Reporter Jessica Morris will join anchor Dave Staley to make up the new WTVC NewsChannel 9 weekend anchor team.
WTVC news director Tom Henderson said,
“Jessica’s energy and enthusiasm are matched by her skill as a reporter and communicator. She’ll provide an effective partner for Dave, whose record of excellence and experience is unmatched on weekends.”
“Many viewers know Dave as sports anchor, but before he covered sports, Dave was a news reporter. He is truly multi-talented,” said Mr. Henderson.
Mr. Staley has won numerous honors for his children’s baseball feature “Dave’s Diamond Darlings,” which he created more than a decade ago. Those honors include back-to-back Edward R. Murrow awards.
A graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, Jessica Morris first worked as a beat reporter in the NewsChannel 9 North Georgia bureau. She filled in on Good Morning Chattanooga while Sarah Jennings was absent on maternity leave.
NewsChannel 9 adopted a dual-anchor format "to better serve the weekend news viewers," officials said.
“It seemed so obvious to me that we needed a pair of anchors on the weekends, like we have Monday through Friday,” Mr. Henderson said. “This change allows viewers to get the full benefit of Dave’s wide range of abilities, and it creates a way to take more advantage of Jessica’s talents. I think viewers will be attracted to Dave and Jessica’s blend of communication styles,” he said.
Mike Dunne was formerly the NewsChannel 9 weekend anchor. He recently left the station.