The Detroit News writes about Christy McDonald’s departure from WXYZ (Channel 7) in Detroit.
The first day of school this fall for Christy McDonald’s 6-year-old also was the day wind-whipped fire skittered across Detroit and scorched 85 buildings. McDonald had the standard list of questions for Caroline: How was it? Who are your friends? What did you think of the teacher? But she had to ask them over the phone from a WXYZ-TV truck on the east side, with sirens blaring in the background.
It’s never easy to balance kids and work, but it’s harder when your hours and whereabouts depend on whether power lines hold up in a stiff breeze or some crackhead decides it’s a good day to knock over a bank.
“Unpredictability,” McDonald said, “is not workable for me right now.” And that’s why, as of Wednesday, she no longer works for Channel 7.
It was a friendly parting from a dream job. The station graciously let her walk away from an anchor desk and go part-time five years ago, and she’ll always appreciate that. But now there are two more kids — to the ever-sensitive viewers who sent e-mails, yes, she wasgetting fat — and there’s no more part-time position.
A WJBK (Fox 2) reporter was arrested at 3:30 A.M. on December 9 for drunk driving, according to hometownlife.com. The identity of the 34-year-old man was not released.
The Grand Traverse Insider writes about WPBN/WTOM Chief Meteorologist Mark Watkins.
Blind MSU journalism graduate Hope Springstead appeared on WLNS in Lansing alongside anchors Jane Aldrich and Evan Pinsonnault. Springstead wants to become the nation’s first blind news anchor.
Is WZZM (ABC Ch. 13) in Grand Rapids planning to resurrect their weekend morning newscast? According to a job posting on WZZM’s web site, the station is planning to launch a new weekend newscast. Thank you to “Localnewsisdead” on the 
George Lilly talks about his purchase of ABC O&Os WJRT in Flint and WTVG in Toledo.
Reporter Charlie LeDuff has joined WJBK (Fox 2) in Detroit after leaving The Detroit News in October.