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Jodi Johnston goes out on top

by jmaloni
Fri, Sep 28th 2012 08:05 pm

Anchor of top-rated "Daybreak" stepping away from local news

It is with mixed emotions that WGRZ-TV announces that Jodi Johnston, co-anchor of Western New York's top-rated morning show, "Channel 2 News Daybreak," will be leaving her position at the end of November.

Johnston, who started with "2 On Your Side" in the summer of 2000, is leaving WGRZ-TV after 12 years to take a position in the local banking industry.

Johnston became the co-anchor of "Daybreak" shortly after she arrived at the station in 2000, and added the "First at Five" anchor duties in 2005. During her 12 years of getting Western New Yorkers going each morning, "Daybreak" climbed in the ratings to a dominant No. 1 position in the market.

In addition to her on-air anchoring duties, Johnston represented the station very well in the community, hosting countless charitable events and fundraisers.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in television and waking up with Western New Yorkers every day," Johnston said. "I am fortunate to have been offered an opportunity at an organization that shares my passion for this community. This is a natural progression of the next phase of my career."

"Twelve years is a long time to wake-up at 3 a.m. to be on the air delivering the news as professionally and gracefully as Jodi has," said Jeff Woodard, WGRZ news director. "Her ability to connect with viewers, her genuine presence and demeanor, and her commitment to her community will be dearly missed."

Johnston came to WGRZ after previously working as a program host for Adelphia. She graduated with a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Canisius College.

"2 On Your Side" will begin the search process to find a new co-anchor to join John Beard, Andy Parker and the rest of the "Daybreak" team weekday mornings from 4:30 to 7 a.m.

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