Dave Huddleston, 37, will join Dawn Stensland in June.

By LAURA NACHMAN
Courier Times

WTXF has a new weekday news anchor. Dave Huddleston, 37, will join Dawn Stensland on the "Ten O'clock News" in June. Huddleston arrives from the CBS affiliate in Minneapolis where he was the morning anchor for almost 10 years.

Huddleston replaces Rich Noonan, 47, whose contract wasn't renewed in February. Stensland, 37, replaced longtime anchor Jill Chernekoff, 50, in December. Huddleston's community involvement includes work with the American Cancer Society and the United Negro College Fund. A native of Seattle Huddleston is a graduate of Washington State University with a degree in journalism. He plans to reside in the Philadelphia suburbs with his wife and two daughters.

OK, SO IT'S NOT A NEWS SHOW

Starting Monday, the WCAU 10 a.m. news, which did everything but news anyway, will make it official by becoming the magazine show "10" with a new co-host, set, graphics, and theme music. According to WCAU news director Chris Blackman, "Our old show was a news show with lifestyle elements. This is a lifestyle show with elements of news."

Steve Levy continues as host with new partner Tiffany McElroy, who joins the station from Portland. McElroy replaces Sharon Reed, who left the station in February.

As the third host, Bill Henley provides the same role as Sue Serio on "Good Day Philadelphia" on WTXF. He'll do a little bit of weather, but mostly features and interviews.

After getting burned in the past with the syndicated flops "Ainsley Harriett," "House Calls," and "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus," WCAU started airing news in this timeslot since February of last year. Blackman said that he expects WCAU to win the 10 a.m. period soon, since current leader Rosie O'Donnell is leaving her talk show (on WPVI) in May and Sally Jessy Raphael's show (on KYW) is mercifully coming to an end.

The first local daytime magazine show produced in Philadelphia in years, "10" will feature some of Philly's top chefs, musicians, and political leaders. Guests for the first show are Pat Croce, along with his wife Diane, Chubby Checker and Ben Franklin.

"10" will get some competition from the nationally syndicated show "Good Day Live" which begins on WTXF in June. Currently, it airs in 15 markets.

WORSE THAN SALLY?

KYW would love to say "g'bye" to "The Weakest Link." The game show is averaging, as Anne Robinson would say, "a pitiful" 1 - 2 rating from 4- 5 p.m.

According to a KYW employee "we never thought anything could do worse than 'Sally,' but it's happened." Maybe they should start their own magazine/lifestyle show.

BOOK 'EM

WPVI weekend news anchor Rob Jennings' first novel, "Krista," is available in bookstores and at HTTP://www.moondancepublishing.com

It's the story of a woman who searches for the father she's never met and who doesn't know she exists.

Jennings got help with the plot from ex-Phillies pitcher and WPVI reporter Tug McGraw who found out only a few years ago that country star Tim McGraw was his son.

In an interesting plot turn, Jennings received permission from WPVI management to publish his book, but reporter Rose Tibayan was not allowed to work on a book and continues to be off the air on suspension.

FLIN FLON EXPRESS

The employees at KYW should wear nametags as yet two more newcomers join the staff - reporter Amy Polacko and weekday morning news anchor Tom Negovan.

Negovan, a native of Flin Flon, Canada, can start a "Flin Flon South" chapter with Flyers general manager Bobby Clarke who is also from the small town in Manitoba.

KUDOS FOR DIEGO

Lower Makefield resident Diego Castellanos was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in the fourth annual ceremonies recently in New York City. Castellanos was honored for his role in promoting Latin music on "Puerto Rican Panorama," which has aired on WPVI for 32 years.

I'LL HAVE MY SENATOR SUNNY-SIDE UP

Yardley's Laura Jones is the host of the new CN8 show, "Diner Politics," on CN8 Sundays at 8 p.m. Set in New Jersey diners, Jones talks to the state's elected officials and other political players over fries and gravy. There's no truth to the rumor that the spin-off to this show will take place at another New Jersey landmark - the turnpike exit - and be called "Exit Interviews."

Thursday, April 25, 2002