WTVC NewsChannel 9 personality Don WelchDon Welch, longtime weather forecaster and morning show host at Chattanooga's ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9, today announced he will retire in late April, a news release states.
"The best part of this business - the part I'll miss the most - is the people, the viewers at home," Welch said in the statement from the station. "Whether it was drawing on a weather board in the '70s or hosting "This N' That" today, the folks at home graciously invited me to be a part of their day. For that I am very grateful. As I look back, I realize it's all been good."
The station will air a extended edition of "This N' That" on Welch's last day on the air - April 23.
Welch has worked for more than four decades in local television, starting at NBC affiliate WRCB in the early 1970's. He joined WTVC in 1975 as the station's weatherman alongside news anchor Bob Johnson and sports reporter Darrell Patterson. In the 1980's, his career included stops at WDEF, WGOW radio and WTVF in Nashville. In 1990, Welch returned to WTVC to host the weekday morning show "Good Morning Don," which soon became "Good Morning Chattanooga."
Since 2006, he has hosted and been associate producer of "This N' That" with Don Welch, a weekday talk show highlighting local events and personalities.