LEXINGTON, Ky. — Longtime WTVQ News Anchor, and current Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation, Doug High is returning from a 3-year absence on the news desk to spend his lunch hour co-hosting ABC 36’s weekday Noon newscast with his wife, Lyssa High.
High will also be keeping his “day job” at the KHSF and staying on as their Director.
“ABC 36 News at Noon with Doug and Lyssa High”, will launch on the ABC TV affiliate for Lexington and Central Kentucky. Following local news and weather content, the studio guest/interview and feature segments of the newscast will (naturally) be re-branded as “High Noon”.
The newscast will feature a mixture of local news, weather, and sports that viewers have come to expect, as well as showcasing local tourism, entertainment, special events, Kentucky history, foods, and a weekend planner. Additionally, they will provide a platform that will bring awareness to the amazing Bluegrass nonprofit sector.
Joining them on the weekday, 30-minute program will be Morning Meteorologist, Dillon Gaudet, along with frequent reports and contributions from the entire ABC 36 news team.
“Many married couples might go running in the other direction at the thought of (also) working together but for us, this is an opportunity we’ve been running towards for quite some time,” said Lyssa High. “Doug and I are best friends and co-anchoring together will be a long-time dream come true for us.”
Viewers will relate to the Highs, as they are a very typical Kentucky family, balancing home and professional lives while raising a family during the challenging times our world is facing.
This news of the Highs re-launching ABC 36 News at Noon is just one in a series of sweeping changes that have been implemented in the first six weeks on the job by Lexington veteran TV journalist Miranda Combs; now serving as WTVQ’s News Director. “Doug and Lyssa High aren’t just a staple in the community, they’re a staple in our newsroom.” Stated Combs. “We’re doing big things at ABC 36 and the Highs are an example of my commitment to provide viewers with the best television news in the market.”
Three years ago, Doug had the opportunity to pursue his current role as Executive Director of the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation and stepped away from a decade as the station’s morning and noon news anchor. He stayed on (very) part-time as ABC 36’s fill-in anchor, when needed.
He’s also brought a new feature to ABC36 entitled “Kentucky History Treasures” which he hosts and produces in partnership with the Kentucky Historical Society and is featured weekly, at Noon.
Lyssa High has been with WTVQ since March of 2017 when she took on co-hosting “Midday Kentucky” and stepping into the ABC 36 spotlight when Doug (who is also a Commander in the US Navy Reserve) was mobilized for a year of active duty in Afghanistan. Since then, Lyssa joined the station’s sales team, as well as becoming the Lifestyle Host on Good Day Kentucky and Noon News. Since January, she has co-anchored Good Day Kentucky and News at Noon with Shakeria Hawkins.
Both originally from Northern Ohio, the Highs have been married for 25 years and are very proud to have made their home in Lexington for the past 22 years, along with their two teenage sons and their faithful retriever, Honey High.
The High’s plan to spend their first several weeks together on-air interviewing community leaders who have been long-standing friends and colleagues with them through the years.
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