Weidner signs off AFTER 3 DECADES, BELOVED REPORTER RETIRES
Since 1989, Weidner has helped thousands of people start their day as anchor of “Good Morning Mississippi” and then start their early lunch as anchor of “The Midday Show.”
BY MIKE LACY
W
e all know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But that’s boring. Life’s journey needs a side trip with a few hills and curves – and maybe a 9G blast through the sky with the
She also has been active with charity organizations like the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer campaign, local wildlife groups, the Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Non-Violence, the Humane Society and March of Dimes. Thunderbirds. Why retire now? Many reasons. Rhonda Weidner has made many of those side trips and taken “COVID-19 gave us all a lot to think about. Life is precious. Life us along for the ride … but not anymore. After more than 30 is short. I just turned 60, and I want to enjoy the rest of my life on years behind the desk and in front of the camera at WLOX-TV, my terms. she retired in December. “I have also accomplished one of my main goals, to get my Now new side trips, just for herself, are beginning — and she daughter through college,” Rhonda adds. “Alex will graduate is just as excited as she has ever been. with a bachelor’s degree from Ole Miss in May and will start “Is retirement everything I thought it would be? Not sure two years of graduate school in the fall. She plans to become yet,” she says. “I’m only a few weeks in. I have so much to look a speech therapist. I just want to take every opportunity I can forward to.” to enjoy my time with Alex, my mom and with other family That includes simple pleasures that she hasn’t experienced in members and friends.” a while. Since 1989, she’s helped thousands of people start their She says she misses her colleagues and viewers but will keep day as anchor of “Good Morning Mississippi” and then start connected through social media. their early lunch as anchor of “The Midday Show.” In the meantime, her immediate and long-term plans are in the With 7,500 morning newscasts, that is about 13,000 hours of making. airtime. “As soon as it’s safer to do so, I plan to do some travelling; “I’m still an early riser, but I definitely sleep later than I used there are so many places I’d like to visit,” she says. “I’d also like to,” Weidner says. “I now get up with the sun instead of a 2 a.m. to return to the community theater stage and maybe do some alarm. television acting.” “I love the early morning hours,” she adds. “It’s so peaceful. I Weidner also sees some volunteer work in her future. start my day with a cup of coffee, and I open the windows so I “I want to make sure I give back to the community that has can hear the birds singing. My cats enjoy that too. After that, I do given me so much over the years,” she says. whatever I want to do. That’s the best part of it all.” Lacy has been a journalist for 43 years. He is a multi-media During her career, she has earned many professional awards journalist and weekend anchor at WLOX-TV. and plaudits, including being named Corporate Woman of the Year by Lighthouse Business and Professional Women in 2016.
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February 2021
