“WUTR-TV 20 Eyewitness News Reunion” with Susan Nackley Mojave and Kathy Contino-Turner 2-2-25

This Hot Seat: Media Monday episode features local journalists Susan Nackley Mojave and Kathy Contino-Turner. In the 1980s and 90s, they were on our TV screens daily with WUTR-TV 20’s  Eyewitness News. Kathy Contino-Turner began her career at WUTR on April Fools Day in 1981. After receiving a promotion in 1984, she became the youngest female television news director in the United States. During her time, WUTR ratings peaked, pulling ahead of WKTV in key demographics. Susan Nackley Mojave was with WUTR from 1987 to 1996. She anchored the original noon and 5 pm news broadcasts, received an Associated Press award for her coverage of the abduction of Sara Anne Wood, and was part of the first live coverage of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon. We discussed how the broadcast news industry has evolved and changed to meet the demands of a multimedia 24/7 news cycle. We also discussed what it takes to produce high-quality local journalism. We also discussed the need for accuracy, ethics, and integrity when pursuing the professions and reporters' unique role in connecting with and serving the community.  Ron Klopfanstein is an award-winning multimedia investigative journalist, news and features editor, and creative content producer for the Utica Phoenix digital platform and 95.5 FM “The Heat” broadcast and streaming. He also hosts Hot Seat: Media Monday every Monday at 5 pm, broadcast on 95.5 FM and streaming at 955TheHeat.com. Like him at Facebook.com/ReadRonKlopfanstein, Follow him at Bsky.app/profile/ronklopfanstein.bsky.social, Threads.net/@RonKlopfanstein, Instagram.com/RonKlopfanstein, Tiktok.com/@ronklopfanstein, and subscribe to his channel at YouTube.com/@RonKlopfanstein. Read all his work at Muckrack.com/ron-klopfanstein. NOW on Spotify