WJBK’s Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle Announce Retirements
Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle
After nearly a quarter of a century together, news anchors Huel Perkins and Monica Gayle will retire from WJBK-TV (Fox 2/Detroit) at the end of March. The two announced their retirement together this past Wednesday (2/23) at the end of the station’s 6 p.m. newscast.
“Before we go, some breaking personal news tonight, after 40-plus years in broadcasting and 32 years here at FOX 2, I’ve decided to retire at the end of March,” Huel said. “I have had a wonderful career. I’ve had a wonderful career, and I thank all you for your support. I am grateful for my family, my wife Priscilla, and our sons, Jared and Vincent. And I’m also grateful to my FOX 2 family, the people you see on TV and also the people behind the scenes — who make it all possible. ”
“And I also want to thank the woman with whom I’ve shared this anchor desk — for more than two decades, my friend, Monica Gayle, who has an announcement of her own.”
“I have been so honored and blessed to share this desk with you,” Monica said. “I could not ask for a better co-anchor, and it just feels very right that we go out together as a team. I have been so honored and blessed to share this desk with you, my friend. This year I am celebrating 40 memorable years in television news. Twenty-five of those wonderful years have been right here with you at FOX 2. I couldn’t ask for a better co-anchor and it just feels very right that we go out together as a team. We’ve had a pretty amazing run.
“I too, am forever grateful to my husband Dean and our son Tanner, for being my biggest cheerleaders. Both of our families have been our anchors at home, so we could do what we do here every night.”
WJBK-TV General Manager Greg Easterly said, “Huel and Monica started working together as a team in 1997 and for the last 25 years have helped shape and mold WJBK/FOX2 into the news leader it is today. Their collective contributions to both the station and the community are countless. And while they will be greatly missed, they also leave behind a news team they helped mold and mentor.”
News Director Kevin Roseborough said,,”The integrity, leadership and commitment to our community shown by Huel and Monica is unsurpassed. Their professionalism and reliability in circumstances both good and bad leave an indelible mark on our region. In what can be a grinding business, very few news teams are able to achieve and maintain a standard of excellence over decades. This team has done it.”
Friday, March 25 will be their final day at WJBK.