This story was updated at 1:35 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021.
Wednesday became a surprise end of an era for one of Pittsburgh’s longest-tenured television news anchors.
WTAE-TV announced Wednesday that Kelly Frey, a weekday morning anchor who has been with Channel 4 since 2000, is leaving the station. She will be off the air effective immediately, according to WTAE creative services director Tracy Oliver.
“After consideration and discussion over her next contract, Kelly Frey is leaving WTAE Channel 4,” the station said in an emailed statement. “Kelly has been an important part of our family and success over the last 21 years. We wish Kelly and her family all the best.”
Frey did not respond to a Post-Gazette request for comment on the matter Wednesday.
On Friday, Frey broke her silence about the matter via a Facebook post.
“WTAE's statement is accurate and reflects the simple truth that we could not agree to terms,” she wrote. “That said, my time at WTAE and the opportunity I was afforded there to build my friendship with you was a ‘gift’ that I'll always treasure.
“I have abundant gratitude and appreciation for your outpouring of love, support and kind words of encouragement over the years. I certainly hope you'll be hearing more from me in the days to come.”
She is a Chester, Pa., native and a University of Pittsburgh graduate. Her news career took her to Monroe, La.; El Dorado, Ark.; and Shreveport, La., before she returned to Pennsylvania. Frey is also a breast cancer survivor and a mother of two.
Frey’s sudden departure from WTAE continues the station’s recent revolving door of on-air talent that included losing weekend morning anchor Chris Lovingood and reporter David Kaplan.
Channel 4 has added to its roster with the recent hires of new weekend morning anchor Tom Garris, nighttime reporters Kalea Gunderson and Ashley Zilka, and meteorologists Brian Hutton Jr. and Kasey Reigner.
Joshua Axelrod: jaxelrod@post-gazette.com and Twitter @jaxelburgh.
First Published: November 3, 2021, 4:58 p.m.
Updated: November 5, 2021, 5:40 p.m.
