Anchor Carmen Harlan To Retire From WDIV

Veteran TV news anchor Carmen Harlan today announced she will soon retire from Graham Media’s NBC affiliate WDIV Detroit (DMA 13) following a broadcasting career spanning four decades.

“About 18 months ago, Carmen came to me to say that she wanted to retire in the near future. I wanted to pretend that I didn’t hear her. There is only one Carmen Harlan and I wish she would stay forever, but I understand her desire to spend more time with her children and their families,” said Marla Drutz, WDIV VP-GM. “She is a class act who has been a true booster for this city.”

“In the newsroom, Carmen is often called ‘The Queen’ because she is.  She is a true professional who can go between the hard-hitting stories that Detroit and Local 4 is known for, to creating levity on set and bringing out the best in our anchor teams. She always nails it,” said Kim Voet, news director. “She will be tremendously missed by every person at our station.”

A native Detroiter, Harlan began her broadcasting career in Detroit radio before joining WDIV in 1978 as a general assignment reporter. Not long after, she was promoted to news anchor with legendary newsman Mort Crim. For more than 20 years, Harlan has been partnered with anchor Devin Scillian for the station’s early evening and late news programs, making them Detroit’s longest running anchor team, the station says.

A lifelong champion of Detroit, Harlan has hosted many of this region’s big events like America’s Thanksgiving Parade, The Ford Fireworks and the NAIAS Charity Preview. She always had a major role in station campaigns like Walk on the Wild Side, Choice of the Century, Detroit 300, Time to Care, Home 4 the Holidays, and two Olympic torch relays.

Throughout her career, Harlan has not only anchored the news but also traveled the world reporting on some of the most notable stories of the day.  Harlan covered the historic Michigan visit by Pope John Paul II in 1987, the legendary Detroit arrival of South African President Nelson Mandela in 1990, President Barack Obama’s inaugurations in 2009 and 2013 and, most memorably, the 2010 Haitian earthquake relief effort. She has also interviewed countless dignitaries, world, business, and religious leaders, as well as entertainers. 

Harlan will take on an ambassador role with WDIV that will allow for promotional and special event projects.

Harlan will anchor her final newscast on Nov. 11, but will return to host America’s Thanksgiving Parade later in the month.