CINCINNATI — The CBS Television Network affiliate owned by Sinclair Inc. and serving the region as “LOCAL 12” has officially announced “an expansion” of its local news and political programming this autumn, including the launch of a new 3pm weekday newscast and a weekly politics-driven offering. The news was first reported by RBR+TVBR in mid-July following widely reported changes at the station, resulting in job losses and the elimination of weekend morning local newscasts.
Starting September 21, WKRC-TV will bring to Cincinnati and its viewers in Northern Kentucky and parts of Indiana Local 12 The Breakdown, to be co-anchored by Marella Porter and Adam Clements.
It brings an additional hour of local news to viewers as Sinclair promises “a fresh approach” to afternoon coverage, “combining the day’s most important stories with timely information, conversations and reporting focused on the issues that matter to viewers across Greater Cincinnati.”
Clements will continue to co-anchor Local 12 News at 4 p.m. alongside Meghan Mongillo. At 5:30 p.m., Kyle Inskeep will join Mongillo at the anchor desk, bringing a new pairing to the station’s evening news lineup.
Jen Dalton will also take on an expanded role, anchoring Local 12 News at Noon in addition to her work with traffic and ARC Cincinnati.
In addition, Rebecca Smith joins the station as the health reporter and host of What’s Happening in Health, which currently airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Sinclair station is readying the launch of Local 12 News: Beyond the Podium. The new 30-minute weekly offering premieres Sunday (9/13) at 8am. Hosted and produced by James Pilcher, the program seeks to “go beyond the day-to-day political headlines to examine the people, policies, decisions and issues shaping the region. The program will feature in-depth reporting, interviews and conversations designed to give viewers greater context and perspective on the political stories influencing their communities.”
WKRC-TV News Director Becky Gulden commented, “With these new programs, we’re giving viewers across Greater Cincinnati more ways to stay informed throughout the day and more context around the issues shaping their communities. AThe new programming and anchor assignments also give our journalists new opportunities to showcase their strengths and deepen their connection with the viewers and communities we serve.”
That said, WKRC-TV attracted attention earlier this summer when it discontinued local weekend morning news programs. Good Morning Cincinnati anchor Aleah Hordges, sports reporter Richard Skinner and 46-year TV veteran Doug Lillibridge were dismissed, local media reporter John Kiesewetter said.
In a statement, a Sinclair corporate spokesperson explained to RBR+TVBR in July, “To support this expansion and position the station for long-term sustainability, we are making operational changes, including the discontinuation of our weekend morning newscast … and the elimination of a small number of positions. These were difficult decisions, and we are grateful to the talented individuals affected by them. WKRC remains committed to delivering strong local news and content to the Cincinnati community.”
