Well-deserved. His belief in me meant the world and gave me the confidence to accomplish my goals. As an elementary student, he recalled walking to school with his brothers and sisters through a dairy field where Park Central mall now sits. Bill died in 2010 after a battle with cancer. After the first awkward moments, he warmed to his role like a veteran and turned in a capital performance. Its a belief he says he learned from his father. Debruhl now covers Barrett Jackson car auctions and IndyCar. For the series which was a partnership with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) Dana profiled children in the foster system, bringing attention to their plight and to adoption in general. Kent Dana started working at KSAZ, now Fox 10, for Bill Close, the dean of broadcasters in those days, Dana said in a 2019 profile in The Arizona Republic. That 12-year-old boy would grow up to be the most recognizable face in Phoenix television news history. The latest in the NBA from the Wizards getting the win in Atlanta to Bucks beating the Nets in Jersey. The police found Christopher's body at his Scout Trace residence in Hoover, Ala., after receiving a phone call at around 8:13 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Renowned news anchor Kent Dana passed away on April 19 at the age of 80. Climate Change | What's up with this wild weather? Not so withFoglesong, who stepped away from the news desk in 1993 at her own accord. Theres a reason he was the most beloved anchor of his time, Lin Sue Flood, who worked with Dana at 12 News, said. Those who worked with him echoed the sentiment that Dana was approachable and friendly. Published: 11:07 AM MST February 28, 2023. Dont miss your favorite local newscast, weather and more. in the '70s and '80s, received similar criticism during her run. Bill Denney died in 2000, following a cancer surgery. Kent was anything but. The first news director for Channel 12 (back in the days when it was KTAR-TV), Thompson is an unquestioned pioneer in the Phoenix TV industry. But it was intellectual and hysterical and sarcastic without ever having a streak of superiority or meanness.. WATCH LIVE: 12 News (KPNX-TV) in Arizona. He developed an infection after breaking his hip in January, according to his son Joe, and his condition deteriorated after several weeks in the hospital. Dewey Hopper was a weather forecaster for 12 News. Channel 12 anchor Vanessa Ruiz created a stir on social media a couple of years agofor saying words such as Mesa and Casa Grande the way a native Spanish speaker would pronounce them. Listen, folks, some very difficult decisions had to be made last week for our list of the 10 hottest TV news women in Phoenix. Initially a sportscaster, Curtis moved to the anchor desk during his second run at Channel 12, and has proved to be a solid, stabilizing presence, always pairing well with different partners (a task not as easy as it looks). "For my dad it was just amusing that people saw him in that light," Joe Dana said. 12 News (KPNX-TV, NBC) Jan 2021 - Present2 years 2 months Phoenix, Arizona, United States Bilingual Multimedia Journalist NBCUniversal Media, LLC Apr 2018 - Jan 20212 years 10 months Greater. Most importantly, Dana has the kind of warm personality that makesviewers feel like he is a friend, even if they've never met him face to face. She was a constantly engaging presence, and not afraid to show her emotions. He died at age 91 in 2013. That dream was to work at a national network, a dream McLaughlin achieved when he became theweekday chief meteorologist for MSNBC and Sunday meteorologist on NBCs Weekend Today in 2004. He added, Its time to start doing what is best for me, without worrying what a select few people think about it. . He earned renown for breaking a news story about a meeting between former U.S. President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in June 2016, at the height of the Hillary Clinton email controversy. All rights reserved. Dana, one of the most popular anchors in Phoenix news history, was 80. Ryan Cody has left 12 News in Phoenix, announcing his exit in a tweet that mentions "professional toxicity" and mental healing. But Linda Alvarez, who filled the anchor chair at Channel 12 (coincidence?) "All of us who had the pleasure of working with him, and calling him our friend, are shocked and devastated by the news of his passing. "What's bizarre to me is I'll be out in public and I'll need to shave, I'll have a horrible shirt on, I'll look awful, and someone will say, 'I know that guy.' Offers may be subject to change without notice. In-depth coverage of the Valleys real estate market and whats being built and redeveloped in your city. Arizona Republicans disavow wide-ranging bribery allegation Many Arizonans at risk of losing Medicaid coverage soon 20-year-old shot to death at Circle K in Peoria Pearl Harbor survivor,. He was hilarious, he was warm and would give you the shirt off his back, Shumway said. But he calmly sat me down and asked me, Did you learn your lesson? I said yes. Sign moved from Alabama to Arizona in 2005 and spent 13 years working in the Valley of the Sun where he won numerous awards including an Edward R. Murrow Award for spot news and an Emmy for breaking news coverage onthe search for the 'Baseline Killer' and 'Serial Shooter,' according to a bio from ABC 33/40. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Being a news anchor is a job that requires a certain set of skills combined with a whole other set of talents: Can you report the news? Discussing the day's top sports stories from Lebron James injury and the impact on the Lakers' season to the new MLB pitch clock already controversial. #. "Kent remained humble in spite of being put on a pedestal by so many," she said. At the time, their meetingwas cast as a potential conflict of interest. I figure when it's all over, it's all over.". PHOENIX A helicopter accident over Central Phoenix 13 years ago Monday claimed the lives of four television journalists in Phoenix. "You were very likely to get an email from him with a story idea in the middle of the night. Chemistry is magic, Flood said. In his tweet, Cody said he doesnt really know whats next and it is a VERY scary feeling.. I was so ecstatic I promptly ran to third base, Kent used to say when retelling the story. Channel 12:1985-1991; Channel 3:1991 to 2013. "His infectious laugh, his ability to put everyone he met at ease, and his sincere interest in others made him special and irresistible. And that hasnt changed at all.. But what he offered was a crusty, no-nonsense way of delivering the news in an authoritarian style. 'I trusted Kent Dana's news':Fans, friendsshare memories of Phoenix TV anchor. The guy is genuinely talented. A look at what is happening in the news from severe weather hitting parts of the U.S. including rare snow in California to TikTok security concerns. He went on: The bottom line is I made this decision myself. We can only hope to carry on his legacy. During his studies at The University of Alabama, Christopher played football for the Crimson Tide under former coach Gene Stallings. "In TV you have a tendency to be a distraction in the way you tell a story. Our hearts go out to his friends and family in Arizona, and Alabama," ABC15 anchorSteve Irvin said on Facebook. Dana spent 30 years on local television, beginning his career at KHOOL-TV in 1974, spending 25 years at 12 News (KPNX) and then moving to KPHO-TV. Despite his public persona, Kent was his childrens biggest fan. No problem. Here's How Many Guns Were Sold In Arizona Last Month, Shop The Phoenix Farmers Market Like A Pro, Info Here, Girl Gang Garage Empowering And Training Women To Work On Cars. How you can save more and waste less. Subscribe today. Ryan Cody has left 12 News in Phoenix, announcing his exit in a tweet that mentions professional toxicity and mental healing. But she is also intelligent and a hard worker, and when she decided to focus on TV news, she proved to be a natural. For instance, his son Joe said, At Channel 5 they called him The Pope. They just considered him the one you go to.. Updated . We have lost a revered colleague who's indelible imprint will serve forever as a hallmark of decency, honesty and journalist integrity,ABC 33/40 Vice President & General Manager Eric Land said in a statement. I waited at home expecting to get in big trouble from my dad, Kent would say. On the topic of his father, Joe said, "I just think his. It got to the point where viewers would call us and ask, When is he going to wear the jacket? Kent said. on camera. For more stories that matter,subscribe to azcentral.com. Our Glendale divorce lawyer team is ready to support you right now! When she first saw images of the 9/11 attacks, she exclaimed, "Oh, dear Lord!" Kent wasnt particularly athletic and used to tell the story of the year he tried playing little league baseball. The ability to find a good story and to tell a good story. Phoenix 'Breakfast Bitch' restaurant owner sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Kents easy-going, resilient attitude set the tone at home as well. In 2014, he was inducted into the Silver Circle Society for his 25-plus years of strong work in the world of TV news. 2023 www.azcentral.com. In 1976, Barbara Walters became the first female anchor of a national evening news program, teaming with Harry Reasoner. The man did not seem made for hugs or chatter. . The app is FREE and does not require any credit card information. "He didnt have an ego.". Dana anchored evenings at 12 News for 25 years and was a Valley institution. Veteran Alabama reporter and anchorChristopher Sign, who previously worked in Phoenix for more than a decade, was found dead by the local Hoover police Saturday morning, according to Hoover Police Department Capt. If you ran into Dana in person, youd probably have the urge to run up, give him a hug and engage in small talk. However, all the local news that affects Phoenix is available to watch anytime and anywhere. And when she privately joked that she wanted to make $1 more a year thanLindaAlvarez, that wound up in the papers, too. Police and the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Officer are investigating the death of a man while in custody of police Saturday night. Charges filed after TV anchor dies in snowmobiling accident. Then Dana worked at KPNX (12 News) and later Channel 5 (part of the Arizonas Family stations). Christopher's death is being investigated by the police. The Phoenix journalist, 80, passed away on April 19, his son and News12 reporter Joe revealed. When he dealt with the six of us, if we ever disappointed him or did something to stress him out, he was always calm, cool, and collected, said Susan Allen, one of Kents daughters. Distractify is a registered trademark. Something that I saw installed just a few hours prior just disappeared. Runners-up include: Lin Sue Cooney, Tram Mai, Sean McLaughlin, Phil Allen, Tara Hitchcock, Deborah Pyburn, Linda Williams, Ken Coy, John Hook, Catherine Anaya and Troy Hayden. "I think he always felt like local TV news was a very unique way to connect the community, to bring people together. One game I finally got a hit. But wearing the jacket became a tradition that viewers looked forward to every holiday season. If the victim is a girl, a sex offender gets zero points in their risk assessment. Lew Ruggiero, an Emmy-winning journalist, was a 12 News reporter for nearly 27 years. He came to Arizona to retired after a long, illustrious career in Philadelphia. From crossing guards to educators and bus drivers, a look at the everyday heroes. 12 News+ offers you live and on demand news coverage from 12 News. Always honest. ", "Theres no question why he was so beloved," she said. That humor is another Foglesong trademark. He wrote a book, Secret on the Tarmac, on the topic. 13 2021, Published 5:13 p.m. And I think the fact that he was doing this job in the community where he grew up made it that much more meaningful to him.. When I confided in him that I wanted to reach the network,he was the first person to tell me I could. Diving into what doctors and experts say about supplements, from collagen to apple cider vinegar and fish oil. He developed an infection after breaking his hip in January, according to his son Joe, and his condition deteriorated after several weeks in the hospital. Everyone who knew Kent recalls his loud, cackling laugh that could light up the newsroom. Kent's father Joe Dana was a radio and TV personality from the 1930s to 1950s and Kent Dana's son, also Joe Dana, currently is a reporter for 12 News. He was the best audience in the world. Chris Burrous, a popular Los Angeles television news reporter and anchor, died after being found unresponsive in a hotel room, Glendale police said. Its time to take back control! Steve was killed in 1994 when his car was broadsided in Washington D.C., covering an AZ Cardinals game. What are you waiting for? Please select a region to stay informed on the latest local news via news12.com. Kent profiled children in the foster system and the stories drew attention to adoption efforts in general. "I just think his story is a fascinating Arizona story," said Joe Dana, a reporter for 12 News. February 13, 2017. Kent also acknowledged his wife Janets sacrifice, being married to someone with such a unique job for three decades. wls. "Theres just something about Kent," Flood said. Heres one way to contrastDana andClose. Dana, 80, worked at three. They don't ever intrude on you. He launched a weekly variety show on Channel 5, Arizona Caravan, where he delivered news bulletins, sang songs, and hosted musical guests. The Bronx Brooklyn Connecticut Hudson Valley Long Island New Jersey Westchester. The problem, according to the judge's ruling, was not the familial DNA search but what Scottsdale investigators did with those results after finding a match. Just three days after the first Black-owned wine bar in Arizona opened, it was forced to close after being hit by an alleged drunk driver. I don't mind it. 12 News' call letters were KTAR from 1959 to 1979. I consider Kent like a second dad, Shumway said, whose father died while she was in high school. It was like he almost couldnt believe he was anchoring the news. Could Julia Roberts Possibly Guest Star on ABC's Erin Brockovich-Inspired 'Rebel'? Kent recalls his loud, cackling laugh that could light up the newsroom, and Alabama, played... 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