WISN 12 announces two new anchors joining its award winning news staff. Ben Wagner of KHBS/KHOG in Arkansas and Sheldon Dutes of NBC 4 New York will be joining WISN 12 News during weekday mornings and weekend evenings, respectively.
“After a nationwide search I know that these two experienced journalists will make immediate contributions to 12 News,” said Chris Gegg, news director of WISN 12. “They will be a wonderful addition to the top-notch reporters and experienced anchors who local viewers have come to know and trust.”
Prior to this new role at the anchor desk during “12 News This Morning,” weekdays from 4:30-7 a.m., Ben Wagner worked as morning co-anchor at KHBS/KHOG, Hearst’s station in Arkansas. Prior to that Ben worked as a reporter/anchor at KOMU-TV in Columbia, Missouri. Wagner, raised in Minnesota and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, brings Midwestern roots to his approach in local coverage. “I’m really looking forward to waking up with Milwaukee every morning on WISN 12 News.
“Mornings can be so hectic. I want to make sure our viewers have everything they need to start their day,” said Wagner, who will be co-anchor of Milwaukee’s #1 AM Weekday Newscast. He joins Melinda Davenport, Sally Severson, Tim Elliott, and Matt Salemme in January 2016.
In addition to Wagner, Sheldon Dutes comes to WISN 12 News as a weekend evening co-anchor on Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m., and Sundays at 5:30 and 10 p.m. “I’m thrilled to join WISN 12. The news team’s commitment to quality journalism and reputation for good storytelling has earned the trust of the community for many years, and I’m proud to be part of that legacy. I’m also excited to be back in the Midwest! I graduated from Notre Dame and loved living in this part of the country,” said Dutes. Sheldon is an experienced reporter having worked in the country’s #1 television market for NBC 4 New York.
Dutes also reported for WBAL-TV, Hearst’s station in Baltimore, MD, and WCSC-TV in Charleston, SC. Dutes joins 12 News in mid-December, and looks forward to taking his seat as co-anchor next to Toni Valliere in the coming weeks.
“Ben and Sheldon are terrific additions to the 12 News staff,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “They are strong journalists, with a passion for story-telling. They understand WISN 12’s mission of delivering important local coverage, because they already do it.”
