Indianapolis meteorologist Ashley Brown soon will be forecasting on WLWT-TV, filling Jennifer Schack's vacancy.
The Indianapolis native has been the morning meteorologist for five years at ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6).
“Ashley brings a wealth of experience forecasting weather in the Midwest. Her dynamic presentation and commitment to accuracy make her a perfect fit for WLWT," said news director Jeff Benscoter in the station's announcement.
She will work weekend mornings with "News 5 Today" anchor Megan Mitchell.
Schack, a Northern Kentucky native and Bishop Brossart High School graduate, left Channel 5 on May 29 after four years to be a digital and print reporter for the Diocese of Covington's "Messenger" website and weekly newspaper. She had recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her third child. She says the diocesan work would be more family friendly, and an opportunity "to share my faith in my work."
Brown started working at Radio One's Indianapolis stations in 2001, while studying meteorology and broadcasting at Ball State University (2000-2004). She was a radio personality for 6-1/2 years at urban AC WTLC-FM, hip hop WHHH-FM and smooth jazz WYJZ-FM. She also has worked for Indianapolis Fox affiliate WXIN-TV (Fox 59) and for four years at ABC affiliate KESQ-TV in Palm Desert, CA (2008-12). The graduate of North Central High School in Indianapolis said goodbye on her Facebook page to viewers June 25.
Channel 5 also filled its other opening last month with an Indianapolis woman, hiring Vanessa Richardson as traffic reporter.
Richardson, an entertainment reporter for the Indianapolis-based national "Bob & Tom" radio show, has been the MC for Indianapolis Pacers and Indianapolis Indians home games. She has also worked in Indianapolis as a digital producer for WTHR-TV, sports director/multimedia journalist for TV5, and sports reporter and afternoon DJ for WICR-FM.
