Michelle Chism Named WGAL News Director

Hearst Television-owned ABC affiliate WGAL Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York, Pa. (DMA 43) today appointed Michelle Chism news director. She succeeds Dan O’Donnell, who was named news director of KMBC-KCWE, Hearst Television’s ABC affiliate in Kansas City, Mo., earlier this summer.

Chism joins WGAL from Hearst Television sister station WBAL Baltimore, where she has been assistant news director. In that role, she oversaw their award-winning investigative unit, helped to lead special projects like the anniversary of the Baltimore riots, and was an integral part of their continued ratings growth.

“WGAL 8 has enjoyed a long legacy of news leadership in the Susquehanna Valley and I couldn’t be more excited or pleased to introduce Michelle as our new news director,” said Kyle Grimes, WGAL president-GM. “I am confident she is the right person at the right time to lead our team as we write this next critical chapter of our history.”

Prior to her time at WBAL, Chism served in news management roles in Austin, Texas, and Little Rock, Ark.