Chuck Gaidica To Step Down As Chief Weathercaster On WDIV-Local 4

DETROIT, Jan. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Chuck Gaidica will step down as the Director of Meteorology after 27 years at WDIV-Local 4. This change will occur in August of 2014.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140130/DE55663-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140130/DE55663-b)

"It is a privilege to be a part of Local 4 and have the career in meteorology and broadcasting that I have. It has been a long and exciting journey but I know in my heart it's time to pull back on my TV duties so I can switch gears and answer my calling to the ministry," says Gaidica.

Gaidica will join the Oak Pointe Church in Novi as part of their staff as the Pastor of World Outreach.

"Of all the names associated with Detroit television, Chuck Gaidica is one of the most respected and beloved," said Marla Drutz, Vice-President and General Manager of WDIV-Local 4. "When Chuck came to me some time ago with a desire to change his position at the station, I was naturally very sad. I've known him since 1983 so I know that when he makes a decision of this magnitude that he has come to it after serious thought."

Gaidica has worked at WDIV-Local 4 since 1987. He is extremely popular with viewers and has been voted the top weathercaster in town year after year in the Metro Times and Hour Detroit. The Chicago-born three-time Emmy winner has also been a fill-in weathercaster on NBC's Today Show and his famous "Cuddle Alerts" have been a favorite part of his weathercasts for more than 30 years.

WDIV-Local 4's News Director Kim Voet adds, "Chuck will always be a part of the WDIV family and we welcome his future special reports and contributions to our big event coverage."

Drutz announces, "With Chuck stepping down, we had huge shoes to fill to lead our meteorology team. We are thrilled to have Ben Bailey join Local 4."

Bailey joins the station immediately and he will contribute to several of the station's newscasts. He is a familiar face on Detroit TV having worked as the morning meteorologist for nine years on Fox 2's News Morning. A University of Missouri graduate, Bailey holds seals of approval from both the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association.

Later this summer, Bailey will join Carmen Harlan, Devin Scillian, Ruth Spencer and Bernie Smilovitz on the early evening and 11pm newscasts as the new weather anchor and Local 4's Chief Meteorologist.

"Joining the Local 4 family is extremely exciting. It is rare that an opportunity like this comes along and I'm thrilled to be able to work alongside Chuck and the rest of the stellar weather team," says Bailey. 

Broadcasting was an early interest for Bailey who got his start at an Indiana AM radio station while still in high school. For more than 20 years, Bailey has worked in radio, television news and weather, winning awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters.

"Ben has that enviable combination of true talent, journalistic chops and real charisma which makes him the perfect choice for us," notes Voet. "He is an excellent addition to our newsroom and one of the many great things in store for Local 4 in 2014."

About WDIV-Local 4
Local 4 News is currently the #1 newscast at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, and 11pm in Nielsen ratings for the Detroit television market, and Local 4 News at 11pm is the highest-rated newscast of all NBC affiliates in the top 11 markets nationwide.  In addition, Local 4's ClickOnDetroit.com the leading breaking news and weather website in Michigan and Detroit's number one local media website.

About Post-Newsweek Stations
Post-Newsweek Stations is owned by Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC), a diversified education and media company.  Post-Newsweek Stations owns and operates six television stations:  WDIV, the NBC affiliate in Detroit; KPRC, the NBC affiliate in Houston; WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami; WKMG, the CBS affiliate in Orlando; KSAT, the ABC affiliate in San Antonio; and WJXT, an independent in Jacksonville.  

SOURCE WDIV-Local 4