Jennifer Howe let go as weekend anchor at WTSP-Ch. 10

Jennifer Howe was just a few hours into her shift Sunday, preparing to anchor WTSP-Ch. 10's 5 p.m. Webcast, when the news director asked her to come to his office.

Before long, Howe's concern about seeing the station's top news manager in the building on a weekend were realized: She was informed the station was exercising its option to end her contact early, terminating her employment then.

Howe says she was told to turn in the employee ID and work-related materials and asked to leave the building. Anchor Heather Van Nest anchored WTSP's late night newscast; Howe says she was never told why the station chose to let her go.

"(News director Darren Richards) said they chose to do it on a Sunday because there were fewer people around," said Howe, 42, who worked at WTSP for more than 12 years.

WTSP general manager Sam Rosenwasser said he could not comment on the specifics of Howe's termination and wasn't sure who would replace her in the long term. Peter Nikiel, WTSP's director of marketing and promotion, said such transitions sometimes happen in the TV news industry.

In the past few weeks, WTSP has let go weather forecasters Anna Allen and Randy Rauch and traffic reporter Meredyth Censullo. But Nikiel said the trickle of departures hasn't affected morale at the station.

"It's TV -- people come and go for a lot of different reasons," said Nikiel, who could not say who would replace Howe on the station's weekend newscasts in the short or long term. "We will continue on, like we always have."

Howe came to WTSP in as a morning anchor in 1996, moving to the weekends in 1997. She was married to former WTSP anchor Pat Minarcin, who won nearly $300,000 in 2002 after filing an age discrimination lawsuit against the station. He was replaced by current evening anchor Reginald Roundtree in 1998.

But Howe said her departure likely had nothing to do with that lawsuit. Her marriage to Minarcin ended in 2006; they have a daughter, 7-year-old McKenna Katrina Minarcin.

A native of St. Petersburg, Howe hopes to develop work voicing commercials and stay in the Tampa Bay area. "A lot of media outlets are suffering economic difficulties and having to make tough decisions," said Howe. "I just wished I'd had a chance to say goodbye last night."

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Comments

[Jeff]

Ah, Ch. 10! They are not in last place for nothing. They earned it. Forget the talent. It is the cheap management and ownership. The Vince Namoli's of area broadcasting!

[Jenn]

I am deeply grateful to all of you who have expressed such kind thoughts. I've been in Tampa Bay for many, many years and have been astounded at the many ways our community responds when there is a need. Sue Zelenko told me that nearly 13 years ago when I started here. She said the people in this area have big hearts. She was right. I am a better person for having worked here.
I would welcome the opportunity to visit with any of you.
God bless you all.

Jenn Howe

jannehowe@hotmail.com

[Edward]

Anybody else here ever get RIFed? It happens this way... you go to your boss's office, hand over your credentials, and out the door you are led. It's just how it happens (the Business has to protect itself from possible retribution, sabotage, etc). And it sucks. A few very classy quotes, here, from Ms.Howe... I wish her all the best (she'll do alright, sometimes a forced job change can ultimately be a good thing, has been for me).

[Robin 'Roblimo' Miller]

Umm.... not trying to be disagreeable or picky here, but the last time I looked (about 20 seconds ago), The Tampa Tribune was associated with Channel 8, not Channel 10.

More silly accuracy: Neither station is connected in any way with the New York Times. Ch. 10 is owned by Gannett, whose "flagship" paper is USAToady (AKA USAToday), while both Ch. 8 and the Tampa Tribune are owned by Media General, which is headquartered in Richmond, VA, and whose name easily anagramatizes to "Emailed Anger."

We now return you to our regular schedule of intense (but often misinformed) MSM-bashing...

[clararae]

It's ch 13 for our house, she was the last reason we watched 10.

[Joe]

Evidently, driving under the influence guarentees you an anchor position at WTSP. What happened to Mace Michaels with WFLA? Why was he let go?

[slingerwm]

well you lost a devoted audience here we will watch a diffent station I think the manager should be terminated not her such terrible management ethics

[Chris Jackson]

Reggie Roundtree will be here a LONG time ! He is so active in the community that they can't get rid of Reggie without MAJOR backlash.
The way the station got rid of Jennifer was totally without class. However, the way she was fired is all too common in the corporate world today. It has to be even tougher since being in the media everyone knows about it. Does anyone know how to send Jennifer an email to express support ? Her WTSP account is shut down.

[Rob McLean]

Stay classy, Tampa Bay's 10, stay classy.

[Richard]

So much for CH 10. Other than Jen, what class they had disappeared with Sue Zelenko. Now they can go full bore with the anti-Muslim, reich wingnut agenda with their buddies at the Tampa Trib. A worthless rag and a worthless TV station. All their promos will probably now have the big Confederate battle flag in the background. Buh bye, CH 10.

[bunny]

Anon at 7:02...You think the Trib is liberal? They haven't endorsed a Dem for president since the 1940's.

[Richard]

So much for CH 10. Other than Jen, what class they had disappeared with Sue Zelenko. Now they can go full bore with the anti-Muslim, reich wingnut agenda with their buddies at the Tampa Trib. A worthless rag and a worthless TV station. All their promos will probably now have the big Confederate battle flag in the background. Buh bye, CH 10.

[D.Blue]

Drunk-Drivin' Reggie should have been gone a long time ago..........

[Lois]

Jenifer Howe was an anchor with the look of professionalism. The other anchors on Channel l0 look like swingers . They try to act and dress like they are in some bar . Not at all professional.

[Jennifer]

I watch ABC Action News. Denis Phillips is the hottest weather guy EVER!! He's also presents the weather in such an educational way. My kids love him too.

[Anonymous]

Management at Ch. 10 let Howe go because she is too clean. They like Roundtree's ego and biased reporting. Ch. 10 and the Tampa Tribune have become an extension of the disgraced, useless NY Times.

[Marcia]

It just goes to show that WTSP doesn't care about their viewers or their people.
Why would someone in such a prominent position be ushered out and not be allowed to say goodbye to her viewers?
This is such a horrible way to treat your employees, not to mention your viewers.
I'm done watching WTSP after this trick.
I'm going back to WFLA.

[Waylan]

Reggie is the one that should be shown the door. He's so self-centered and it's so apparant on the air.
If their ratings are so bad, they should begin with cutting him.
Good luck Jennifer.
I'm a FOX 13 watcher anyway.

[Christine]

And this is why I dont watch channel 10 News. Channel 13 is the best.

[Paul]

They should let go that nutjob Reggie Roundtree. He's annoying to listen to.

[Paul]

She had some baaaaad hair...

[Anon]

I used to work with Jennifer and she was awesome!!! Such a friendly and nice person. I wish you the best Jen!

[Stringer]

WTSP why not let her say good bye. Dirty. I hope you guys are not around in another 10 years.

Stringer

[Sarasota]

Why did WTSP act in such a way? Let her pack up her things and say goodbye, don't escort her from the building. Rosenwasser sounds like a real class act.

[D.Blue]

Another one bites the dust.........