Reporter and anchor Les Smith abruptly leaves WTKR

First let me begin by saying I was never fired from WTKR. I have a medical condition that requires me to be heavily medicated 24 hours a day seven days a week. So yes I should have proof read before posting but when one is on powerful pain medication one may be prone to making a few mistakes here and there. Just for the record the people I was talking about in a negative light in my previous post nolonger work at Newschannel 3. I do know Les Smith,he's a good man and when I learned of his departure I thought,here they go again.

It's hard to believe "exnewsanchor" was really employed by the media, because his/her post is rife with grammatical errors and typos. If ExAnchor was fired, maybe it's because he/she was not able to express their ideas very clearly in written form, which is an essential trait in this field.

As to bashing WTKR for the lawsuit they filed a couple months ago, they were trying to force Suffolk to FOLLOW THE LAW and that's a good thing. Once we start restricting the media's access to newsworthy events, we'll all be in trouble. If you don't like the law that allows the media to access disaster areas, then you should fuss at the state legislature, not WTKR.

I haven't watched WTKR news since 1996 when they fired Dr. Duane Harding. Now that was a bright move. Fire a very popular guy that actually had a PhD in meteorology, then hire an ever changing lineup of weather readers who couldn't predict a correct forecast if they're lives depended on it. I read a Va Pilot article from 1996 that said WTKR was restructuring its format after being purchased by the New York Times. And -- they've been restructuring ever since. Twelve years and they still can't get it right. Maybe someone needs to tell the WTKR owners that Tidewater, (yes Tidewater not Hampton Roads), ain't New York.

...that most posters here are beating up on WTKR. Maybe they were not viewing the station 3 weeks ago on Sunday afternoon when the violent storms swept thru NC and Hampton Roads. Around 4pm that day WTKR dropped their CBS sports coverage and put their VIPER radar display ONLY on the screen for 2 hours with their weather reporters voices detailing and tracking these storms and warning each and every town, county and locality as to when the storms would hit them.

For you computer news geeks, you would have loved this! Nothing but the VIPER weather radar display for 2 HOURS! And the weather reporters talking to us in the background about the vicinity of the storms to us and warning each town, county and locality as to when it would hit.

Chief meteorologist Mike Harvey linked in by telephone from his home and reported and tracked what he was watching on 3, adding to the weather reporters that were at the station.

WTKR Channel 3 local news coverage is a hidden gem that not enough HR residents have discovered yet. Compare their local coverage to 10 and 13 and by far 3's local news and coverage is more extensive.

Want to be different and try something new? Try WTKR for a wee

This is something WTKR should try. Put in a talk show or something and build a promotion around it, they can try to compete against Dr. Phil on 27. Andy Griffith actually does very well at 5:30 on WDBJ in Roanoke. Run a newscast at 4:30 and an hour of news at 6, Katie at 7... that concept has worked well for CBS stations like KDKA in Pittsburgh.

Remember that WTKR is the only media source to file suit against the City of Suffolk over their lack of access to the tornado ravaged neighborhoods. That alone shows the character of their management. I stopped watching right then. Too bad!

the re-runs between 5-7PM. Give us some wind down time. We need to release stress and laugh. I get my bad news from the web and radio during the day. When I get home after a long day I need "happy time". Bring back the Partridge Family, 222, or Mork, Wings, or even Laugh-In...now that's funny stuff and you can see all the major stars before they were bigger than life. What about some of the old Game Shows? Good stuff...

I don't watch WTKR much, so will someone please fill me in on why so many people don't like Barbara C? But keep it above the waist!

The "hoax" about Bush was never proven to be false. Please get the facts correct. The letter in question had dubious origins but that does not mean that the content was incorrect. There are many questions about Bush's disservice to the nation. I have read through all the so-far released documents and a few of the comments made on Bush's service records include: "non-locatee"-look up what that meant at the time, "he is ineligible for assignment to an Air Force Squadron, "has not been observed at this unit" (for an entire year so Bush could not have his OETR-Officer Effectiveness Training Reportcompleted), "Not rated for this period 1 May 72 through 30 Apr 73.", "failed to satisfactorily participate", and much more. Bush was legally obligated to service until 5/74 yet the last medical exam on record is in '71, i.e. he lost his flight status due to not showing up for his physical. There is not record of any service after 5/72. The Bushes have been good at deflecting the truth and demonizing anyone who tries to get at it.

I worked for WTKR NEWS Channel 3. The problem with 3 began in the 1980's when half the news anchors were fired after the 6 o clock newscast. They were losing their grasp on first place, thats right first place.WTKR then WTAR had been number one in local news for decades.Stan Garfan long time sportanchor was fired. Viewers were apalled WTKR never recovered. As for me working there was the worst experience of my life. I came to Nightmare on Boush Street from a larger market. I wasn't there long before I realized I was being set up to fail. I was there to see Dr. Duane mistreated. I could be wrong but I dont think he agreed with doing the weather in the rain from the roof. Jane Gardner the areas first 6 & 11 female anchor was also disrespected. On that day several anchors were informed their contracts were not being renewed. I agree with the previous comment the problem is not with the staff but stems from the top. I've seen first hand the sacrifices made by WTKR employees in their commitment to excellence but by the same token the backstabbing was the worst I've ever experienced. I had a career spanning two decades 8 television stations and 3 radio stations including working in a t

LOL to monteye55200's comment about playing the storm game! Hilarious!
I really liked Les Smith's broadcast style, his presence will be missed no matter which station he was working with. Seemed like an average guy, just wearing a suit behind a news desk. I wish him luck wherever he may go next.

"Dan Rather is not dead so it probably isn't right to refer to him as "The Late Dan Rather"..Just a little FYI there Wayne."

"The Dan" as Benard Goldburg calls him might not be dead, but his career as a journalist sure is ever since that so-called "scandal" with Bush's service records was proven to be a hoax that Dan Rather fell for because of his own bias.

WTKR's got nothing on the productions made in WVEC camera trucks.

I only too well remember my internship at KXLY in Spokane, WA: it was an experience I'll never forget and it made me decide to stay the heck away from broadcast news! Dealing with all the egos, the people who think they are gods - then you come in and find out they've been fired and everyone acts like they never existed. People are hired and fired when things are bad - makes a revolving door seem slow sometimes. All the backstabbing and knit-picking . . . what goes on behind the scenes is pretty ugly when the ratings are poor. Right now, I would say that working at WTKR has to be like walking on the edge of a cliff: your next step could be your last!

Week nights from 5 to 7 p.m. on WTKR. I would watch for 2 hours every night. Now I don't watch a minute of WTKR. I am not a dumb guy but it would be great background entertainment while I get my news on the internet and wind down from a tough day at work. Laughs and smiles would be a much better alternative to what we see and hear now on the local news.

I use 3onthego.com to get y'alls local news on my phone. It's informative but I could do without EXCLAMANTION POINTS after every sentence.
TV management isn't easy these days. I'd put in old shows like Westerns or whatever instead of the drivel you folks have to look at...or not on 3.
By the way, I was a Suffolk resident in the 60's as a young boy. Pigs and peanuts. I loved it. Here in Maryland we've got lots of crappy TV but mostly it's OK. No pigs, tobacco or peanut anymore, our Communist government killed anything that actually produced a real product. Heck, roadside crab and produce stands are now illegal here!

Dan Rather is not dead so it probably isn't right to refer to him as "The Late Dan Rather"..Just a little FYI there Wayne.

I'm sick of news for 2 hours every night. I bet if you ran old re-runs of Andy Griffith, Gomer Pyle, Lucy, MTM, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, WKRP, Taxi and the like you'd skunk 'em all!!!

Not to mention these trained professionals and their poor grasp of the English language. You NEVER insert the word "AND" when saying a number UNLESS the number includes a decimal point!! We are NOT in the year Two Thousand AND Eight...........It's Two Thousand Eight! Additionally, they are constantly misusing the words Few/Less and Bring/Take.

every newscast is filled with murders, robberies and drug busts, and stories about how local police and governments seem unable or unwilling to stop it. Our area is the most violent in Virginia, and I think people stopped watching local news because they don't want to be reminded of it every night. Gimmicks, sensationalized stories and fancy sounding names for radar systems can't hide the ugly truth.

WTKR...you're never going to be able to run with the grown-up news agencies. Do us all a favor and either close our doors, or change ownership to the SPEED channel.

their attempt to give news...I do watch after 8PM unless there are storm warning in the next few day...I hate them breaking in to tell me something may happen...or running a scroll to let you know that maybe tomorrow it is gonna storm... I did play a new game the last storm, eveytime they said "- - - is getting hammered" or "--- is under the gun" I took a shot, trying to get hammered enough to go out side to take a picture they kept asking to send to them...

I do agree with the previous posts, Andy Fox is another person to not watch...I change the channel everytime he comes on... Judge Judy got better ratings than Barbara Ciara..

Isn't WTKR a CBS affiliate?

Only imbiciles watch CBS News, morons and idiots have even wised up.

The late Dan Rather is the mean troll under the bridge.

Channel 3 is definately sinking to the lowest of the low. Ciara stinks,and I was getting to like 3 with Les Smith on . I'll just watch Ghost Whisperer and Moonlight, if it ever comes back on. CBS as a whole.....SUICKS !!!!!!

They need to hire that "DRUNK" Andy Fox away from WAVY to get back on their feet. He is such an asset to the Hampton Roads area!

I stopped watching WTKR news after they fired Dr Duane. Rightly or wrongly, I felt his firing was beyond unfair, it was downright nasty and cruel (he was very sick). If WTKR treats their employees this unfairly, how fair (and accurate) is their presentation of the news? I still see no reason to view WTKR news. I don't trust them...

BTW, I don't know anyone, past or present at WTKR or any other channel.

Maybe this post will sound judgemental to some, and perhaps it is. I do not know the 'real' reason Les Smith left Wavy TV 10 nor do I know the 'real' reason he has now left WTKR. However, I have always felt that 'God don't like ugly'. I always thought he was great at his job while at WAVY TV 10. Since I seldom watch WTKR - I can't say much there. I can say WTKR previously had some pretty 'child like' commercials - ragging on WAVY TV 10. Maybe they are just doing a major overhaul and getting rid of people. Whatever the reason - Les - I missed you on WAVY TV 10 - and was frustrated/angered by your move to WTKR. NOW, not only do I feel like you're a trader; I feel as though your an unemployed trader. I DO however, wish you the best.

is alive and well. My brother saw him at his daughters graduation last weekend. He's lookin' good......

WTKR has had problems every since they got rid of Dr. Duane. It's the Dr. Duane curse striking again!

...We have local news channels???...WTKR...oh...that's the channel I play pong on...

.... because they can't commit to long-term solutions to become better! I have a 20+ year history in broadcast media in D.C/Boston. Look at the newsroom. Departures, defections, firings..... most GMs/news directors are not given sufficient time to make a difference. Changing viewing habits in a competitive market takes TIME.... and WTKR has sought the quick fix for 15 years. Obviously, OWNERSHIP -- not employees -- is the problem. It's Steinbrenner-esque, and this week again proves that point. If WTKR truly wants to be successful, change has to come at the very tippy-top.

As an aside, I agree that Ciara is NOT an anchor most viewers identify with or get a "warm fuzzy" from. Hey, WTKR honchos.... you need someone we want to invite into our homes. MOST of Tidewater doesn't want Barbara as a friend -- however nice and giving she may be. Need help? Ask me for it. I did what you need in two larger ma

I seldom watch local tv news. I go their web sites to read it. Hampton Roads has some of the poorest newscasters I have ever seen, and I have lived in and visited many areas of the country. Guess stations here are at the bottom of the list when it comes to drafting news anchors.