SYRACUSE -- Tomorrow is Tanja Babich's last day co-anchoring The Morning News on NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV), and in just a little over a month, meteorologist Chris Brandolino will be leaving the same two-and-a-half-hour newscast. Today, the ABC affiliate announced who will take their places, along with a few other staffing moves.
When he first confirmed the departures of Babich and Brandolino for us earlier this month, WSYR-TV News Director Rob Cartwright promised he'd follow-up when replacements were named. Tonight, he made good on that promise by sharing the following announcement, which includes both the new plans for the morning shift, along with a few other changes at the ABC affiliate:
Staci-Lyn Honda will be returning from maternity leave next Monday, December 2nd and will begin anchoring The Morning News with Dan Cummings. Staci-Lyn has been with the station for a little more than three years – and has spent time as a reporter, weekend AM anchor and has filled in extensively as an anchor on The Morning News. In addition to her early morning anchoring duties, Staci-Lyn will also regularly report for our other newscasts.
Effective on January 2nd, Jim Teske will become our new TMN/Noon meteorologist. The shift is no stranger to Jim – who spent a short time in the early mornings several years back and has been a regular fill-in since then.
Andrew Donovan will move off weekends – and into the early morning reporting role. Andrew joined us back in June from WKTV in Utica. Andrew will begin his new shift on Monday, December 9th.
Rachel Polansky is joining the NewsChannel 9 family as a reporter. Rachel will be taking Andrew’s weekend shifts and will also report three days during the week. She has proven to be an aggressive reporter in the year and a half she has been reporting at our sister station WUTR in Utica. Rachel starts at NewsChannel 9 on Sunday, December 8th.
Earlier this month, co-anchor Babich revealed she's leaving Syracuse for a new job at the ABC affiliate in Chicago. Brandolino is leaving for a meteorology job in New Zealand. Prior to joining channel 9, Brandolino had a similar job in Australia. He explained that the new job offers more traditional hours, allowing him to spend more time with his wife and children.
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As long as they don't bring Rod up and have Morning Wood every day.