Golden Deeds -- The 'first lady of Baton Rouge broadcasting' Donna Britt, center, is honored as this year's Golden Deeds winner and is congratulated by WBRZ's Whitney Vann and Sylvia Weatherspoon. 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. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, her former employer said Thursday. Catch the moving sale to save on books, CDs. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. Pets may be the ones who impact people the most. 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. Winfield, Mary Irma Cormier-Thomas, Linda Johnson and John Dilworth. The penny campaign was successful enough to purchase two. Media departures are always strange. 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. For nearly four decades, Donna Britt was a constant presence on televisions across the Baton Rouge area. This includes two newscasts on sister station WBXH-CD (weeknights at 9, which began on January 8, 2007, and Saturday mornings). She also sponsored a no-holds-barred ice cream sundae party every month to the class who read the most library books. 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. Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. Because a street full of potholes is not owned by the city and there is no homeowners association, property owners were left on their own to fix it. Buckskin was also one of the first shows in the United States to have a sign-language interpreter for hearing-impaired viewers prior to closed-captioning. This practice ended shortly after Gray assumed ownership of the station. For those who dont know, Delta-8 is a form of cannabis different from marijuana that contains a higher concentration of THC. It was a gross departure from procedure. 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. At a luncheon to honor area volunteers are, from left, guest speaker, Mayor bobby Simpson and Donna Britt, Ron Winders, Janet Rack, Rob Stuart, Noel Parnell and Nick Simonette, representatives of sponsors WAFB-TV, Volunteer Baton Rouge! A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. Beloved Louisiana news anchor Donna Britt dead at 62 - New York Post Then shelter shared desperate plea. 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. 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 . She had joined the station in 1980 and appeared on the air as an anchor until her deteriorating health from the disease forced her to retire in June 2018. WAFB news director Rob Hays, left, poses with longtime anchor Donna Britt, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt prepares to sign off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Originally broadcasting an analog signal on UHF channel 28, WAFB moved to VHF channel 9 in 1960. Her ALS diagnosis is causing her to pull back on those activities. Remembering Donna Britt: Look through pictures of her time at WAFB, volunteer work and more. A family is grieving one week after 41-year-old Jeross Banks was hit and killed while riding his bike to work along LA-1 in Iberville Parish. 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. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. It's made worse by other officers standing by. 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. Bottom row, left to right: Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt, Allison Gustavson, Ginger Bishop, Katherine Jensen, Becky Terkel, Tanya Arnold, Sonya Godwin. Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years show--"Great Day at 9A." Caitlin Francis Traffic. The event is an American Cancer Society, Relay for Life fundraiser. Had to be about the Hammond stuff, that was the last thing she covered. Demands Are Made to Fire This Anchor FTVLive Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. A lot of people dont get the opportunity to work part-time anchoring, she said. All rights reserved. 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. WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, center, a longtime supporter and emcee of Baton Rouge's annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, gets a selfie with breast cancer survivors Dora Sanford, left, of Zachary, and Keisha Ricard, right, of Baton Rouge, before the 5K run/walk on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh received two consecutive life sentences Friday morning. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. 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. For 23 of those years, she's been on the air in Baton Rouge reporting on the . DA popular local celebrity. "He was a steady hand and a steady voice,"Hodge said Friday. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey has died. The station also aired Time for Beany during its early years on the air from the Paramount Television Network and was briefly affiliated with the NTA Film Network, airing programs Sheriff of Cochise, How to Marry a Millionaire, and This is Alice. Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after Made me chuckle every time. There you go. and Wheel of Fortune until 1995 when the shows moved to WBRZ. Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. 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. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. 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. She commended the group on their publication of two issues of a race and ethnic studies journal titled 'America the Beautiful In Spite of It All.' Attached is a group shot of the 1980 LSU Flag Line. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. He died late Thursday following surgery for a blood clot. Her mother trained for a ministry in church music. WAFB's Donna Britt, a breast cancer survivor, has been a fervent supporter of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Photo by Carol Anne Blitzer. 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. 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). Attending the event are, from left, Chief Walter Smith, of Slaughte; Chief Justin Nevels, of Norwood; Donna Britt, WAFB anchor; Chief Fred Dunn, of Clinton; Chief Mark Dousay, of Jackson; and Chief Kenneth Stewart, of Wilson. Donna announced her diagnosis to viewers during WAFBs 6 p.m. newscast on July 27, 2017. . A breast cancer survivor, she was also very active with breast cancer fundraisers. I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. Royal Street owned the station until 1964, when it sold the station to locally based Guaranty Corporation. 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. From left, longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt on set as she is watched by her son, Louie Ballard, and husband Mark Ballard, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. And, it's a proud legacy. Investigators say Maili Morris made 136 purchases using her 73-year-old aunts debit card, which she had linked to her personal DoorDash account. According to the station, Powell will co-anchor the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts there starting Aug. 9. Liz Koh WAFB. [4][5][6] The sale was approved on December 20,[7] and was completed on January 2, 2019.[8]. Mahaffey, a graduate of the University of Texas, retired in 1999 and continued living in Baton Rouge. Shes a great investigative reporter. This launched such a voracious battle to win the party, that the schools reading comprehension scores on standardized tests went up 4.7% the very first year and continually improved. The camps offer several activities like recreational games, community field trips, cultural arts, recreational sports, and more. Louisiana students have struggled in the classroom for years, but minority children appear to be falling behind the most. 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. But the WAFB position with the coveted part-time hours was too good to pass up. When longtime WAFB-TV weathercaster Diane Deaton first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is seeking to get an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. 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. During an investigation, police say evidence was found to place the babys mother under arrest. Fruit plant? ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. 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. I worked at NBC33 (yes that 33), and live in Houston now. 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. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th. Carys biggest bookstore turns the page. 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. Volodymyr Dorogobid, 38, and Tigran Avetisyan, 39, both of Brooklyn, New York, were booked on three counts of unlawful use of an unmanned aircraft system and also for obstruction of justice for tampering with evidence. Powell anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts at ABC11 a schedule which made for very long days. The fourth candidate, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, did not participate. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. WAFB also has a Cox cable channel devoted to airing simulcasts and rebroadcasts of its news broadcasts. Authorities arrested the stationmaster at the trains last stop, in the city of Larissa. 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. 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. 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. Because of concerns about COVID-19, the family plans to wait to hold a memorial service for Donna at a later date, he said. WTF did she do? 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. Never be too sure. She physically trained on an elliptical machine for two months, morning and evening, to build her stamina for the grueling push. 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. During that time, she spent 8 hours every week in December those 17 years manning a Christmas kettle. 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. WAFB 9News is Louisiana's News Channel, servicing breaking news, weather and traffic coverage for Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Ascension, Assumption, Livingston, East Feliciana, West Feliciana . During this campaign, he asked children to bring in their pennies to buy an elephant. WAFB also airs the Sunday services from the First United Methodist Church in the city. Crawford Wheeler II. 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. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. BATON ROUGE, La. When they told her they could make that happen, she asked her husband: Do I really want to go back?. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. But besides that,he was a really fine human being.". 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. Under new ownership, the station underwent many changes. In 1997, AFLAC sold its entire broadcasting division, including WAFB, to Raycom Media. 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. 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The People's Court also once aired on WAFB before going to WBRZ and later WGMB. She is the service journalism editor and writes about TV and local media for The N&Os Happiness is a Warm TV blog. Her contract wasnt renewed per someone I know who knows someone else who knows her. Renee Kozak is the Relay for Life Volunteer Coordinator of the annual fundraiser. WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. She's not white. 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. Brooke Cain is a North Carolina native who has worked at The News & Observer for more than 25 years. Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey passes away - WAFB Powell, who worked at WTVD for nearly 17 years before leaving last month, said in the WAFB. So, I think both of the major TV stations have benefited from John Mahaffey having been there.". Donna adapted the same promise and always signed her name with lower-case letters, what she called a sign of continued commitment to serve God in the most enthusiastic and excellent way possible. Over the years, Donna supported numerous charities including those tied to research for ALS, Sickle Cell disease, HIV/AIDS and cancer. Beloved WAFB anchor Donna Britt passes away In total, the station's news department produces 25 hours of news programming each week. Youll have the chance to attend a unique educational presentation using world-class projector equipment at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Officials have caught the inmate who escaped deputy custody while working with a crew at Southeastern Louisiana University on Friday morning, March 3. Golden Deeds -- With this year's Golden Deeds Award winner Donna Britt, seated, at a VIP reception before the dinner are, from left, Bob and Judi Terzotis, Larry and Dee Munzler, and Leslie and Scott Berg. A married mother of two, she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge and the daughter of a Southern Baptist preacher. In all, the 10-day excursion cost the public approximately $100,400 to cover 14 government officials travel, according to financial documents. And they look at me like, Youre one of us and we want to make this work for you.. In an interview with The News & Observer the week before her final broadcast on ABC11, Powell said that she had worked nights for about 15 years at the station, and that working from home some during the pandemic had opened her eyes to the time she was missing with her youngest daughter, who is 7. By Steven Ardary, Patrick Phillips and Gray News staff. The station made this change to give its noon and 5 p.m. newscasts a strong lead-in. WAFB Anchor Matt Williams is an anchor for 9News This Morning and Early Edition. Brett Meredith, left, presents the Above & Beyond Award to Donna Britt at the organization's Volunteer Recognition Breakfast. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. Its happening at the Maurice A. Edmond Livestock Arena. Britt first announced her ALS diagnosis to viewersduring a newscast in 2017. I feel so fortunate to be able to find that and to be able to find that at home. Based on the BRPD press conference the other day, it is abundantly obvious that BRPD needs no help looking like fools. Beloved WAFB anchor Donna Britt passes away, Donna Britt's last newscast - June 13, 2018 (end of show farewell), LSU WR Malik Nabers arrested in New Orleans; prosecutors refuse to charge with condition, Health experts, former athletes respond to NCAAs proposal to reduce game time and plays. He was 51. The beloved former WAFB-TV personality died Thursday after a battle with ALS. 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). Jun 1 "That was inappropriate. 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. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom will result in WAFB gaining new sister stations in nearby markets, including CBS/ABC affiliate KNOE-TV in Monroe and NBC/CBS affiliate KALB-TV in Alexandria, in addition to its current Raycom sister stations. You have permission to edit this collection. Those are some big shoes to fill. On March 3, 2008, WAFB became the first in Baton Rouge and the third in Louisiana to broadcast its local broadcasts in high definition. I could completely see an argument erupting over this, someone losing their temper and saying something, resulting in termination. The candidates are, from left to right, Democratic Rep. John Bel Edwards, of Amite, Lt. Gov. She is a terrific reporter. wcpo news anchor fired But a group of folks is already trying to take care of the problem. woman accused of using aunts debit card for 136 DoorDash orders held on preset $18 million bond, WANTED: Officials searching for man accused of exposing himself, ExxonMobil faces racial discrimination lawsuit, Fight involving 9 people on Southerns campus leads to 1 arrest, Kentwood man arrested after months-long drug investigation; drugs, money, and guns seized, Man arrested for allegedly robbing victim at gunpoint in Denham Springs, CRIME STOPPERS: Mans killer, details surrounding his death remain a mystery, Emails show governors Europe trip raised staffing, itinerary questions, Juvenile caught behind wheel of stolen vehicle, officials say, Two arrested for flying drone over chemical plants in St. Charles Parish. I know she was banned from going after BRPD's Chief Murphy Paul. 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. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. "But he was a solid journalist, he loved the news business, and he loved to beat the competition. Asians arent immune from cancel culture. Powell said this week that the folks at WAFB, a Gray Media station, had asked her what it would take to get her to come back to news. Mark Ballard: My wife Donna Britt has ALS. Over the years, she played for thousands of church services as well as hundreds of weddings and funerals. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. 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. [2] It launched as a television counterpart to local radio stations WAFB and WAFB-FM, which both signed on in 1948 and were affiliated with MBS. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. Jay Dardenne, a Republican from Baton Rouge, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, R-Breaux Bridge. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. Updated: Jan 17, 2017 / 07:36 PM CST. "Andre has been a big part of our success story and we're sorry to see him go," WAFB News Director Robb. WAFB was one of a handful of stations that shifts the air times of various CBS programming. Deputies with the Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office are searching for a man accused of making threats via social media to a witness involved in a murder trial. News - WAFB Britt, who was a breast cancer survivor, was involved in multiple charities including ones for ALS, sickle cell disease and cancer, WAFB reported. Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. 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. That means dinner at home every night with her husband and daughter. Beloved WAFB anchor Donna Britt passes away - KPLC Donna passed away. Heres how. 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. Press J to jump to the feed. You could score a free Bojangles biscuit almost every day for a week. One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. 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. She assumed his gender. The Baton Rouge Pipes and Drums played their traditional bagpipe favorites, along with a medley of patriotic songs. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). But educators argue many earn less. 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. 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.