SYRACUSE -- NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) didn't have to look too far away to find a replacement for Leigh Isaacson, who recently departed for a new job in New Orleans. The ABC affiliate has hired Andrew Donovan, who has been working at another "NewsChannel" -- specifically, NewsChannel 2 (WKTV), the NBC affiliate in Utica.
Isaacson announced her new job back in April, but stayed in Syracuse through the May ratings period and for most of June. Now that she has moved on, the Syracuse Press Club reported today, that Donovan has been hired as her replacement. Although Donovan only graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges last year, he's been working at WKTV in various newsroom capacities since 2006.
The Syracuse Press Club also mentioned WSYR-TV is losing a news photographer: Mike Kuehner has accepted a position with YNN in Binghamton. Mike Toper makes an internal transfer from the NewsChannel 9 production department to replace Kuehner. And from the "better late than never" file, we'll add to the list longtime production staffer Mike Marks, who recently moved out-of-state.
NewsChannel 9 currently has part-time and full-time production positions listed on its website, along with a posting for a news producer.