The future of 13 Weather

[sholmes031105]

They have started to promote the departure of George next month. So here are some of my questions about the weather departure at 13.

1. Anyone heard who will be the new cheif? I think it will be Samantha, but will she leave mornings? They are going to try and have a match with 8 in this area.

2. How long will the targets last? I say they will be gone by Jan 15.

3. How long will the weather deck last? I say spring 2025 they will be outside all the time because of a remodeling of the weather set to compete with 8.

What are your thought?

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[Feature/writer]

Today's (Wed. Nov. 27) Facebook post..... from George Lessens' yet-to-be-named successor???
Meteorologist Samantha Jacques ·
"Today is Chief Meteorologist George Lessens' last day with 13 On Your Side George, congratulations on your well-earned retirement! I speak for the entire weather team when I say your excellence in forecasting and unwavering dedication to keeping West Michigan safe has left a profound and lasting impact. Many meteorologists, both current and aspiring, admire you deeply, and we are incredibly grateful for the 44 years of wisdom, passion, and expertise you have shared with us. Wishing you clear skies and nothing but sunshine in this exciting new chapter. Be sure to tune in tonight at 6 pm for his final show."

[sholmes031105]

Sure sounds like she is taking the lead does it not?

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[MWmetalhead]

I thought it was announced many weeks ago that she was taking over as Chief Meteorologist?

Edit - Google is your friend.

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/about-us ... c0c04c7806

[Bull Shannon]

There was a thread on here about Sam being named the new Chief, but I believe it was lost during MW's attempts to update the forum.

[MWmetalhead]

That is certainly possible. I do remember someone (not me) posting about her promotion as soon as it was publicly announced.

[Honolulublue4life]

Not the sendoff Bill got. I figured they would have brought back Craig and Bill for this.

[Honolulublue4life]

Wonder if they have hired a new weekend met yet? They should really spend some money and compete with 8 with a bigger nicer weather set and news set.

[Bull Shannon]

Not the sendoff Bill got. I figured they would have brought back Craig and Bill for this.

Bill also didn't spend most of the year doing a "farewell tour" leading up to his retirement date.

Bill retired gradually and relatively quietly: they announced Ellen as the new chief, and Bill remained on-air as "chief emeritus" for a period of time before stepping away entirely (though he still does occasional weather-related features and makes occasional public appearances with the rest of the Storm Team 8 crew, most recently at a Christmas parade).

[Bull Shannon]

Wonder if they have hired a new weekend met yet? They should really spend some money and compete with 8 with a bigger nicer weather set and news set.

I'm pretty sure if Tegna wanted to invest that kind of money into WZZM, they'd be able to retain on-air personnel long enough to have the same kind of overall seniority and "established presence" as WOOD.

[48125er]

I bet WZZM wishes they couldve got Terri DeBoer instead of 17.

[Bull Shannon]

I bet WZZM wishes they couldve got Terri DeBoer instead of 17.

I think the fact that Terri contacted 17 instead of 13 about working part-time tells you all you need to know about that.

[Localnewsisdead]

[quote=Honolulublue4life post_id=803386 time=1732751530 user_id=1257]
Not the sendoff Bill got. I figured they would have brought back Craig and Bill for this.
[/quote]

George isn't well liked by many including Bill and Craig, so there was absolutely NO WAY they would appear at his retirement.

Mr. Lessons is known throughout the meteorological community as a "know it all" and tends to think his crap doesn't stink. This makes him very difficult to work with. I can almost guarantee he produced all his own puff pieces proclaiming his greatness.

I was actually surprised of the sendoff that Lessons got seeing that they did as little as possible when Lee retired.

[MasterB]

Not the sendoff Bill got. I figured they would have brought back Craig and Bill for this.

George isn't well liked by many including Bill and Craig, so there was absolutely NO WAY they would appear at his retirement.

Mr. Lessons is known throughout the meteorological community as a "know it all" and tends to think his crap doesn't stink. This makes him very difficult to work with. I can almost guarantee he produced all his own puff pieces proclaiming his greatness.

I was actually surprised of the sendoff that Lessons got seeing that they did as little as possible when Lee retired.

I didn't know that Bill & Graig didn't like George or George didn't like them. Was George the reason Bill left WZZM for Wood TV in 2001 I was surprised that WZZM had a no compete in Bill's contract that he could just go on Wood TV the next week after leaving WZZM. Yeah, wasn't a fan of George either I didn't watch his forecast all that much.

[Bull Shannon]

Kolton Woods will be the new weekend morning meteorologist on WZZM, starting this coming Monday 12/9.