Close? The cause of death was an infection that developed after hip surgery this past winter, according to Dana's family. "We have lost a revered colleague whose indelible imprint will serve forever as a hallmark of decency, honesty, and journalist integrity. AZ International Auto Show & New Car Buyer's Guide 2020 Model Year, Stephen Colbert called it out during an episode of "The Colbert Report, Channel 12 anchor Vanessa Ruiz created a stir on social media a couple of years ago, Somehow, Close simultaneously reassured viewers at home and the gunman that everything would be OK, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. #. He credits Dana with helping him find the confidence to pursue the network job. Its everything you love about 12 News plus more! This at a time when local anchors had a lot of power. ABC Has Canceled 'Mixed-ish' After Two Seasons, 'Sesame Street' Celebrates 50+ Years on Air in ABC Pandemic Special '50 Years of Sunny Days'. But it happens a lot. Not so withFoglesong, who stepped away from the news desk in 1993 at her own accord. Something that I saw installed just a few hours prior just disappeared. We've learned Vince Leonard, a 12 News anchor through the 1980s, died. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. 12 News' call letters were KTAR from 1959 to 1979. Copyright 2023 Distractify. From Kent Dana to Bill Close and Patti Kirkpatrick, here's a look back at some of the best local newscasters to grace metro Phoenix screens since the 1970s. Exclusive sports coverage of Arizona high schools, Sun Devils, Suns, Cardinals and Diamondbacks plus access to USA TODAY Sports+ at no additional cost. Yes! Dana spent 30 years on local television, beginning his career at KHOOL-TV in 1974, spending 25 years at 12 News (KPNX) and then moving to KPHO-TV. Diving into what doctors and experts say about supplements, from collagen to apple cider vinegar and fish oil. KPNX (channel 12) is a television station licensed to Mesa, Arizona, United States, serving the Phoenix area as an affiliate of NBC.The station is owned by Tegna Inc., and maintains studios at the Republic Media building on Van Buren Street in downtown Phoenix (which also houses formerly co-owned newspaper The Arizona Republic); its transmitter is located atop South Mountain on the city's . He had 13 grandchildren. Here's where, 'It is evidence that the Hopi clans traveled through there': New documentary explores real history of the Grand Canyon, From selling mops to selling cars: The story of Sebastian Ibaez, Durant expected to make Suns debut on Wednesday vs. Hornets, Failing at polls, election deniers focus on state GOP posts, How credit scores are evolving to improve access to credit, Supreme Court student loan case: The arguments explained, Authorities identify man who died in custody of Phoenix police Saturday evening. He often slipped away from the newsroom between evening newscasts to catch his children in ball games, dance recitals and school performances, even if he could only stay for a few minutes. She got a full-time job at 12 News. With a crisp, military-style mustache and a pleasant demeanor (he could have been a kindly family physician),Thompson, who died in 2012, set a high standard for Arizona broadcasters. After returning home he eventually transferred to Brigham Young University where he studied broadcast journalism and worked at a Provo radio station. He came back to Phoenix in 2006. . Our streaming content is also available on the web by visiting. Everyone liked him. One game I finally got a hit. So it's fitting that she has the last word. 12News went out with a counting team in Phoenix and talked with people who spent the night in the bitter cold weather. Kevin Durant, Monty Williams speak about Durant's expected debut for Phoenix Suns vs. Hornets tonight, Body found by ADOT worker near I-10 in Buckeye, Winter storm updates: ADOT advises against traveling in 'extreme weather conditions', Nieve para el norte de Arizona y lluvia en el valle debido a la tormenta invernal. We always came first in his life and that made a difference, he said. He died Tuesday, April 19. Channel 3:1986-1989; Channel 12:1991-2006. on camera. Reach Goodykoontz at bill.goodykoontz@arizonarepublic.com. Subscribe to the weekly movies newsletter. He began an impressive streak of anchoring the evening news from 1979-to 2004. "In TV you have a tendency to be a distraction in the way you tell a story. He then demanded to read a statement. He never laughed at my dreams, said Sean McLaughlin, who worked with Dana at 12 Newsand is now a meteorologist at Arizonas Family, where he has also been a news anchor. His big break came in 1979 when he joined 12 News as the male evening anchor. The Wednesdays Child series was a partnership with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK). A look at what is happening in the news from a fatal train crash in Greece to an RSV vaccine closer to availability and SpaceX and NASA plan a second attempt launch. We've learned Vince Leonard, a 12 News anchor through the 1980s, died. Some people have a trademark. Linda Alvarez laughs during an interview about her work as an anchor. Kent also believed local TV news was vital to creating a sense of community. It was at the prestigious institution that he met his wife, Laura. Example video title will go here for this video, Stay up to date on what's happening in your community with a 24/7 live stream and on demand content from 12 News. Veteran Alabama reporter and anchor Christopher Sign, who previously worked in Phoenix for more than a decade, was found dead by the local Hoover police Saturday morning, according to Hoover. AASK would tell us they would get hundreds of phone calls after a story aired and maybe it wouldnt work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.. "AASK would tell us they would get hundreds of phone calls after a story aired and maybe it wouldn't work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.". Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Before joining ABC 33/40, Christopher worked as a news anchor at KNXV-TV, the ABC-affiliated station licensed to Phoenix, Ariz., and as a reporter at E. W. Scripps Company, a daily news company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, as per LinkedIn. "Theres just something about Kent," Flood said. A successful reporter and news anchor with decades of experience, Christopher became a weeknight anchor at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. in 2017. It was our good fortune that Leonard accepted. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Free Zoom meeting about divorce lawyers in Glendale. From his best movies to his TV roles, the things you should watch sooner rather than later. Despite the changes, some things have never, ever changed. 1,133 talking about this. He died at age 91 in 2013. They don't ever intrude on you. Anything they chose to leave behind was thrown away. In-depth coverage of the Valleys real estate market and whats being built and redeveloped in your city. 8:40. At 14 years old, Kent took his fathers car for a joy ride and crashed it. Example video title will go here for this video. But he will likely best be known as a fixture on the anchor desk during an era that local television news dominated ratings. Here are some people who mastered those skill sets quite well, thank you. One time a fan wanted an autograph but had nothing for Dana to sign, so he wrote his name on the back of a piece of pizza. It was like he almost couldnt believe he was anchoring the news. PHOENIX A helicopter accident over Central Phoenix 13 years ago Monday claimed the lives of four television journalists in Phoenix. Around 10 years old he found his niche as an actor at the Phoenix Little Theatre in downtown Phoenix, now called the Phoenix Theatre Company. And, in her own quietly determined way, she became a role model for many minority viewers unused to seeing someone who looked liked them presenting the news. Kent Dana, thats who. Despite his public persona, Kent was his childrens biggest fan. Hes connected to the community; after all, hes an Arizona native whose father, Joe Dana, was a Phoenix media personality from the 30s to the 50s (KPNX anchor Joe Dana, Kents son, shares the name). When you think of the qualities that you want in a good newscaster, Dana pretty much exemplifies them all. Thats all that needed to be said.. Kirkpatrick worked at Channel 12 for six years before moving over to Channel 3, where she became one of the station's flagship performers. Since we don't disagree with many of our readers' suggestions of who . Channel 10: 1976-1982;Channel 3: 1983-1986. American Diabetes Association Alert Day Are You At Risk? Rick Debruhl as an anchor on KPNX. The end of her marriage was reported in the press. Arizona Republicans disavow wide-ranging bribery allegation Many Arizonans at risk of losing Medicaid coverage soon 20-year-old shot to death at Circle K in Peoria Pearl Harbor survivor,. 13 2021, Published 5:13 p.m. During a 2018 Emmy Awards speech, he attributed his success to his co-anchors and a longtime producer, Julie Frisoni Shumway. Weather Anchor/Reporter. How you can save more and waste less. Can you deliver it with sincerity and authority? The news about the 45-year-old reporter's sudden death left his colleagues and fans devastated. Kent Dana. 'I ought to get fired more often':Kris Pickel stays positive after leaving Arizona's Family. The restaurant owner pleaded guilty to wire fraud, admitting in court that she stole more than $1 million from actress Joumana Kidd, NBA star Jason Kidds ex-wife. She was partnered withClose, who wasnt pleased with the idea (I didnt want her on the set, he recalledyears later). Still, don't hate him because he's beautiful. Quite famously, Reasoner was not thrilled with the woman who shared the desk. Please select a region to stay informed on the latest local news via news12.com. Kents Father, Joe Dana, laid the groundwork for Kents interest in broadcasting. Dana, 80, worked at three. In a statement Wednesday, George Davilas,the station's news director, said, "Over the past five years, Ryans contributed across shows, including 'Cardinals Locker Room' and 'Today in AZ.' But wearing the jacket became a tradition that viewers looked forward to every holiday season. However, all the local news that affects Phoenix is available to watch anytime and anywhere. The Phoenix journalist, 80, passed away on April 19, his son and News12 reporter Joe revealed. When I confided in him that I wanted to reach the network,he was the first person to tell me I could. He moved back to Alabama in 2017 to work with ABC 33/40 to spend more time with his family, according to the stations obituary. It got to the point where viewers would call us and ask, When is he going to wear the jacket? Kent said. Hoover police received a call around 8a.m. of a person down, found Sign and pronounced him dead, according to Czeskleba. WATCH LIVE: 12 News (KPNX-TV) in Arizona. Reach the reporter at randy.cordova@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8849. There seemed to be two trains of thought about Cameron Harper, Channel 3's main man for a nine-year stretch. Charles Barkley with Team 12, inlcuding Bruce Cooper, Bill Denney and Steve Pascente. People are really nice about it, too. The 26-year-old suspect allegedly stabbed his roommate to death. The man did not seem made for hugs or chatter. She was in charge of the household and kept the family in line and Im very, very proud of her.. In a tribute, 12 News highlighted the Wednesday's Child series that Dana and his producer Julie Frisoni Shumway brought to air. Judge outlines fixes to poor health care in Arizona prisons. Kent Dana became an anchor at 12 News in 1979. Emmy Award-winning reporter and news anchor Christopher Sign died on Saturday, June 12, 2021. A report by the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice detailed what took place at that meeting. Veteran Alabama reporter and anchorChristopher Sign, who previously worked in Phoenix for more than a decade, was found dead by the local Hoover police Saturday morning, according to Hoover Police Department Capt. Discussing the day's top sports stories from Lebron James injury and the impact on the Lakers' season to the new MLB pitch clock already controversial. He went on: The bottom line is I made this decision myself. After graduating from West High School in 1960, Kent attended ASU for a year and went on a two-year mission to Uruguay for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. "But when you knew Kent Dana he was absolutely the opposite of that. 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