Melissa Riopka Replacing Scottie Goodman At Fox61

  • Thursday, August 8, 2002
Scottie Goodman
Scottie Goodman
photo by Fox61

WDSI-TV, FOX61 (Pegasus Communications Corporation) announced today that Melissa Riopka will join Dan Howell, Meteorologist Jerry Mathewson and Sports Director Mark Edwards on the primary anchor team on FOX61 News @ Ten, Monday through Friday.

She has been the lead anchor for FOX61 News @ Ten, weekend edition for almost two years. Ms. Riopka replaces Scottie Goodman who is leaving the station for personal reasons.

“Losing a professional like Scottie is difficult but I am excited about this because I know what Melissa can do,” said Matt Lundy, News Director at WDSI FOX61. “Melissa has been a strong part of our team since she was hired in late 1998. I know she will be a positive addition to FOX61 News @ Ten during the week.”

Michael Costa, General Manager at WDSI FOX61 added, “Replacing Scottie is not easy. Fortunately for the station, Melissa has been growing and learning everyday since FOX61 started self-produced news in January 1999. She brings a tremendous amount of energy, professionalism and leadership with her to the Monday through Friday assignment. The job she did on the weekends made her the natural choice to succeed Scottie.”

Ms. Riopka grew up in Cullman, Ala., and graduated from the University of Alabama with a major in Telecommunication and Film.

About Pegasus

Pegasus provides digital satellite television to rural households throughout the United States. Pegasus owns and/or operates television stations affiliated with CBS, FOX, UPN and The WB networks.

Scottie Goodman

Scottie Goodman came to WDSI in April 1999 as the weekend anchor-producer/weekday reporter. Now Scottie sits alongside Halima Holloway as co-anchor of FOX61’s First News @ Four and with Dan Howell on FOX61 News @ Ten. She also features Chattanooga people and places gaining national recognition and renovation projects every Tuesday on FOX61 News @ 10 in her Scenic City Success Stories. Scottie also co-produces and co-hosts Around the Region, FOX61's weekly public affairs show that airs every Sunday morning at 11 with Halima Holloway.

Scottie came to Chattanooga from KTHV in Little Rock, Arkansas where she was a reporter/fill-in anchor. Before that she worked as a reporter/fill-in anchor at WWAY in Wilmington, NC and KAMC in Lubbock, TX. The daughter of a military man, she is used to traveling and has lived in nine different states, including Alaska. Scottie's family lives in Winchester, TN. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 1994 with a BA in Broadcast Journalism.

Scottie's involved with many civic organizations. She's a board member for the Children's Advocacy Center of Hamilton County and Chattanooga Room in the Inn. This year she's a contestant again in the annual Pig Kissing Contest at River Roast, which benefits the Kidney Foundation of Greater Chattanooga. She was the honorary chairwoman for the Southeast Tennessee Epilepsy Foundation's annual Mud Volleyball Tournament and the Multiple Sclerosis 2002 Walk.* Scottie also participated in walks for Chattanooga Cares, Cystic Fibrosis, Race for the Cure and Relay for Life. She was a Special Olympics volunteer and worked on a Habitat for Humanity house with her church, First Centenary United Methodist.

She also participated in auctions for the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga and the public television station WTCI, US101's radio-thon for St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis, and projects that benefited the Y-Me Breast Cancer Organization, Peaceable Paws, and Toys for Tots.

Scottie won an award for investigative reporting from the Arkansas Associated Press. Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee also named her an honorary "Arkansas Traveler". When she worked in Little Rock, she co-hosted a morning show at a local radio station as well.

When Scottie's not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends, family and her dogs, Brittany and Bailey. She enjoys being outside, traveling and attending sporting events.

Melissa Ripoka
Melissa Ripoka
photo by Fox61
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