WLS Reorders Anchors In Wake Of Yu’s Retiring

Linda Yu, veteran broadcaster, announced she will retire from ABC O&O WLS Chicago (DMA 3) on Wednesday, Nov. 23. Yu has co-anchored the station’s 4 p.m. newscast since she came to the station in 1984. 

Jennifer Graves, WLS VP-news director, announced that ABC 7 Eyewitness News Morning Anchor Judy Hsu will take over Yu’s 4 p.m. anchor role alongside Rob Elgas beginning Nov. 24, and reporter and anchor Tanja Babich has been promoted to anchor the morning news with Terrell Brown beginning Monday, Sept. 12.

“Since Linda Yu began anchoring the 4 p.m. news in 1984 it has been the No. 1 newscast for 32 years — an astonishing winning streak. Linda is a class act who leaves a remarkable legacy at ABC 7. She will be truly missed by everyone at ABC 7 and her many loyal viewers throughout Chicago,” said John Idler, WLS president-GM.

According to the station, Linda Yu was Chicago’s first Asian American broadcast journalist. She co-founded the Chicago Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association. Yu has earned five Chicago Emmy Awards during her career. She was honored by the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences with the Silver Circle, given for 25 years of outstanding contributions to Chicago broadcasting. Yu first came to Chicago in 1979 with WMAQ. 

WLS Anchor Judy Hsu, in addition to anchoring the 4 p.m. newscast with Rob Elgas beginning Nov. 24, will continue her duties anchoring the 11 a.m. newscast with Terrell Brown. Hsu will have a significant role on the 4 p.m. News until she takes over anchoring duties for Yu in November. She is also the new moderator of the station’s Newsviews on Sunday Mornings.

ABC 7 Eyewitness News Reporter and Anchor Tanja Babich was promoted to anchor ABC 7’s 4:30-7 a.m. morning newscasts. She will join Terrell Brown on the morning anchor desk, Sept. 12.

Babich joined the station in January 2014, from WSYR Syracuse, N.Y. Babich received her master’s degree from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.