The WXII-nning Team: Where Are Former WXII Anchors Now?
WXII is the NBC-affiliated television station located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, serving the Piedmont Triad region. Throughout the years, it has been home to many remarkable news anchors. These individuals have delivered the news, weather, and sports updates to the local community, making them trusted and familiar faces for a great number of people.
However, as is the case with any profession, people move on to new opportunities, leaving audiences wondering what ever happened to their favorite anchors. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most popular former anchors of WXII and see where they are now—with a humorous twist, of course!
The Seed Keyword: WXII Anchors
Let’s dive in and discover what some of our favorite WXII anchors are up to these days. Have they retired? Have they moved on to bigger and better things? Or perhaps, they’re still in the area, but just not on our television screens.
Karen McNeill
Karen McNeill is a familiar face to many Winston-Salem residents. She was a co-anchor for WXII 12 News, specializing in investigative journalism. Her sharp wit and direct approach to stories made her popular with viewers. After working at WXII for over a decade, she decided to retire in 2015.
But it seems Karen is not one to sit back and relax. She may be retired, but she’s still very active in the community. She has become a Board Member for Communities in Schools of Forsyth County, working to create sustainable solutions for students and families in need.
Cameron Kent
Cameron Kent, a staple in the Triad community, was with WXII for 30 years. You may recognize him as the lead anchor for the station’s evening news, alongside co-anchor Wanda Starke. He was known for his likeable personality and authentic approach to storytelling.
Cameron, however, decided to end his longtime stint in 2019, saying that his “season of life is shifting.” It seems that he’s moved away from local news and has since joined the staff of Wake Forest University. As the Media Director for the Office of Creative Communications, he helps create stories and messages to highlight the university’s daily happenings.
Kimberly Van Scoy
Kimberly Van Scoy, another well-known name around the Triad, was a mainstay on WXII’s morning news for years. She was known for her warmth and natural presence on the screen. In May of 2020, she announced that she was leaving WXII in order to start her own business, making and selling her artisan-style candles. She had been a candle maker for many years as a hobby, and is now turning that passion into a new career.
Briana Conner
Briana Conner joined WXII 12 News in 2015, coming in as a morning news anchor. Over time, she became a multimedia journalist, breaking stories and delivering them on every platform available. She made herself one of the most prominent and engaging voices on social media. After six years at WXII, Briana announced her departure in April 2021.
Briana has since taken a position as a weekday anchor for WFLA News Channel 8 Tampa, where she’ll continue to cover breaking news, conduct live interviews, and produce investigative reports on the community.
Bill O’Neil
Bill O’Neil was a staple at WXII for over forty years, having started in 1979. During his time with the station, he covered nearly every major news story in the area. He is known for his straightforward delivery and investigative reporting.
Bill announced his retirement in 2021, and soon after began a new chapter at UNC Greensboro’s Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability. He will be helping teach classes on environmental planning and public policy, just like Fred Rogers moderated a Senate subcommittee hearing on funding public television.
Talitha Vickers
Talitha Vickers was a mainstay on WXII’s evening news until 2015. She has since moved on to a series of important media roles. She is now a reporter and lifestyle host at WCNC-TV in Charlotte. She is also a public speaker, speaking on the importance of resilience, passion, and perseverance.
Tolly Carr
Tolly Carr, who was a sports reporter for WXII, is one of those anchors who is still in the Triad. Having left WXII in early 2020, he now hosts Tolly’s Take on Sports Radio 730, a daily sports talk show featuring interviews with local and national sports figures. He’s also working as a freelance sportswriter, regularly contributing to various websites.
Kenny Beck
Kenny Beck was a chief reporter at WXII for many years, known for his sharp reporting and breaking news coverage. He left WXII in 2019 to join Spectrum News in Southeastern North Carolina. He is now the Evening Anchor and Senior Reporter for the network’s flagship program, “Spectrum News”.
The Uncommon Terminology Table:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Investigative Journalism | Investigating in-depth news stories |
| Multimedia Journalist | A journalist who produces stories using all forms of media |
| Breaking News | Recent events that are being rapidly reported on in the news |
| Public Speaker | A professional who speaks about a specific topic to a group of people |
| Freelance Sportswriter | A writer who writes articles about sports for anyone who needs them, rather than working exclusively for a single publication. |
A List of Memorable WXII Moments
WXII 12 has covered many newsworthy moments over the years, from the sports scene, to local and national politics, to natural disasters. However, some moments have proved to be particularly remarkable. Here’s a list of some of the most memorable WXII moments, as determined by both staff and viewer polls:
- Tornado Outbreak of April 16, 2011
- Michael Jordan’s Appearance at the Winston-Salem Air Show in 2001
- The Blizzard of 2000
- Peyton Manning’s First NFL Start With The Colts in 1998
- The Fire At Winston Tower in 1985
- The Intense Cold and Ice of 2014
Quotes from the WXII-nning Team
The WXII-nning team has had many memorable quotes over the years. Here are some of the most significant:
- “It’s not personal, it’s strictly professional” – Karen McNeill
- “If it’s too complicated to explain, I probably didn’t understand it” – Cameron Kent
- “There’s nothing more captivating than a good story told well” – Kimberly Van Scoy
- “In journalism, being first is not nearly as important as being right” – Bill O’Neil
- “It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish” – Briana Conner
- “You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get” – Talitha Vickers
- “I’m fair, but I’m not always nice” – Tolly Carr
- “You have to love what you do. If you love it, you’ll wear the hat with pride” – Kenny Beck
Conclusion
WXII has seen some of the most talented journalists and newscasters in the industry. As we recap where some of our beloved WXII anchors are now, one thing remains constant: their dedication to the industry and the communities they serve. Moving on from WXII does not mean they will be forgotten by their loyal viewers, rather it creates a fluid and ever-changing dynamic for Winston-Salem’s ever-evolving newsroom.
References:
Community and Schools Forsyth County. Retrieved from https://cisforsyth.org/
Spectrum News. Retrieved from https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte 25