. “Moving Carol to the noon news takes advantage of her great relationship with Fred and adds her reporting power to the three hours of local news, 4-7 p.m.” Read more