Posted by See This? on December 12, 2009 at 12:43:12:
Jack Conaty, who had been with Fox32 News since it's start, 22 years ago, has been pushed out. The WFLD-TV top political reporter's contract will not be renewed. Phil Rosenthal has the details:
Jack Conaty exiting WFLD-Ch. 32 after 22 years
Jack Conaty, the lead political correspondent for WFLD-Ch. 32, is leaving the Fox-owned station whose news operation he helped establish 22 years ago.
Conaty's contract was not renewed, a station spokeswoman confirmed. His last Channel 32 appearance is expected to be on this weekend's "Fox Chicago Sunday," which was to be taped Friday and air Sunday morning at 8:30.
Of those who launched WFLD's news operation under Fox in 1987, Conaty was among the last remaining few still at the station along with 9 p.m. anchor Robin Robinson and reporter Anne Kavanagh, whose contract was not renewed in July but has remained a regular contributor.
"We appreciate all of Jack's hard work and dedication during his time with Fox Chicago," a station statement said.
Conaty, 63, joined WFLD in the summer of '87 after eight years in Washington DC, first at ABC outlet WJLA and then for two years at Fox-owned WTTG. His previous TV jobs were in New York/New Jersey public television and Tampa, Fla., but he was a late arrival to broadcast news.
A graduate of Rhode Island's Providence College, Conaty taught English for six years in New Haven, Conn., before enrolling in a master's degree program in the University of Missouri's School of Journalism.