WTSP weather team shakeup as Fay approaches

As Tropical Storm Fay turns TV viewers’ attention to weather reports, WTSP-Ch. 10 plans to soon let go meteorologist Anna Allen and demote forecaster Randy Rauch from on-air work.

So WTSP will be shuffling forecasters during hurricane season, when local stations compete hardest for viewers tracking storm systems.

The moves come during a year of change on the local weather scene, ranging from the unexpected death of WTSP chief meteorologist Dick Fletcher in February to the layoff of WFLA-Ch. 8 forecaster Mace Michaels earlier this year.

Allen, 43, confirmed she would be leaving the station Sept. 5, following WTSP’s decision to exercise an option terminating her contract early. Rauch also confirmed he would be demoted soon from on-air work, replaced by colleague Sherry Ray.

“I think it shocked both of us,” said Rauch. “I think they’ve been trying to make me irrelevant for some time. But they got in a jam when Fletch left us, and I had to fill in.”

WTSP general manager Sam Rosenwasser declined to comment on the changes, beyond insisting that the station, which has three meteorologists, will not dip below that number. He said the station plans “very soon” to announce Fletcher’s successor, but wouldn’t give a specific date.

“We have a very strong team of meteorologists here and we expect that to continue,” said Rosenwasser of WTSP, which pre-empted the Dr. Phil show to present storm coverage from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday evening.

Tampa Bay area TV meteorologists stepped up coverage Monday, preparing for continuous broadcasts if the storm worsened, loading their station Web sites, digital channels and mobile alert systems with information.

At WFTS-Ch. 28, news director Chris Jadick said his team of three meterologists can do the job of covering weather emergencies just fine. “We’ve got some of best people in the business working here,” he said. “We’re good to go.”

Fox station WTVT-Ch. 13 and cable newschannel Bay News 9 each have five on-air meteorologists. The cable channel also called in former chief meteorologist Alan Winfeld on Monday to help. The station was continuously focused on Fay beginning at 5 a.m. “We expect to be live all night long,” said general manager Terry Dolan. “This is what we do.”

On Monday afternoon, WTSP’s Rosenwasser was weighing whether to pre-empt prime-time programming for storm coverage. “No matter what we do, we can get blamed,” he said. “We’re just trying to be careful and keep things in proportion.”

At WTVT, chief meteorologist Paul Dellegatto was marveling at the traffic on the station’s weather-centered Web site MyFoxHurricane.com, which had nearly 3-million pageviews by mid-day Monday.

“Go back to the days of Roy Leep and this station has always had a reputation for having a great weather department,” said Dellegatto. (Leep retired as WTVT’s chief meteorologist in 1997 after 40 years.) “I’m just glad the station continues to make that commitment.”

Comments

[Martha]

I can't understand why Channel 10 in St Pete dismissed Randy Rauch and Anna Allen with Tammie Souza. Don't they
realize that viewers become attached to
weather people and to bring on someone like Souza who appears to be a sex symbol all dressed up in her short skirts ... Rauch gave a great presentation....weather in the tampa bay area is serious stuff. I'll go to
Paul Dellagado at channel 13 for my weather from now on.....

[Fay]

I was wondering what happened to Anna & Randy & Mario - have been trying out other stations because of all the personnel changes at WTSP over the years. Seems like just as we get to know/love someone at this station, they're gone. I'm going elsewhere for my news and weather. Twenty-one years of Channel 10 is enough!
BAD MOVE, WTSP!

[Karen]

Loved Anna, Do to my move I didn't know what went on. My family is not watching your station, Mario and Anna and Paul were good. I hope you loose a lot of viewers, you kept Sharry because she is stuck up someone butt! I hope you loose alot of viewers.

[hank ulinski]

i had the pleasure of meeting anna in person a few months ago. my wife and i have always enjoyed her and her weather forecast. she will not have a hard time finding a better job with a better employer. we will miss you. best of luck, hank and carole

[Peter Sandulli]

You goofed firing Anna Allen. I will go somewhere else to view my news/weather.
Good Luck Anna.

[Jeff]

I agree with most of what you say Tom, but a knee jerk reaction to what ? I haven't given up on Tammie Souza, just the management at WTSP with their revolving door policy regarding their employees. As far as her making a lifetime home here I sincerely doubt it despite her qualifications. As far as Sherry Ray goes I personally don't like her mundane monotone nasaly delivery, and her command of the english language isn't the best. Seems that a lot of people believe WTSP already had the best, Anna, Randy and Dick.

[Tom G]

I think WTSP management is doing knee-jerk reactions in letting Anna and Randy go, especially Anna. However, I never doubted that it would do a national search for a Chief Meteorologist, because of Dick's passing. This is a major market that has been shaken up.

Randy and Anna will definitely land on their feet.

Tammie Souza is on the AMS board, and some of her listeners have posted favorable comments as to her ability to work with data, understand stormy weather, and appeal to the public. Chicago is a big market and I expect they generally would pick top talent that could be promotable to higher positions in other markets. She is a safe bet and could easily make here her lifetime home. Don't give up on her yet ... Tampa Bay needs all the best meteorologists it can get. I have preferences, but I give all a hearing, because I need the different slants each brings to the table, expecially during serious weather situations, such as freezes, fires, hurricanes, etc.

Comments about Sherry make me sick. I think there is another underlying reason a lot of bloggers have put her down, given her credentials. "If the glove doesn't fit, you've got to acquit!"

[Mary]

I am happy to see that I am not the only one missing Anna, Meredyth, Angie, Mario, Randy, and even Alexandra Hackett. I find myself shuffling through the other Bay area stations trying to find something as satisfying to fill the void. I usually end up back at CBS for the Early Show with Harry Smith just to put a bit of normalcy into my morning . I was disappointed when Renee Syler and Hannah Storm were gone, but at least I still have Harry. But when the WTSP crew started to disappear one after the other, I became very concerned. It is almost like losing members of your family, as you look forward to seeing them every day.

[Ben]

Letting Anna Allen go was a major mistake! Our family will not be watching your station anymore.

It hasn't even been a year since Dick Fletcher passed. When He passed away I put alot of my hope and faith into Anna and Randy. I felt they were carrying Dick Fletcher's torch. Without them, I'm sure his death would of been harder to deal with. I know I'm not the only one that felt this way. So this is what WTSP does to the two comforters of your viewers? Quite frankly I get the impression that WTSP doesn't care about their viewers. Well I got news no viewers, no ratings... See you...Gonna go back to WFTS where I started when I moved down here 12 years ago.

[doug]

WTSP has lost their minds by loosing Mario and now Anna and probably Randy I will not watch a station that is forever changing their staff..GOODBYE 10

[Deb]

While I thought the morning show had just a little too much estrogen for its' own good, letting Anna go was not the answer. I really thought that Anna would be promoted to the Chief spot to replace Dick as she was the one with seniority in that department. But I guess years of service and doing a good job doesn't count anymore in corporate America. I did see that a cute little blonde from Chicago is probably going to be the Chief Meteorologist now. Channel 10 certainly has a theme to their newscasts.

I am 100% surprised that Sherry Ray is still there, she who cannot speak coherently and is constantly flubbing the words - my favorite lately is confusing Flagler Beach for Flatuant Beach.

[eunice cook]

i used to watch wtsp faithfully ,but i don't any more,can't belive they got rid of the best they had,what i think it is they want a line up of blonds,it don't matter what they can do as long as there young and blond.
we are watching another station now the people has been on there far years

[Sandy]

Every weekday morning I would wake up to Anna giving the weather. She is such a refreshing change of pace, not taking life too seriously at 6:00 in the morning. She laughs at herself and at the world around her, so lighthearted and enjoying life. Now that Anna is no longer on Channel 10, I won't be either. I will watch the weather channel and go to the internet for my news and weather updates. Hopefully Anna will find a place on the air again in Tampa. Until then, good luck and God speed Anna. Thanks for the laughs.

[Jeff]

If you really want to let the execs at Gannett (WTSP's parent company) how you feel about the revolving door policy at WTSP, send an email to the Vice President of Coporate Communications Tara Connell at this email addy. I have recieved word from her that she will foward communications to the proper people at Gannett.

Tara Connell
Vice President of Corporate Communications
(703) 854-6049
tjconnel@gannett.com

[starsouls]

this is ridiculous. i have faithly watched wtsp since i moved here in 2003 but now i will watch a different channel. anna and randy where good at what they do. this station is making way to many changes. first it was mario now anna randy and meredyth. i refuse to watch the morning news anymore since i dont like the new meteorologist chris and i definitely dont like the new traffic reporter john

I am looking else where for news.

Who are the idoits making the decisons
at Channel 10? Anna,Meredyth, and Randy were all very competent and I
enjoyed watching them. I wonder what
Dick would think of all this if he were
here. I've watched Channel 10 for years but I'm seriously thinking of
going elsewhere for my weather.
Channel 10 changes talent like people
change their socks; no wonder they're
always in the bottom slot. Good luck
Anna, Randy, and Meredyth. You will
be missed

[Pete]

Anna and Randy gone? So am I.

[kim derby]

My 3 children watch Anna every morning before school. My one daughter meet Anna on a school field trip this past year. She absolutely loves her! How devistated she was to find out Anna was let go. When my children informed me I changed news station immediately. BAck to Bay News 9. Anna you will be sorely missed!

[FlaRedHead]

Although Anna would have benefitted from a complete makeover, WTSP has made yet another poor business decision. Way to go, idiots. What's your next dumb move?

[J. Zias]

This stuff always seems misdirected to me. Anna and Randy were bothe very good well liked. WFLA severely downgraded their weather team, and now WTSP follows suit with more small market type replacements.

[George]

What more can you say about WTSP that's printable?? IDIOTS!

[Claudine]

Our dearest Anna,
We are so sorry for your loss. We miss you in the mornings! With the loss of Dick Fletcher, we knew we could still depend on WTSP because of you. You are obviously very knowledgeable about the weather and you shared your knowledge with us. All of your loyal fans are anxious to see which station will grab you up so we will know which station to tune into for a reliable weather report delivered with a warm smile. Thank you for the service you have given us!

[Claudine]

Our dearest Anna,
We are so sorry for your loss. We miss you in the mornings! With the loss of Dick Fletcher, we knew we could still depend on WTSP because of you. You are obviously very knowledgeable about the weather and you shared your knowledge with us. All of your loyal fans are anxious to see which station will grab you up so we will know which station to tune into for a reliable weather report delivered with a warm smile. Thank you for the service you have given us!

[kimberly Michels]

To Gannett Co. Headquarters:
I have one question for you, why did you terminate Anna Allen’s contract early? Do you realize how much the Tampa Bay Area liked waking up and watching the weather from her? Do realize what service(s) she has given to the Tampa Bay Area? She was the best meteorologist on TV to us. I swore by her daily to arrange my scheduling for work. I got my clients to watch her and they cannot believe this decision has been made to terminate her either. Anna was an extremely professional meteorologist, right up there with Dick Fletcher but a lot more perkier and her grammar was exquisite, so I guess that made her a lot better didn't it? She made mornings fun and her forecasts so reliable. She went into detail I cannot get from any other forecaster. I have stopped watching Channel 10, in which I watched it every morning, four p.m. if I was home in time, and six and eleven. But now I am flipping through channels, skipping 10, trying to find a meteorologist that can even come close to Anna. It is such a shame to the community what decisions have been made towards her. I have advised all my clients about this unfair decision, and they aren’t watching 10 either now. Also by all the web blogs, if you have read, many are disgusted by this termination action. I think you have made a terrible decision. Anna gave 100% to her career with your company and it did show, we, the viewers, really admired her. She also gave much to the community (children), which I wasn’t aware of until reading the many articles about this termination. You lost a great employee, do you realize that fact? And if you do not, well you must be quite narcissistic and not a very good employer. Yes, sir, I have been in management on and off for 22 years, a natural leader, people person at very young age, a UAW alt at one short period of time and now a small business owner myself. Maybe I am not as high up on the life’s totem pole as you are, but I do recognize a fantastic person and a fine employee when I see one, she was one in a million and you let her go. Shame on you, is all that this person has to say along with much of the community. You are losing many viewers, do you even realize that fact? Of course you probably do not even care, do you? Yes, you are probably too busy trying to arrange your tee time or some other extracurricular activity that some of your employees cannot even do because of their working schedules arranged by your company.

Sincerely,

K. Michels

[Sue]

It is very sad that the management of WTSP does not understand that the viewers look at the personalities of their station as friends and sometimes members of an extended family. We invite these people into our homes and in some way they become trusted friends. I would have thought that to be obvious when Dick Fletcher passed away.

When John Winter passed away we were unable to watch the WFLA morning show again. Now you have removed the best things about the morning show on your station, Mario, Anna, Angie and Meredyth. We have no interest in watching Ginger Gadsden, who is very stiff and better suited to hard news than a morning show setting, which requires people that can deliver the information in a kinder, more gentle manner than a straight news show.

Needless to say, we no longer watch your station in the morning. If I want to be bored to death first thing in the morning, I'd just watch a straight news station. We are trying out the ABC affiliate to see how we like that. Bring Anna and Meredyth back and maybe your viewers will come back as well.

What were you thinking?

[George Eismont]

I visit the Tampa area at least 3 times a year & I looked forward to seeing Anna and her forecasts. I didn't even mind waking up early to see her. I even logged onto WTSP on line to catch her web forecasts. Now that the idiots at WTSP let her go I have already deleted the station from my computer and will look for her wherever she ends up. She will reappear soon because she is a great personality. Good luck Anna and good bye WTSP.

[James Cunningham]

Letting Anna Allen go was pretty much the last straw for us. She really made our mornings. Hard to imagine what Rosenwasser was thinking when he decided to let Anna go and keep Sherry Ray. Anna has a real personality and really looked like she enjoyed doing what she did. On top of this, she delivered a competent weather forecast. Sherry Ray's delivery sounds as if she just listened to a weather radio forecast. Seems like WTSP management cannot hold on to their good people (Virginia Johnson) and does not recognize the talent that was willing to stay (Anna Allen). We will now switch to Bay News 9 for our morning news broadcast. That is until one of WTSP's competitor's pick Anna up. In fact, I hope Bay News 9 does. Then we can watch the two (2) people that originally hooked us on the morning news at WTSP a few years ago.

[Jeff Bartek]

It is hard to imagine that someone who worked as many hours and different shifts as Anna Allen did would be rewarded in such a way. I can’t believe that she might have been a bad employee considering she worked the morning, mid-day, afternoon, evening and late night shifts many in the same week, (doesn’t seem to leave much time for a personal life). Sam Rosenwasser, Gannett and Darren Richards should be ashamed of themselves for this move. It is quite clear that their main concern is not that their loyal viewers get the best possible weather coverage from the best qualified meteorologists available. This should be a wakeup call to every employee at WTSP that no matter how well you do your job you are not safe.

I know this is probably no consolation to Anna, but she should be sure to hold her head high. She did a great job during her time at WTSP. Anna was certified/sealed and her on air persona was second to none. She made the weather interesting, informative and fun to watch. On their best day her replacements can’t come close to her on her worst. No one wants to watch a non certified forecaster during storms especially when lives and property are at stake. Her accuracy and attention to details so that we the viewers would get the best forecast available seemed to be her main goal. She accomplished this every time she was in front of the camera. She was the consummate professional. In a job market that I’m sure is quite limited and tight I hope she finds a job quickly as I am sure she has bills to pay like the rest of us. I for one will absolutely miss her smiling face every morning. I invited her and the morning crew into my house every weekday for the past five years and they were truly like a breath of fresh air. As a viewer all I can do is voice my feelings about Anna’s, Meredyths, Angies, and Randys (demotion) terminations as I have done here, and switch the channel.

[Felton]

Too bad about Anna-will miss her. Guess I will have to find another local show to watch in the AM. Ginger would be a good center for a women's b-ball team, but that is about all. Sherry has no personality-I like my weather people alive and fun-not like Sherry who looks like she just woke up.

[MaryanneB]

I am really sorry to hear Anna will not be on the morning show anymore. I have watched channel 10 for many years but I think it's time for a change. Ilove Ginger but she can't hold the whole show together. I miss Mario and now Anna is gone. I guess so am I. every time you get familar with the anchors they change them. Good luck, I will be tuning in to channel 8 am & 6 pm & 13 for 10 O'clock news. Too bad this had to happen.

[CBTV]

All I have to say, it what is WTSP thinking? Randy and Anna are 2 great meteorologists. They are smart and personable, as well as certified. As a former employee of WTSP, I hate to see them go, but let's not lose sight of the bigger picture here, there is now only one weather person left and they are not even certified/ sealed, never mind it is hurricane season. And no, fill-ins do not count! WTSP here is some advice, and I suggest you take it... No one wants to trust an unsealed "weather person" to give them weather, especially when it could affect their lives or property. I am not sure who your consultants are or what focus group you are getting your data from, but if I were you I would fire them, they are idiots. People want sealed meteorologists with some personality that they can relate to with a proven track record behind them. I have held out and rooted for you WTSP as long as I can, out of loyalty and pride of being a former employee, but with all the dumb decisions management is currently making, I am going to have to call this a WRAP and move on to another station, so that I can get what I need from someone I can trust that I know is certified to do the job. Good Luck WTSP, I hope you survive a rough year and Gannett can afford to keep you on as one of their stations. And to all my former colleagues I will pray that Opie and Sam spare your jobs, as they hacksaw their way though capable talent on their quest to make WTSP the laughing stock of all the local stations, with ratings lower than their cable counterparts at Bay News 9, cause you know that is a hard task to accomplish especially when Bay News 9 is only available to Bright House Network subscribers.

[Shocked in NPR]

Sherry Ray replace Anna Allen? You gotta be kidding. Sherry Ray can't say 3 words without stuttering. WTSP-you just lost 2 loyal viewers.

[Debbie]

I will be looking for a new news station. I was a loyal fan with Mario, Anna and Dick.

[Heidi]

Randy is among the most accurate weather people I have ever worked with. He is also one of the few tv people I know to ask for more work daily. I did not have a chance to work with Anna- but Randy was meant for bigger things than WTSP.

[Ann]

The ratings are in and Bay News 9 SLAUGHTERED the rest of the stations for Fay covereage. In fact, during some time periods, they had higher ratings than *all* the other stations combined. Suck it haters.

[cado]

I think that's crazy that the two people that have more experienced and been at the station for a long time was let go. Anna & Randy are both well known and established their career as the channel 10 meteorologist next to Dick Fletcher. I don't know how the station supposed to keep their viewers when the station don't keep anybody longer than 6 years. I like both of them and I think they both have chemistry with anyone they work with. I think what the station need is a news director that will keep the anchors even when the ratings go down a little; not someone that will keep changing anchors everytime the ratings go down.

[TampaTime]

It's a shame they're letting go of two dedicated people. I have seen Randy & Anna on newscasts before the sun comes up, late at night and on weekends.
They both seem to be down to earth people who work hard and enjoy what they do. They don't need to wear suspenders or have gimics to do the weather. I like their straight forward delivery. This thread is filled with petty complaints about stations. Shame on you for forgetting what's happened to their lives. I enjoyed watching both of them.
To me, they appeared professional, credible and good natured. Here's something to complain about... If it can happen to them, it can happen to you.

[JIM]

It's so funny people bashing bay news 9 about their weather coverage. The other stations get their butts handed to them during ANY weather event, no matter how small or big, by BN9 and they know it. I'm thinking those are the ones making the comments. Jealous much? And guess which is the only station expanding, not firing people right and left??? Yeah, that would be Bay News 9.

[Conrad]

I cannot watch 9 at all anymore. Their weather guy, Brian McClure, is boring, boring, boring. Not even a tropical storm can make his predictions exciting, nor accurate.
I always trust Denis Philips, always have, always will. He's Tampa's best.

[beltwaybandit]

WFLA relying on an inexperienced producer and obviously less expensive talent in Lee Spann and Jen Hill; WFTS keeping only three forecasters in the stable full time; WTSP willing to drop two of three forecasters at the same time during tropical season;

It's obvious which corporate parents are struggling and which are not.

Bay News 9 gets benefit of a revenue stream the others do not...monthly subscriber fees. WTVT benefits from Fox ownership andits commitment to all things sensational: tabloids, weather emergencies, etc.

Losers: the audience.

[Jack]

I thought Bay News 9 anchor Jen Holloway was the exercise equipment inventor.

There is often a pattern with ratings-challenged stations:

1. Change the set
2. Change the anchors
3. Change the management

WTSP appears to be in the midst of Step #2. Absent an unexpected rise in ratings, expect vultures to circle over News Director Darren Richards and maybe Mr. Rosenwasser soon.

[Greg Henderson]

Bay News 9 America stands before you on this very day and asks you to please stop running a High School style production and step up with the big boys you compete against and while all can clearly see the smart move in releasing Anna Allen due to her inability to give 100% to her job as she is preoccupied with an exersize invention to add to the hundreds on the market already when all one has to do is eat right and exersize weekly to stay in good health but to demote the very best forecaster you have employed there is nothing short of detrimental to your veiwership as Randy Rauch is the only one who does not give you the impression that the world is ending during hurricane times but rather lets you understand the risks involved without spreading panic as most of your other forecasters do.

[James]

Bay News 9 has 6 weather anchors. Can't you count Eric?

Amazing how the broadcast stations say they are committed to weather and then do nothing when a storm threatens. Why not write about that Mr. Deggans?

[Samantha]

Anna made the mornings fun! Not only was she a competent meteorologist, she never took herself too seriously.
Thanks for the laughs in the morning! My kids really enjoyed watching her too.

[J.R. Johnson]

This is sad to hear. I've watched Randy for years and really enjoyed how he does not overhype storms. We will miss Randy! It was obvious he was well liked by his co-workers too. I wish him the best!

[Thomas]

Steve Jerve, Dellagado and Denis Philips are the most trustworthy weathermen in this area.
Bay news 9 is all hype with no substance. Their reporters make me think I'm watching my high school tv show.

[Newzmann8]

These departures have been rumored for weeks in addition to word that WTSP has passed up a shot at Eric Chilton (former WTVT am met). WTSP is using a 4th wx-person, she was on air overnight Mon-Tuesday.

And don't 4get once Mediocre General canned the ONLY person who knows what the Wx computers can do at WFLA in Mace, they quickly groomed and are using their Wx producer Megan Hatton for some air shifts (espec. at WTTA@10 pm plus WxPlus and CNN). But T.S. Fay did the bean counters a favor at WFLA when she petered out once she hit the Keys -- otherwise, the newsies woulda paired Jen Hill & Leigh Spann, then Jerve & Megan to do their Wall-to-Wall coverage.

And yes, WFTS just has 3 on-air mets BUT Bill Logan has done weather for them in the past *AND* don't 4get their AM news anchor Dan Shaffer was a Wx-man there just a few short years ago & still holds his AMS seal. WFTS can get by with fewer since they don't have a wk-end AM show and they have "suspender man" Denis Philips with his degree in Tropical Storm Forecasting.

[Jim]

Anna and Randy were never very good to begin with. The void left by Dick Fletcher is still very evident when watching WTSP. They need to hire a capable chief met soon.