Will continue working mornings at the Fox O&O; Jonathan Stacey takes PM Slot
by Brian Allen
The fog has officially lifted on the question of who will be leading WAGA Fox 5’s weather office going forward.
That honor goes to Joanne Feldman, who has been promoted to the lead forecaster role at the station after 19 years predicting the weather there.
In addition, she will stay on as the morning forecaster on Fox 5’s “Good Day Atlanta,” rather than moving to the evening shift. Her “GDA” shift goes from 4:30 am to 9 am, then joining co-hosts Natalie McCann and Alex Whittler for the 10 pm hour.
Fox 5 also announced that meteorologist Jonathan Stacey will be doing the 5, 6, 10, and 11 pm newscasts on a permanent basis. He first joined Fox 5 in 2021, where he worked as a weekend forecaster, then working the noon shift.
“I am incredibly honored by the trust placed in me to take on this new role leading an excellent team of meteorologists,” said Feldman in a statement. “I consider it a bonus to be in the unique position of serving as Chief Meteorologist while remaining on ‘Good Day Atlanta.’ To live this dream in my hometown is a blessing and a privilege I do not take lightly, thanks to so many loyal FOX 5 viewers.”
“FOX 5 Atlanta has long been a trusted source for important weather information on television, and now on our live stream and digital platforms as well,” said Scott Stucky, vice president and news director, Fox 5. “Joanne and Jonathan are experienced, talented meteorologists and excellent communicators. They will help maintain the station’s position as a market leader in weather coverage, along with the entire FOX 5 Storm Team,”
Feldman joined Fox 5 in 2007 as a weekend evening meteorologist. The University of Georgia and Penn State alum worked in Raleigh/Durham and Fresno TV markets before joining Fox 5. The Marietta native is certified by the American Meteorological Society and has won three Emmy Awards.
Feldman is the second female chief meteorologist currently in the Atlanta TV market. The other is Atlanta News First’s Jennifer Valdez. According to AMS, in a 2018 study, women make up 29% of broadcast mets in the U.S., but only 8% are chief meteorologists, who usually get prime slots in the newscast schedule and lead the weather team at the station.
Feldman succeeds the recently retired David Chandley, who left the station last month. He took over the chief met position at the Fox O&O in 2015 after the retirement of longtime forecaster Ken Cook.
“It is definitely a “pinch me” moment going from admiring Ken Cook and David Chandley, long before I called them colleagues, to now serving in the role they once had,” said Feldman in a later post on Instagram. “I cannot express enough my gratitude for each one of you and I thank you for depending on us. I may be biased, but I know I’ve got the best team in the business to work with.
Here for you through storms and sunshine…”
Besides Feldman and Stacey, the Fox 5 weather team also includes Alex Forbes and Laurann Robinson.
Image credit: Fox 5
