Former WFAA8 anchor Denmon says she'll double down as Dallas County D.A.'s head spokesperson and part-time commentaor on new Texas Daily news hour

By ED BARK
@unclebarkycom
Former WFAA8 anchor/reporter Debbie Denmon will still be a part-time commentator on KTXD-TV's (Ch. 52) upcoming The Texas Daily news program while also working full-time in her new post as director of communications for the Dallas County District Attorney's office.

"I just have to clear with Craig (D.A. Craig Watkins) what we're talking about," Denmon said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "He told me, 'I'm fine with it as long as you don't say anything crazy.' He looks at it as good PR for the county."

As previously reported, Texas Daily will be a one-hour weekday local news hour aimed at baby boomers and scheduled to premiere on Monday, Oct. 1st at 8 a.m. with a who's who of 14 past D-FW television luminaries.

Denmon, who spent 12 years at WFAA8 before her contract wasn't renewed this summer, began working for the D.A. on Sept. 10th. It would be a unique arrangement for her to have a dual role as a news commentator.

"I'll be very mindful. I won't say anything that will get me in trouble," Denmon said of her companion stint at KTXD. Her first scheduled day on Texas Daily commentator is Friday, Oct. 5th.

Former WFAA8 anchor/reporter Jeff Brady, who also has his own Dallas-based media consulting firm, will be the overall host of Texas Daily. In an earlier interview with unclebarky.com, London Broadcasting chief operating officer Phil Hurley said that contributors to the program will be able to continue with any other jobs they might have. London Broadcasting is the parent company of KTXD.

All but one of the program's initial 14 contributors, including Brady and Denmon, have previously worked for WFAA8-TV and in several cases rival D-FW television stations. The others signed on as Texas Daily commentators are Tracy Rowlett, Troy Dungan (who endorses products on the side), Iola Johnson, John Criswell, Midge Hill, Gary Cogill, Robert Riggs, Suzie Humphreys, Jolene DeVito, Phyllis Watson and John Sparks. The only commentator who has not worked for WFAA8 is former NBC5 sports anchor Scott Murray.

"It's a win-win, I think, for your TV types that might venture out into the PR field," Denmon said of her Texas Daily colleagues.

Commentators are scheduled to appear on the program only once or twice a week.

"It's going to be something that nobody's done before," Dungan said in a recent KTXD publicity release. "And that's hard to say in this world -- 'never been done before.' "

Denmon, who earlier lost a discrimination suit filed against WFAA8, was let go by the station in July.

"We'll see how it goes," she said of juggling her roles on Texas Daily and with the Dallas County D.A.'s office.

"I think you can take more control of your life when you're on the other side of the mike," Denmon said of her full-time duties as Watkins' head spokesperson. "There's never a dull moment. So far I like it."

KTXD also wants to have Watkins as a Texas Daily guest on occasion. "And he's open to that," Denmon said.