All accepted new registrations through 8:00a ET on April 26, 2025 have been activated. Terms of use are available here: ucp.php?mode=terms

Thank you.
Announcements:
1. There is a known issue with Gmail refusing to deliver PHP server-generated email messages. What this means is you will not receive account activation messages or password reset links if using Gmail. Please consider registering your account using a service other than Gmail. Also, please be aware server-generated email messages may appear in your Spam or Junk email folder as opposed to your normal inbox.

2. The Buzzboard is available on the Tapatalk mobile app! Visit the Google Play store on Android or the App Store on iOS to download it. Keep track of your favorite topics, create new threads, and more!

Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Discussion pertaining to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Muskegon, Battle Creek, Big Rapids, and Michiana
format this
Posts: 227
Joined: Sun Dec 26, 2004 12:49 pm
Location: Just stole Bill Murray's Budweiser at Wrigley
Contact:

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by format this »

Laura is working tonight, if anyone wants to play armchair GM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Note to WGN... bring back Steve Cochran ASAP.

EDIT: Steve Cochran IS BACK AT WGN!!!
Graham Wellington
Posts: 879
Joined: Fri Dec 21, 2018 4:48 pm

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by Graham Wellington »

format this wrote: Fri Mar 12, 2021 10:10 pm Laura is working tonight, if anyone wants to play armchair GM.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Is that code letting all the dateless wonders on this thread know to get their lotion ready and corner in mother's basement carved out?
User avatar
Localnewsisdead
Posts: 106
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:47 pm

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by Localnewsisdead »

I'm not certain what happened between her stint and WOOD TV and Fox 17. One thing is clear, however, her delivery and mannerisms have taken a sharp decline. She makes me uncomfortable. Thus, I turn the channel. Hopefully she finds her way.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by inmyopinion »

Localnewsisdead wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 12:13 am I'm not certain what happened between her stint and WOOD TV and Fox 17. One thing is clear, however, her delivery and mannerisms have taken a sharp decline. She makes me uncomfortable. Thus, I turn the channel. Hopefully she finds her way.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Could not disagree more. She has all but removed her nasally Michigan accent and is very smooth, and without all the WOOD TV 8 hyperness. When she started at WOOD it was cringey, but got better quickly. I would bet dollars to donuts she will be chief soon.
Trophyhead
Posts: 446
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2004 6:36 am

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by Trophyhead »

As to the "She (LV) will be Chief, soon" assertion...^^^^^^^

Where do you think Kevin Craig is going, to clear space for this ascension?

He has been in town, there, a decade, waiting out the Joe Kopeceks and others who have come and gone, doing social media threads on local/regional weather, along with "This is your town-type" fill segments, which are pretty valuable elements for a station that runs so much live "news" content.

I don't think the world of Craig's patter, but with Candace Monacelli and Anthony Domol also in the field, and another hire likely to replace Erik Kostrewa, Velasquez becomes 17's Terri DeBoer, two at best in a five person lineup.
Last edited by Trophyhead on Wed Jun 02, 2021 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
MasterB
Posts: 1600
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:59 pm
Location: Kalamazoo

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by MasterB »

I don't think of a chief doing mornings thou which I get that Kevin wanted the weekends off and I guess he said is a morning person when he left the evenings last fall.
Go Pistons, Let's Go Redwings.
Sholmes
Posts: 83
Joined: Wed Dec 25, 2019 4:33 pm

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by Sholmes »

MasterB wrote:I don't think of a chief doing mornings thou which I get that Kevin wanted the weekends off and I guess he said is a morning person when he left the evenings last fall.
WILX in Lansing had a Cheif that did the morning shift for years until they unceremoniously did not renew his contract and showed him the exit door.

Isn't morning where they money is? It is for network morning shows.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

bugzapper
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:55 pm
Location: Hopkins, MI

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by bugzapper »

inmyopinion wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 1:37 pm
Localnewsisdead wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 12:13 am I'm not certain what happened between her stint and WOOD TV and Fox 17. One thing is clear, however, her delivery and mannerisms have taken a sharp decline. She makes me uncomfortable. Thus, I turn the channel. Hopefully she finds her way.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Could not disagree more. She has all but removed her nasally Michigan accent and is very smooth, and without all the WOOD TV 8 hyperness. When she started at WOOD it was cringey, but got better quickly. I would bet dollars to donuts she will be chief soon.
We call her the "Weather Mouse". I'm sure she's a nice person off-camera.
inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by inmyopinion »

Laura will be Chief at 17 as will Ellen Bacca at 8.
bugzapper
Posts: 75
Joined: Sun Oct 09, 2005 1:55 pm
Location: Hopkins, MI

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by bugzapper »

bugzapper wrote: Wed Jun 02, 2021 4:06 pm
inmyopinion wrote: Mon May 31, 2021 1:37 pm
Localnewsisdead wrote: Sat May 29, 2021 12:13 am I'm not certain what happened between her stint and WOOD TV and Fox 17. One thing is clear, however, her delivery and mannerisms have taken a sharp decline. She makes me uncomfortable. Thus, I turn the channel. Hopefully she finds her way.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Could not disagree more. She has all but removed her nasally Michigan accent and is very smooth, and without all the WOOD TV 8 hyperness. When she started at WOOD it was cringey, but got better quickly. I would bet dollars to donuts she will be chief soon.
We call her the "Weather Mouse". I'm sure she's a nice person off-camera.
We used to "Mute the Mouse". Now we just change the channel when we notice she is on.
humblenewsman
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2016 10:48 am

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by humblenewsman »

inmyopinion wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:21 pm Laura will be Chief at 17 as will Ellen Bacca at 8.
I expect that Terri would beg to disagree?
User avatar
Bull Shannon
Posts: 295
Joined: Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:31 pm

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by Bull Shannon »

humblenewsman wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:12 pm
inmyopinion wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:21 pm Laura will be Chief at 17 as will Ellen Bacca at 8.
I expect that Terri would beg to disagree?
Terri isn't a degreed meteorologist. I always figured Kirkwood was most likely to take over as Chief after Underwood left, but with Ellen appearing in primetime weathercasts most often, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up with the promotion once BIll retires.
MasterB
Posts: 1600
Joined: Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:59 pm
Location: Kalamazoo

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by MasterB »

Matt & Ellen would make great Chief once Bill retires whenever he decides to retire, I hope Bill gets to go out on his terms and doesn't get forced out because his contract wasn't renewed.
Go Pistons, Let's Go Redwings.
inmyopinion
Posts: 88
Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 10:25 am

Re: Meteorologist Laura Velasquez joining Fox 17 WXMI Feb 15

Unread post by inmyopinion »

Bull Shannon wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 10:18 pm
humblenewsman wrote: Fri Jul 02, 2021 5:12 pm
inmyopinion wrote: Thu Jul 01, 2021 1:21 pm Laura will be Chief at 17 as will Ellen Bacca at 8.
I expect that Terri would beg to disagree?
Terri isn't a degreed meteorologist. I always figured Kirkwood was most likely to take over as Chief after Underwood left, but with Ellen appearing in primetime weathercasts most often, I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up with the promotion once BIll retires.
I am always amazed that people think because people like Terry are popular or "have been there the longest and paid their dues" that it equates to promotions, chief, etc. I am also on record in a past thread after Underwood was shown the door saying that no way Kirkwood would be the next chief. As for Terry, she doesn't even do her own graphics/forecasting, etc. She is very good at what she does, telling us the weather in a calm, personable manner, but what makes anyone think that being Chief would even be her goal at this point in her career? It will be Ellen and it will be soon.
Post Reply