In addition, the new owners cancelled the station's beloved 33-year-old half-hour local weekday program Storyland, then the longest-running children's program, hosted by Buckskin Bill Black, and rechristened it as Buckskin and Friends, an hour-long show that aired on Saturday mornings until it was cancelled in September 1990. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. AT a luncheon marking National Girl Scout Week are, from left, Colette Dean, Donna Britt, Marilyn Zimmerman and Nell McAnelly. 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"). Mark Ballard: My wife Donna Britt has ALS. It was also in 1988 that the owners petitioned CBS to air the network's daytime programs in a different orderairing syndicated programming at 10 a.m., The Price Is Right at 11 a.m., and The Young and the Restless at 3 p.m. (later 4 p.m.) as a way to boost ratings as a lead-in to the noon and 5 p.m. newscasts. Photo 2 - Ms Donna Britt, WAFB 9 News Anchor, the MOC guest speaker, is greeted prior to the program by LTG Middleton Chapter Vice Commander, LTC Reginald Brown, USA Retired. show--"Great Day at 9A." Caitlin Francis Traffic. If theyre looking for a woman to replace her they can give her spot to Jim Engster. 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. Then shelter shared desperate plea. 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. (WAFB) Tisha started her career in journalism as a reporter and producer for WCBI-TV in. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. Winfield, Mary Irma Cormier-Thomas, Linda Johnson and John Dilworth. 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? Gates started his career at WAFB-TV in March 1977 . Multiple people have been arrested following an investigation into prostitution happened at Baton Rouge area massage parlors. When her father retired from the church ministry, the family continued to preach by rescuing failing churches. 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. I have ALS, Lou Gehrigs disease. My whole family is very excited. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. This is the complex process she must follow to vote. Submitted by SVCINC COL Clay C. Le Grande, Jr., USA (Ret) Baton Rouge, LA 70817-3432 H - (225) 752-9780 c.legrande@cox.net. Get exclusive content only available to INSIDERS. Mahaffey loved to write and he could deliver everything from hard news to his signature humor in a 'Final Note'at the end of each newscast with equal aplomb. After years of your input and suggestions, BREC is putting your vision into your parks. 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. The fourth candidate, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, did not participate. (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. 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. 18 jersey from LSU, AD Joe Alleva, Our Views: WAFB-TV's Donna Britt's good works are too many to name; you're in our prayers, Donna Britt remembered: Share your memories of the beloved Baton Rouge anchorwoman. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. Bill Black later became involved with the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools Board and other civic organizations until his death on January 10, 2018. ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. Top row, left to right: Stephanie LaBlanc, Cherrie Bell, Judy Hignight, Tammy Norton, Lynet Lewis, Gloria Sylvia, Hillary Holmes, Susan Ford, Beverly Lemley. Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, center, is pictured with Judi Terzotis, left, Advocate President, and Scott Berg, president of Lee Michaels Jewelry, at the Golden Deeds awards Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 at the Baton Rouge Marriott. The unit is performing for the first time in its new LSU historical cadet uniforms. Donna rode in countless parades across South Louisiana. Good dudes, but definitely not journalists. And, it's a proud legacy. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. 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One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. Donna announced her diagnosis to viewers during WAFBs 6 p.m. newscast on July 27, 2017. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. 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 three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. 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!. The station has always been a CBS affiliate but carried some NBC programming until WBRZ-TV signed on in 1955. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. Probably stumbled on something they wanted to keep quiet. Women of Distinction -- At the Girl Scouts Louisiana East Women of Distinction luncheon are, from left, CEO Jacqueline Alexander; honorees Julie LeBlanc, Dr. Rebekah Gee, Donna Britt (seated) and Betsy Stoner; and board chairwoman Joan Molllohan. For nearly four decades, Donna Britt was a constant presence on televisions across the Baton Rouge area. 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). Bottom row, left to right: Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt, Allison Gustavson, Ginger Bishop, Katherine Jensen, Becky Terkel, Tanya Arnold, Sonya Godwin. WAFB's newscasts have had the second-highest ratings at 10 p.m. in any of the country's biggest television markets according to The Des Moines Register in Iowa. Vernon Roger, former WAFB-TV anchorman and Cajun chef, died this weekend in what police say was a suicide. He was 77 years old. In the eighth grade, an outstanding Bible teacher in Donnas life told her how God had inspired her to sign her name in lower-case letters, an act of humility and a promise to always to push to achieve her best in everything. 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. Media departures are always strange. Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. During an investigation, police say evidence was found to place the babys mother under arrest. Jun 1 "That was inappropriate. Advocate Staff Photograph by John Boss.Picture shot on 031399 At the Girl Scouts Urban Campout are,from left ,Donna Britt, Janet Vidrine, Gwen Hamilton, Patti Hiller. Take a look back through some pictures of her television work, volunteering and life in Baton Rouge. WAFB-TV anchor is honored with a No. 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. In 1957, they sold the radio stations, with the AM station changing its format to black music and the FM station going off the air; a new WAFB-FM would sign on in 1968. 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. Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. Pets may be the ones who impact people the most. 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. A married mother of two, she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Baton . what role does individualism play in american society. 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. Photo 3 - US Coast . I freelance for a company out there, and she was quite pissed to seecameras videoing the seminar. "John Mahaffey was the consummate news anchor," addedLawhon. Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. Shield of Hope -- Honoring Donna Britt, seated, at the Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge's Shield of Hope Gala are, standing from left, Maj. Brett Meredith, Carissa Graves, Congresssman Garret Graves, Maj. Steve Morris, Roy O. and Kathy Martin, Maj. Mary Meredith and board chairman Todd Gerald. Id like to share some personal news with you tonight, Donna said. seems like she was on the same side as most. Hey! 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. Tisha Powell's new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didn't think was possible. [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! Nielsen Media Research ratings showed that 16.2% of all households in the Baton Rouge area watched the show. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. They can irritate your throat, nose, and eyes, some may even cause cancer. Made me chuckle every time. She also sponsored a no-holds-barred ice cream sundae party every month to the class who read the most library books. 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. She did different themes highlighting different kinds of books. 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. . The only station to get a bigger share of the local audience was KCCI, the CBS affiliate in Des Moines, which was watched by 17.9% of area households. 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. The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested the mother of a child who officials say died of a drug overdose. 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). The East Feliciana Police Chiefs Association held an appreciation luncheon on April 8 at Centenary Inn in Jackson. A study revealed that those who spent more time with their dogs experienced a 300% increase in oxytocin levels. There was a problem saving your notification. Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON George and. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt checks out a cake held by coworker Derron Daquano as she is joined by friends, family, and coworkers, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, after signing off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Fruit plant? A friend who had not heard from Roger since Friday checked on him about 9:30. "Andre has been a big part of our success story and we're sorry to see him go," WAFB News Director Robb. George Sells, third from left, with former newsdesk anchors Andr Moreau and Mike Graham on hand for Donna Britt's final newscast. WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi moved to channel 7 to accommodate this switch. BATON ROUGE - Longtime WAFB anchor and investigative reporter Paul Gates has died at the age of 69 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases. Murdaugh, 54, faced two counts of murder and two weapons charges in the June 7, 2021, shooting deaths of 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh and . There you go. 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. She attended numerous scouting Camporees and was fiercely proud of carrying a canoe over mountains and paddling the Northern Tier Extreme Boy Scout Adventure on Americas Northern border. Another bonus? Attached is a group shot of the 1980 LSU Flag Line. Pennington Biomedical Research Center is hosting a wellness day for women on March 4th from 7:00am through 1:00pm. United Cajun Navy and community partners will organize a Search for Millard. The emcee for the evening was WAFB News Anchor Donna Britt and Auctioneer Jeff Taylor conducted silent and live auctions. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! WBRZ-TV TV News Anchor Full Profile Jake Roblez Baton Rouge, LA Professions & Specialties News Anchor Commercial Announcer Presenter Experience & Education Title: Political News Anchor at Louisiana State University Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area Industry: Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Full Profile Andrs Serna Baton Rouge, LA