Allison Payne
Encyclopedia
Allison Payne is a Nine-time Emmy Award winner, a 21-year anchorwoman with WGN TV, a veteran international journalist, a popular Public Speaker, and an actively involved community builder. She was a longtime anchor and reporter at CW affiliate and cable superstation
WGN-TV
in Chicago, Illinois. Payne served as co-anchor of the WGN Midday News from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. She has since left WGN-TV
after 21 years.
to Dana and Kathryn Payne. At age five, her parents moved north to Detroit, Michigan where Payne attended St. Rita's Catholic grade school. She is a graduate of Renaissance High School in Detroit and holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Detroit Mercy
. Payne attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio for her Masters Degree in Radio/TV/Film. Payne is a member of Delta Sigma Theta
.
National Anchorwoman for Superstation
Payne began in television news as an intern at NBC affiliate WNWO (channel 24) in Toledo, Ohio
, within months was promoted to main anchor of the station's late evening newscast. Payne later moved to NBC affiliate WNEM-TV
(channel 5, now a CBS
affiliate) in Saginaw, Michigan
as the co-anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m. newscast.
She moved to Chicago in 1990 as a general assignment reporter for WGN-TV
, and anchored the station's 9 p.m. newscast until 2009. From 1993 to 2008 in the evening and since 2009 at midday, Payne has been paired alongside Steve Sanders
in the anchor chair.
Payne has said, "travel is the best education... I feel much better reading stories on Africa and the Middle East now that I have been there." Payne has paid her own fare for some international journeys because she believes strongly that "getting from behind the desk and out into the world" makes her a better anchor.
In 2006, she travelled to the Middle East with the Reverend Jesse Jackson
to report on tensions between Lebanon, Israel, and Syria.
Also in 2006, Payne was the first Chicago broadcaster to travel to Kenya to report on the African roots of Senator Barack Obama.
In 2011, Payne has been in the process of developing a comprehensive report on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in New York City, and its influence on local and global events.
In January and August 2008, Payne went on medical leave after suffering from a series of mini-strokes. In November 2008 WGN-TV
announced that Payne would take an indefinite leave of absence because of ongoing health issues. Payne admitted in an interview with Chicago Tribune
media columnist Phil Rosenthal that she sought treatment for depression during her absence months earlier.
In January 2010, Payne publicly admitted that she was a recovering alcoholic, after having previously battled alcoholism
for 20 years. “Substance abuse can become a problem," she said at the time. "I wanted to make sure that nothing in my life got out of hand.”
In late December 2010, Payne took a leave of absence from WGN-TV to rest her vocal cords. Greg Caputo, news director at WGN-TV, told TimeOut Chicago columnist Robert Feder
in an interview that “she was diagnosed a few months ago and tried to tough it out . . . (but) her doctor wants her to stay off the air till they can fix the problem.”
Regarding her future after WGN, The Chicago Sun-Times reported: "I hope to continue working in broadcasting in some capacity and will consider other professional opportunities," Payne said. "I also fully intend to continue my work in the community here."
On her blog on August 4, 2011, Payne added: "Down the road, I plan to begin producing my own documentaries. I also plan to produce occasional reports which I will share with you on this website. I am not ruling out a return to the anchor desk, but for now I need new intellectual challenges. I’m open to applying my communication skills to the business world as well."
Superstation
Superstation in United States television can have several meanings. In its most precise meaning, a superstation is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as "A television broadcast station, other than a network station, licensed by the FCC that is secondarily transmitted by a satellite...
WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
in Chicago, Illinois. Payne served as co-anchor of the WGN Midday News from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. She has since left WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
after 21 years.
Background
Payne was born in Richmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
to Dana and Kathryn Payne. At age five, her parents moved north to Detroit, Michigan where Payne attended St. Rita's Catholic grade school. She is a graduate of Renaissance High School in Detroit and holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy
University of Detroit Mercy is a private, Roman Catholic co-educational university in Detroit, Michigan, United States, affiliated with the Society of Jesus and the Sisters of Mercy. Antoine M. Garibaldi is the president. With origins dating from 1877, it is the largest Roman Catholic university...
. Payne attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio for her Masters Degree in Radio/TV/Film. Payne is a member of Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta
Delta Sigma Theta is a non-profit Greek-lettered sorority of college-educated women who perform public service and place emphasis on the African American community. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University...
.
National Anchorwoman for SuperstationSuperstationSuperstation in United States television can have several meanings. In its most precise meaning, a superstation is defined by the Federal Communications Commission as "A television broadcast station, other than a network station, licensed by the FCC that is secondarily transmitted by a satellite...
WGN-TVWGN-TVWGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
Payne began in television news as an intern at NBC affiliate WNWO (channel 24) in Toledo, OhioToledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
, within months was promoted to main anchor of the station's late evening newscast. Payne later moved to NBC affiliate WNEM-TV
WNEM-TV
WNEM-TV is the CBS-affiliated television station for the Flint/Tri-Cities market in Michigan. It is licensed to Bay City, and broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 22 . Owned by the Meredith Corporation, the station has studios on North Franklin Street in downtown Saginaw, as...
(channel 5, now a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate) in Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
as the co-anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m. newscast.
She moved to Chicago in 1990 as a general assignment reporter for WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
, and anchored the station's 9 p.m. newscast until 2009. From 1993 to 2008 in the evening and since 2009 at midday, Payne has been paired alongside Steve Sanders
Steve Sanders (journalist)
Steve Sanders is an award-winning American television news anchor who works for WGN-TV , the CW affiliate in Chicago, Illinois and a national cable superstation...
in the anchor chair.
Global Journalist
As an International journalist, she has gone to all corners of the world in search of inspiring stories. Her adventures have included travels to Kenya to trace Barack Obama's roots, and to the Middle East to cover the Reverend Jesse Jackson's peace negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.Payne has said, "travel is the best education... I feel much better reading stories on Africa and the Middle East now that I have been there." Payne has paid her own fare for some international journeys because she believes strongly that "getting from behind the desk and out into the world" makes her a better anchor.
In 2006, she travelled to the Middle East with the Reverend Jesse Jackson
Jesse Jackson
Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. is an African-American civil rights activist and Baptist minister. He was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. He was the founder of both entities that merged to...
to report on tensions between Lebanon, Israel, and Syria.
Also in 2006, Payne was the first Chicago broadcaster to travel to Kenya to report on the African roots of Senator Barack Obama.
In 2011, Payne has been in the process of developing a comprehensive report on the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 in New York City, and its influence on local and global events.
Awards and Recognition
During her tenure with WGN, Payne has won numerous awards including nine Emmys for reporting, including:- Outstanding Achievement within a Regularly Scheduled News Program – Specialty Report/Series — Politics/Government: Jackson & Jackson: Allison Payne, Reporter; Pam Grimes, Producer. WGN
- Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence On Camera: Programming – Program — Host/Moderator/Contributor: Allison Payne – People to People. WGN
- Outstanding Achievement within a Regularly Scheduled News Program – Specialty Report: — Religion: Blue Eyes, Black Soul: Allison Payne, Reporter; Pam Grimes, Michael D’Angelo, Producers. WGN
- Outstanding Achievement for Informational Programs – Public Affairs/Current Affairs: People to People: Gloria Brown, Producer; Allison Payne, Steve Sanders, Hosts. WGN
- Outstanding Achievement for Individual Excellence On Camera: News – Reporter: Allison Payne – Composite. WGN
Health Issues
In recent years, Payne has dealt with various health problems that have led to periodic absences from the anchor desk.In January and August 2008, Payne went on medical leave after suffering from a series of mini-strokes. In November 2008 WGN-TV
WGN-TV
WGN-TV, virtual channel 9 , is the CW-affiliated television station in Chicago, Illinois built, signed on, and owned by the Tribune Company. WGN-TV's studios and offices are located at 2501 W...
announced that Payne would take an indefinite leave of absence because of ongoing health issues. Payne admitted in an interview with Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
media columnist Phil Rosenthal that she sought treatment for depression during her absence months earlier.
In January 2010, Payne publicly admitted that she was a recovering alcoholic, after having previously battled alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
for 20 years. “Substance abuse can become a problem," she said at the time. "I wanted to make sure that nothing in my life got out of hand.”
In late December 2010, Payne took a leave of absence from WGN-TV to rest her vocal cords. Greg Caputo, news director at WGN-TV, told TimeOut Chicago columnist Robert Feder
Robert Feder
Robert Feder is a noted Chicago media blogger who was the TV and radio columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1980 until 2008 and a blogger for Vocalo.org from 2009 until 2010...
in an interview that “she was diagnosed a few months ago and tried to tough it out . . . (but) her doctor wants her to stay off the air till they can fix the problem.”
Career Plans 2011
On August 2, 2011, Payne and WGN-TV station management agreed to a buyout of Payne's current contract, ending her 21-year relationship with the station; she will leave WGN-TV in September 2011.Regarding her future after WGN, The Chicago Sun-Times reported: "I hope to continue working in broadcasting in some capacity and will consider other professional opportunities," Payne said. "I also fully intend to continue my work in the community here."
On her blog on August 4, 2011, Payne added: "Down the road, I plan to begin producing my own documentaries. I also plan to produce occasional reports which I will share with you on this website. I am not ruling out a return to the anchor desk, but for now I need new intellectual challenges. I’m open to applying my communication skills to the business world as well."