"And, if you think about it, those of us who knew him so well knew that Mahaffey did sort of have this presence and manly swagger about him that was not unlike a John Wayne persona." Louisiana native and veteran journalist Tisha Powell will join the WAFB 9News team in August 2021. I was a little apprehensive at first because I got my mind wrapped around coming back here and just finishing school and decompressing and going in a different direction, Powell said. BATON ROUGE - Longtime WAFB anchor and investigative reporter Paul Gates has died at the age of 69 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. WAFB also airs the Sunday services from the First United Methodist Church in the city. The event is an American Cancer Society, Relay for Life fundraiser. Remembering Donna Britt: Look through pictures of her time at WAFB, volunteer work and more. Distinguished Citizen -- With Boy Scouts of America Istrouma Area Council 's inaugural Distinguished Citizen honoree Donna Britt, seated, are, from left, Scout Executive Gary Mertz, John Turner, Jerry Fischer, Louie Ballard, Mark Ballard, Franklin Foil, Paula Davis and Jay Grymes. Tisha Powell's new job as an afternoon anchor at WAFB in Baton Rouge is something she didn't think was possible. Louis S. Prejean and associates (Modern Broadcasting of Baton Rouge) were the first owners of the station, and they sold it to Royal Street Corporation of New Orleans in 1956, which owned WDSU-TV, the first television station in Louisiana. This launched such a voracious battle to win the party, that the schools reading comprehension scores on standardized tests went up 4.7% the very first year and continually improved. He was 77 years old. WAFB began broadcasting 24 hours a day on September 12, 1990. I know she was banned from going after BRPD's Chief Murphy Paul. PROVIDED PHOTO "I'm moving on," Kiran Chawla said. A Gray Media Group, Inc. Station - 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. 2002-2023 Gray Television, Inc. PHOTO: (l-r) Denham Police Chief Scott Jones, architect Jay Labarre, Greystone's Ron Menville, Denham Springs Councilwoman Annie Fugler, Sheriff Willie Graves, WAFB News Anchor Donna Britt, Walker Police Chief Hunter Grimes, Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Sen. Dale Erdey, Denham Springs Councilman John Wascom and Assessor Jeff Taylor. Heres how. Powell, who said she is still in the middle of unpacking at her new home, will co-anchor the 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts at the station starting Aug. 9. (WAFB) - Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt, a dedicated journalist and beloved member of the community, has passed away after her courageous battle with ALS. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. seems like she was on the same side as most. Kiran is the only actual journalist they have over there. [4][5][6] The sale was approved on December 20,[7] and was completed on January 2, 2019.[8]. Both stations share studios on Government Street in downtown Baton Rouge, while WAFB's transmitter is located on River Road near the city's Riverbend section. In the recent ratings period, it beat the others stations' combined weeknights at 5, 6, and 10. Buckskin was also one of the first shows in the United States to have a sign-language interpreter for hearing-impaired viewers prior to closed-captioning. WAFB-TV television anchor Donna Britt, whose fight against breast cancer included a lumpectomy to cut out the cancer and 33 shots of radiation, helped to emcee the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure in Baton Rouge. [9] However, on September 9, 2019, WAFB resumed airing TPIR and Y&R at their respective network-recommended times of 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.[10] The station aired Jeopardy! Renee Kozak is the Relay for Life Volunteer Coordinator of the annual fundraiser. Photo 1 - LSU Pershing Rifles, Company D-17, Color Guard of Elijah Jones, Todd Dixon, Chris Scheuermann, and Ethan Nicosia. Get exclusive content only available to INSIDERS. ADVOCATE STAFF PHOTO BY PAM BORDELON -- Golden Deeds -- Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, seated, with son Louie and husband Mark Ballard. And, it's a proud legacy. Coincidentally, the call letters of the station, WAFB, also spelled out their new owner: American Family Broadcasting (although the WAFB calls predate this ownership by 40 years when its former original sister radio station signed on in 1948 with the slogan "Always For Baton Rouge"). A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease, her former employer said Thursday. Get access to our searchable data center of TOP LISTS. transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts, https://www.linkedin.com/company/wafb-tv/, "GRAY AND RAYCOM TO COMBINE IN A $3.6 BILLION TRANSACTION", "Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. Im sure her employer hasnt been thrilled with her dating partner being a news topic on multiple occasions in the past few years. Louisiana students have struggled in the classroom for years, but minority children appear to be falling behind the most. WAFB-TV anchor is honored with a No. Another bonus? There were several characters that were regulars on the show including "Seor Puppet" (a marionette voiced by Sid Crocker) and "Whatsyourname" (another puppet voiced by Mary Hillen). A write-up slip from elementary school showed she called a fellow 2nd grader poo-poo face. Good for whoever hires her next and shame on you . She assumed his gender. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt checks out a cake held by coworker Derron Daquano as she is joined by friends, family, and coworkers, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, after signing off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Donna Britt, who has been with WAFB for over 37 years, has announced she will retire from the local news station after being diagnosed with ALS 11 months ago. Guests were served a variety of appetizers, entrees and dessert prepared by DeAngelo's of Denham Springs and served by Livingston Parish Celebrity Waiters, Sen. Dale Erdey, Assessor Jeff Taylor, Sheriff Willie Graves, Walker Mayor Bobby Font, Denham Springs Council members Annie Fugler and John Wascom, Walker Police Chief Hunter Grimes, Denham Springs Police Chief Scott Jones, Greystone Managing Director Ron Menville and architect Jay Labarre. Photo 3 - US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge Color Guard of MMST2 James Nichols, MST3 Michael Thacker, ME3 Joseph Maldonado, BM3 Jarret Guerra was the lead Color Guard for the MOC ceremony. A longtime Louisiana news anchor has died following a battle with Lou Gehrigs disease, her former employer said Thursday. It's not standard. The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriffs Office caught a juvenile driving a stolen vehicle from an area where law enforcement officials say they have been investigating a string of vehicle thefts. This practice ended shortly after Gray assumed ownership of the station. For the last nine months, doctors have tried to diagnose it, however, many of the symptoms are the same for other diseases, she said at the time. Golden Deeds winner Donna Britt, center, is pictured with Judi Terzotis, left, Advocate President, and Scott Berg, president of Lee Michaels Jewelry, at the Golden Deeds awards Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 at the Baton Rouge Marriott. He was born in Tulsa, OK, grew up all over the country, and moved to Baton Rouge in July 2003. The longtime ABC11 evening anchor, who left the station at the end of July to move back to her native Louisiana and start a new career with more family friendly hours, told The News & Observer on Tuesday that part-time anchor jobs just dont happen. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. Golden Deeds -- With this year's Golden Deeds Award winner Donna Britt, seated, at a VIP reception before the dinner are, from left, Bob and Judi Terzotis, Larry and Dee Munzler, and Leslie and Scott Berg. He called her in for an interview and hired her right away. Shes probably just going to another network or something, it's not like that's a direct quote from the news station or anything, Looks like she got cancelled for forgetting to use the #Defundthepolice hashtag. I could completely see an argument erupting over this, someone losing their temper and saying something, resulting in termination. Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome does not like Kiran Chawla of WAFB Just Baton Rouge 1.53K subscribers Subscribe 31 Share 12K views 5 years ago Mayor Sharon Broome of Baton Rouge tells WAFB they. Catch the moving sale to save on books, CDs. Pennington Biomedical Research Center is hosting a wellness day for women on March 4th from 7:00am through 1:00pm. They can irritate your throat, nose, and eyes, some may even cause cancer. Just a theory, but IIRC, she was very involved and remained involved in covering the families of the police officers that were killed/wounded in 2016. According to the station, Powell will co-anchor the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts there starting Aug. 9. Valley Rail Depot), Odell S. Williams Now And Then African-American Museum, sorted by primary channel network affiliations, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WAFB&oldid=1132905661, Television channels and stations established in 1953, Television stations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox television station, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, derived from former radio sister stations, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 05:47. From left, Dot Thibodeaux, Cynthia Whitaker, master of ceremonies Donna Britt and Constance Walker attend the 21st annual Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Conference. Under new ownership, the station underwent many changes. I have ALS, Lou Gherigs disease. What are we talking here? The candidates are, from left to right, Democratic Rep. John Bel Edwards, of Amite, Lt. Gov. Baton Rouge General (BRG) has teamed up with Rouses Markets to offer free health checks to those in need. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. The East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office made three arrests after a months-long drug investigation on Wednesday, March 1. Photo 3 - US Coast . Former WBRZ News Director John Spain hired Mahaffey away from WAFB. Left to right, second row: Katherine Jensen, Liz Jensen, Mary Greenfield, Sonya Godwin, Colleen Colclough, Rhonda Silvio, Renee Breaux, Dedee Alford, Lorna Matlock, Cheri Mullinex, Margaret Elgin, Merietta Spencer, Tammy Norton, co-captain Kathy Fergus, captain Donna Britt. Her ALS diagnosis is causing her to pull back on those activities. Despite becoming rarer among other television news operations, WAFB occasionally broadcast an editorial that was usually delivered by the station manager. My whole family is very excited. WAFB Anchor Matt Williams is an anchor for 9News This Morning and Early Edition. Investigators say Maili Morris made 136 purchases using her 73-year-old aunts debit card, which she had linked to her personal DoorDash account. The fight happened in front of Camille Shade Hall on Southerns campus, jail records show. She is joined by colleagues Kiran Chawla, center, and Greg Meriwether. A Denham Springs animal fostering program, Rescue Rehome Repeat, needs volunteers to take in local dogs. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting. Carys biggest bookstore turns the page. The extra pandemic food stamps have officially stopped. They approached me and asked if I would be willing to work full-time and I said no if I wanted to do that, I wouldnt have left the job I had!. Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with, "WAFB Official Says NBR to get Super Service from Station," North Baton Rouge Journal, April 29, 1948, Page 1. Asians arent immune from cancel culture. I'm an Emmy & Murrow Award Winning Investigative Reporter who simply loves my job!. Fruit plant? Color Guards representing US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Baton Rouge, LSU Pershing Rifles Company D-17, Civil Air Patrol Ascension Composite Squadron, Knights of Columbus Bishop Ott Assembly, Parkview Eagle Scouts, Parkview Boy Scouts, Parkview Girl Scouts, and ROTC units from Tara High, Central High, St. Amant High, Zachary High, Belaire High, Broadmoor High, Glen Oaks High, Lee High, Northeast High, McKinley High, Scotlandville High, and Woodlawn High. Then shelter shared desperate plea. Good dudes, but definitely not journalists. His last day on the air will be Friday, Sept. 2. Advocate Staff Photograph by John Boss.Picture shot on 031399 At the Girl Scouts Urban Campout are,from left ,Donna Britt, Janet Vidrine, Gwen Hamilton, Patti Hiller. Donna retired from the station and anchored her last newscast nearly one year after publicly announcing her diagnosis. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. She commended the group on their publication of two issues of a race and ethnic studies journal titled 'America the Beautiful In Spite of It All.' Donnas husband, Mark Ballard, says her family was by her side as she passed away peacefully Thursday morning. Her two children include her daughter Annie and son Louis. WDAM-TV in Hattiesburg, Mississippi moved to channel 7 to accommodate this switch. My whole family is in this viewing area, even my dad who lives in North Mississippi, Powell said. After years of your input and suggestions, BREC is putting your vision into your parks. Keyword Fashion Clothing Association Communications. Updated: Jan 17, 2017 / 07:36 PM CST. Based on the BRPD press conference the other day, it is abundantly obvious that BRPD needs no help looking like fools. Copyright 2016 WAFB. One person was injured in a shooting in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, March 1, according to the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office. Community is key: How one ice cream parlor in Cary aims to be inclusive. BATON ROUGE, La. Perhaps doing so made her grow close to the families in their difficult aftermath and seeing basically a repeat of 2016 prompted her to say something that "wasn't acceptable" by the social media mob. Patient advocates have long called for insulin price cuts to help uninsured people who would not be affected by price caps tied to insurance coverage. Said program ended in late 1990 after Black resigned from WAFB. Chris Scheuermann is currently serving as the National Executive Director of The Pershing Rifles Group. In the eighth grade, an outstanding Bible teacher in Donnas life told her how God had inspired her to sign her name in lower-case letters, an act of humility and a promise to always to push to achieve her best in everything. A family is grieving one week after 41-year-old Jeross Banks was hit and killed while riding his bike to work along LA-1 in Iberville Parish. The two shows he hosted were called Storyland (for younger children during a.m. broadcasting) and The Buckskin Bill Show (for older children during the afternoons, which ended September 1977). Both stations share studios on Government Street in downtown Baton Rouge, while WAFB's transmitter is located on River Road near the city's Riverbend section. SI Predicts Three Permanent Opponents For Each SEC Team If League Moves To Nine-Game Model, NCAA Proposing Timing Rules Changes In College Football To Shorten Games, Four-Star Destrehan LB Kolaj Cobbins Commits To LSU, Skenes Tallies Career-High 13 Strikeouts In 12-2 Victory Over Butler, Lady Tigers Set For Matchup vs. Georgia In Quarterfinals Of SEC Tournament, Nick Saban Not Happy With Proposed SEC Schedule, Incredible Sucker Punch Landed In Yesterday's SIU-Edwardsville vs.UT Martin Game, Checking In On Mississippi State Softball Player Brylie St. Clair At The Farm, XFL QB Reportedly Cut For Leaking Plays To Other Team. . Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt waves as she sees her husband and son in the studio, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Donna Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. Powell said this week that the folks at WAFB, a Gray Media station, had asked her what it would take to get her to come back to news. and Wheel of Fortune until 1995 when the shows moved to WBRZ. If theyre looking for a woman to replace her they can give her spot to Jim Engster. "He not only had the camera-ready looks including a million-dollar smile, but he was a born story-teller. But three days of testing at Houston Methodist Hospital have removed doubts. Advocate staff photo by JOHN OUBRE -- Cancer survivor Donna Britt, with WAFB news, speaks to the audience on Saturday during a Relay for Life rally in Gonzales. Squires of Denham Springs donated the formal wear and Good Times Event Planning coordinated. Donna played the piano and organ in multiple churches starting in the fourth grade. Longtime WAFB television anchor Donna Britt, recipient of the 2018 Golden Deeds award, photographed in her home on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018. The station's digital signal is multiplexed: WAFB shut down its analog signal, over VHF channel 9, on June 12, 2009, the official date in which full-power television stations in the United States transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts under federal mandate. Hodge addedMahaffey, "had a huge heart and would do anything for you.". WAFB's Donna Britt, a breast cancer survivor, has been a fervent supporter of the local Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. In an interview with The News & Observer the week before her final broadcast on ABC11, Powell said that she had worked nights for about 15 years at the station, and that working from home some during the pandemic had opened her eyes to the time she was missing with her youngest daughter, who is 7. A friend who had not heard from Roger since Friday checked on him about 9:30. Mahaffey started his career in Baton Rouge television at WAFB-TV. You could score a free Bojangles biscuit almost every day for a week. Britt, who was a breast cancer survivor, was involved in multiple charities including ones for ALS, sickle cell disease and cancer, WAFB reported. From left, longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt on set as she is watched by her son, Louie Ballard, and husband Mark Ballard, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. WAFB also carried some ABC programming with WBRZ until WRBT (now WVLA) signed on in 1971 and some programming from DuMont until that network folded. Golden Deeds -- The 'first lady of Baton Rouge broadcasting' Donna Britt, center, is honored as this year's Golden Deeds winner and is congratulated by WBRZ's Whitney Vann and Sylvia Weatherspoon. Andre Moreau is leaving WAFB-TV after eight years behind the nightly anchor desk. Donna passed away on Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021. She was born while her parents were in the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft Worth Texas. I have ALS, Lou Gehrigs disease. Photo provided by LAURIE HARDISON --- Volunteer breakfast --- Salvation Army Capt. WAFB's Greg Meriwether, left, applauds honorary chairwoman Donna Britt, Saturday, July 14, 2018, during Dancing for a Cause benefiting the Arc of East Ascension at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, La. About a week after a man disappeared, the Baton Rouge Police Department continues to ask the public for help locating him, as new evidence has surfaced in the case. She attended numerous scouting Camporees and was fiercely proud of carrying a canoe over mountains and paddling the Northern Tier Extreme Boy Scout Adventure on Americas Northern border. This is exactly what you wanted, so why not? he responded. For nearly four decades, Donna Britt was a constant presence on televisions across the Baton Rouge area. Ms. Donna Britt, WAFB 9 News Anchor, delivered a focused and rousing challenge to the youth to lead the charge to honor those that have and continue to serve the nation while learning the founding ideals that make our nation exceptional. AT a luncheon marking National Girl Scout Week are, from left, Colette Dean, Donna Britt, Marilyn Zimmerman and Nell McAnelly. Two games many adults can remember Buckskin playing were called "Hully Gully" which helped to teach counting numbers and the "Monday Morning March". SI Predicts Three Permanent Opponents For Each SEC Team If League Moves To Nine-Game Model, NCAA Proposing Timing Rules Changes In College Football To Shorten Games, Four-Star Destrehan LB Kolaj Cobbins Commits To LSU, Skenes Tallies Career-High 13 Strikeouts In 12-2 Victory Over Butler, Lady Tigers Set For Matchup vs. Georgia In Quarterfinals Of SEC Tournament, Nick Saban Not Happy With Proposed SEC Schedule, Incredible Sucker Punch Landed In Yesterday's SIU-Edwardsville vs.UT Martin Game, Checking In On Mississippi State Softball Player Brylie St. Clair At The Farm, XFL QB Reportedly Cut For Leaking Plays To Other Team, Georgia's Jalen Carter Returns To The NFL Combine After His Arrest On Wednesday Night, Nick Saban Adds Charlie Strong To His Staff, Kirby Smart Issues Statement On Latest Jalen Carter Arrest Warrant News, NFL Inside Jay Glazer Shows Off Girlfriend While On Vacation, Kliff Kingsbury's Girlfriend Is Back At It With New Swimsuit Photos, Tennis Star Genie Bouchard Celebrated Her Birthday At The Pool With Her Sister, CBS Sports Includes Jayden Daniels In Top 10 QB Power Rankings. WAFB anchor Andr Moreau is leaving the Baton Rouge, La. [3] In 1965, the station moved its transmission tower from Zachary to south of LSU's campus, allowing viewers in a 90-mile (140km) radius to receive its signal; it was also in that year that the station started broadcasting in color. At a luncheon to honor area volunteers are, from left, guest speaker, Mayor bobby Simpson and Donna Britt, Ron Winders, Janet Rack, Rob Stuart, Noel Parnell and Nick Simonette, representatives of sponsors WAFB-TV, Volunteer Baton Rouge! I am physically exhausted, Powell told The N&O in June. The #1 subreddit for all things relating to Baton Rouge, Louisiana! Women of Distinction -- At the Girl Scouts Louisiana East Women of Distinction luncheon are, from left, CEO Jacqueline Alexander; honorees Julie LeBlanc, Dr. Rebekah Gee, Donna Britt (seated) and Betsy Stoner; and board chairwoman Joan Molllohan. Power of 9 -- Veteran WAFB news anchor Donna Britt receives a bouquet of flowers from Capital Area United Way CEO George Bell, left, and Capital One Baton Rouge President David Mullens for her dedication to the Power of 9 initiative. Donna Britt, third from left, has always been a supporter of community events, like the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. LTC Widner presented the award to St. Amant High School with its near perfect synchronization as champion, and first runner up was Broadmoor High School with its specialized marching footwork. Cadet Commander of Troops, Cadet LTC Alisha Parker of Tara High School issued the vocal commands that moved the mass of flag carrying corps through the ceremony. A large storm system took aim at the Northeast on Friday, threatening heavy snow and coastal flooding after heavy winds and possible tornadoes damaged homes and buildings, left thousands without power and caused five deaths in a wide swath of the South and Midwest. Upon being taken over by AFLAC, station management canceled the daily Storyland on September 30, 1988 and converted it to a Saturday morning hour-long program called Buckskin Bill and Friends that began airing on November 5, 1988. Lawhon says Mahaffey had a love for first family first but his second love was for television news. Copyright 2021 WAFB. Mahaffey paid to get his car fixed and, when it broke again, he bought him a new car,"Hodge recalled. Deputies with the Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office are searching for a man accused of making threats via social media to a witness involved in a murder trial. Take a look back through some pictures of her television work, volunteering and life in Baton Rouge. Keyword Holiday Fair, Advocate staff photo by Kerry Maloney. Southern alumnus, Vietnam Vet receives Medal of Honor, Arrests made during investigation of prostitution happening at massage parlors, Attorney General Jeff Landry seeks endorsement from Trump, plans to travel to Florida, Cajun Navy joins search for Nathan Millard, organizes outreach, Deputies: 1 wanted, 3 arrested after video of witness testimony shared on social media, First Free Sundays return to LSU Center for River Studies, La. Winfield, Mary Irma Cormier-Thomas, Linda Johnson and John Dilworth. WBRZ-TV TV News Anchor Full Profile Jake Roblez Baton Rouge, LA Professions & Specialties News Anchor Commercial Announcer Presenter Experience & Education Title: Political News Anchor at Louisiana State University Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area Industry: Mechanical or Industrial Engineering Full Profile Andrs Serna Baton Rouge, LA Media departures are always strange. "He was a remarkable guy in that he had no ego and that's really rare in the news business," Spain said. "They just looked for somebody who looked all right . She had joined the station in 1980 and appeared on the air as an anchor until her deteriorating health from the disease forced her to retire in June 2018. Her contract wasnt renewed per someone I know who knows someone else who knows her. WAFB (channel 9) is a television station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States, affiliated with CBS. The WAFB news director at the time, Carlton Cremeens, heard Donna on the radio as a DJ and loved her voice. "John Mahaffey was the consummate news anchor," addedLawhon. It was a gross departure from procedure. Visiting at the Baton Rouge Symphony League's annual Mad Hatter's Spring Fashion Show are, from left, Carla Jumonville, Julie Dickinson, Lois Saye and Donna Britt. She reigned as Queen of Spanish Town in 1990.Another big passion for Donna was her service to the Boy Scouts. Mahaffey, a graduate of the University of Texas, retired in 1999 and continued living in Baton Rouge. Hey! Identifed below by MAIDEN NAMES. The kids were told they could use the 20 or more toppings for their ice cream in an allyou-can-eat buffet. Her husband, Mark Ballard, serves as the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Advocate newspaper. WAFB was one of a handful of stations that shifts the air times of various CBS programming. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a Black employee at Exxons chemical plant found a noose at his worksite in January 2020. Donna announced her diagnosis to viewers during WAFBs 6 p.m. newscast on July 27, 2017. Perfectly Pink -- Celebrating breast cancer survivors at the Susan G. Komen Perfectly Pink Luncheon for Life are, seated, honoree Donna Britt, and, standing from left, Executive Director Angela Miller, Dr. Abenaa Brewster, Elizabeth Vowell, Jay Grymes, Holly Clegg and Blake Tolbird. southaven high school bell schedule . Photo shot on 3/17/2003. Longtime WAFB anchor Donna Britt waves as she sees her husband and son in the studio, Wednesday, June 13, 2018, as Donna Britt signs off for one last time at WAFB studios in downtown Baton Rouge, La. She is survived by her husband, Mark Ballard, in addition to her daughter, Annie, and son, Louie, the outlet reported.