WWBT Richmond Premieres Two Newscasts September 11

Mikea Turner, Curt Autry, 5 and 6 p.m. anchors at WWBT
Mikea Turner, Curt Autry, 5 and 6 p.m. anchors at WWBT (Image credit: WWBT)

WWBT Richmond launches 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. weekday newscasts September 11. The 3 p.m. newscast will be called First Look at 3 and will be anchored by Rachel DePompa and

Nick Russo. The 7 p.m. program will be called 12 On Your Side Tonight. Jasmine Turner, Curt Autry and Ros Runner will anchor. Franklin White, who currently works at WSVN Miami, will join the 7 p.m. team in November.

Gray Television owns the station, which goes by 12 On Your Side. 

“The most important thing a television station can do is serve its community. The best way WWBT/12 On Your Side can do that is with more local news about things that matter to our diverse local communities,” said Regional Vice President/General Manager Kym Grinnage.

First Look at 3 will be followed by the new show Investigate TV Plus. It will feature a mix of investigative and lifestyle content and consumer news. 

As of September 11, WWBT will be producing more than 67 hours of local content each week.

“Providing quality local content is a priority for WWBT and Gray Television,” said Frank

Jones, WWBT news director. “We need to serve our audience at times that are convenient for them and on all platforms.”

WWBT also produces news for its CW affiliate, WUPV, and for WRLH Richmond, the Fox affiliate. 

Richmond-Petersburg is DMA No. 56. 

Michael Malone

Michael Malone, senior content producer at B+C/Multichannel News, covers network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television. He hosts the podcasts Busted Pilot, about what’s new in television, and Series Business, a chat with the creator of a new program, and writes the column “The Watchman.” He joined B+C in 2005. His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Playboy and New York magazine.