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Christy McDonald (Linkedin photo)
Christy McDonald has decided to leave WDIV, a little more than two years after joining the station.
In a posting on Linkedin, the veteran TV personality wrote on Tuesday:
This January marked 30 years since my very first job in television news (as Bill Bonds’ production assistant at FOX2!). Reflecting on everything I’ve learned and achieved in this business, I recently made a big decision.
I asked to step away from my most recent role at WDIV Local 4 creating streaming programming and anchoring special coverage. It has been an incredible honor to be part of WDIV’s rich history and work alongside some of the best in the industry.
And yet, one of the great privileges in this business is leaving on your own term. Another is embracing the chance to reinvent yourself.
McDonald said her gut told her it was time for something new.
"And when the time is right, I can’t wait to bring you along on my journey."
"For now, here’s to taking a leap!"
A graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College, she worked as a reporter and anchor for WJRT-TV in Flint from 1998 to September 2000. She then jumped into a bigger market, joining WXYZ in 2000 until 2010.
From there she became an anchor and managing editor of "One Detroit" on Detroit Public Television from 2011 until 2022. After that, she joined WDIV.
A mother of three, she lost her husband Jamie Samuelsen to colorectal cancer in August 2020. After that she needed a break.
In reference to that, when she joined WDIV in 2022, she wrote:
And for all the caregivers out there and then those who have experienced grief – you probably understand the sheer exhaustion and need to reset.
So I took time. I cheered on my son at baseball games, graduated my daughter from high school and volunteered backstage at my youngest’s musical theatre production.
I swam in Lake Michigan, sang karaoke at a dive bar, walked the Detroit Riverfront, and played too much tennis in the sun.
Then, opportunity.
I have long admired the station’s commitment to community, information and connection and the call to join Local 4 came at the right time.
McDonald briefly filled in as host of "Flashpoint" after anchor Devin Scillian retired in December. Morning anchor Jason Colthorp has now been named the host.
