Those relatives she moved back to Louisiana to be near can now watch her on TV. When longtime WAFB-TV weathercaster Diane Deaton first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet. 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. 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. 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"). BATON ROUGE, La. Live with Regis and Kelly and The Oprah Winfrey Show were seen until the late 1990s. Based on the BRPD press conference the other day, it is abundantly obvious that BRPD needs no help looking like fools. Copyright 2021 WAFB. Guests were served a variety of appetizers, entrees and dessert prepared by DeAngelo's of Denham Springs and served by Livingston Parish Celebrity Waiters, Sen. Dale Erdey, Assessor Jeff Taylor, Sheriff Willie Graves, Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Denham Springs Council members Annie Fugler and John Wascom, Walker Police Chief Hunter Grimes, Denham Springs Police Chief Scott Jones, Greystone Managing Director Ron Menville and architect Jay Labarre. Then shelter shared desperate plea. 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. "He was a remarkable guy in that he had no ego and that's really rare in the news business," Spain said. Remembering Donna Britt: Look through pictures of her time at WAFB, volunteer work and more. In 1997, AFLAC sold its entire broadcasting division, including WAFB, to Raycom Media. She also didnt want any cameras anywhere near her altogether. They did not release the mans name or the reason for the arrest, but the stationmaster is responsible for rail traffic on that stretch of the tracks. Until 2015, WAFB aired the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire; the show aired on sister station WBXH until its cancellation in 2019. 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. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping.. I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. Brett Meredith, left, presents the Above & Beyond Award to Donna Britt at the organization's Volunteer Recognition Breakfast. Shown are, from left, Jeremiah Anthony Rogers, Teresa Bruno, Bea Gyimah, Britt and . She assumed his gender. 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. She was born while her parents were in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth Texas. Through two gracious campaigns from his show, Buckskin Bill helped to start the Baton Rouge Zoo. For those who dont know, Delta-8 is a form of cannabis different from marijuana that contains a higher concentration of THC. (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. During this campaign, he asked children to bring in their pennies to buy an elephant. Louisiana State Senate Communications Director Brenda Hodge co-anchored WAFB's 6 p.m. with Mahaffey for several years beginning in 1976. 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. Former Baton Rouge television news icon Donna Britt, who ended her 37-year run on WAFB in 2018 due to her battle with ALS, has passed away. Donna Britt honored as 2018 Golden Deeds Award recipient: 'Donna's favorite hobby is volunteering', 'Always ready to help': Donna Britt named 2018 Golden Deeds Award winner, Baton Rouge's Donna Britt: On her prognosis, ALS battle, struggle in final days at WAFB, more, WAFB anchor Donna Britt receives prized No. Powell, who said she is still in the middle of unpacking at her new home, will co-anchor the 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts at the station starting Aug. 9. Donna 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. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Donna Britt, third from left, has always been a supporter of community events, like the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Both stations share studios on Government Street in downtown Baton Rouge, while WAFB's transmitter is located on River Road near the city's Riverbend section. Distinguished Citizen -- With Boy Scouts of America Istrouma Area Council 's inaugural Distinguished Citizen honoree Donna Britt, seated, are, from left, Scout Executive Gary Mertz, John Turner, Jerry Fischer, Louie Ballard, Mark Ballard, Franklin Foil, Paula Davis and Jay Grymes. Investigators say Maili Morris made 136 purchases using her 73-year-old aunts debit card, which she had linked to her personal DoorDash account. He was 77 years old. A lot of people dont get the opportunity to work part-time anchoring, she said. Chris Scheuermann is currently serving as the National Executive Director of The Pershing Rifles Group. She told them it would have to be a part-time job that would allow her to finish working on her Leadership and Communications Masters of Science degree at Purdue University, and also give her time with her family. Donna also served on boards for the Baranco-Clark YMCA, the Southern University Art Museum, the Baton Rouge Ballet Theater and the Louisiana Association for Arts in Education. Authorities say the individual could have information about the incident. Shes probably just going to another network or something, it's not like that's a direct quote from the news station or anything, Looks like she got cancelled for forgetting to use the #Defundthepolice hashtag. Bond has been set for a St. Gabriel police officer who was arrested in connection with the murder of a Denham Springs man that happened overnight, officials said. Fruit plant? BATON ROUGE, La. It's not standard. Never be too sure. 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. Britt, who was a breast cancer survivor, was involved in multiple charities including ones for ALS, sickle cell disease and cancer, WAFB reported. Nicole Nalepa is the anchor of Connecticut's #1 morning newscast, "Eyewitness News This Morning", and the co-host of WFSB's newest lifestyle T.V. STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON George and. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after battle with ALS. WAFB Anchor Matt Williams is an anchor for 9News This Morning and Early Edition. show--"Great Day at 9A." Caitlin Francis Traffic. A write-up slip from elementary school showed she called a fellow 2nd grader poo-poo face. What to Watch Friday: Dateline and 20/20 update Murdaugh murder trial coverage, $3B superstar region project planned for Apex after years-long delay, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son in June 2021. Donna passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. WAFB (channel 9) is a television station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, affiliated with CBS.It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). BATON ROUGE, La. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. Mahaffey paid to get his car fixed and, when it broke again, he bought him a new car,"Hodge recalled. All rights reserved. Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. Donna served for 17 years on the Salvation Armys Community Board. July 29, 2021 5:45 AM. (WAFB) Tisha started her career in journalism as a reporter and producer for WCBI-TV in. The station began broadcasting on April 19, 1953, as the first television station in Baton Rouge, and the second television station in the state of Louisiana. One locally produced show that brought years of enjoyment to children was hosted by "Buckskin Bill" Black (William Black) that ran in different formats from 1955 until 1990. I freelance for a company out there, and she was quite pissed to seecameras videoing the seminar. Id like to share some personal news with you tonight, Donna said. 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. Donna passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Shes a great investigative reporter. Patient advocates have long called for insulin price cuts to help uninsured people who would not be affected by price caps tied to insurance coverage. It will still be breezy in the afternoon, but not as much as the morning, otherwise today will become sunny and nice with highs in the 70s. Wtf ? During that time, she spent 8 hours every week in December those 17 years manning a Christmas kettle. Another bonus? He was 51. She did different themes highlighting different kinds of books. She's not white. Syndicated programming on WAFB (as of September 2022) includes Tamron Hall, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Inside Edition, 25 Words or Less, TMZ and Access Hollywood. She is a terrific reporter. Former WBRZ News Director John Spain hired Mahaffey away from WAFB. The emcee for the evening was WAFB News Anchor Donna Britt and Auctioneer Jeff Taylor conducted silent and live auctions. WAFB (channel 9) is a television station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, affiliated with CBS. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. A married mother of two, she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Baton . Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. Submitted: Annie Fugler 225 802-6454 anniefugler@aol.com, 1978 LSU Flag Line -- listed by MAIDEN NAMES. Every year in the United States, about 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Mahaffey, a graduate of the University of Texas, retired in 1999 and continued living in Baton Rouge. Pets may be the ones who impact people the most. BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey has died. [3] In 1965, the station moved its transmission tower from Zachary to south of LSU's campus, allowing viewers in a 90-mile (140km) radius to receive its signal; it was also in that year that the station started broadcasting in color. Brooke Cain is a North Carolina native who has worked at The News & Observer for more than 25 years. He was born in Tulsa, OK, grew up all over the country, and moved to Baton Rouge in July 2003. She is a good journalist and if WAFB fired her, they let one get away and one of their competitors will scoop her up quickly. WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. Donnas husband, Mark Ballard, says her family was by her side as she passed away peacefully Thursday morning. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. and Wheel of Fortune until 1995 when the shows moved to WBRZ. Its happening at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. A man is behind bars in Livingston Parish for allegedly robbing a man at gunpoint while he was at an ATM Tuesday night, February 28. In 1988, Guaranty sold the station to AFLAC. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Take a look back through some pictures of her television work, volunteering and life in Baton Rouge. She also sponsored a no-holds-barred ice cream sundae party every month to the class who read the most library books. But a group of folks is already trying to take care of the problem. A study revealed that those who spent more time with their dogs experienced a 300% increase in oxytocin levels. While I was at 332016 to 2018and it was widely known that Sharon Weston Broome would only give WBRZ the time of day. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO -- Our America Writers' and Artists' Project -- The Our America Writers' and Artists' Project received a Power of Nine Award on WAFB-TV on Aug. 25. 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. It was a gross departure from procedure. 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. Donna Britt, Herb Vincent among this year's Manship School Hall of Fame inductees. This is the complex process she must follow to vote. 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? There you go. Mark Ballard: My wife Donna Britt has ALS. Jay Dardenne, a Republican from Baton Rouge, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, R-Breaux Bridge. Photo 1 - LSU Pershing Rifles, Company D-17, Color Guard of Elijah Jones, Todd Dixon, Chris Scheuermann, and Ethan Nicosia. Photo 3 - US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge Color Guard of MMST2 James Nichols, MST3 Michael Thacker, ME3 Joseph Maldonado, BM3 Jarret Guerra was the lead Color Guard for the MOC ceremony. Photo provided by LAURIE HARDISON --- Volunteer breakfast --- Salvation Army Capt. Thats nothing controversial in the least. The People's Court also once aired on WAFB before going to WBRZ and later WGMB. . 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Kiran is the only actual journalist they have over there. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! Golden Deeds recipient Donna Britt gets a standing ovation during the Golden Deeds awards Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Baton Rouge Marriott. Average NC teacher pay is nearly $58,000, state says. He died late Thursday following surgery for a blood clot. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. You could score a free Bojangles biscuit almost every day for a week. Thanks for contacting us. Bottom row, left to right: Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt, Allison Gustavson, Ginger Bishop, Katherine Jensen, Becky Terkel, Tanya Arnold, Sonya Godwin. Powell, who worked at WTVD for nearly 17 years before leaving last month, said in the WAFB. 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 . WAFB's Donna Britt, a breast cancer survivor, has been a fervent supporter of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. So, I think both of the major TV stations have benefited from John Mahaffey having been there.". Identifed below by MAIDEN NAMES. Donna loved to travel and she and her family saw much of the world together. All rights reserved. The station's digital signal is multiplexed: WAFB shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 9, on June 12, 2009, the official date in which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. Visiting at the Baton Rouge Symphony League's annual Mad Hatter's Spring Fashion Show are, from left, Carla Jumonville, Julie Dickinson, Lois Saye and Donna Britt. 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. Valley Rail Depot), Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American Museum, sorted by primary channel network affiliations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WAFB&oldid=1132905661, Television channels and stations established in 1953, Television stations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox television station, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, derived from former radio sister stations, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 05:47. The penny campaign was successful enough to purchase two. Just a theory, but IIRC, she was very involved and remained involved in covering the families of the police officers that were killed/wounded in 2016. Top row, left to right: Stephanie LaBlanc, Cherrie Bell, Judy Hignight, Tammy Norton, Lynet Lewis, Gloria Sylvia, Hillary Holmes, Susan Ford, Beverly Lemley. "John Mahaffey was the consummate news anchor," addedLawhon. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). Upon being taken over by AFLAC, station management canceled the daily Storyland on September 30, 1988 and converted it to a Saturday morning hour-long program called Buckskin Bill and Friends that began airing on November 5, 1988. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt 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. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrigs disease, her former employer said Thursday. If they are not WAFB viewers now, they will be.. 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. Squires of Denham Springs donated the formal wear and Good Times Event Planning coordinated. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. She signed off the air on June 13, 2018 after 38 years of service at WAFB. 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). "But he was a solid journalist, he loved the news business, and he loved to beat the competition. All rights reserved. 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. Louis S. Prejean and associates (Modern Broadcasting of Baton Rouge) were the first owners of the station, and they sold it to Royal Street Corporation of New Orleans in 1956, which owned WDSU-TV, the first television station in Louisiana. 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. 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. i mean, no way it was a race thing. Parkviews choir performed the military service songs as veterans from the services stood in turn to the applause from the audience. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. Her husband, Mark Ballard, serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate newspaper. The East Feliciana Police Chiefs Association held an appreciation luncheon on April 8 at Centenary Inn in Jackson. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. Former WAFB-TV news anchor George Sells is keeping busy in retirement, producing video obituaries and lending his distinctive voice to various projects. One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. Louisiana students have struggled in the classroom for years, but minority children appear to be falling behind the most. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". During 1988, AFLAC invested $2 million in redesigning the studio, dropped the -TV suffix from its call letters and began branding itself as "Louisiana's News Channel," a slogan the station continues to use today. Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. Crawford Wheeler II. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 46 to VHF channel 9. Bond set at $1.5 million for Walter Allbritton III, man accused of driving into Target in Hammond, La last Friday. On June 25, 2018, Atlanta-based Gray Television announced it had reached an agreement with Raycom to merge their respective broadcasting assets (consisting of Raycom's 63 existing owned-and/or-operated television stations, including WAFB), and Gray's 93 television stations) under Gray's corporate umbrella. WTF did she do? Powell anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts at ABC11 a schedule which made for very long days. 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. Before the end of the program the winners of the annual Color Guard competition were announced by LTG Middleton Chapter Commander, LTC Patrick L. Widner, USA Ret. For 23 of those years, she's been on the air in Baton Rouge reporting on the . In all, the 10-day excursion cost the public approximately $100,400 to cover 14 government officials travel, according to financial documents. "The whole John Wayne moniker - that John Wayne was The Duke," she said. WAFB anchor Donna Britt interviewed some writers and editorial staff members at The Red Shoes. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. The station made this change to give its noon and 5 p.m. newscasts a strong lead-in. Had to be about the Hammond stuff, that was the last thing she covered. WAFB also carried some ABC programming with WBRZ until WRBT (now WVLA) signed on in 1971 and some programming from DuMont until that network folded. Community is key: How one ice cream parlor in Cary aims to be inclusive. Before an audience of 650 students and members of the public, twenty (20) Color Guard units paraded in and lined the gym with the US Flag and their unit colors to an inspiring march played by the Parkview HS Band. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice.

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