TaRhonda Thomas to Join WWL-TV as Evening Anchor
The veteran journalist will assume the evening news anchor position at New Orleans station WWL-TV in January 2027.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust the local news stations in your area to maintain consistent quality during staff changes?
WWL-TV has announced that TaRhonda Thomas will join the station as its new evening news anchor in January 2027. Thomas is currently a reporter in Philadelphia and previously spent a decade at a station in Denver.
Why it matters
The hire marks a significant staffing change for the station following the departure of former evening anchor Brandon Walker in October 2026. Thomas brings extensive broadcast experience from her award-winning career to the New Orleans media market.
TaRhonda Thomas spent 10 years working as a reporter and anchor at KUSA in Denver. She is a parent to 3 children.
The players
TaRhonda Thomas
An Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award winner, she is a Baton Rouge native and holds a master's degree from the University of Denver.
WWL-TV
This New Orleans television station is owned by the parent company TEGNA Inc.
Brandon Walker
He previously served as the evening news anchor at WWL-TV until his departure on October 2, 2026.
The details
TaRhonda Thomas, a Baton Rouge native and LSU graduate, currently serves as the Race and Culture Reporter at WPVI in Philadelphia. She will transition to the New Orleans station after the first of the year, filling the vacancy left by Brandon Walker, who departed on October 2.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Brandon Walker concluded his tenure as evening news anchor at WWL.
January 2027: TaRhonda Thomas is scheduled to begin her role as evening anchor at WWL-TV.
Market Landscape
The hiring of TaRhonda Thomas follows the 2026 personnel turnover at WWL-TV, which saw several prominent departures and shifts in leadership. This move serves to stabilize the station's evening news presence following multiple staffing changes throughout the year.
Viewers can expect to see TaRhonda Thomas on the evening news broadcast beginning in January 2027. This change marks the end of an interim period where Mike McDaniel filled the anchor role following Brandon Walker's departure.
The takeaway
The appointment of an experienced anchor signals a strategic effort to refresh the news desk after a year of personnel turnover at the station. Viewers can look forward to a new primary voice for the evening news starting in January.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership changes in New Orleans People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NOLA.
Live Poll
Do you trust the local news stations in your area to maintain consistent quality during staff changes?
