In the 14 months he's been a fixture on WAVE-TV's morning show, Ray D'Alessio has gotten rave reviews -- in the newsroom, around Louisville and on the air.
But his positive demeanor and upbeat personality couldn't solve his life's primary challenge. He's been unable to sell his Atlanta home and his wife, a juvenile justice professional, hasn't been able to find work here.
So D'Alessio, who's been driving back and forth to Atlanta every other weekend, told WAVE GM Steve Langford recently that he's moving back to Atlanta, primarily because he wants to be around for his 9-year-old daughter and 7-month old son.
His last day at the station is March 25.
"I just told him I can't do this any more," D'Alessio said. "It breaks my heart to be leaving."
Langford, who called on his sources to help find Ray's wife a job, had high praise for D'Alessio and the way he made the decision.
"When you make a decision that hurts your career but helps your family, it really tells you what kind of guy he is," he said. "He's one of the good guys, and we hate to lose him."
D'Alessio said he is returning to Atlanta without a job, and hopes to find TV work there at a local station or with CNN. He'd spent 7 1/2 years with CNN Sports and CNN Headline News before taking the job at WAVE.
But he has no regrets, either for making the move here or, now, for leaving. He said coming back to Louisville after Christmas was especially challenging after his daughter told him she'd give up her allowance if he lost his job and couldn't afford it any more.
Langford said a search for a replacement is just beginning.
view locals now online
In the 14 months he's been a fixture on WAVE-TV's morning show, Ray D'Alessio has gotten rave reviews -- in the newsroom, around Louisville and on the air.
3
Rick Redding