TV Q&A: Why isn’t Celina Pompeani on KDKA-TV’s morning news anymore?

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen answers reader questions every Wednesday at TribLive.com in a column that also appears in the Sunday Tribune-Review.

Q: Is Celina Pompeani no longer a part of the KDKA-TV news team?

— Sherry, Latrobe

Rob: Pompeani is a freelancer and has never been on staff at KDKA. She continues to be part of Channel 2’s “Pittsburgh Today Live” show but she’s no longer anchoring traffic coverage during the station’s morning newscasts.

“With traffic significantly reduced with more people at home, it made sense to have Celina concentrate more on ‘PTL,’” explained KDKA news director Kathy Hostetter, adding that the station will re-evaluate its morning traffic coverage post-pandemic.

Pompeani has posted to her Facebook page some of the work she’s now doing for the Penguins as the NHL season gets into full swing. She’s also taken on two additional gigs as spokesperson for Armina Stone and as a host/producer for Walk Productions.

Q: Why did KDKA-TV and WTAE-TV swap weathermen Ray Petelin and Jeff Verszyla?

— Phil, Brackenridge

Rob: They did not literally swap them; it’s more about supply and demand.

KDKA had the need for a meteorologist (demand) and hired Petelin (the supply), after he was let go by WTAE, initially for fill-in work and later Petelin was brought onto staff at KDKA. About two years later after another meteorologist, Alex Alecci, left WTAE, it was Channel 4’s turn to have demand for a meteorologist, which hiring Verszyla supplied.

Q: I figure you would probably be the best person to ask since I’m having problems finding this answer on my own. I know I can file a complaint with the City of Pittsburgh against Verizon regarding their FiOS service (or in my case lately, lack thereof). Would you know how to go about this?

— Doug, Pittsburgh

Rob: It’s always recommended that you first try to work with the service provider directly to get an issue resolved. It’s true that the city handles franchise agreements with cable TV providers but I could find nowhere on the City website to file a complaint on cable television services, which are handled by the general municipal section, which technically remains closed due to the pandemic.

Going to Verizon directly is your best bet, but failing satisfaction there, you can write to the City of Pittsburgh Law Dept., 414 Grant St., 313 City County Building, Pittsburgh, PA 15219.

Q: Do you know when Jason Momoa’s “Sweet Girl” movie that filmed in Pittsburgh will come out? I was in a couple of the group scenes at PNC Park.

— Joe, Lower Burrell

Rob: Netflix has not announced a premiere date for the film but later this year seems likely but not assured. Netflix has a long pipeline so it could even be 2022.

Q: My wife and I are regular “Jeopardy!” watchers. The transition from Alex Trebek to a new host is difficult for anyone. In our opinion, Ken Jennings has done a wonderful job hosting. Some of the names mentioned for future hosts seem quite puzzling. Where can we provide feedback that Ken would be a very satisfying substitute for Alex?

— Ron via email

Rob: The “Jeopardy!” producers have scheduled a number of guest hosts. My guess is they may not install a permanent replacement until the start of the 2021-22 TV season in September. Jennings seemed to have the inside track to land the job until some of his recent statements on social media.

You can write to “Jeopardy!” care of Sony Pictures Television, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232.