And to all a good night: D-FW television's list of 2009 departures
12/21/09 12:10 PM
By ED BARK
This year's departure list of on-air D-FW television people is shorter than 2008's.
That's the relatively good news in a year when ratings and budgets for TV newscasts otherwise continued to decline. It raises the troubling question of which struggling sector of the "old media" -- broadcast TV or newspapers -- has the bigger upside/downside in years to come.
For now, though, we say a last goodbye and wish all of these people well. This alphabetical list of 2009's evictees, either by choice or force, is of on-camera personalities only. It is not meant to downgrade or diminish the efforts of the many who work behind the scenes to make these people look good.
In the end, though, readers of this site invariably want to know what's happened to the people who come into their homes. Some became quite famous during their stays here. Others were much less visible to viewing audiences. But virtually everyone built a following of some sort. So here's where they were -- and what they're doing now if information is available.
KEN ARNOLD (helicopter pilot, NBC5) -- Dropped in January when station opted to lease choppers from Garland-based Sky Helicopters, Inc.
JAMES AYDELOTT (meteorologist, NBC5) -- Joined station in June 2005 and left in February to become featured forecaster at KOKI-TV in Tulsa.
KATHERINE BLAKE (reporter, CBS11) -- Left the station in September, after two years, to spend more time with her new husband and family.
JEFF BRADY (anchor/reporter, WFAA8) -- Left the station in March after arriving in July 2000. Formed Dallas-based Brady Media Group before recently applying unsuccessfully for anchor position at San Antonio's KENS-TV.
ROCHELLE BROWN (Insights anchor, Fox4) -- Dropped along with the program in July. Joined the station in January 1978, predating even the arrival of anchor Clarice Tinsley.
HECTOR CAVAZOS (helicopter pilot, CBS11) -- Dropped in January when station opted to lease choppers from Sky Helicopters, Inc.
TOM CRESPO (9 p.m. anchor, The 33) -- Let go in February after joining the station in 1998. He's currently promoting his services on his own website.
BENNETT CUNNINGHAM (investigative reporter, CBS11) -- Left in December after 12 years because of a salary dispute. Intends to practice criminal and media law.
NORRIS DEAJON (reporter, The 33) -- Left station in February after a tenure of several years to pursue what he called "an exciting opportunity outside the news business." He is now a senior producer with Castleview Productions.
MEGAN HENDERSON (co-anchor, Fox4's Good Day) -- Left station in February after five-and-a-half years to join the early morning team at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles.
BOB IRZYK (sports anchor/reporter, The 33) -- Let go in January after 10 years at the station. He's currently promoting his services on his website.
BARON JAMES (anchor, Fox4) -- Signed off on Dec. 18th after his contract wasn't renewed. Spent a decade at the station.
BRETT JOHNSON (reporter, NBC5) -- Died in July at age 48 after what friends described as a "massive organ shutdown." Joined NBC5 in 1996 as a freelancer and had been a full-time reporter since early 2005.
KRISTINE KAHANEK (meteorologist, CBS11) -- Left the station in May after not figuring in future plans. Had been with CBS11 for seven years and published her second children's book this month.
STEVE MACLAUGHLIN (meteorologist, NBC5) -- Will be leaving, when his contract expires in January, to be nearer his family on the East Coast. Joined the station in January 2004.
DARLA MILES (reporter/substitute anchor, WFAA8) -- Left in December for WABC-TV in New York. Spent three years at WFAA8.
KRISTIN MITCHELL (co-host of Good Morning Texas, WFAA8) -- Left the show two months after joining it.
MELISSA NEWTON (reporter, NBC5) -- Laid off in May, she quickly transitioned to CBS11, where she's currently a high-profile freelancer.
MICHAEL REY (reporter/substitute anchor, The 33) -- Laid off in January after nearly three years at the station. Here's his current resume.
SCOTT WALLACE (helicopter pilot, Fox4) -- Dropped in January when station opted to lease choppers from Sky Helicopters, Inc.
NITA WIGGINS (sports reporter, Fox4) -- Dropped in January after contract expired. Spent a decade at the station. At present she's self-employed.