WXYZ-TV Announces New Action News Anchor Teams

SOUTHFIELD Mich., Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than 30 years co-anchoring the 11 p.m. news, Diana Lewis will move from late nights to early evenings, anchoring Action News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.  Lewis, an icon in the Detroit television market, will be joined by JoAnne Purtan on the anchor desk at 5 p.m. and Stephen Clark for Action News at 6 p.m.  Lewis, one of two African American women inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, is an experienced journalist who has helped build a legacy of excellence at Channel 7.

"I've been saying good night to Detroit for over 30 years and loved every moment of it," said Lewis. "Now it's good evening on Action News at 5 with my dear friend and colleague JoAnne Purtan.  I'm looking forward to it and I'm really looking forward to spending my evenings with my husband."

Carolyn Clifford, a versatile member of the Action News team, will anchor the 11 p.m. with Stephen Clark, Dave Rexroth and Don Shane. Clifford is an accomplished broadcast journalist whose versatility and professionalism have earned her the respect of her peers and the community.  Clifford will also continue her co-anchor duties on Action News at 7 p.m. with Stephen Clark.

JoAnn Purtan, a trusted news anchor and valuable member of Channel 7's Special Projects unit, will join Vic Faust and Keenan Smith on the anchor desk at noon.  Purtan will also co-anchor Action News at 5 p.m. with Diana Lewis, Dave Rexroth and Don Shane.  

Vic Faust will join Alicia Smith, Keenan Smith & Erin Nicole, as the co-anchor of Action News This Morning.  Faust has been a part of the morning show on an interim basis and has proven to be a valuable addition to the Action News This Morning team.

"The recent retirement of several of our industry icons has left us with big shoes to fill," said Vice-President and General Manager, Ed Fernandez. "We are fortunate to have such experienced and dedicated broadcast professionals on our news team, and we are confident these individuals will work to maintain the great journalistic tradition of Channel 7 Action News."

The anchor teams begin their new assignments on Monday, October 25.

WXYZ-TV is part of Scripps Media, Inc., which operates 10 television stations (six ABC affiliates, three NBC affiliates, and one independent.)  The corporate parent, The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP) is a diverse, 131-year-old media enterprise with interests in television stations, newspapers, local news, and information Web sites, and comics/features syndication.  For a full listing of Scripps media companies and their associated Web sites, visit http://www.scripps.com/.

SOURCE WXYZ-TV