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WFTS-TV Adds Anchor For New Weekend Morning Newscast

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 18, 2009

TAMPA - Ellen McNamara, a traffic and general assignment reporter from Austin, Texas, is coming to Tampa to co-anchor a new weekend morning newscast on WFTS, Channel 28.

While many other television stations are dealing with cutbacks, WFTS' "ABC Action News" is expanding with five hours of weekend coverage beginning April 4.

McNamara, who graduated from Texas Tech University in December 2003 with a political science degree, comes to WFTS from KXAN-TV. She calls Dallas her hometown.

McNamara played for Texas Tech's soccer team for two seasons (2000-01) before deciding to concentrate on school. She started 10 games as a freshman, ending the season tied for second on the team with three assists. Her sophomore year, she was named to the Academic All-Big 12 Conference first team.

She also is the daughter of retired CBS correspondent Bob McNamara, who spent 30 years at the network. Based in Dallas, he reported regularly for the "Evening News," often contributing longer "Eye on America" segments.

At WFTS, she will be teamed with John Thomas, who currently anchors the weekend 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts and reports for weekday newscasts. Thomas has been with WFTS since 1999.

Bill Logan will complete the new team as the meteorologist. Bill has been a reporter, anchor and weather reporter in the Tampa area since 1987.

"This is another indication of our commitment to provide our audiences with more content," said Rich Pegram, vice president and general manager of WFTS. "While many stations are cutting back on their news efforts, we continue to add more resources and coverage of our local communities."

WFTS news director Doug Culver says the weekend newscasts will be paced slower than the weekday morning newscasts, and there will be more focus on area events.

"It is fortunate that our company is expanding, and we're excited about the possibilities," he says. "The Sunday morning edition will incorporate anchor Brendan McLaughlin's 'Flashpoint' public affairs program, which will lead into the ABC political talk shows."

"Flashpoint," which had been a half-hour program, will be cut down to a single segment within the newscast, he said.

On Saturday, the new newscast will air from 6 to 8 a.m., replacing what have been paid infomercials. ABC's "Good Morning America" will follow from 8 to 9, followed an hour of local news from 9 to 10.

On Sunday, the newscast will run from 6 to 7 a.m., followed by "Good Morning America" from 7 to 8 and local news from 8 to 9.

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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