WZZM Grand Rapids Ups Van Ameyde, Adds LaFave

Gannett-owned ABC affiliate WZZM Grand Rapids, Mich. (DMA 39), has given anchor/investigative reporter Lee Van Ameyde new responsibilities as managing editor of the WZZM 13 Watchdog Investigative Team. This will be in addition to the investigative reporter responsibilities he currently handles.

“He will lead a team of gifted storytellers and skilled investigative journalists,” said Janet Mason, WZZM president-GM. “Lee’s extensive knowledge of the market and years of experience as a journalist make him the perfect person to lead the team.”

Van Ameyde will be stepping down as WZZM’s evening anchor and moving full-time into the Watchdog Investigative team. WZZM launched the investigative unit in June of 2013 and the unit has won several awards including a regional Edward R. Murrow.

Nick LaFave will be joining the WZZM news team as co-anchor of the Monday-Friday evening newscasts with Juliet Dragos. LaFave joins WZZM from KTAL Shreveport, La., where he was the co-anchor of the weekday evening newscasts. His career has taken him to Lansing, Mich., where he was a weekend anchor and reporter, and to Duluth, Minn., and Bozeman, Mont.

LaFave graduated from Northern Michigan University. 

This transition should be completed by early September 2014.

On Monday, July 28, WZZM announced that Dan Harland will be the new weekday morning news co-anchor, alongside Lauren Stanton and Aaron Ofseyer, starting on Aug. 7.