By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, May 2, 2016
Fox 5 has decided not to renew Lisa Rayam's contract, according to six different unnamed sources. My information came from former Fox 5 employees and friends of Rayam herself.
She will be off the air by the end of the month. Rayam has been anchoring the noon and 6 p.m. newscasts.
The Arizona State University graduate has been a popular presence at Fox 5 for 22 years, arriving at the time the station was switching its affiliation from CBS to Fox.
Rayam declined to comment, referring me to her higher ups.
Let me be clear again - this is my decision. Trying to spin this in any other way is unnecessary and untrue. It saddens me that some have done so."
(My rebuttal: I had multiple, very reliable sources who spoke directly to Rayam who said her contract wasn't being renewed.)
A Fox spokeswoman from New York said the station has no personnel announcements to make "at this time."
UPDATE: On May 3, the network provided this statement from Bill Schneider, VP and GM of WAGA FOX 5:
"After 21 years with the FOX 5 family, we wish Lisa the very best in the next chapter of her life. We thank her for her incredible commitment to this station and the service she has provided to our viewers for all these years. "
Rayam,
loves to sing and work with children in her spare time, visiting schools on a regular basis. She is a big supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Dress for Success, Hope
and My Sister's House of Atlanta.
She would be the second anchor to leave the station this spring.
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