In 1976, Barbara Walters became the first female anchor of a national evening news program, teaming with Harry Reasoner. The local TV news icon leaves behind his wife Janet of 42 years, their two children, and four children from his first marriage. Facebook: facebook.com/GoodyOnFilm. Steve Pascente and Bill Denney led the 12 News sports department. He did take truth and honesty very seriously, but he never took himself very seriously, she said. "I was lucky to get on board," she. He is married and has three daughters. There are many talented people that narrowly missed making the cut. The criteria: They were on air from the '70s onward, and they had to sit in the anchor chair (no weather or sports personalities, unless they made the move to anchor). ", RELATED: Mesa family who adopted 5 children honors Kent Dana. Our Glendale divorce lawyer team is ready to support you right now! Kent Dana, thats who. The app is FREE and does not require any credit card information. For the series which was a partnership with Aid to Adoption of Special Kids (AASK) Dana profiled children in the foster system, bringing attention to their plight and to adoption in general. "I just think his story is a fascinating Arizona story," said Joe Dana, a reporter for 12 News. "He told me several times never get in the way of a good story," Joe Dana said. Live streaming and on-demand. In some cases, we grow up with them. We trust them. "I think a lot of people view Kent as a figure kind of larger than life," Shumway said. She's funny, whip-smart and bilingual to boot. We always came first in his life and that made a difference, he said. "You were very likely to get an email from him with a story idea in the middle of the night. He was the best audience in the world. Steve was killed in 1994 when his car was broadsided in Washington D.C., covering an AZ Cardinals game. PHOENIX A helicopter accident over Central Phoenix 13 years ago Monday claimed the lives of four television journalists in Phoenix. The stories brought out Kents inner child as he would banter and laugh with kids. He came back to Phoenix in 2006. He added, Its time to start doing what is best for me, without worrying what a select few people think about it. Hoover police received a call around 8a.m. of a person down, found Sign and pronounced him dead, according to Czeskleba. Despite his public persona, Kent was his childrens biggest fan. 2 Phoenix anchor Kent Dana has died at age of 80 Credit: COURTESY OF DANA FAMILY 2 At the time, their meetingwas cast as a potential conflict of interest. This content is only available to subscribers. "For my dad it was just amusing that people saw him in that light," Joe Dana said. From crossing guards to educators and bus drivers, a look at the everyday heroes. Download now! All rights reserved. Climate Change | What's up with this wild weather? One camp looked at his solid news credentials and his sharp interviewing skills; he was able to badly fluster then-Governor Evan Mecham in a 1987 interview that would have gone viral, had such a concept existed then. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. He developed an infection after breaking his hip in January, according to his son Joe, and his condition deteriorated after several weeks in the hospital. In terms of advice, Joe Dana said his father kept it pretty simple. Twitter.com/randy_cordova. Chemistry is magic, Flood said. 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. 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,. When she played Maria in a Phoenix Theatre production of The Sound of Music, she broke box office records. The transition to courts comes after a challenging year for the Psychiatric Security Review Board. Twitter: @goodyk. ", A lottery ticket worth more than $350K was sold in Arizona. Rick Debruhl as an anchor on KPNX. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. For me I was so proud to have my brother in my own high school, Reed said. We can only hope to carry on his legacy. 2023 at 12:12 PM MST | . Solari Crisis & Human Services offers free crisis lines 24/7/365 dial 800-631-1314 for Maricopa County and 877-756-4090 for Northern Arizona. You can watch all your newscasts, weather coverage, breaking news, originals and more live and on demand. Dana spent 30 years on the air in the valley, 25 years at 12 News (KPNX). Can you deliver it with sincerity and authority? Charges filed after TV anchor dies in snowmobiling accident. In the News: National headlines for March 1, 2023, Healing and Hope: Navigating Life After School Tragedy, In the News: National headlines for February 28, 2023, Locked On Sports Today: February 28, 2023, HeartThreads | Changing the lives of students. 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.' As an elementary student, he recalled walking to school with his brothers and sisters through a dairy field where Park Central mall now sits. The cause of death was an infection that developed after hip surgery this past winter, according to Dana's family. 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 wouldn't work for that child, but it would develop a relationship for parents to adopt someone else.". He was hilarious, he was warm and would give you the shirt off his back.". He was just a little more willing to gamble in life, Reed said. Well-deserved. (Shutterstock) PHOENIX, AZ Longtime Phoenix news anchor Kent Dana died Tuesday at the age of 80. Judge Roslyn Silver outlined the changes she plans to impose on the Arizona Department of Corrections to remedy its constitutional violations of prisoners rights. Stella Sun -- Traffic and Weather Anchor/Reporter Stella Sun joined 12News in November 2022 Erica Stapleton - Reporter. Dana is a member of the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame, won several Emmy awards and received the Rocky Mountain Emmy Governor's Award in 2018. By ABC7. Kent also believed local TV news was vital to creating a sense of community. The anchors were unapproachable. PHOENIX, AZ Longtime Phoenix news anchor Kent Dana died Tuesday at the age of 80. Dana broke We have lost a revered colleague who's indelible imprint will serve forever as a hallmark of decency, honesty and journalist integrity,ABC 33/40 Vice President & General Manager Eric Land said in a statement. Shumway told 12 News that Dana was both professional and fun. When he started his variety show on Channel 5, we didnt have any money so our family had to go out and buy a TV so we could watch dad on Wednesday nights, Kent told an audience in 2018. Fact-checking from VERIFY, sports news from LockedOn and original exclusive content are also available to stream live and on demand on 12 News+. MORE AZCENTRAL ON SOCIAL:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|Pinterest. Could Julia Roberts Possibly Guest Star on ABC's Erin Brockovich-Inspired 'Rebel'? Mar 12. The Associated Press contributed to this report. What is the cause of death? Family and friends honor the legacy of former 12 News anchor Kent Dana during a Celebration of Life ceremony this morning. Kent also acknowledged his wife Janets sacrifice, being married to someone with such a unique job for three decades. The best guide in Arizona to getaways, concerts and the dining scene. 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. KPNX-TV, also known as 12 News and . ABC 15 pilot Craig Smith, and photographer Rick Krolak as well. Then there was the other group, those who enjoyed listening to him to talk (he was dubbed "velvet-voiced"by one Phoenix publication) and sighing about his prematurely silver mane of hair: "Why did hedyehis gorgeous gray hair that dumb blond color?" #. Joe Dana said his father was bemused by the attention his job brought him. KPNX's studio on Central Avenue. Kirkpatrick worked at Channel 12 for six years before moving over to Channel 3, where she became one of the station's flagship performers. Jineane Ford in a tease clip for 12 News. "He was so humble. We've learned Vince Leonard, a 12 News anchor through the 1980s, died. I could make a joke about anything and Kent thought it was hysterical. I consider Kent like a second dad, Shumway said, whose father died while she was in high school. February 13, 2017. She helped lead Channel 3 from last place to first at the time of her departure. Its a belief he says he learned from his father. After returning home he eventually transferred to Brigham Young University where he studied broadcast journalism and worked at a Provo radio station. He was passionate about journalism and showed it each and every day as he pushed himself and his colleagues to be the best.". American Diabetes Association Alert Day Are You At Risk? He retired from the business in 2011. Published: 11:07 AM MST February 28, 2023. But West persevered, becoming the kind of media celebrity you dont see much anymore in the local-TV world. And that hasnt changed at all.. He has a very lovable personality.. A special edition of Health Hub focusing on kids and sports-related injuries. A closer look at some of the extreme weather events over the years and the connection to climate change. The guy is genuinely talented. According to the eulogy published by ABC 33/40, Christopher also worked as a reporter at ABC 33/40 in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That was unheard of in the early 90s, with how the business was structured. He began an impressive streak of anchoring the evening news from 1979-to 2004. "His infectious laugh, his ability to put everyone he met at ease, and his sincere interest in others made him special and irresistible. She was a constantly engaging presence, and not afraid to show her emotions. That dream was to work at a national network, a dream McLaughlin achieved when he became theweekday chief meteorologist for MSNBC and Sunday meteorologist on NBCs Weekend Today in 2004. They don't ever intrude on you. The first news director for Channel 12 (back in the days when it was KTAR-TV), Thompson is an unquestioned pioneer in the Phoenix TV industry. Sign broke the news of a 2016 meeting between former President Bill Clinton, whose wife Hillary Clinton at the timewas running forpresidentand was being investigated by the FBI, and the then-Attorney GeneralLoretta Lynchat the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport tarmac. Kent Dana'sfather Joe was a radio and TV personality from the 1930s to the 1950s. Phoenix 'Breakfast Bitch' restaurant owner sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Then his signs were stolen, I couldn't believe my eyes," Paulin said. 12 News KPNX's news director at the time found out Leonard was living in the Valley and asked Leonard if he wanted to "unretire" for one newscast a day. When you think of the qualities that you want in a good newscaster, Dana pretty much exemplifies them all. An old 12 News logo seen at the beginning of a newscast. Tolleson group home stabbing raises questions. A successful reporter and news anchor with decades of experience, Christopher became a weeknight anchor at ABC 33/40 in Birmingham, Ala. in 2017. I don't mind it. That was Kent. Local and breaking news from around the Phoenix metro area, brought to you by FOX 10 News, serving the central, northwest, northern and eastern areas of Arizona. Who else would make a tradition out of wearing a red plaid Sears sports coat every Christmas? You dont work at it. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Please select a region to stay informed on the latest local news via news12.com. The man is not listed as the owner of the companies he represents during projects, so he has never been disciplined by the Registrar of Contractors. The Phoenix journalist, 80, passed away on April 19, his son and News12 reporter Joe revealed. Little Arizona Pageant at the historic Orpheum Theatre. 12 News+ offers you live and on demand news coverage from 12 News. He died Tuesday, April 19. What TV journalists learned working from home, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Stream 12 News original storytelling, local investigations and reporting on the biggest issues affecting Phoenix and the nation. In his tweet, Cody said he doesnt really know whats next and it is a VERY scary feeling.. Debruhl now covers Barrett Jackson car auctions and IndyCar. Brandon is a 5x Emmy Award Winning News Anchor and best-selling author of "Mascara Boy: Bullied, Assaulted & Near Death,. 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