Some major changes are happening in management at Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV) with the arrival of a new general manager and the search for a new news director.
Paul McGonagle has been named senior vice president and general manager of Detroit’s Fox station, according to an announcement made this week.
McGonagle previously was vice president and news director of Fox 5 in Washington, D.C. (WTTG-TV), where he had worked since 2014. Prior to that, he had the same role at Fox 25 in Boston (WFXT-TV).
He replaces Greg Easterly, who is retiring as senior vice president and general manager of Fox 2 Detroit, a job he has held since 2019. Prior to that, Easterly was senior vice president of group operations for Tribune Media.
In another departure, Laura Moore, vice president of news and news director for Fox 2 Detroit, has parted ways amicably with the station, according to a Fox spokeswoman. There will be an external and internal search for who takes over for Moore, a station veteran who had been with WJBK since 1998, according to her LinkedIn page.
Also, Katie Fehr, WJBK’s director of community service, confirmed to the Free Press by email that she is no longer with WJBK as of June 30 and said her position was eliminated.
“It was an honor to serve FOX 2 and the Detroit community for nearly 30 years, doing work that mattered,” messaged Fehr, who had been with the station since 1996 and became director of community service in 2001, according to LinkedIn.
McGonagle is in town now and will begin his job July 4. In a news release regarding his move to the Motor City, he stated: “It’s a privilege to step into this role at FOX 2. I’m excited to lead a station with such a strong journalistic tradition and look forward to working closely with the team to serve the community at the highest level.”
McGonagle will report to Jack Abernethy, the chief executive officer of Fox Television Stations.
In the same announcement, the departing Easterly stated: “Working with Jack (Abernethy) and the teams at FOX has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my life. I’m especially proud of what we’ve accomplished together in Detroit. As I step away to spend more time with my family, I do so knowing these stations are in very talented hands.”
This story has been updated with new information.
Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Big changes happening with leadership at Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV)
Reporting by Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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