‘My favorite reporter is back’: Familiar face returns to Lexington TV news
After a year off the air, a high-profile face has returned to Lexington broadcasting: Andrea Walker is back on the air.
On Feb. 27, Walker, a Jessamine County native, joined veteran journalist Marvin Bartlett anchoring the 10 p.m. news on FOX-56 WDKY, where she has been an executive producer since February 2022.
How does it feel to be back on the air?
“It’s wonderful, I”m so happy,” Walker said Thursday. “It was a long year.”
Walker previously worked on the air at WKYT, the CBS affiliate, as host of “Everyday Kentucky” and a morning anchor with Bill Bryant. She left WKYT in 2022 but a non-compete clause in her contract (standard for many on-air positions) meant she could not work on TV in Lexington for a year.
“I was willing to step back for a year if it meant I could do this,” Walker said. “It was my decision. I have many friends at WKYT and enjoyed my time there. But I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to join the FOX56 team. Marvin is one of my favorite journalists.”
Walker said that working behind the scenes has taught her a lot and she’s now mentoring some of the younger journalists on the station’s news team.
She also previously worked at WBKO in Bowling Green, where she anchored the 6 and 10 p.m. news for two years, where she was named the state’s Best Anchor in 2015 and 2016 by the Associated Press among division two stations.
Walker said Thursday that she will focus on good news.
“New things are in the works. I’m wanting to find my own place,” she said. “I’m geared toward telling positive stories.”
Walker posted news of her return last week on her social media, saying, “Can’t wait to see who this is tomorrow night” a day ahead of the broadcast.
Walker did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Her co-anchor Bartlett also shared the news on Twitter, saying: “In case you missed last night’s reveal to the world’s easiest riddle — my new co-anchor at 10 p.m. in Andrea Walker. It was a great debut!”
In case you missed last night's reveal to the world's easiest riddle-- my new co-anchor at 10 p.m. is Andrea Walker. It was a great debut! pic.twitter.com/CeVQSe0fxv
— Marvin Bartlett FOX 56 News (@marvbartlett56) February 28, 2023
Viewers were quick to notice that Walker had returned. “Eek my favorite reporter is back on my tv,” one tweeted. “Worst kept secret. Glad she’s back on local news,” said another.
Walker said viewer response has been gratifying. “It’s been wonderful,” she said.
One more thing: “No longer having to set my alarm to 2 a.m. is a definite plus! I think my husband would agree with that one,” Walker added.
