Suspended news anchor Heather Kovar blames slurred broadcast on ‘exhaustion’

An upstate New York information anchor who was suspended after an erratic newscast Saturday is blaming her slurred speech on exhaustion within the aftermath of her father’s demise.

Albany information anchor Heather Kovar advised the Occasions Union in a press release late Sunday that sleep deprivation led to her alarming broadcast on WRGB a day earlier.

“On Friday, I notified the station I'd not be renewing my contract which expires July 31,” Kovar stated. “Saturday I used to be scheduled to work the early morning 6 a.m. shift and the night shift. I used to be sleep-deprived and exhausted.”

Kovar was incoherent at instances throughout Saturday’s night broadcast and at one level abruptly and bizarrely modified subjects with out offering background to viewers.

“And so, transferring on tonight, is we've got to inform you additionally, , like different information that’s taking place within the space, and throughout the world, within the nation,” she stated.

Heather Kovar stated in a press release late Sunday that sleep deprivation led to her alarming broadcast.

WRGB

Heather Kovar abruptly and bizarrely modified subjects with out offering background to viewers.

WRGB

Heather Kovar anticipated to be again on the air Sunday, however was suspended by the station pending additional investigation.

Fb/Heather Kovar

Kovar additionally erroneously referred to meteorologist Craig Gold as Craig Adams — one other weatherman on the staton.

Kovar then wrote on Twitter Saturday she was anticipating to be again on the air Sunday, however she was suspended by the station pending additional investigation.

The broadcaster, who had been the station’s weekend anchor for a number of years, was changed early Sunday by Emma Quinn, who didn't return a request for remark by The Publish.

She was then changed by weekday night anchor Greg Floyd, who crammed in late Sunday, the Occasions Union reported.

Kovar had been caring for her father in Texas earlier than he died, the Occasions Union beforehand reported. She wrote on Fb in Could that WRGB “graciously allowed” her to take day off to be with kinfolk earlier than her father handed away that month.

The station’s common supervisor, Robert Croteau, advised the Occasions Union late Sunday that Kovar had been suspended.

“We have now no additional remark right now,” Croteau advised the newspaper.

Makes an attempt to succeed in Kovar Monday had been unsuccessful.