A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, her former employer said Thursday. Disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh received two consecutive life sentences Friday morning. 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. Owned by Branson Visitors TV; Gray holds a 50.1% interest in this company. 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. Royal Street owned the station until 1964, when it sold the station to locally based Guaranty Corporation. She is survived by her husband, Mark Ballard, in addition to her daughter, Annie, and son, Louie, the outlet reported. 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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 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. STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON George and. According to the lawsuit filed by the U.S. WAFB anchor Donna Britt interviewed some writers and editorial staff members at The Red Shoes. The beloved former WAFB-TV personality died Thursday after a battle with ALS. Louisiana State Senate Communications Director Brenda Hodge co-anchored WAFB's 6 p.m. with Mahaffey for several years beginning in 1976. 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. 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. The station aired the syndicated version of Family Feud hosted by Steve Harvey until 2020 and aired the versions hosted by Louie Anderson, Richard Karn, and John O'Hurley, with the exception of Karn's first season, which aired on KZUP-CD, and Harvey's second through fifth seasons, which aired on WVLA. 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. Tisha Powell's new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didn't think was possible. You could score a free Bojangles biscuit almost every day for a week. 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. 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. [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. (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. 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. 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. 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 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. Keyword Holiday Fair, Advocate staff photo by Kerry Maloney. The WBXH broadcasts were included in the upgrade. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. [9] However, on September 9, 2019, WAFB resumed airing TPIR and Y&R at their respective network-recommended times of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.[10] The station aired Jeopardy! Photograph by Carol Anne Blitzer Picture shot on 4-26-99 Kitchen 19 Mark Ballard, Donna Britt and Annie Ballard Keyword Food. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. So, I think both of the major TV stations have benefited from John Mahaffey having been there.". The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office is searching for a man who reportedly exposed himself to a woman. I also saw Kevin Gallagher fanning flames on Twitter. There you go. Former WBRZ News. 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. Submitted: Annie Fugler 225 802-6454 anniefugler@aol.com, 1978 LSU Flag Line -- listed by MAIDEN NAMES. Top row, left to right: Stephanie LaBlanc, Cherrie Bell, Judy Hignight, Tammy Norton, Lynet Lewis, Gloria Sylvia, Hillary Holmes, Susan Ford, Beverly Lemley. Former WAFB-TV news anchor George Sells is keeping busy in retirement, producing video obituaries and lending his distinctive voice to various projects. Like house plant? Oprah moved to WBRZ but since then aired on WVLA until the show ended its run in 2011. She also didnt want any cameras anywhere near her altogether. Powell, who worked at WTVD for nearly 17 years before leaving last month, said in the WAFB. Patio music was provided by Mike Fontenot. Two games many adults can remember Buckskin playing were called "Hully Gully" which helped to teach counting numbers and the "Monday Morning March". If they are not WAFB viewers now, they will be.. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. 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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I have ALS, Lou Gherigs disease. She started at WAFB in 1980 as a news reporter. In total, the station's news department produces 25 hours of news programming each week. Never be too sure. 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. 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. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. "He not only had the camera-ready looks including a million-dollar smile, but he was a born story-teller. 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. When they told her they could make that happen, she asked her husband: Do I really want to go back?. We've received your submission. Pets may be the ones who impact people the most. Pennington Biomedical Research Center is hosting a wellness day for women on March 4th from 7:00am through 1:00pm. Power of 9 -- Veteran WAFB news anchor Donna Britt receives a bouquet of flowers from Capital Area United Way CEO George Bell, left, and Capital One Baton Rouge President David Mullens for her dedication to the Power of 9 initiative. 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? A Denham Springs animal fostering program, Rescue Rehome Repeat, needs volunteers to take in local dogs. 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. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. She is joined by colleagues Kiran Chawla, center, and Greg Meriwether. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. Copyright @2023 TigerDroppings.com. 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. Donna Britt, Herb Vincent among this year's Manship School Hall of Fame inductees. It's not standard. Shown are, from left, Jeremiah Anthony Rogers, Teresa Bruno, Bea Gyimah, Britt and . 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. WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi moved to channel 7 to accommodate this switch. "At one point in time, there was a meteorologist who made a low salary and his car broke. You have permission to edit this collection. Copyright 2016 WAFB. Attached is a group shot of the 1980 LSU Flag Line. Jun 1 "That was inappropriate. 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. The kids were told they could use the 20 or more toppings for their ice cream in an allyou-can-eat buffet. 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. When longtime WAFB-TV weathercaster Diane Deaton first began in the news business, the role of weather reporter hadn't really been defined yet. 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. 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. 6,529 talking about this. WAFB's Donna Britt, left, speaks with colleague Greg Meriwether before the start of the 6pm newscast, Wednesday, June 6, 2018. July 29, 2021 5:45 AM. 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. Squires of Denham Springs donated the formal wear and Good Times Event Planning coordinated. But educators argue many earn less. It was a gross departure from procedure. The Southern University AgCenter is hosting its 80th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show March 2-4. Get access to our searchable data center of TOP LISTS. Tisha Powells new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didnt think was possible. Under new ownership, the station underwent many changes. The station made this change to give its noon and 5 p.m. newscasts a strong lead-in. 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. ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. AT a luncheon marking National Girl Scout Week are, from left, Colette Dean, Donna Britt, Marilyn Zimmerman and Nell McAnelly. Donna Britt, third from left, has always been a supporter of community events, like the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. She was born while her parents were in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth Texas. I was a little apprehensive at first because I got my mind wrapped around coming back here and just finishing school and decompressing and going in a different direction, Powell said. Regis and Kelly (now Live with Kelly and Ryan) continues to air on WBRZ. Press J to jump to the feed. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. Donnas husband, Mark Ballard, says her family was by her side as she passed away peacefully Thursday morning. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. During that time, she spent 8 hours every week in December those 17 years manning a Christmas kettle. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. Jay Dardenne, a Republican from Baton Rouge, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, R-Breaux Bridge. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. Jun 8. Neither Moreau nor station executives will discuss what led to th 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. Now, she's battling ALS. He was 77 years old. WAFB also airs the Sunday services from the First United Methodist Church in the city. Keyword Fashion Clothing Association Communications. Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING. 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. i mean, no way it was a race thing. 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. Her contract wasnt renewed per someone I know who knows someone else who knows her. The fight happened in front of Camille Shade Hall on Southerns campus, jail records show. Hey! 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. For those who dont know, Delta-8 is a form of cannabis different from marijuana that contains a higher concentration of THC. Multiple people have been arrested following an investigation into prostitution happened at Baton Rouge area massage parlors. While I was at 332016 to 2018and it was widely known that Sharon Weston Broome would only give WBRZ the time of day. 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. "Andre has been a big part of our success story and we're sorry to see him go," WAFB News Director Robb. 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. Every year in the United States, about 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease. One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. wcpo news anchor fireditalian ithaca restaurants. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. WAFB was one of a handful of stations that shifts the air times of various CBS programming. During this campaign, he asked children to bring in their pennies to buy an elephant. Investigators say Maili Morris made 136 purchases using her 73-year-old aunts debit card, which she had linked to her personal DoorDash account. Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. Visiting at the Baton Rouge Pan-Hellenic Council's annual banquet Aug. 9 are, from left, Co-Chairwomen Twana Malveaux and Geraldine Simms, Distinguished Citizenship Award recipient Donna Britt, Distinguished Service Award recipient Elmer Roy Burris and council President Mary Alice Darby. The penny campaign was successful enough to purchase two. 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 . Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. Those relatives she moved back to Louisiana to be near can now watch her on TV. 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. Carys biggest bookstore turns the page. Over the years, she played for thousands of church services as well as hundreds of weddings and funerals. She physically trained on an elliptical machine for two months, morning and evening, to build her stamina for the grueling push. The Baton Rouge Police Department has arrested the mother of a child who officials say died of a drug overdose. 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. I feel so fortunate to be able to find that and to be able to find that at home. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. Her two children include her daughter Annie and son Louis. 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. 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. CBS affiliate after eight years. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. what role does individualism play in american society. 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 began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Photo shot on 3/7/2009. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. It's made worse by other officers standing by. 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. He was 77 years old. 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. After years of waiting, North Carolinas hospitals celebrate Medicaid expansion deal, 16-year-old Raleigh teen charged with murder in Robeson County killing. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases.