Amanda Davis

“Atlanta has been home for me for thirty years, a couple while I was in college and 28 in television news,” said Davis in a 14 minute segment the station carved out of its 10:00 p.m. newscast. “There have been awards, honors and accolades.  There have also been challenges, disappointments and stumbles.”  She went on to say, “So it’s with a heavy heart that I announce now that I am officially retiring from FOX 5 as I look ahead to a new chapter in my life.”

The station had been promising viewers a “special message” from Davis this week.  It turns out it was a farewell tour of sorts. You can watch the video after the jump. continued…

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WAGA reporter Dale Russell has obtained the first photos of the bomb that exploded Monday at the finish line of the Boston Marathon (above).

The photos aired on the Atlanta Fox O&O’s 6:30 p.m. newscast Tuesday, just hours after it was first reported that the explosions were caused by pressure cooker bombs. The pictures aired across several other Fox O&Os, as well as on Shepard Smith‘s national Fox News Channel program, Tuesday evening.

See the rest of the photos in WAGA’s report after the jump. continued…

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Karen Graham

The “Good Day Atlanta” anchor posted the news to her facebook page, “Hey guys…I’m going off the grid — and off the air — for a little while. Gotta take care of…me. But I’ll be back — hopefully stronger and better. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Peace and love ”

Graham, who started as the weekend sports anchor, has worked at WAGA for 12 years. Prior to WAGA, she worked at WSOC in Charlotte, NC and WTVT in Tampa, FL.

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During his time at WGCL, Ludgood served as news director and as executive producer. He is a former vice president of CNN International who has also worked at WNCN in Raleigh, WXIA in Atlanta and WTVM in Columbus, Ga.

Ludgood begins Tuesday at the Fox O&O.

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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]

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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. continued…

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Cheryl White

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]

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FOX has been slowly adding the show to its station group since March 2012.  After a test run in the Los Angeles market on KTTV, it soon expanded into Phoenix (KSAZ), Boston (WFXT) Chicago (WFLD), Dallas (KDFW), Detroit (WJBK) and Minneapolis (KMSP). Beginning next Fall, FOX will air the show on its remaining stations including New York (WNYW), Philadelphia (WTXF), Washington, D.C (WTTG), Atlanta (WAGA), Houston (KRIV), Tampa (WTVT) and Orlando (WOFL).

“The distribution roll-out of “TMZ Live” is as unconventional and unique as the show itself,” said Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “This slow approach has translated into a strong and loyal daily audience, time period increases and younger demos.  It’s also created a demand in the markets where the series does not yet air.” continued…

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WAGA

“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.

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WAGA

Davis, who anchors WAGA’s 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, was driving northbound in the southbound lane of Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta when the crash occurred just after midnight Sunday. Davis was taken to the Atlanta jail on charges of DUI, failure to maintain lane and reckless driving.

WAGA, the Fox O&O in Atlanta, posted a brief article about the arrest on its website. “We are aware of the situation and we are currently investigating,” WAGA vice president of news Mike McClain said in a statement to rival WSB, the ABC affiliate.

Watch WSB’s report on the incident after the jump. continued…

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Ron Gant

Gant comes from Fox Sports South, where he has been a Braves analyst for the past four years. Earlier in his career, he was a studio analyst for the MLB Network and a Braves commentator for TBS.

“Ron’s star power and talent as #5 on the Braves led him to be one of the most beloved athletes and well-known television personalities in Atlanta,” WAGA VP-GM Bill Schneider said in a statement. “He is a good communicator, with an engaging personality and will be a refreshing addition to morning news.”

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Hayes announced last week that he would say goodbye to the Atlanta Fox O&O after ten years as the morning anchor. He will join KXAS in the same role, sharing the anchor desk from 4:30 – 7 a.m. with Deborah Ferguson.

“When a viewer turns on the news in the morning, Mark is the kind of person they want to see,” KXAS vice president of news Susan Tully said in a statement. “He has a warm delivery and makes the early wake-up just a little more enjoyable. Mark had a deeply loyal following in Atlanta because of his personable approach to giving viewers their first news of the day.” continued…

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After 10 years at the anchor desk, Mark Hayes said an emotional goodbye to Atlanta’s WAGA today (video above).

In a statement announcing his departure, Hayes said “an incredible amount of soul searching” led to the decision “to venture out and continue to pursue my dreams in the field of broadcast journalism.” continued…

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Hayes joined the Atlanta Fox O&O in 2002. He currently anchors from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. with Guvir Dhindsa.

“We have enjoyed working with Mark over the past 10 years,” WAGA general manager Bill Schneider said in a statement. “He has always demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm for his work and it has resonated well with our viewers. We will miss Mark’s passion and wish him the best of luck in his future.”

Hayes will announce his departure and future plans on “Good Day Atlanta” tomorrow.

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