For nearly four decades, Donna Britt was a constant presence on televisions across the Baton Rouge area. Louisiana State Senate Communications Director Brenda Hodge co-anchored WAFB's 6 p.m. with Mahaffey for several years beginning in 1976. 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). Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years Take a look back through some pictures of her television work, volunteering and life in Baton Rouge. PHOTO: (l-r) Denham Police Chief Scott Jones, architect Jay Labarre, Greystone's Ron Menville, Denham Springs Councilwoman Annie Fugler, Sheriff Willie Graves, WAFB News Anchor Donna Britt, Walker Police Chief Hunter Grimes, Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Sen. Dale Erdey, Denham Springs Councilman John Wascom and Assessor Jeff Taylor. The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office caught a juvenile driving a stolen vehicle from an area where law enforcement officials say they have been investigating a string of vehicle thefts. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after battle with ALS. She physically trained on an elliptical machine for two months, morning and evening, to build her stamina for the grueling push. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. She's not white. 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. Picture shot on 3-13-01. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome does not like Kiran Chawla of WAFB Just Baton Rouge 1.53K subscribers Subscribe 31 Share 12K views 5 years ago Mayor Sharon Broome of Baton Rouge tells WAFB they. Donna Britt, Herb Vincent among this year's Manship School Hall of Fame inductees. All rights reserved. Louisiana native, veteran journalist Tisha Powell to join WAFB news team 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. Cadet Commander of Troops, Cadet LTC Alisha Parker of Tara High School issued the vocal commands that moved the mass of flag carrying corps through the ceremony. Updated: Jan 17, 2017 / 07:36 PM CST. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt waves as she sees her husband and son in the studio, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Donna Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. WAFB also has a Cox cable channel devoted to airing simulcasts and rebroadcasts of its news broadcasts. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. 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. Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. Originally broadcasting an analog signal on UHF channel 28, WAFB moved to VHF channel 9 in 1960. Oprah moved to WBRZ but since then aired on WVLA until the show ended its run in 2011. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. Attached is a group shot of the 1980 LSU Flag Line. 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. From: Clay Le Grande [mailto:c.legrande@cox.net] Sent: Sunday, November 22, 2015 12:38 PM LTG Middleton Chapter Massing of the Colors Parkview Baptist School gym was ablaze with Old Glory on Tuesday, November 10th as the Military Order of the World Wars LTG Troy H. Middleton Chapter hosted its annual Massing of the Colors ceremony for the student body and public at Parkview Baptist High School. 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 A breast cancer survivor, she was also very active with breast cancer fundraisers. Click to become an INSIDER for under $2.00 a week, Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years, 2022 Welcome: Official Visitors Guide to Greater Baton Rouge. He was a giant figure in television news and he will be sorely missed, even after being retired for nearly 17 years.". Its a multimillion-dollar project that has been met with more delays than promises. 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. Longtime WAFB anchor, reporter Paul Gates dies at 69 - WBRZ Her husband, Mark Ballard, serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate newspaper. 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. Now, she's battling ALS. Patio music was provided by Mike Fontenot. gazebo footing requirements. It originally aired a digital signal on UHF channel 46 from a transmitter at its studios. 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. Photo shot on 3/17/2003. 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. ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. The kids were told they could use the 20 or more toppings for their ice cream in an allyou-can-eat buffet. She was eventually teamed up with George Sells and the two of them became one of the most successful news anchor teams in the country. 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. Left to right, second row: Katherine Jensen, Liz Jensen, Mary Greenfield, Sonya Godwin, Colleen Colclough, Rhonda Silvio, Renee Breaux, Dedee Alford, Lorna Matlock, Cheri Mullinex, Margaret Elgin, Merietta Spencer, Tammy Norton, co-captain Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt. (WAFB) Tisha started her career in journalism as a reporter and producer for WCBI-TV in. 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. Kiran Chawla of Wafb fired? : r/batonrouge - reddit Following her diagnosis, thousands of viewers and well-wishers showed up for Donna Britt Day, a charity event hosted by Chef John Folse to raise money for ALS research. The show had a way of educating young children while making it fun to learn. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. . A large storm system took aim at the Northeast on Friday, threatening heavy snow and coastal flooding after heavy winds and possible tornadoes damaged homes and buildings, left thousands without power and caused five deaths in a wide swath of the South and Midwest. Photos: Congrats to 2018 Golden Deeds award recipient, Donna Britt! Made me chuckle every time. Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. Thats nothing controversial in the least. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. 99% of people agree with all that. A study revealed that those who spent more time with their dogs experienced a 300% increase in oxytocin levels. 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. "He was a steady hand and a steady voice,"Hodge said Friday. 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. Probably stumbled on something they wanted to keep quiet. The station's digital signal relocated from its pre-transition UHF channel 46 to VHF channel 9. Bella Notte Gala held at Greystone The third annual Bella Notte Gala was hosted by Greystone Golf & Country Club in Denham Springs on Saturday, March 19, 2011. But a group of folks is already trying to take care of the problem. One person was taken to the hospital after a crash in Zachary early Thursday, March 2, according to emergency responders. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. July 29, 2021 5:45 AM. I'm an Emmy & Murrow Award Winning Investigative Reporter who simply loves my job!. new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge, After leaving ABC11 last month, Tisha Powell lands a new anchor job, Given a second chance: ABC11s Tisha Powell on why shes leaving the news business, NC Supreme Court blocks transfer of school funds in Leandro court case, Get ready to change your clocks. Those are some big shoes to fill. Kiran Chawla gone from WAFB? | O-T Lounge - TigerDroppings Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. 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. Copyright 2021 WAFB. Mark Ballard: My wife Donna Britt has ALS. During this campaign, he asked children to bring in their pennies to buy an elephant. 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. Photo 1 - LSU Pershing Rifles, Company D-17, Color Guard of Elijah Jones, Todd Dixon, Chris Scheuermann, and Ethan Nicosia. They can irritate your throat, nose, and eyes, some may even cause cancer. 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. Jun 8. Said program ended in late 1990 after Black resigned from WAFB. Royal Street owned the station until 1964, when it sold the station to locally based Guaranty Corporation. Color Guards representing US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge, LSU Pershing Rifles Company D-17, Civil Air Patrol Ascension Composite Squadron, Knights of Columbus Bishop Ott Assembly, Parkview Eagle Scouts, Parkview Boy Scouts, Parkview Girl Scouts, and ROTC units from Tara High, Central High, St. Amant High, Zachary High, Belaire High, Broadmoor High, Glen Oaks High, Lee High, Northeast High, McKinley High, Scotlandville High, and Woodlawn High. What to know about daylight saving time in NC, Goofy dog had no adoption inquiries for months. 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. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. Because of concerns about COVID-19, the family plans to wait to hold a memorial service for Donna at a later date, he said. 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. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, her former employer said Thursday. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Submitted: Annie Fugler 225 802-6454 anniefugler@aol.com, 1978 LSU Flag Line -- listed by MAIDEN NAMES. seems like she was on the same side as most. Donna Britt,who worked for Baton Rouge station WAFB for nearly four decades, succumbed on Thursday at age 62 to the neurological disease, which is also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, according to the news outlet. Donna announced her diagnosis to viewers during WAFBs 6 p.m. newscast on July 27, 2017. Golden Deeds recipient Donna Britt gets a standing ovation during the Golden Deeds awards Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Baton Rouge Marriott. During an investigation, police say evidence was found to place the babys mother under arrest. 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. The Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums played their traditional bagpipe favorites, along with a medley of patriotic songs. 93 News Anchors in Baton Rouge, LA Directory - Trustoria 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. I always enjoyed the WAFB news promo ad where she's standing there with her microphone held out and the guy says "Please LEAVE" and shuts the door in her face. Photo by Carol Anne Blitzer. Advocate Photo by MARK BALLARD -- Three of the four candidates for Louisiana governor prepare Thursday as AARP forum moderator Donna Britt of WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, reads a question picked out by seniors. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. 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). Her two children include her daughter Annie and son Louis. Gates started his career at WAFB-TV in March 1977 . His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. Donna Britt of WAFB gives the crowd some encouraging words before the fourth annual Red Wig Walk to raise awareness for HIV prevention on the levee near the USS Kidd in downtown Baton Rouge on Saturday, May 20, 2017. Fruit plant? "At one point in time, there was a meteorologist who made a low salary and his car broke. Longtime friend and former co-anchor Margaret Lawhon smiled as she spoke of Mahaffey's nickname "The Duke" and how he got the name. 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 51. Thanks for contacting us. Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING. 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. STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON George and. DA popular local celebrity. Photo provided by Sonya Gordon Participating in the Phi Delta Kappa Walk for Education on Nov. 7 are, from left, front row, Jayne Fleener, Donna Britt, Gwen Hamilton; back row, W.T. In total, the station's news department produces 25 hours of news programming each week. Merriweather has inexplicably become a cheerleader and Scotty is just an affable news reader. After years of waiting, North Carolinas hospitals celebrate Medicaid expansion deal, 16-year-old Raleigh teen charged with murder in Robeson County killing. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.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. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". Photo shot on 3/7/2009. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). After years of your input and suggestions, BREC is putting your vision into your parks. The longtime ABC11 evening anchor, who left the station at the end of July to move back to her native Louisiana and start a new career with more family friendly hours, told The News & Observer on Tuesday that part-time anchor jobs just dont happen. Kiran is the only actual journalist they have over there. 3 Local TV Group", "Gray Closes On $3.6 Billion Raycom Merger", ":: Baton Rouge Business Report:: Ron Winders heads back to Savannah", "Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt dies following battle with ALS", "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds", Louisiana State Archive and Research Library, LA Art and Science Museum (Yazoo&MS. [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. Meet the Team - WAFB WAFB's Donna Britt, a breast cancer survivor, has been a fervent supporter of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. From what I can tell, the Tulliers got involved because his wife started saying things on FB, which got a lot of people fired up. Donna served for 17 years on the Salvation Armys Community Board. She started at WAFB in 1980 as a news reporter. WAFB anchor Donna Britt interviewed some writers and editorial staff members at The Red Shoes. 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. Donna passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. and Wheel of Fortune until 1995 when the shows moved to WBRZ. I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. About a week after a man disappeared, the Baton Rouge Police Department continues to ask the public for help locating him, as new evidence has surfaced in the case. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases. She was born while her parents were in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth Texas. All rights reserved. what role does individualism play in american society. Britt first announced her ALS diagnosis to viewersduring a newscast in 2017. My whole family is very excited. show--"Great Day at 9A." Caitlin Francis Traffic. The camps offer several activities like recreational games, community field trips, cultural arts, recreational sports, and more. 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). 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. wcpo news anchor fireditalian ithaca restaurants. Keyword Fashion Clothing Association Communications. Press J to jump to the feed. He died late Thursday following surgery for a blood clot. Perhaps doing so made her grow close to the families in their difficult aftermath and seeing basically a repeat of 2016 prompted her to say something that "wasn't acceptable" by the social media mob. Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th When longtime WAFB-TV weathercaster Diane Deaton first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet. Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh received two consecutive life sentences Friday morning. WAFB - Wikipedia One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office.