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. Former WAFB reporter Kiran Chawla says her love of investigative reporting and the viewing public sparked her to start her new YouTube channel. 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. Continue reading this story and get ACCESS to all our content from any device with a subscription now. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. Winfield, Mary Irma Cormier-Thomas, Linda Johnson and John Dilworth. 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. It is owned by Gray Television alongside low-power, Class A MyNetworkTV affiliate WBXH-CD (channel 39). DA popular local celebrity. Southern alumnus, Vietnam Vet receives Medal of Honor, Arrests made during investigation of prostitution happening at massage parlors, Attorney General Jeff Landry seeks endorsement from Trump, plans to travel to Florida, Cajun Navy joins search for Nathan Millard, organizes outreach, Deputies: 1 wanted, 3 arrested after video of witness testimony shared on social media, First Free Sundays return to LSU Center for River Studies, La. All rights reserved. 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. 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. Those are some big shoes to fill. WCCO has addresed the situation both during newscasts and online, with a statement saying: "WCCO-TV anchor/reporter Liz Collin is married to Bob Kroll. WAFB's weekday morning news is repeated on that station. 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. The extra pandemic food stamps have officially stopped. 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. 'Unmasking ALS' -- At the ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter's Black & White Gala Bal Masqu Unmasking ALS Together are Iron Horse Award winner Donna Britt, center, with board member Flynn Foster, left, and Dr. Jyoti Pham. Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th The beloved former WAFB-TV personality died Thursday after a battle with ALS. In all, the 10-day excursion cost the public approximately $100,400 to cover 14 government officials travel, according to financial documents. 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. 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. So, I think both of the major TV stations have benefited from John Mahaffey having been there.". 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. Good dudes, but definitely not journalists. Her husband, Mark Ballard, serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate newspaper. He was 77 years old. This includes two newscasts on sister station WBXH-CD (weeknights at 9, which began on January 8, 2007, and Saturday mornings). BATON ROUGE, La. 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. When they told her they could make that happen, she asked her husband: Do I really want to go back?. She is the service journalism editor and writes about TV and local media for The N&Os Happiness is a Warm TV blog. Photo shot on 3/17/2003. "And so much of your legacy at Channel 9 was based on what Mahaffey brought and what Mahaffey built. 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. Shown are, from left, Jeremiah Anthony Rogers, Teresa Bruno, Bea Gyimah, Britt and . He was born in Tulsa, OK, grew up all over the country, and moved to Baton Rouge in July 2003. The WBXH broadcasts were included in the upgrade. The combined company will be in every Louisiana market except for Lafayette as a result. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. 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. 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. One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. A lot of people dont get the opportunity to work part-time anchoring, she said. Jun 8. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is seeking to get an endorsement from former President Donald Trump. According to the station, Powell will co-anchor the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts there starting Aug. 9. 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. Her contract wasnt renewed per someone I know who knows someone else who knows her. WAFB's Donna Britt writes a thank you letter to a viewer before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. 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. All rights reserved. Media departures are always strange. Over the years, she played for thousands of church services as well as hundreds of weddings and funerals. She also didnt want any cameras anywhere near her altogether. and Hibernia National Bank. 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. She did different themes highlighting different kinds of books. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, her former employer said Thursday. 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. A Denham Springs animal fostering program, Rescue Rehome Repeat, needs volunteers to take in local dogs. What to know about daylight saving time in NC, Goofy dog had no adoption inquiries for months. 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. The station has always been a CBS affiliate but carried some NBC programming until WBRZ-TV signed on in 1955. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. A familiar landscape in Central Louisiana left devastated by Category 4 Hurricane Laura is given new life in the upcoming film 65 thanks to Sony Pictures. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. The Southern University AgCenter is hosting its 80th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show March 2-4. The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested the mother of a child who officials say died of a drug overdose. A breast cancer survivor, she was also very active with breast cancer fundraisers. Fruit plant? 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. 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. Detectives with the Baton Rouge Police Department are still searching for answers regarding a man who was found dead last year. 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. If theyre looking for a woman to replace her they can give her spot to Jim Engster. The People's Court also once aired on WAFB before going to WBRZ and later WGMB. Brooke Cain is a North Carolina native who has worked at The News & Observer for more than 25 years. Authorities arrested the stationmaster at the trains last stop, in the city of Larissa. her last tweet regarding the guy crashing his car into target in hammond, The guy who ran his car through the Hammond Target. Donna rode in countless parades across South Louisiana. Probably stumbled on something they wanted to keep quiet. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. Through two gracious campaigns from his show, Buckskin Bill helped to start the Baton Rouge Zoo. Identifed below by MAIDEN NAMES. Average NC teacher pay is nearly $58,000, state says. Mahaffey paid to get his car fixed and, when it broke again, he bought him a new car,"Hodge recalled. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. College football is exploring a new clock operating rule that could significantly impact games next season. That means dinner at home every night with her husband and daughter. Merriweather has inexplicably become a cheerleader and Scotty is just an affable news reader. 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. Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING. WAFB's Donna Britt, a breast cancer survivor, has been a fervent supporter of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Multiple people have been arrested following an investigation into prostitution happened at Baton Rouge area massage parlors. 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, 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. WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi moved to channel 7 to accommodate this switch. 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. 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. 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. Whether in a nearby gas station or your local smoke shop, youve likely seen kratom on the shelves of one store or another. In 1997, AFLAC sold its entire broadcasting division, including WAFB, to Raycom Media. CBS affiliate after eight years. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. My whole family is very excited. He was 51. Picture shot on 3-13-01. 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. 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"). Pretty well known that Mayor Broome and the police chief hated her since she was the only reporter in Baton Rouge whod call them out on things. 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. 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. The event is an American Cancer Society, Relay for Life fundraiser. seems like she was on the same side as most. You could score a free Bojangles biscuit almost every day for a week. She is joined by colleagues Kiran Chawla, center, and Greg Meriwether. 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. Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. 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. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. 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. STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON George and. PRAL awards At the Baton Rouge Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Louisianas annual awards ceremony April 27 at the Watermark Hotel are, from left, First Circle Award recipient Jinx Broussard, Communicator of the Year Donna Britt, chapter President Delia Taylor, Practitioner of the Year Cheryl Michelet and Member of the Year Avery Davidson. Live with Regis and Kelly and The Oprah Winfrey Show were seen until the late 1990s. 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. 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. WAFB's Leah Ellsworth, left, helps anchor Donna Britt with her makeup as camera operator Willie Jackson readies her earpiece before the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt prepares to sign off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Community is key: How one ice cream parlor in Cary aims to be inclusive. Top row, left to right: Stephanie LaBlanc, Cherrie Bell, Judy Hignight, Tammy Norton, Lynet Lewis, Gloria Sylvia, Hillary Holmes, Susan Ford, Beverly Lemley. "He not only had the camera-ready looks including a million-dollar smile, but he was a born story-teller. He died late Thursday following surgery for a blood clot. He called her in for an interview and hired her right away. 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. She also sponsored a no-holds-barred ice cream sundae party every month to the class who read the most library books. 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. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. Renee Kozak is the Relay for Life Volunteer Coordinator of the annual fundraiser. 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.' PROVIDED PHOTO "I'm moving on," Kiran Chawla said. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The fourth candidate, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, did not participate. It was a gross departure from procedure. What are we talking here? (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. She is survived by her husband, Mark Ballard, in addition to her daughter, Annie, and son, Louie, the outlet reported. Gates started his career at WAFB-TV in March 1977 . A write-up slip from elementary school showed she called a fellow 2nd grader poo-poo face. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. Asians arent immune from cancel culture. Parkview Baptist School lived streamed the Massing of the Colors Ceremony and it can be viewed at http://ow.ly/2bwdsa. 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. Id like to share some personal news with you tonight, Donna said. Powell, who worked at WTVD for nearly 17 years before leaving last month, said in the WAFB. 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. Owned by Branson Visitors TV; Gray holds a 50.1% interest in this company. 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. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases. But besides that,he was a really fine human being.". He was worried about how he'd get his car fixed. Her mother trained for a ministry in church music. 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. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. A friend who had not heard from Roger since Friday checked on him about 9:30. Former WBRZ News. July 29, 2021 5:45 AM. I worked at NBC33 (yes that 33), and live in Houston now. Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. In total, the station's news department produces 25 hours of news programming each week. The show had a way of educating young children while making it fun to learn. Authorities say the individual could have information about the incident. Submitted by SVCINC COL Clay C. Le Grande, Jr., USA (Ret) Baton Rouge, LA 70817-3432 H - (225) 752-9780 c.legrande@cox.net. The unit is performing for the first time in its new LSU historical cadet uniforms. BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey has died. Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after battle with ALS. On March 3, 2008, WAFB became the first in Baton Rouge and the third in Louisiana to broadcast its local broadcasts in high definition. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". Updated: Jan. 22, 2021 at 3:35 AM PST. 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. According to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. I know she was banned from going after BRPD's Chief Murphy Paul. It originally aired a digital signal on UHF channel 46 from a transmitter at its studios. I have ALS, Lou Gherigs disease. 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. Copyright 2016 WAFB. Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with, "WAFB Official Says NBR to get Super Service from Station," North Baton Rouge Journal, April 29, 1948, Page 1. [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. WAFB anchor Donna Britt interviewed some writers and editorial staff members at The Red Shoes. Perfectly Pink -- Celebrating breast cancer survivors at the Susan G. Komen Perfectly Pink Luncheon for Life are, seated, honoree Donna Britt, and, standing from left, Executive Director Angela Miller, Dr. Abenaa Brewster, Elizabeth Vowell, Jay Grymes, Holly Clegg and Blake Tolbird.
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