GREEN BAY – After stepping away from the anchor desk at WBAY-TV in July, “Small Towns” reporter Jeff Alexander is retiring from the station.
His 30-year career at WBAY came to a close Tuesday, as he bid viewers farewell.
“It has been just an honor. My cup is sincerely full, and I am just grateful beyond belief,” he told anchors Bill Jartz and Cami Rapson during the 5 p.m newscast.
Alexander, who was in his mid-20s when he started at WBAY in 1994, said he feels blessed he was able cover “out of the box” stories in northeastern Wisconsin — including heartwarming features on people, hunting, fishing and Old Glory Honor Flight veterans — as opposed to daily breaking news.
“Storytelling has always been my passion,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday that garnered hundreds of well wishes.
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His weekly “Small Towns” segments quickly became a favorite with viewers when he started them two years ago. Alexander traveled the area to share the stories of everyday people doing interesting things, from pet portrait artists and wood carvers to peony growers and 100-year-old best friends.
He had continued to do “Small Towns” after leaving the “Action 2 News at Four” anchor desk this summer, a position he had held since the newscast began in 2006. At that time, Alexander announced was downsizing his duties to be able to spend more time with his family on Whidbey Island, where he grew up in Washington state.
He updated viewers in his Facebook post on his current plans.
“But being back home made me realize it’s time to go home for good and spend more time with my family, especially my mom who is having some health issues,” he wrote.
“I’ve also been blessed to take over my late grandmother’s home and property, which is the highest point on the island. The view is simply a slice of heaven, and I will spend a lot of time over the years looking east and fondly remembering a special place far beyond those mountains. Northeast Wisconsin, I simply say a heartfelt thank you!”
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WBAY was Alexander’s second job out of college. He came to Green Bay from the Great Falls, Montana, market and started as a general assignment reporter. Within a few weeks he was promoted to weekend anchor.
He recalls thinking he would spend maybe two or three years at the station, but he quickly fell in love with the area.
“I just, I loved the outdoors — fishing, hunting — and it’s a great place for that,” he said in astoryon the WBAY website. “And quickly made friends here in the newsroom and out in the community, and my 2-year plan turned into a 30-year plan.”
“Small Towns” will continue, with morning news anchor Emerson Lehmann announcing on his Facebook page he will step into the role beginning Jan. 2. Lehmann grew up in Kewaskum and joined “Action 2 News This Morning” in December 2023.
“As a proud Wisconsinite who grew up in a small town, I know how much this series means. I’m excited and honored to have the chance to carry the torch,” he wrote.
He’ll continue as a morning anchor in addition to “Small Towns.”
Alexander isn’t the only familiar face retiring from local TV this week. Amy Hanten, who spent 33 years at WLUK-TV (Fox 11), announced in August she’s retiring from the station. Her final “Fox 11 Living” show as host airs at 10 a.m. Friday.
Fox 11 revealed last month that Green Bay executive chef and Gather on Broadway co-owner Jyll Everman will take over the long-running cooking and lifestyle show in 2025.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or[email protected]. Follow her on X@KendraMeinert.