NORFOLK, Va. — TEGNA Inc. announced Thursday that 13News Now President and General Manager Doug Wieder will leave Norfolk at the end of the month to take the top leadership role at sister-station KARE 11 in Minneapolis.
Wieder joined WVEC in 2003 as a senior producer for evening newscasts and was promoted to several newsroom leadership positions before becoming the station's president and general manager in 2019.
During his time leading 13News Now, the station has grown its audience share and digital sales revenue and the newsroom has been honored with 11 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including Overall Excellence in 2020.
"Wieder ensured the station emphasized community-focused journalism," TEGNA stated in a press release, "including gathering police chiefs from the area’s seven largest cities for a televised Town Hall seeking solutions to the growing gun violence epidemic among teenagers in Hampton Roads."
Under Wieder's leadership, the 13News Now newsroom created the award-winning documentary, “20 and Odd: Africans’ Arrival in 1619” to tell the story of the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Hampton. And he guided the station’s community response to numerous severe weather events and community engagement efforts, including helping to raise a record $1.8 million for local nonprofits through the Peninsula Community Foundation.
“Doug’s steady, results-driven management style has consistently delivered exceptional results during his tenure at WVEC,” said Larry Delia, senior vice president, media operations at TEGNA. “His invaluable expertise across news, innovation and community engagement are perfectly aligned with KARE’s brand, people and award-winning journalism.”
“It is a tremendous honor to join KARE, a station that has set the standard for excellence in local television," Wieder said. " ... It’s a privilege to go to Minneapolis and help lead this incredibly talented team.”
Wieder is active in several charities and community organizations in Hampton Roads, including a local food pantry and the advisory board for the region's branch of the Salvation Army. He is also a past president of the Virginia AP Broadcasters group.
Wieder will start as KARE 11's new president and general manager on October 30.
The search for his replacement at WVEC has already begun.
