Client News

Where the Air is Better.

Cleveland's Own

Cleveland native John Sabol is now the weekend sports anchor and reporter at Cleveland’s WJW, FOX8, Cleveland. John previously was the weekend news and sports anchor at WFTS, Florida.

More than a good Sport!

Here’s a shout-out for Evan Brooks. Evan is now a sports reporter and anchor at WPMT in the Harrisburg-Lancaster-York, Pennsylvania market. His PA gig follows a year of reporting at Spectrum News 1, Louisville.

The heart of Ohio

Ashley Bornancin is moving to WBNS, Columbus from her morning reporter position at WTVG, Toledo. After several years in “the industry” in L.A. Ashley moved to local news a year ago and now to the iconic Twin Rivers Drive address of WBNS. Congrats Ashley!

Capital City Anchor

Congrats to Alexa Maslowski as she adds “news anchor” to her role at Ohio’s Spectrum News 1. She is trading her Cleveland reporting gig for a chair at the anchor desk in Spectrum’s Columbus studio center. Alexa joined Spectrum News 1 Ohio in June, 2019. Alexa is a Medina Ohio native, a Kent State grad and now a state capital anchor!

"Thank you kindly..."

Viewers in Atlanta, Georgia have found their new watchful eye as they say "yes ma'am!" to the news of investigative reporter Rachel Polanski joining the WGCL-TV Investigative Unit. After 2 years with WKYC-TV in Cleveland, Rachel will join her new team in Atlanta fresh off the coattails of her Investigative individual Achievement Emmy win this summer.

TRUNKS TO TOBOGGANS

Brad Hamilton makes the trip north to join reporting and co-anchoring teams with WISC-TV Madison, Wisconsin. With a split sports/news background and significant time working the beat in Florida, Brad is poised to be leading news reporting for the faithful viewership in the sports-crazed college town of Madison.

JBA First-Class Journalists take home big wins in Ohio and in Florida.


For her outstanding investigative reporting work, Rachel Polansky, WKYC, Cleveland, won Ohio's Great Lakes Chapter’s Emmy for Individual Achievement.

Rob Duns, WBBH Ft. Myers, cleaned up at the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists awards nabbing both Best Weathercaster and Best Weather Reporting in Division II.

Abby Walton, WCTV, Tallahassee, also won big at the FAB’s annual awards taking home five awards for Best Anchor, Consumer Finance & Economics Reporting, Health Reporting Individual Story and Best Series reporting in Division III. Her station also won best Community Service Station of the Year.

Congratulations to all!

Well, Meghan declares...

Meghan Bragg heads south excitedly joining the WCNC news team in Charlotte May 3, 2021. Meghan departs her investigative reporter position with WSTM, Syracuse New York and looks forward to her new special reporter post in Charlotte. #TakingOff.

The Great Race to The Big Easy

Harrison Golden keeps things local but makes a big move to WDSU New Orleans from WVLA Baton Rouge. This 44-market jump comes as no surprise following his award winning work covering local stories and state government in the Louisiana state capitol. #Impressive.

When it Rains it Pours

James Starks returns to Toledo, proudly filling the Morning Co-Anchor position with WTVG-TV. February 1. James comes back to Toledo straight from WZZM-TV Grand Rapids where he Anchored the morning newscast. James transitioned from SPORTS with KPRC Houston to NEWS with WTVG-TV- Grand Rapids. Reunited now, Toledo at last. Welcome home.

Tiffany Tarpley returns to Toledo’s WTOL-TV from WKYZ-TV Cleveland, where she served mightily in the station’s reporting/host/anchor roles. Toledo was a homecoming welcome back party from WTOL-TV, where her professional career began as a video editor straight out of Bowling Green University. Exciting

Ashley Bornancin joined WTVG-TV Toledo as a Morning Reporter on January 21, 2021. While a native Clevelander, Ashley’s professional acting, news and media career began in Los Angeles. Always intending on returning home to continue her career in news, joining the team in Toledo will be the perfect homecoming. Inspirational.

Maddison Sawyer renews contract with KDFW-TV Dallas, reupping for another year. She’s excited as her morning traffic role has grown to include reporting and anchoring. Movin’ on up.

Candice Hare joins KMVT Idaho Falls as a Weekend Anchor/Reporter. February 21. Candice had been working with TVG’s cable TV horse racing channel as their weekend anchor and reporter. Catches the big break.

Syracuse in the Evening

Meghan Bragg is back in her home state, New York. Meghan Bragg trades sand for snow and moves to the evening co-anchor desk at WSTM, Syracuse from her reporter position at WBBH, Ft. Myers.

Cleveland in the Morning

Big news for Daniel Wiggins at Cleveland's WKYC. Starting in August, Danielle adds 4:30 AM anchor duties to her role as traffic reporter, mmj and digital host. Her new assignment is part of her new agreement with the station she has called home for seven years now.

Miscreants Beware!

Sara Goldenberg, Cleveland’s awarding winning investigative reporter, just can't get enough of the Big CLE as she re-ups for another turn at Gray's WOIO.

Amber Rising

Amber Krycka, Reporter/Anchor, WJAX Jacksonville, returns to the Midwest as the main evening co-anchor at Quincy’s WEEK, Peoria.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

Hats off to Rob Duns, Meteorologist, WBBH Ft. Myers! Saturday, May 9, the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists named Rob the Best Weather Caster Division II Medium Markets. It is a well deserved honor for Rob, not just for medium markets, but the whole state too if there was such a catagory.

Different start for sure!

Here is good news in the midst of this pandemic.

JBA Client Meghan Bragg, formerly WBBH TV Ft. Myers, started Monday at WSTM, the NBC affiliate in Syracuse, New York. She will report for early newscasts and the co-anchor the late news.

In her own words,

Meghan writes what is like to start a new, news job, now...

Starting at this weird time in our world has been super interesting. I feel very lucky to have started with a great station who is looking out for all their employees.

As you can imagine training looks a lot different. First, all the reporters are out working from home to help with social distancing in the newsroom. It may be one or two months before I meet them.

I have been able to meet other anchors and my co worker, but of course our first reaction is to shake hands. There have been times were a co worker has stuck out a hand and then remember and just wave.

Of course there are Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer on every desk and at every corner. (My hands have never been so dry.)

All my HR stuff has been done online through a webinar.

Finding a place to live has also been interesting, I'm lucky enough to be able to have my parents only an hour away, but I was supposed to get my apartment in May... I just got a message that it wont be ready until June. (construction has stopped here in NY)

That also puts a hold on ordering and delivering furniture.

To travel here everyday from my parents, I have to go on the thruway. Toll workers are not taking money. You have to stop tell them your license plate number and what exit you're coming from and they write it down on a pad of paper! The upside is I'm getting to know their names because I see them everyday.

While so many are struggling and losing jobs, I feel very blessed to be able to start work and be able to share stories in this community. Training has not been normal, but nothing is normal right now.<

HAPPY NEWS YEAR

JBA clients Raymond Strickland and Ken Brown earned really good news to start the new year.

WXIX FOX Cincinnati, News Director Steve Hyvonen, promoted Ken from nightside reporter to the weekend morning news anchor chair. Ken is a sports anchor turned, now, news anchor. He joined FOX 19 in June 2016 from WBRE Wilkes-Barre/Scranton where was Sports Director.

In Baltimore Maryland, WMAR News Director Kelly Groft hired Raymond for a nightside reporter role at this legendary Scripps station. Raymond leaves WKYC Cleveland after two plus years with TEGNA stations there and in St. Louis.

These are fun moves for me as Cincinnati is my home market, I grew up across the Ohio river in Florence Kentucky, and WMAR is one of my former stations. I was news director there in the 80’s. A few journalists I hired still report for work at 6400 York Road.

Happy ‘News’ Year for sure for Ken and Raymond! Congrats to both!

Couple on the move!

2019 is a big year for Emily and Rex Smith. They married in September and moved in December to their new gigs at WOWT, Omaha from WPTA, Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Emily joins the morning team as the "Breaking News Anchor" and Rex the Sports Department as an Anchor/Reporter.

August 12,2019

Meteorologist Rob Duns just keeps sinking his roots deeper at WBBH, Fort Myers, Florida. Rob re-upped for another turn as the day-side meteorologist at this south Florida station. Rob began is fifth year at WBBH in May.

Summer 2019

Sarah Makuta is now the weekend anchor and reporter at WZZM, Grand Rapids Michigan. Sarah joined JBA while freelance reporting in New York City. She has a rich news background including reporting for the New York Post, producing for Good Morning America and working the floor on the NYSE as a reporter anchor for Asset TV.

Summer 2019

Back Home Again in OHIO.
Alexa Maslowski is now a Cleveland based reporter for Spectrum News 1, Ohio. Alexa became a JBA client in the spring following a stint in sales and two years as an anchor/reporter at WGME, Portland Maine. She said she wanted back in tv news and she wanted to stay home. This Medina native and Kent State journalism grad got both! Congrats Alexa.

August 22, 2019

Staying in the Chair!

Jessica Schmidt continues as the Sunday night news anchor and featured reporter at WXIX, Cincinnati as she signs a new deal to stay in The Queen City. This is a big year for this "hometown girl." In May, Jess added "Best TV Anchor and Best Journalist" to her cred! She placed third in those categories in the annual "Best of Cincinnati" poll by the CityBeat mag. Pretty cool when especially considering a half million people voted. Go Jessica!

August 14 2019

The sunshine wins! After many phone calls and interviews, Amber Krycka is giving Jacksonville another round. Amber who is now a frequent backup anchor, re-signed at her Cox managed station, WJAX. And oh, this January she'll be so glad she did!

August 2019

The Queen City Again

Congrats to Ken Brown for another round in Cincinnati. Ken was a sports director until turning to news three years ago and now he is a key "go-to" reporter for WXIX's evening newscasts. He is also a frequent backup anchor. And later this year... Ken and his wife Amanda are expecting their first child. A big year for the Browns for sure!

Cleveland Bound!

I am so happy for JBA's Rachel Polansky. She starts soon at WKYC Cleveland where she is joining its investigative team. Rachel worked the last three plus years at WBBH, Ft. Myers, Florida where she earned three Edward R. Murrow awards for her investigative work.

Trimble jumps to FOX Biz Net

Trimble to Fox Business Network, Chicago! Here’s a hearty congratulations this morning to JBA Rich Pegram’s client Grady Trimble.

FOX Business Network (FBN) has signed journalist Grady Trimble as a general assignment business reporter, announced Brian Jones, president of the network. Starting July 22nd, Trimble will be based out of FBN’s Chicago bureau covering the auto industry, agriculture and commodities market along with breaking news.

Most recently, Trimble served as a general assignment correspondent at WTSP-TV, the CBS affiliate in Tampa, Florida. In his three years reporting there, Trimble covered national breaking news stories such as Hurricane Florence, the Pulse nightclub massacre, and the 2016 election.

Long way from Casper

Meteorologist Justin Roth is now holding down weekend weather and reporting at WTVQ, Lexington. Justin moved from KCWY, Casper Wyoming. It was a big move for Justin not only in distance but market size as well. He jumped from market 197 to 63! Justin is represented by JBA Associate Rich Pegram.

Oh yeah! Moving on Up!

October 2018

Meteorologist Adam Epstein joins the morning team at KTXL, Sacramento from WGME, Portland Maine.

News Anchor James Starks, joins the morning team at WZZM, Grand Rapids from Houston where he formerly worked at KPRC as sports anchor/reporter.

Reporter Kelsi Thorud lands a reporter position at WESH, Orlando effective December 17th from her MMJ role at WTVQ, Lexington.

August 2018

Reporter/Anchor Lauren Artino jumps to report at WXIX, Cincinnati from WFIE, Evansville.

Danielle Wiggins, WKYC Morning Traffic Anchor and Rising Host re-ups with added reporting responsibilities.

Reporter Sara Goldenberg, WOIO, Cleveland joins the Investigative Unit from her night side reporter and backup anchor position.

June, 2018

Reporter Jennifer Auh moves to KSAZ, FOX Phoenix from her reporting roles at WKYC and WEWS, Cleveland.

Reporter Raymond Strickland comes home to Cleveland and WKYC as a General Assignment Reporter from KSDK, St. Louis.

Tiffany Tarpley, WKYC morning reporter and host, re-ups with added anchor responsibilities.

And then there were two...

Jerry Askin jumps 32 markets and sticks his landing with WKMG-TV Orlando, Florida.

Jerry has the luxury of impressing everyone. Wherever he steps, a humble passionate hardworking newsy gets things done. It's no wonder he leapt into top-20 land with a strong station, a veteran news director and a great company.

Jerry's references gush… great look, great read, great hire and a talented reporter, passionate storyteller, one tremendous newsroom & community citizen. Orlando has a big-time talent coming soon.

The team at WKMG sought dynamic storytellers with character and they're getting one; a reporter who goes beyond 'what's happened' to tell the stories his viewers need, but also want to hear.

Bravo Jerry. Grand accomplishments earned and proved deserved!

Deborah Souverain Breaks Top 20 with CFN Cable News, Orlando, FL

Ms. Souverain certainly deserves this market jump victory looking at her resume, especially after her powerhouse tenure with WFTX-TV Ft. Meyers.

Deborah's a forward-thinking millennial intrigued by social/digital media's impact on and wide-open future in television news.

Ms. Souverain is not just going home to the city wherein she grew up, she's returning to her old stomping grounds to help innovate with a team that never stops. Now she's saying, "Look out Orlando, I'm baaaaack!"'

Congratulations Deborah!!!

The JBA Team

Mark Stitz To Omaha

Congrats! CBM MARK STITZ takes over as WKND Meteorologist and Storm Chaser with KMTV-TV in Omaha, Nebraska in less than a week.
After a great run in Baton Rouge, Mark is certainly movin' on up.

Sara Goldenberg Celebrates Safe Arrival of Baby Boy Grayson

Congratulations to Sara Goldenberg and husband Jim as they continue celebrating the healthy arrival of baby boy Grayson born just this past September 30, 2017.

Lovin Tampa Bay!

Warm winters…lots of sunshine and plenty of news and sports action continue for John Sabol at WFTS! He and his station inked another deal for his role as both weekend News and Sports Anchor and reporter!

Staying Home

Congrats to Abby Walton for another turn at WCTV, Tallahassee. Abby is a terrific award winning anchor/reporter who has a terrific love affair with her station and Tallahassee and for WCTV the feeling is mutual.

Moving on West!

I-team reporter Maria Hallas is now plying her trade at KSDK, St. Louis. Maria is a DC lawyer turned reporter who spent the last two years solving problems at WATN-TV, Memphis.

119 Market Jump

Raymond Strickland is now the new MSJ at KSDK, St. Louis from KXMB, Bismarck, North Dakota

Moving On Up!

JBA's Christina Winter is now the morning Co-Anchor at WJRT, Flint Michigan!

On the Move

Shoutout to JBA's Harrison Golden who today, April 17, swaps the Big Apple for the Big Bayou. 1st day at WVLA Baton Rouge after two years at Fox Radio.

At the top

Let's hear it for Jerry Askin this morning. He just won second best television reporter in the State of Tennessee by the Associated Press.

In Auh of Jennifer!

Big Congrats to Jennifer Auh who is now at WEWS, Scripps Cleveland. Jennifer moves from KVUE Austin to report live each day for "The Now" on the legendary WEWS!

Back to Her Hometown.

Madison Adams said she only wanted to move to her hometown of Ft. Worth... and so... this is a big JBA SHOUT-OUT for Madison. She started Tuesday, December 27, 2016, at KTVT, CBS, Ft. Worth/Dallas, as AM Traffic-Anchor/Reporter. She sends lots of love to her first station, KWTX, Waco, where she was the noon anchor and primary evening reporter.

JBA Anchors on the Move

We're real happy here at JBA headquarters to annouce Kelli Brown to WDSU, New Orleans and Jessica Gavin to WLIO, Lima, Ohio.

Jessica is now the new six and eleven coanchor of "Your Hometown Stations" news at WLIO. Jessica moves to the anchor chair from WFIE, Evansville where she was a multi-media journalist.

Kelli joined WDSU in October and will begin her new role as the morning traffic anchor/reporter Monday, November 22, 2016. For Kellie it is a very happy return to her hometown. Kelli comes from KLFY, Lafayette, Louisanna, where she too was a multi-media journalist.

Coming home!

Jessica Schmidt moves to Cincinnati's WXIX from WFIE, Evansville, to anchor evening weekend newscasts and report weekdays. Not only is this a big move up for Jessica but also a return to her hometown!

At WXIX Jessica also joins news reporter and JBA client Ken Brown with whom she co-anchored the evening news on her Kent State University student station, TV2, her Freshman year. The television world is indeed small.

Same town; different stations!

Amanda Kelly and Ken Brown moved from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to Cincinnati. Amanda reports for WLWT and Ken for WXIX. For Ken, it was a double move not only to Cincinnati but also from the sports anchor desk to general assignment news reporting. And, while they don't work together, this wife-husband team knows how to run together. Check them out and their recent half marathon on Facebook!

Ryan Luby to Denver

Congrats to Ryan Luby as he joins the renowned Denver7 Investigates team at KMGH, Denver. Ryan told big stories, changed laws, earned awards and much respect for his work at KOB, Albuquerque. Now it is on to a bigger stage!

Now in Philly

Jeannette Reyes made her debut on WPVI, Philadelphia last night, June 22. Check it out: http://6abc.com/family/day-of-fun-for-children-grieving-a-loved-one/1397067/ Jeannette just started at PVI after two years in Washington DC at WJLA! Congrats Jeannette!

Moving on up!

Ellen Bryan becomes a reporter at WUSA, Washington DC from KXAS, Dallas. Investigative reporter Ryan Luby moves to KMGH, Denver in same role from KOB, Albuquerque. Reporter Grady Trimble moves to WTSP, Tampa/St. Petersburg from WCSH, Portland, Maine. Ellen and Ryan are represented by John Butte. Rich Pegram represents Grady Trimble.

Back Home Again

Deborah Souverain moved up to WFTX, Ft. Myers in February as a multi-media journalist. It is a homecoming for Deborah. She grew up in Florida and started as a writer and associate producer in Miami. She spent the last year and half reporting for KCAU-TV in Sioux City, Iowa.

MMJ Reporter Ms. Jennifer Auh joins KVUE-TV - Austin, TX

After learning the provocative, versatile reporter Ms. Jennifer Auh accepted an offer from KVUE Austin TX, local Texans demanded Jennifer be added to Austin City Limit’s lineup. Okay, not really, but the ink has indeed dried on her contract and though Jennifer won’t be 'singing' at Limits, she will still likely be there reporting on the famed festival in one of the United States' most progressive cities. Jennifer joins the morning team Monday, February 8, as a mmj reporter. Most recently, Jennifer reported for Time Warner Cable News, Buffalo.

Mark Stitz Out on the Bayou

We’re happy to announce Mark Stitz, in December, joined the Nexstar group of stations in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as a staff meteorologist. Providing weather forecasting for WVLA (NBC), WGMB (FOX) – Baton Rouge and KADN (NBC) - Lafayette, Mark got his feet wet, literally, covering the recent stormy weather of the South’s holiday season - Mark most previously worked at WTVQ, Lexington.

Cunningham to New Orleans

Congratulations to Jade Cunningham for her move from the “River City” to the “Big Easy.” That would be from Shreveport to New Orleans. She starts November 30th as a multi-media journalist for Keith Esparros at WWL. Jade is one of our very first clients. She joined JBA while an anchor/reporter in Cheyenne, Wyoming. She stepped up to Shreveport for three solid years at KTAL and now New Orleans.

Moving on Up

Look out Queen City, Reporter Megan Moore is on her way! Congrats to Megan who is moving north from Lexington to her home town, Cincinnati, and to WKRC-TV. Megan starts December first as a Wednesday to Sunday morning show reporter. Megan’s goal since she joined JBA while working in Traverse City, Michigan was to get “back home.” Now, after two years a multi-media journalist at WLEX, she is on her way.
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This was an ironic placement for John Butte as WKRC was the first TV station he set foot in as a young boy growing up, across the river, in Florence, Kentucky. “My dad was a Lutheran minister and from time to time it was his privilege to give the sign-on prayer at the TV station and I would go along and sit in the lobby. I’ve been awestruck with television ever since.”

Reporter Mike Holden, WTOL, Toledo, on covering the Pope

Amazing. Remarkable.  Life changing.  Where do I start?!  My station chose me to cover the Holy Father-Pope Francis's visit to the U.S.!
I was embedded with 350 pilgrims from the Toledo Catholic Diocese for their 8 day long journey from the Glass City to the City of Brotherly Love.  In fact, we (Photojournalist Eric Rerucha, anchor Emilie Voss and myself) traveled on board buses with them to each and every stop along the way.  We experienced all the sights, sounds and smells of Philly.
I was essentially a tourist journalist--hauling around a camera, tripod, laptop, live-u unit and clothes, as I tracked these faithful followers each and every move.  Between the walking and carrying gear, I'm pretty sure I lost 10 pounds!  Ha.
  During my trip I covered the World Meeting of Families, Festival of Families and the Papal Mass--turning multiple stories from the field on the tightest deadlines imaginable.  Philly is by no stretch of the imagination a small city, and with heightened security and limited wifi it certainly wasn't easy.
  By far the best part of this trip was getting to experience and be in the heart of it all -- standing with the hundreds of thousands of Catholics as we awaited Pope Francis' arrival during the Festival of Families.
  When the Pontiff arrived Saturday, Benjamin Franklin Parkway erupted.  It was like nothing I've ever seen before--A sporting event times one thousand.
Watching these pilgrims see a "living saint" and walking in their shoes was by far one of the best experiences of my life.  Grateful to be a part of this was an understatement.
   

Matthews is on the move

Congratulations to Meghan Matthews! She is joining the reporting team at WBNS-TV in Columbus. Meghan is quite happy to return to her Ohio roots. She grew up in Youngstown and graduated from the University of Toledo. Meghan spent two years in Sioux City and the last four in Omaha where she was the weekend anchor and reporter. At 10TV, she will also have the opportunity to fill in the anchor chair when needed.

Follow Meghan's reports on Twitter: @Meg_OnThe_News

Holden, Moore place first in AP Awards

A well deserved congratulations is in order for John Butte & Associates clients Mike Holden and Megan Moore! Their work earned them both first place Associated Press awards in their states earlier this month.

Mike won for Best Breaking News Coverage for his work at WTOL-TV in Toledo and Megan won for Best Multimedia Reporter for her work at WLEX-TV in Lexington.

Congrats, Mike and Megan! Keep up the outstanding work!

Goldenberg back in the Buckeye State

Congratulations to Sara Goldenberg as she joins WOIO-TV in Cleveland as an Investigative Reporter.
Sara comes to Cleveland from KNXV-TV in Phoenix. It is a bit of a homecoming for Sara, as she is a proud Ohio University Bobcat.

Follow Sara's reports on Twitter: @SaraGoldenberg

New Year's Beginning

Client Maria Hallas is making us all happy today at JBA. Maria started today, January 5, at WATN, Memphis, as a multi media journalist and member of WATN’s Local I-Team. Most recently, Maria, who is also a practicing lawyer, was a reporter at WVIR-TV, Charlottesville, Virginia.

Getting even warmer in Tampa!

JBA client Hilary Zalla is ending her year with a bang. New Year's Eve is her first day at WTSP, Tampa/St. Petersburg. Hilary just finished a nice run as the morning traffic reporter at WKEF Dayton and Tuesday morning Jan. 6 she'll her put traffic reporting talents on the morning show at WTSP. Even in Florida, winter at WTSP is getting even warmer.

Ziemnik Comes Home

Hats off to Randy Ziemnik who starts August 1st as a producer/reporter at the legendary WEWS, Cleveland.
Its a homecoming for Randy who is a Kent State University grad and from Parma, a Cleveland suburb.
I particularly enjoyed helping Randy get to my former station.
WEWS is starting a new 4:00 pm this fall and Randy is assigned to the new program.

Pearlman on the Move

Dan Pearlman is the latest client to move up.
Dan started his week at WCMH -TV Columbus as a multi-media journalist.
Dan moved from KJRH, Tulsa.
He is from Cincinnati and very happy to be back in the Buckeye state.

Amenta rising.

Congrats to Katherine Amenta at WPXI. She had an awesome May. She and her team were first at both 5 and 6 a.m. in a tie with KDKA.

"You can't write what you don't know"