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Jackie Robinson Retiring From CNY Central

August 31, 2012 by CNYRadio.com
Jackie Robinson. Photo: CNYCentral.com

Updated 4:40pm -- SYRACUSE -- If you've noticed Jackie Robinson "off" from CNY Central's coverage of the New York State Fair the past few days, here's the reason: she's exiting from her position as WSTM's primary evening co-anchor, after more than three decades with the station.

CNY Central announced Robinson's exit this afternoon as a retirement. Multiple trusted sources -- but not within CNY Central -- tell CNYTVNews.com that Robinson's contract was either being "bought out" early, or simply not being renewed. We first heard about this on Tuesday and tried to obtain confirmation or denial from CNY Central management, but our requests for comment from GM Chris Geiger and VP of News Rae Fulkerson were not answered. To repeat, this portion of the story is neither confirmed nor denied.

Some of our sources, who contacted CNYTVNews.com on a condition of anonymity, tell us that morning anchor Megan Coleman will be taking Robinson's place when she returns from maternity leave. Although that assignment hasn't been announced by CNY Central, there's a posting for a morning anchor on the station's website.

One of our sources tell us CNY Central staffers were officially informed of Robinson's "retirement" this afternoon, and an announcement appeared on CNYCentral.com just minutes ago.

Robinson started with WSTM 34 years ago. Less than two weeks ago, the station announced that Robinson has been selected for induction to the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, later this fall. Robinson has spent her entire career with WSTM, starting as a newsroom secretary during her high school years, and later becoming a reporter after graduating from Syracuse University.

Although Robinson has been notably absent this week -- considering most stations require "all hands on deck" during the New York State Fair -- the station says she will return to the newsroom before she retires. Robinson will anchor her final newscasts on September 4 from 5:00 to 6:30pm.

Coverage Elsewhere

Reaction on Twitter

Some selected Tweets we saw in the first hour or so since the announcement:
https://twitter.com/jeffglor/status/241634373248630784
https://twitter.com/MichaelBenny/status/241617070998040576
https://twitter.com/FarahJadran/status/241622376419315712
https://twitter.com/BrentAxeMedia/status/241625315829510144
https://twitter.com/kimincuse/status/241619155227402240
https://twitter.com/MichaelBenny/status/241625720525299712
https://twitter.com/WayneStormWatch/status/241620552639475714
https://twitter.com/AndyJenksNBC12/status/241616995253100544
https://twitter.com/TrishLamonte/status/241622483051110400
https://twitter.com/GKilpatrick/status/241623013051736064
https://twitter.com/AnthonyAdornato/status/241626010913738752
https://twitter.com/GisellePhelps/status/241637763139653633
https://twitter.com/AndrewDonovan/status/241645155466215424

Got News?

Thanks to our sources who contacted us in the past few days to let us know about the story. Anytime you've got news to share about local broadcasting, send us a note at cnyradio@cnyradio.com or click "Contact Us" at the top of the page to send your message via a web form. All requests for anonymity are held with the highest regard, and if you use the form, you don't even need to include your own name.

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