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Anchor Holloway Leaving Bay News 9

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Bay News 9 anchor Jen Holloway and WFLA-TV meteorologist Steve Jerve model the latest fashions during the 22nd Annual Star Power Fashion Show in April in St. Petersburg.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

TAMPA - Weekday morning news anchor Jen Holloway is leaving Bay News 9 to chase down a new career as an inventor and possibly a cable television show host, officials said.

Holloway, 37, who started as a traffic reporter at the all-news station more than a decade ago, has been a staple on the cable station's morning newscast.

Recently, she had developed an exercise machine that will be featured this weekend on the PBS inventors show "Everyday Edisons," according to her Web site.

Holloway told WSUN, 97.1 FM, this morning that she will remain with Bay News 9 until the end of the year. She is also negotiating with Bright House Communications, the cable company that owns Bay News 9, about a a new locally aired show.

Elliott Wiser, vice president of news and local programming with Bright House Networks, said Holloway wanted to retire, that she was tired of anchoring from 5 a.m. to noon and wanted her career to take a new direction.

"She was one of the originals who joined this station when it started in '97," Wiser said. "I'm the one who hired her. I'm the one who found her tape."

He said she is very popular among the audience and among the staff members there.

Details of what Holloway will be do for Bright House after she calls it quits at the end of the year remain unclear, he said.

"It's still in negotiations," Wiser said.

Holloway will be replaced by Erica Riggins, the station's weekend morning anchor. Riggins has been with Bay News 9 for two years, Wiser said.

"You are always sad to see someone like that go," Wiser said, referring to Holloway. "Jen has been someone special for the station."

In her radio interview, Holloway said: "I also will love sleeping in the morning and having a normal life."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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