24 Hour News 8 makes Daybreak changes

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Citing a growth in morning viewers, online visitors and social networking connections, WOOD TV8 is addressing changes to its morning news by announcing a series of new initiatives focused on delivering the best information in a multi-platform world.

Beginning in January, there will be some changes to the morning line-up. Daybreak co-anchor, Jennifer Moss, has recently chosen to pursue other interests after declining a contract offer from WOOD-TV. Moss will remain on the air through Thursday, December 17, 2009. Jennifer has served West Michigan viewers with professionalism and respect. She has also served the community by giving generously of her time and talent through her volunteer efforts. Her work – both on air and in the community – has been recognized by multiple media and service organizations. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors.

Weekend anchor, Emily Linnert, will join Brett Thomas to co-anchor 24 Hour News 8 Daybreak and Noon starting in January. Linnert has very quickly found a way to connect with viewers and has expanded her duties in the newsroom to include reporting, producing and writing for the web in her time on the weekend anchor desk.

Current sports anchor, Larry Figurski, will move back into the newsroom as weekend evening 6/10/11 anchor starting January 3. He’ll continue to report for 24 Hour News 8’s sports department three days a week. Previously, Larry anchored Weekend Daybreak before returning full-time to the sports department. The same experience, organization and professionalism that make Larry a great member of our sports team will also now once again add to our news department.

As the region’s number one source for morning news, WOOD TV8 continues to look for ways to reach new viewers on television, the Internet, cell phones and social networks. 24 Hour News 8 recently announced hiring a new multi-platform reporter, Dani Carlson. Carlson worked at KMPH in Fresno, California before teaching multi-media courses at Northwestern University.

WOOD-TV also recently hired Rob Bliss , known for his social media events in West Michigan. Bliss’ expertise in social networking will be applied throughout the station as WOOD-TV looks to serve the growing number of viewers who obtain their information through Facebook, Twitter and other developing platforms.

“When I see what’s happened in the last several years to change the way people consume news, we need to continue to re-evaluate what we do and employ new and innovative ways to serve West Michigan,” WOOD TV8 News Director Rebecca Sapakie said.

WOOD TV8 continues to lead the region in myriad ways, but the station remains vigilant in its quest to seek out the best, most cutting-edge tools for delivering news content. “We never stop looking for ways to improve our news content and methods of dissemination,” WOOD TV8 President and General Manager Diane Kniowski said. “We will continue to recruit the best talent and find new and exciting ways to get people their news in the format they prefer while remaining the leader in the most up-to-the minute, accurate, news and weather” Kniowski said.