WRAL, part of Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC), announced on-air anchor lineup adjustments for their award-winning, ratings leading WRAL News team on Wednesday. Longtime anchor Debra Morgan extends her extraordinary 30-year run on the anchor desk, moving to daytime, and continuing to helm the anchor desk for WRAL News at 5 and 6 p.m.
Beloved in the Triangle community, Morgan recently surpassed the three-decade mark at WRAL, a feat almost unheard of in the local media industry. Beginning May 25, 2023, Morgan will shift her role, coming off the anchor desk at 7 and 11 p.m. and shifting to a new dayside schedule.
Morgan is a 10-time regional Emmy Award winner, was 2017 NC Association of Broadcasters Anchor of the Year and 2015 RTDNAC Anchor of the Year. Off the anchor desk, she is involved in variety of community organizations including, JDRF, ALS Association, American Heart Association and more.
Gerald Owens
Continuing to anchor beside Morgan on the anchor desk is another longtime WRAL News journalist – Gerald Owens. The two anchors combined have 50+ years as the on-air “faces” of WRAL News, speaking to the deep experience and trust they bring to Triangle news viewers every night.
Joining the WRAL News team is anchor/reporter Ashley Rowe. Rowe joins WRAL from WKBW-TV in Buffalo, NY, where she worked as a weekday anchor. Prior to Buffalo, Rowe worked for CTV News in Toronto. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.
Rowe will primarily anchor the 7 p.m. newscast with Dan Haggerty and 11 p.m. newscast alongside Gerald Owens. Dan, Lena Tillett and Chris Lovingood will continue their current assignments on WRAL News at 4, 5:30, 7 and 10 p.m., and Mark Boyle continues as the evening WRAL Live Center anchor.