TV Talk: Ford exits WPXI; regional Emmy winners

Late last week, WPXI reporter Nicole Ford posted to Facebook that she’s leaving Channel 11 and broadcast news after her last report on Sept. 26.

“Journalism was always the dream — helping people and sharing their stories through both the darkest and brightest moments of their lives,” Ford wrote. “This career has given me some of my best friends, shown me the power of strength and empathy, and truly changed my life. That’s why it’s not easy to share that I’m stepping away from the microphone for now. I’m excited to grow and challenge myself in new ways in a new career, with my husband and our fur baby by my side.”

Ford, a Western Pa. native who joined WPXI in September 2021 after a stint at KDKA-TV, did not respond to queries about whether she’s staying in Pittsburgh and what her new career will be.

Regional Emmy winners

Saturday in Philadelphia, the 2025 Mid-Atlantic Emmy winners were announced, with KDKA-TV leading Pittsburgh stations with four wins, followed by SportsNet Pittsburgh (two trophies) and WQED and WPXI (one award each).

Local individual honorees include best sports talent (Josh Getzoff, SNP), best daily news reporter (Barry Pintar, KDKA) and best program host/correspondent (Boaz Frankel, KDKA).

Kym Gable, laid off from KDKA last month with Lindsay Ward, posted to Facebook, “This weekend’s golden irony? My shiny new 2025 Emmy Award. The newscast I anchored — (before I was abruptly terminated last month) — was just voted Best Evening Newscast in the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Chapter. I received the congratulatory texts from my former co-workers who were at the ceremony in Philadelphia last night — as I sat on my couch in sweatpants and slippers eating leftovers. Grateful (and yes, still very cynical).”

In addition to local channels, Pittsburgh entities that received Emmys include JRM Video Production, UPMC Digital Content Production, Ya Momz House Inc. and a Robert Morris University college entry.

See the full list of winners at tinyurl.com/5n9yjf59.