TV Q&A: Why are so many TV reporters leaving Pittsburgh?

Q: Another person leaving WPXI-TV with the departure of Michele Newell. What’s going on at that station in recent times?

— Gary via Facebook

Rob: Newell left Channel 11 and her hometown of Pittsburgh for a reporter position in the larger Atlanta TV market at a station that’s part of the same ownership group as Channel 11.

There has definitely been more movement of long-time anchors over the past year with the retirements of Peggy Finnegan at WPXI-TV and Stacy Smith at KDKA-TV. That is unusual in the Pittsburgh market, where weekday anchor stability is common.

But reporters and weekend anchors have always come and gone at Pittsburgh TV stations. Still, I do think if you look at the most recent 10 years compared to the prior 10 years, there’s more coming and going more recently for several reasons: an aging newsroom population and more retirements from reporting jobs in the most recent 10 years; Pittsburgh becoming more of a stepping stone market than a destination as younger, less seasoned reporters get hired at local stations.

Additionally, Pittsburgh TV stations used to hire mid-career reporters (think: Bob Allen, Paul Van Osdol, Bob Mayo, Jon Greiner), folks who might be at a point where they want to put down roots. When was the last time that happened? Now, most of the reporters hired are twentysomethings with little experience (because they are cheaper than mid-career reporters) who may see Pittsburgh as a pit stop on the way to a larger TV market.

Q: Does anyone at WPXI realize that the N in PCNC stands for NEWS?

You would think that election night would be important enough to do live reporting, analysis and results crawls. But at 9 p.m. PCNC was running an earlier newscast, with mayoral candidate interviews from the afternoon. At 10 p.m., they showed an episode of “Forensic Files” that first aired 25 years ago even though the WPXI 10 p.m. news was preempted by the World Series.

The election this year was historic for both the city (mayor) and county (10 new judges), yet PCNC gave used an old newscast and older filler. Pretty sad.

— Fred, Pittsburgh

Rob: Perhaps with Comcast dropping PCNC, the channel has become less of a priority for Channel 11 executives. I sent Fred’s query to WPXI general manager Kevin Hayes and news director Scott Trabandt but received no response.

My understanding is the 10 p.m. newscast aired on WPNT-TV due to baseball coverage on WPGH-TV where the WPXI-produced newscast usually airs.

PCNC’s “NightTalk” did devote its episodes the week of Nov. 1 to the election, but that 8 p.m. air time means “Night Talk” has come and gone before many (if any) results roll in on election night.

Q: Why is KDKA’s Pam Surano reporting from home?

— Carole via Facebook

Rob: I figured this was another covid quarantine precaution. What are the odds there would be two KDKA-TV reporters with broken bones at the same time?

Welp.

“I broke my ankle and two bones in my leg!” Surano explained when I inquired after Carole’s query. “I was with [my daughter] Mary when it happened and the paramedics were so great and made sure Mary traveled with me. I’m definitely on the upswing now (it happened in July) as far as the recovery cycle goes. But it’s a longer recovery. and has made me even more appreciative of every small thing, if that’s possible considering! KDKA once again was so supportive and compassionate! It’s been a chance to get stronger physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Surano said she hopes to return to work in person in December. Meanwhile, her daughter, Mary, who suffered an injury and was paralyzed last year, continues her recovery. Mary is now crawling forward and backward and Surano said Mary has “abdomen recovery,” a positive sign for a potential return to walking in the future. Mary also returned to school full-time and in-person.

Q: KDKA-TV meteorologist Mary Ours reports the weather from home off and on. How come?

— Nancy via Facebook

Rob: My understanding is Ours sometimes works from home if she has to work a Saturday night shift until 11:30 p.m. and then be up at 3 a.m. for the Sunday morning newscast.