Site Map ·  First Alert ·  Talk to 12
Home  ·   News  ·   StormTeam 12  ·   News 12 Sports  ·   On Your Side  ·   Community  ·   Contests  ·   12 on TV  ·   12 Anywhere  ·   The News 12 Team  ·   Jobs  ·   What's On
Campaign 08 · StormRadio 12 · Special Coverage · In Plain Sight · Buzz on Biz · See It, Shoot It, Send It · Games · Entertainment · This Morning · Birthday Club · Radio Partner · Digital TV
Contact Us
laurie.ott@csrawwcp.org
Office Phone: 706-434-1708
Fax: 706-863-4933
1190 Interstate Parkway
Augusta, GA 30909
News 12 anchor Laurie Ott to pursue new career opportunity Save Email Print
Posted: 2:49 PM Nov 8, 2007
 Last Updated: 2:49 PM Nov 8, 2007
34 comments
A | A | A

July 31, 2007

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Laurie Ott, anchor and reporter for WRDW-TV News 12, will be signing off from News 12 after 13 years with the television station. Laurie and the Augusta CBS affiliate shared the announcement with local viewers today during early newscasts. Laurie joined WRDW-TV in June 1994 as weekend anchor and was eventually named co-anchor of News 12 at 6 O’clock and News 12 at 11, a position she has held for the past 12 years.

“This is a tough decision for me because I feel so privileged to have been given this opportunity at News 12 and to be invited into people’s homes every night for the past 13 years,” said Laurie. “I care deeply for this community but as any parent would understand, my family comes first.”

Laurie’s decision comes as no surprise to station managers who for the past two years have worked toward finding a schedule that would allow her to spend more time with family. “We have been discussing with Laurie a work assignment that would allow her more time at home with her family,” said WRDW-TV General Manager John Ray, “but in the end, Laurie felt it was best for her and her family to be home at dinner time and there to tuck her daughter in at night. Who can argue with that? Laurie is like family to us, we celebrate her decision.”

As part of the News 12 team, Laurie was recognized numerous times, not only for her investigative journalism but also for her commitment to the community. It is that commitment to the community that has led her to accept a position with the Wounded Warrior Care Project, a local initiative sponsored by civic leaders. She will also be working with the newly-formed Education Foundation for the CSRA. “I’m excited about this work and continuing the efforts with former Congressman Doug Barnard,” said Laurie. “We’ve been working since March exploring the very real possibility of expanding Augusta’s capacity to care for our returning troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

Station news managers and Laurie are exploring opportunities for her to return to the station as a contributor to News 12 newscasts. Laurie’s last day as News 12 Anchor will be Friday, August 31st. WRDW-TV asks the community to join the station in wishing Laurie only the best for her and her family. A search for her successor on the News 12 anchor desk is underway.
Related Links
More Stories
Free care for wounded warriors

Congressman compliments wounded warrior care

Senator pushes Augusta wounded warrior care

Wounded Warriors: Healing at Home

Broun discusses "Augusta Model" of wounded warrior care

Group presents Augusta model of wounded warrior care in DC

News 12 anchor Laurie Ott to pursue new career opportunity

US Senators to visit Augusta VA
Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
Email will not be displayed on site. For station contact purpose only.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Roland on Jun 10, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I remember when Laurie anchored with Richard on News 12 @ 6 & 11. I was there watching News 12. Augusta, GA; News 12, & Me will be missed by you.
Posted by: Kevin on Apr 1, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Laurie, My name is Kevin Tyner. I have just become avalible on the job market, and heard your speech at the Augusta State Grad. I am interested in talking with you more about openings within your new org. Kevin Tyner
Posted by: Anonymous on Jan 3, 2008 at 09:22 PM
What ever happen to Meredith Johnson?
Posted by: Le on Sep 28, 2007 at 07:25 PM
I see Jennie Montgomery on the News at 10 pm, however she is also on News Channel 12...is she going to be filling two station in our community now? I love to watch jennie, are we going to addd her to the WRDW family?
Posted by: JR on Sep 14, 2007 at 10:16 PM
I went to high school with Laurie and her decisions concerning the direction of her life did not surprise me. She has always been a class act. I have never been more proud of her. The Wounded Warriors will be a success; Laurie will help make it happen. Best of Wishes.
Posted by: Bonita on Sep 4, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Laurie, Congratulations on crossing over!! I know it was a hard decision to leave a career that is challenging: something that you excel in and something that seems to engulf you and you love it! But I am here to tell you, there is life after television and you can always cherish the good memories. Making the transition was hard for me as well but I am having the time of my life and that is what we all deserve! You are a true professional and I know your new endeavor will be wonderful if your hand is in it! Congratulations again and in the words of my favorite mentor: "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams." and "We can't become what we need to be by remaining what we are." Those words are of course from Oprah! God Bless you and your family from me and my family. Your former co-worker, Bonita Jefferies Jenkins
Posted by: Jim on Sep 3, 2007 at 06:17 AM
Laurie - You've always been a class act. From one news person to another, take care and best of fortunes in your pursuits. All my best, and God bless.
Posted by: Danny on Sep 3, 2007 at 01:23 AM
I have watched TV12 news for up to the minute stories and good reporting thru the years, I've also enjoyed watching one of the best news anchors in the business during that time. I am one of your fans and will continue to be, it's great to know that you'll be still living in the area and working on your next career. Wishing you all the luck, success and looking foreword to hopefully seeing you on the airways again someday.
Posted by: Deborah on Sep 2, 2007 at 08:29 PM
Thanks Laurie for the wonderful way you have brought us the news over the past thirteen years! You have always brought a warmth to the newscast that will be missed so much. I know it was a hard decision to make, but putting your family first is a decision you will not regret. Children grow up so fast and before you know it they are grown and out on their own and every precious moment you spend with them is worth any sacrifice you make regarding your career. I have always admired you but your choosing to work with the Wounded Care Warrior has caused me to admire you more. The world would be a much better place if we had more people like you. Best of luck to you and your family. We will all miss your beautiful face ,warm smile and sunny personality on Channel 12 news!
Posted by: Beth on Sep 1, 2007 at 12:11 AM
I had my son in June 1994 and started watching you while being home with him for a few months. Shortly thereafter your daughter was born and I remember following your pregnancy & childbirthing story. My family met your family a few years later in Aiken at a Friday at 5:00 telecast in Downtown Aiken. You gave all 3 of us a News 12 T-shirt which we still have today. I teach school so I recently went back to work after having the summer at home. I lost touch with most of the newscasts. I was shocked to watch it tonight and hear of your departure. Good Luck with your new career. We will miss you.
Posted by: Bernice on Aug 31, 2007 at 06:35 PM
Laurie, Thanks for many years of reporting wonderful news. My family and I will miss you on News 12. It was a pleasure to meet at a charitable walk many years ago. I'm a retired co-worker of Steve in Facilities Management. Please tell Steve and Casey hello for me!! Best Wishes in your new position.
Posted by: bobby on Aug 31, 2007 at 06:11 PM
laurie we are losing a very good newscast member and we are going to miss you nd hope to see you out in the public eye sometime.and we hope to see you back on tv some day.may god bless you.
Posted by: Susan on Aug 31, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Laurie, I'll miss seeing you each night. I was watching when you showed us your engagement ring, wedding pictures, that you were expecting a daughter, and your numerous awards. Your decision was made with your family first and that's the most important. Good Luck and Best Wishes!
Posted by: Sarah on Aug 31, 2007 at 12:06 AM
Laurie I will miss watching you in the evening and at night. You are one of the greatest reporters on TV.You are right up there with Barber Waters, Connie Chung, Leslie Staul,and Catie Coric(sp wrong). You have been a mentor to many women and young girls. My family and I have enjoyed you Laurie,and good luck to you and your family. We will miss you. Hope you keep us updated with whats going on with you and make appearances on News 12 from time to time.
Posted by: Heather Meadows, News 12 Web Producer on Aug 28, 2007 at 06:59 PM
Hi Rosa,

Jonathan Martin went to Nashville. Click here to read his goodbye message.

Posted by: rosa on Aug 28, 2007 at 06:52 PM
i am sorry to see her, leave, but why don't you have more than one (1) black news anchor, i am from atlanta, where i am use to seeing a mixture not just 1, at least channel 6 has more than 1, and what happen to the young black man that reported the security gaurd, not doing her job at riverwatch? I WISH LAURIE WELL!
Posted by: Helen on Aug 17, 2007 at 02:45 PM
Laurie: Please say it "ain't so". I will surely miss your lovely face and gracious, exuberant personality.
Posted by: Alicia on Aug 14, 2007 at 03:32 PM
Hey Laurie, Good Luck with your new job!!! I'm only 12yrs old but I've grown up watching you on the air, and I wanted to let you know that u will be missed!! Best of Luck, Alicia
Posted by: Lynda on Aug 13, 2007 at 06:20 PM
For years, my husband and I have talked about the fact that working the hours of a 6:00 and 11:00 anchor person would have to be a difficult thing for anyone with a family and, though Laurie is one of the reasons we watch News 12, we applaud her for putting her family first. Also, for showing everyone that putting family first does not mean being servile and entirely domestic, by taking on the new position working with the Wounded Warrior Care Project. Laurie we wish you the best in your new endeavor.
Posted by: Domonique on Aug 8, 2007 at 09:11 AM
During my 6 1/2 years at News 12 Laurie know that you were a mentor and most of all a friend to me and my family. Laurie I commend you on all of your hard work and journalistic expertise that you have shared with me over the years. One of the hardest parts of me leaving Augusta was leaving my "tv" family and the community behind. You always encouraged me and I am forever thankful. I miss talking to you everyday, but believe it or not I still watch via the internet. I will be watching I am sure with tears in my eyes when you sign off for the very last time on August 31st. I wish you well and hope that you have much sucess in your new career. Please tell Casey and Steve hello from Norfolk, VA. Miss ya, Dom (Former co-worker)
Posted by: Heather on Aug 7, 2007 at 09:55 AM
My daughter did a story with Laurie about 6 years ago on Britney Spears, she was very nice while the story was running but after that when we would see her out and about and try to say hello, we were treated very coldly. She's the only one on the team that's not very approachable. However as a reporter she is the consummate professional. This is a lady that gets the job done, she's very classy and bar none the best female reporter I've ever seen. Katie Couric should have been watching her back when Laurie interviewed her, because if any of the CBS execs had seen Laurie in action, they'd have taken her over Katie any day of the week if they wanted ratings to skyrocket. I have always loved her relationship with Richard on-air and I don't know if News 12 will be able to find an adequate replacement for her, although Stephanie Baker would be a good start. Even though she may not say hello out on the street, I do hope to see Laurie around because it will mean she's still doing great things!
Posted by: Jabal on Aug 6, 2007 at 11:18 PM
I have watched News 12 since I moved to Augusta as a child and I loved Laurie and the elegance that she brought to the station... Many have come and gone, but Laurie will be deeply missed as well as Dominque Benn. Laurie and Richard are the ones who really made me want to become a reporter and want to go dig deep into finding solutions to problems we have here in our community. My family and I will deeply miss her and as I graduate from high school my focus will still be on becoming a Journalist. We will miss Laurie Ott and I hope she finds happiness in her new job and most of all committment to her family!
Posted by: M.Dianne on Aug 5, 2007 at 10:18 PM
This posting is to wish Laurie well in her future endeavors; not to trash Anibal Santiago. Whoever you are, if you have proof that he DID NOT serve in Iraq and that he is NOT disabled, then be bold enough to step out of the shadows of your "posting" and identify yourself and go on camera about it! You should be ashamed of yourself - and its too obvious you have a personal ax to grind against him. It is because of servicemen and women like him, that you are able to sleep peacefully at night. DO NOT use this as a vehicle to try and scar Laurie Ott's reporting. She is thorough in her facts, backs up what she says and is woman enough to even GO BACK and further investigate a story which in my opinion is over and needs no further explanation. Laurie is a positive and compassionate journalist and tries to finds the best in everyone- even you,"anonymous" who won't reveal who you are,but she listened to your "grip" about the story. Obviously, character is something you know nothing about.
Posted by: J.Ayer on Aug 5, 2007 at 01:24 PM
I have great respect for Laurie Ott.Due to her report on Gas Meter Safety in 2005, all gas operators in the State Of SC are in the process of adding safety guards and/or reconfigurating their gas meters. Without her dedication in reporting to the citizens of South Carolina, this would not have been possible. Laurie,I wish you well in your new endeavor.Thank you, Jan Ayer (Survivor of a Gas Explosion)
Posted by: George on Aug 3, 2007 at 03:14 PM
Will miss you Laurie. Best wishes to you and familia. Vaya con Dios. George C' de Baca
Posted by: Barbara on Aug 2, 2007 at 09:17 AM
Very sorry that Laurie Ott is leaving, but understand her committment to family. She has & will continue to be an outstanding woman in/for Augusta. 'Glad she was honored this yr. by Girl Scouts. In mid-60's I lived in Brevard,NC & knew an Ott family--Mother's name was Laura & there were a son (Chris?) & younger daughter. Laurie are you related to this family--I always wondered what happened to them. They left Brevard for Alaska!
Posted by: Heather Meadows, News 12 Web Producer on Aug 1, 2007 at 05:58 PM
Hi Anonymous,

We obtained a copy of the DD-214 for the Anibal Santiago we interviewed for our story, and we responded to each of your prior comments to let you know that and to ask for more information. Please click here to read our response. If you have further information for us, please email it to our assignments manager, Jill Maxwell: jill.maxwell@wrdw.com

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 1, 2007 at 05:51 PM
Too bad that her reporting and facts were poor and untrue in regurads to the Iraq Vet and his home loss due to poor financial decision making. The poor guy on the air with him took hook line and sinker. research your facts before you report untruths. You did not even correct yourself on your report in june 07. All you reporters are weak.
Posted by: M.Dianne on Aug 1, 2007 at 05:04 PM
Laurie Ott is a true class act and simply one of the best in the business!
Posted by: Anibal on Aug 1, 2007 at 04:18 PM
!Buena Suerte, Laurie!
Posted by: Jim on Aug 1, 2007 at 02:59 PM
Please pass to Mrs.Ott: On Saturday, October 27, 2007, V.F.W Post 3200 is hosting a fundraiser benefiting the Wounded Worriers recovering at the Active Duty Rehabilitation Unit. Fund raising events include a Chili Cook-Off, Golf Tournament and Poker Run (Motorcycle Ride) all which are open to the public. All events will be held on the same day at different locations but will converge at the VFW Post 3200 for prizes, Chili tasting and entertainment. Event judges will include some of our wounded veterans from the Rehabilitation Unit and local community personalities.
Posted by: Jessica on Aug 1, 2007 at 10:55 AM
I grew up watching Laurie on the news. She will be missed and I wish her well in her new career. The best of luck to you and your family Laurie
Posted by: Jean on Aug 1, 2007 at 07:08 AM
Laurie is the "Best" and I will miss "seeing" her on News 12. I am sure she will be successful in her new endeavors, and know she will be sorely missed by the team at News 12. I am glad to know she will continue her efforts to work to make the Augusta area a better place for us all to live and work. Her community efforts, her passion to serve others, to help improve education in the CSRA, and her efforts to bring about the Wounded Warrior program to Augusta, will no doubt be successful. She is to be commended for her work in these areas.
Posted by: Cody on Aug 1, 2007 at 05:41 AM
The station's loss, but hopefully a big gain for the wounded warriors. We will miss her on the air!
Did You Know?
  • Augusta has the #1 affordable housing market in the nation (Source).
  • Augusta is home to the nation's only Active Duty Rehabilitation Unit located within a VA facility.
  • A disproportionate number of service members come from the southeastern United States.
  • Augusta's Eisenhower Army Medical Center is the number two recipient of medical evacuees from Iraq and Afghanistan, second only to Walter Reed in Washington. (Source: Dole/Shalala Commission Subcommittee Report, page 23, Table 1, www.pccww.gov)
  • Augusta's Eisenhower Army Medical Center is the Army's Southeast Medical Command Center.
  • Augusta's Medical College of Georgia has residents who do rounds at Eisenhower and the VA Medical Centers.

Spc. Crystal Davis


Senate field hearing at Augusta VA, August 2007


Fort Gordon's Fisher House
 
Home - News - StormTeam 12 - News 12 Sports - On Your Side - Community - Contests - 12 on TV - 12 Anywhere - The News 12 Team - Jobs - What's On -
Campaign 08 - StormRadio 12 - Special Coverage - In Plain Sight - Buzz on Biz - See It, Shoot It, Send It - Games - Entertainment - This Morning - Birthday Club - Radio Partner - Digital TV -
Terms of Use - Privacy Policy - EEO Statement - FCC Form 388
Gray Television, Inc. - Copyright © 2002-2008 - Designed and Powered by Clickability