Media Frenzy

By Rob Holbert Managing Editor

Change continues to be the constant at WPMI-TV as News Director Joe Raia resigned May 4 in the wake of the replacement of several of the station’s key anchors.

Raia, who has led the newsroom for the past eight years, offered his resignation to General Manager Bob Franklin Friday, although insiders say the Raia’s departure was quite sudden.

“During Joe’s tenure, he has worked to position NBC15 News as competitor in the market and I know you join with me in wishing him all the best for the future,” Franklin wrote in a letter to WPMI staff Friday.

Franklin named Assistant News Director John Schamber as acting news director until a replacement is found.

Raia has worked in Los Angeles and Atlanta and came to WPMI after a stint as the assistant news director in Chattanooga. He grew up in St. Louis. WPMI insiders said Raia’s immediate plans are unknown.

“He was great to work for. I thought he did a tremendous job and helped the station be competitive in the market,” said former anchor Peter Albrecht. “I don’t think he had a hand in the changes they’ve made lately.”

Raia’s resignation is the latest in a tumultuous series of events at the NBC affiliate. In early March, Franklin abruptly fired the station’s three evening anchors, who have since been replaced by three newcomers from other markets. Franklin cited low ratings for the move.

The news set has also been completely redesigned and the station was sold in late April to Providence Equity Partners as part of Clear Channel’s efforts to divest of its television stations. Chief meteorologist David Glenn also left late last year, and morning anchor Sandra Shaw recently left as well.

Calls to both Franklin and Raia for this story were not returned prior to dealine.

New WPMI Morning Anchor

Speaking of changes at WPMI, new morning and noon anchor Kym Thurman started recently, taking on some of the duties Shaw had previously.

Thurman now anchors NBC15 Today with co-host Scott Walker, as well as the station’s noon broadcast. He also serves as the medical reporter.

Thurman has 15 years of experience as a journalist and came to Mobile from WHNT in Huntsville, where she worked for 11 years. She served as an anchor and medical reporter there.

A graduate of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Thurman’s husband Kyle is a Mobile native and graduate of Vigor High School. They have three children.

AP Award wins

Bob Grip’s steady style was recognized recently, and a beer-retrieving dog helped another local broadcaster hit pay dirt as the Alabama AP Broadcasters Awards were announced recently.

Grip, WALA TV-10’s evening anchor was given the “Best News Anchor” award for his work on the Fox affiliate’s news programs. WALA received five awards overall, making it the most decorated station in the Class A Large Market category, which includes Birmingham and Mobile.

“Anytime you are recognized by your peers, it’s a distinct honor,” said WALA General Manager Matt Pumo in a press release. “We are extremely proud of the quality product our news department puts out on a daily basis.”

FOX10 also won first place in Best Documentary category for “Hell and High Water,” which looked back at the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ivan ripping Pensacola and Gulf Shores. The documentary was produced by Kip Raley and Al Tuggle was the principal videographer and editor. Chief Meteorologist John Edd Thompson hosted.

WALA News Reporter Adam Walser’s investigative pieces on doctors, the Olin Chemical plant and former Orange Beach Mayor Steve Russo garnered him an award for Best Specialized Reporter.

WALA’s John Pate won the Stan Tarilton Best Photographer award, and Pate, Edwin Goode, Franz Barraza and Rob Lehocky all received the Victor Irving Best Staff Photography award.

WPMI reporter Bruce Mildwurf was recognized as the Best Reporter in Class A, winning for his stories “Baby Christian,” “Convicted Contractors” and “Operations Control Center.”

Fellow WPMIers Darwin Singleton and Mike Corry also took home an AP award, winning for their piece “Beer Retrieving Dog.” The piece was judged Best Feature Story.

WKRG was shut out of the individual awards this year, but did win an AP News Cooperation Award.

The AP Awards ceremony took place on April 21st in Birmingham.

Rob Holbert is Lagniappe managing editor. Contact him at rholbert@lagniappemobile.com.

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