Another longtime TV anchor in Boston is saying farewell.
Boston 25’s Vanessa Welch is leaving the station after nine years — and 25 years overall in the industry — as she plans to spend more time with her family while taking on a new opportunity.
“I feel so blessed. This has been such an incredible journey,” Welch said during her goodbye, while praising her colleagues, Mark Ockerbloom, Kevin Lemanowicz and Butch Stearns. “You have become brothers to me. All of you. You are the best broadcasters in this business, and also some of the nicest guys on the planet.”
Welch also thanked the crew behind the scenes.
“And to you at home, all the viewers, it has been a true honor to serve you for almost nine years here in New England,” she added. “I want to say thank you. Thank you for the trust that you placed in me.”
Just a few days ago, Welch went viral when it looked like she swallowed a fly or an eyelash while live on air.
On Boston25, the news anchor demonstrated true journalistic professionalism: she swallowed a fly and continued to broadcast asnothing had happened. pic.twitter.com/v9Chc1R8QI
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 28, 2024
Welch, a mother of three boys and who’s married to meteorologist Jason Brewer, in her goodbye said she’s leaving TV news.
“I have accepted a new opportunity in Boston,” Welch said. “It’s outside the television industry. I’m really excited about this. This is something that has been in the works for awhile because of these guys (her sons crowding around her).
“The hours are a bit more typical, allowing me to be there for these guys and for Jason more often in the evening hours,” she added. “So I just want to thank you, all the viewers, thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. I’m beyond grateful for each and every one of you.”
Boston 25 News in a post called her departure “bittersweet.”
“Vanessa is stepping away to spend more time with her family and take on another opportunity outside of TV News,” the station posted. “We’ve been so lucky to have her on our team. Please join us in wishing her the best of luck!”
After 9 years it’s bittersweet to say @VanessaEWelch is leaving Boston 25. Vanessa is stepping away to spend more time with her family and take on another opportunity outside of TV News. We’ve been so lucky to have her on our team. Please join us in wishing her the best of luck! pic.twitter.com/pmmRlrV7F2
— Boston 25 News (@boston25) May 30, 2024
A couple months ago, WBZ News anchor Liam Martin announced that he was leaving TV news for “more work-family balance.” He joined a Boston public relations agency.
