All rights reserved. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. She is survived by her husband, Mark Ballard, in addition to her daughter, Annie, and son, Louie, the outlet reported. Live with Regis and Kelly and The Oprah Winfrey Show were seen until the late 1990s. 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. Donna rode in countless parades across South Louisiana. Good dudes, but definitely not journalists. Donna Britt speaks to the crowd after receiving the Golden Deeds Award Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018, at the Baton Rouge Marriott. and Hibernia National Bank. She is a terrific reporter. 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. Get access to more than a decade of story archives. Thats nothing controversial in the least. Women of Distinction -- At the Girl Scouts Louisiana East Women of Distinction luncheon are, from left, CEO Jacqueline Alexander; honorees Julie LeBlanc, Dr. Rebekah Gee, Donna Britt (seated) and Betsy Stoner; and board chairwoman Joan Molllohan. George Sells, third from left, with former newsdesk anchors Andr Moreau and Mike Graham on hand for Donna Britt's final newscast. Vernon Roger dead at 51 - Google Groups Donna Britt, beloved WAFB news anchor and 'a rare breed,' dies after battle with ALS. 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. Renee Kozak is the Relay for Life Volunteer Coordinator of the annual fundraiser. Merriweather has inexplicably become a cheerleader and Scotty is just an affable news reader. On September 12, 2011, WAFB became the first station in the market (and, to date, the only station) to begin its morning newscasts at 4:30a.m. instead of 5 a.m. On March 26, 2020, WAFB became the second station in the Baton Rouge market to launch a 4 p.m. newscast in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and on August 3, 2020, WAFB became the first station in Baton Rouge to expand its 6 p.m. newscast to a full hour.[11]. One of Donnas biggest passions while at WAFB was her ten years as a volunteer at Progress Elementary School where she referred to herself as the schools library elf. Every month, she decorated the schools library with giant cardboard decorations she painted at home. She commended the group on their publication of two issues of a race and ethnic studies journal titled 'America the Beautiful In Spite of It All.' On March 3, 2008, WAFB became the first in Baton Rouge and the third in Louisiana to broadcast its local broadcasts in high definition. BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey has died. The WBXH broadcasts were included in the upgrade. In the recent ratings period, it beat the others stations' combined weeknights at 5, 6, and 10. Longtime WAFB weathercaster Diane Deaton is retiring after 37 years "John Mahaffey was the consummate news anchor," addedLawhon. 93 News Anchors in Baton Rouge, LA Directory - Trustoria Photos: Congrats to 2018 Golden Deeds award recipient, Donna Britt! According to the station, Powell will co-anchor the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts there starting Aug. 9. Bond has been set for a St. Gabriel police officer who was arrested in connection with the murder of a Denham Springs man that happened overnight, officials said. Its a multimillion-dollar project that has been met with more delays than promises. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. VIPS pins -- At Volunteers in Public Schools pinning ceremony are, from left, Executive Director Judy Bethley, emcee Donna Britt and VIPS Reading Friends Sharee Harris and Marc Goldstein. Jay Dardenne, a Republican from Baton Rouge, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle, R-Breaux Bridge. Longtime WAFB news anchor Donna Britt passes away after battle with ALS Get access to our searchable data center of TOP LISTS. From left, Dot Thibodeaux, Cynthia Whitaker, master of ceremonies Donna Britt and Constance Walker attend the 21st annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference. All rights reserved. There were several characters that were regulars on the show including "Seor Puppet" (a marionette voiced by Sid Crocker) and "Whatsyourname" (another puppet voiced by Mary Hillen). My whole family is very excited. Before an audience of 650 students and members of the public, twenty (20) Color Guard units paraded in and lined the gym with the US Flag and their unit colors to an inspiring march played by the Parkview HS Band. Photo by Carol Anne Blitzer. Made me chuckle every time. Submitted by SVCINC COL Clay C. Le Grande, Jr., USA (Ret) Baton Rouge, LA 70817-3432 H - (225) 752-9780 c.legrande@cox.net. Shes probably just going to another network or something, it's not like that's a direct quote from the news station or anything, Looks like she got cancelled for forgetting to use the #Defundthepolice hashtag. 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. Donna Britt, Herb Vincent among this year's Manship School Hall of Fame inductees. She told them it would have to be a part-time job that would allow her to finish working on her Leadership and Communications Masters of Science degree at Purdue University, and also give her time with her family. "He was a steady hand and a steady voice,"Hodge said Friday. Donna passed away. Advocate staff photo by TRAVIS SPRADLING. A study revealed that those who spent more time with their dogs experienced a 300% increase in oxytocin levels. Longtime Baton Rouge news anchor John Mahaffey passes away, LSU WR Malik Nabers arrested in New Orleans; prosecutors refuse to charge with condition. Andre Moreau parts ways with WAFB after eight years While I was at 332016 to 2018and it was widely known that Sharon Weston Broome would only give WBRZ the time of day. Even in cordial departures, they don't announce it and one day the reporter will just be gone and appear at a new station. Honestly, I didnt think this was possible, Powell said. The cash-and-stock merger transaction valued at $3.6 billion in which Gray shareholders would acquire preferred stock currently held by Raycom will result in WAFB gaining new sister stations in nearby markets, including CBS/ABC affiliate KNOE-TV in Monroe and NBC/CBS affiliate KALB-TV in Alexandria, in addition to its current Raycom sister stations. 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. transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts, https://www.linkedin.com/company/wafb-tv/, "GRAY AND RAYCOM TO COMBINE IN A $3.6 BILLION TRANSACTION", "Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping.. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. You have permission to edit this collection. WAFB also airs the Sunday services from the First United Methodist Church in the city. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. Remembering Donna Britt: Look through pictures of her time at WAFB, volunteer work and more. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. Like house plant? 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. 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. Donna passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. 6,529 talking about this. Had to be about the Hammond stuff, that was the last thing she covered. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. Im sure her employer hasnt been thrilled with her dating partner being a news topic on multiple occasions in the past few years. "At one point in time, there was a meteorologist who made a low salary and his car broke. Over the years, she played for thousands of church services as well as hundreds of weddings and funerals. 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? Louisiana State Police Major Doug Cain, left, presents longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt with the Superintendent's Award for Excellence as she 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. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! The station began broadcasting on April 19, 1953, as the first television station in Baton Rouge, and the second television station in the state of Louisiana. 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. Photo 2 - Ms Donna Britt, WAFB 9 News Anchor, the MOC guest speaker, is greeted prior to the program by LTG Middleton Chapter Vice Commander, LTC Reginald Brown, USA Retired. The fourth candidate, U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, did not participate. After years of your input and suggestions, BREC is putting your vision into your parks. So, now I know whats been paralyzing muscles all over my body all these months and shows no signs of stopping, she said. Her contract wasnt renewed per someone I know who knows someone else who knows her. The Southern University AgCenter is hosting its 80th Annual State Livestock and Poultry Show March 2-4. She is a good journalist and if WAFB fired her, they let one get away and one of their competitors will scoop her up quickly. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. 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. Law enforcement leaders and community organizations gathered for the Page/Rice Camera Initiative, unveiling one of the new crime cameras in north Baton Rouge. What to Watch Friday: Dateline and 20/20 update Murdaugh murder trial coverage, $3B superstar region project planned for Apex after years-long delay, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife, son in June 2021. Mahaffey paid to get his car fixed and, when it broke again, he bought him a new car,"Hodge recalled. WCCO has addresed the situation both during newscasts and online, with a statement saying: "WCCO-TV anchor/reporter Liz Collin is married to Bob Kroll. Photo shot on 3/7/2009. Kiran Chawla gone from WAFB? | O-T Lounge - TigerDroppings I know she was banned from going after BRPD's Chief Murphy Paul. 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. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. By Steven Ardary, Patrick Phillips and Gray News staff. In addition, the new owners cancelled the station's beloved 33-year-old half-hour local weekday program Storyland, then the longest-running children's program, hosted by Buckskin Bill Black, and rechristened it as Buckskin and Friends, an hour-long show that aired on Saturday mornings until it was cancelled in September 1990. 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. Whether in a nearby gas station or your local smoke shop, youve likely seen kratom on the shelves of one store or another.