Dawn Stensland released by Fox 29 October 23, 2009
Posted by Chris Stover in Journalism, Philadelphia.Tags: Coming Clean, Dawn Stensland, Fox29, Larry Mendte, Twitter
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It was the tweet heard around Philadelphia. On Tuesday, Fox 29 anchor Dawn Stensland updated Twitter to say:
Fox is not renewing my contract. I wanted you to hear that directly from me. Thank you for all your love and support over the years.
Stensland, who has been the main anchor on Fox for eight years, anchored the 10 p.m. news Tuesday night and followed it up with special post-midnight coverage of the Phillies’ NLCS clinch.
That broadcast would be her last. After gossipers reported that a timeframe for her departure had not been determined, it was announced on Wednesday, one day after her tweet, that she had been released immediately.
Kerri-Lee Halkett, Emmy Award winner for Best Anchor, will take over the 10 p.m. newscast.
As evidenced by Stensland’s Twitter page, many fans are outraged by the ousting. Her husband, ex-anchor Larry Mendte, called out Fox 29 in one of his tweets:
The amount of Love that my wife @DawnStensland is getting on her Facebook Page is insane – R U seeing this @Fox29Philadelphia
This week, King of Prussia-based company Banyan Productions announced its pitch of Coming Clean, hosted by Mendte. The syndicated show, which is being pitched to programming directors across the nation, would be a day-and-date show that would examine national and local headlines and “be an advocate for the truth,” according to the demo.
I will not be watching fox 29 philadelphia. Dawn stensland, was the best you ever had on the program. The one who made this decision, is the person, who should go.
Posted this in the wrong place. I was curious and read Kerri Lee’s bio. She was chosen Best Anchor in the entire Mid Atlantic 2 of the past three years and her reporting experience is also impressive. I admit, I was surprised because she is extremely attractive, but then I thought shame on me for thinking just because she is beautiful she wouldn’t be smart. You can’t judge a book by it’s cover, beautiful women can be highly intelligent too.
Kerri Lee cannot anounciate the words well and has a slang- not good for an anchor. All Fox was looking for is some one looks like a slut to replace Dawn. I have always watche Channel- 6 News and will stay with it.
I’m very disappointed in 29 for pushing Dawn out. First of all, she had a great character that would shine right thru…nothing phony.
I know that Kerri-Lee is a beaut, but how did she win an Emmy? I have trouble understanding everything she says. She seems to slur some words at times, and Dawn was always much more clear.
Sorry Fox29, …Big Mistake.
Just one more example of the disintegration of Fox 29 News. Another television channel I will no longer be watching ever again. Good Luck Dawn – You were the best the Channel had to offer….Again, our household will never again watch Fox Channel 29.
She has actually won several emmys and countless other awards, just read her bio.
That is funny- Awards journalists receive and Hollywood awards all are just joke.Kerri Lee is not an anchor neither do Thomas. Fox Local Philly news have no credibility and they are simply not good. This is True of KYW news- almost like a soap opera or a cheap news program. The only one I found to have some weight and class as a News channel is ABC- Channel-6. Jim Gardner- Now he is a news anchor. All others just jokes.
Now admit it- Dawn was a great anchor. I would like to see a Jim Gardner-Dawn Stensland team- Wouldn’t that be wonderful?
The only thing good about Fox of late was Dawn. How weird is the 5 worse days and the recap..”in the top box is…” cheesy!
I wanted to know where Dawn was and had to find out on the web. I wish channel 29 had given her a proper send off. They act as if she wasn’t a part of the “team” for years. Good Luck Dawn.
how in the world could they let dawn go yet keep joyce evanc who cannot even read type?!? i don’t understand!
i wont be watching any more!
i mean joyce evans doesnt know when to pause, when to continue, how to read a sentence! she really irritates me when she delivers the news! at least dawn was a terrific anchor! how could they?
I am very disappointed in Fox for not renewing Dawn’s contract. As a result my family will not be watching any of the Fox news programs. This station has a history of disloyalty to their employess, not limited to but including, Billy V., David A., John A., Gerald C., Rob G. The list goes on. There are stations in Philly that have mininal turnover. We will be switching and in fact have already done so. Dawn is the best, no one comes close to her ability. We wish Dawn the best and hope to see her on another local station.
jo another to add to the list I will not be watching fox 29 news……
My husband and I had to search the web after looking at the News and not seeing Dawn for a few days. We are very disappointed.
Thank God – I’ve been waiting for this day for 8 years.
first they got rid of dorthy now dawn what a waste . They should not have brought back mike or john! and art you are on crack!!!
John Bolaris is the worst, he is so cheesy.
you are totally right on Jack. John Bolaris is single handedly bringing that newscast down. Did anybody see his remotes for the Phillies playoff games? They were laughable. Stick to reading off the monitor.
And who dresses Kerri-Lee Halkett? Her outfits are terrible and they accent her giant left boob.
I have to agree I miss Dawn, but I really do love Kerri-Lee a lot, and am so glad she is the replacement. Talented, beautiful and it’s obvious to me why she wins emmys. John is fine, I think you are being too hard on him and I love seeing Sally Anne on the channel too. I don’t understand the sports department, and I think they need some help in the morning on Good Day PHiladelphia. But overall I am happy with Fox 29.
Art: I have to admit, I am with you. Me too!
don’t know what’s going on with Fox 29…some kind new management. that’s a phony. They’ve been firing or let go few good anchor. since all that thing chance. I’m no longer interested watching Good day Philadelphia. That so sad. Wish the best luck for Dawn.
John Bolaris should have been given his walking papers, not Dawn!
Just want to say that I miss Dawn’s voice on Fox News. She has a very good speaking voice with a lot of expression in it. The news actually seems dull without her there.
I too had to search the web to now find out that FOX29 let her go. I think she is MUCH better than that Keri-Lee woman. I just don’t understand how Keri-Lee won an emmy. Best of luck to you Dawn!
If ever anybody should go it’s Jen F. She is in love with herself. always interrupts and tries to be funny. NOT!!
I AM SO UPSET THAT DAWN WAS LET GO, REALLY LIKED HER, FULL OF PERSONALITY. LOTS OF LUCK DAWN
I had to find out about Dawn by searching the web. She is an absolute sweetheart & a good person – not to mention a great anchor. I loved to watch & listen to her. Dawn, better things are ahead for you. AND, DEAR LORD, WHY DID THEY EVER BRING ON SALLY ANN??? I stopped watching ABC because SHE IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE TO WATCH!!! What is going on at FOX?? First Dorothy (another sweetheart) and now Dawn.
I was really happy to see a real woman deliver the news when Dawn replaced Jill C….now we are again subjected to another fake, actress-type news anchor….I have stopped watching Fox altogether because
all they care about is how hot the anchor is and not about her ability to
connect with the majority of female viewers…I am sure she connects with the male viewers but they are not listening to what she is saying…
l was very shocked that they let dawn go. i will not watch fox 29 ever again. i don’t care for kerry lee at all . fox 29 will never be the same after letting billy d go also along with dorothy what is wrong with you fox 29
I had it with Fox news; their loss. Bst of luck Dawn.
I have not watched FOX 29 since Dawn’s contract was renewed. She was really the only reason I viewed this local news show. It is amazing to me the powers to be would make such foolish decision. Best of luck to Dawn. When one door closes… another one opens. I hope she seriously considers running for Congress.
Although I did not care for the way Dawn did the news. She was better then what they have now. I absolutly cannot stand Kari Lee. I do wish Dawn a world of luck. it is true that when one door closes another one opens.
I really miss Dawn the 10 O’clock news is not the same. This is why I switched to my PHL 17 at 10.
Kathy
I think Keri Lee sounds like she is doing some sex interview when she reports the news. I thought Dawn was great and real. She handled herself great when her husband was the main topic of the news in Philly. Again Fox 29, you messed up her.
It’s all about $’s and nonsense. $hit happens. Get over it. Or change the channel.
Cannot stand John Bolaris and Joyce Evans they make me want to hurl….They should have gotten rid of them and kept Dawn, Good luck Dawn, I will miss you.
Yeah, ten o’clock isn’t the same for me anymore. I loved when Dawn wore a satin blouse on the air, it sparkled like her smile. I’ll miss you Dawn. I’ll bet any network woukld love to have her on. Hell yeah
I have watched have been a fan of Dawn since she was with
channel 3. The Fox evening news is just boring without her.
I was in California for a while and when I came back, I was so surprised not to see her. They really blew it this time.
I love sue serio
I am loving Kerri Lee and Thomas together. Dawn was ok but a little frumpy and out of date, and it felt like “her time had passed.” Plus she had trouble reading scripts without messing up her words and she had a strange way of pausing during her reading. I had trouble taking her seriously to be honest and am far happier with the current team.
Ratings are way up for FOX 29. Guess the “haters” were in the minority. I love the new show and new team.
Has anyone noticed Shawnette Wilson lately? Now there is some beauty for you
Love Shawnette, Love KerriLee, Love them all. The ladies of Fox are smart and good lookin’
Troy I am with you. Love myself some KL
Shawnette Wilson is by far the prettiest one on fox29. Kerry Barrett is a distant second. Kerri-Lee is always in the spotlight, let’s give it to somebody else, and that somebody else is the beautiful Shawnette Wilson. They ought to move her top ten o clock and have Kerri-Lee work the weekends or something. Of course that’s just my opinion
Since Fox 29 cleaned house with the leaving of Dawn Stensland, Dave Huddleston , two of the sports casters and the one weather man I do not watch Fox 29. Kerri Lee and the gentleman anchor are so phony I can not stand to listen to them. My best wishes to those who were ousted.
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Thanks!