by
Carmen Harlan
Carmen Harlan, who first came to WDIV as a reporter in 1978, only to become a popular anchor a short time later, is calling it quits, the station announced Thursday. Her last broadcast will be Nov. 8
“About 18 months ago, Carmen came to me to say that she wanted to retire in the near future. I wanted to pretend that I didn’t hear her. There is only one Carmen Harlan and I wish she would stay forever, but I understand her desire to spend more time with her children and their families,” Marla Drutz vice-president and general manager. said in a story posted on WDIV's website. “She is a class act who has been true booster for this city.”
“In the newsroom, Carmen is often called ‘The Queen’ because she is. She is a true professional who can go between the hard-hitting stories that Detroit and Local 4 is known for, to creating levity on set and bringing out the best in our anchor teams. She always nails it.” Kim Voet, news director, said in the WDIV story. “She will be tremendously missed by every person at our station.”
Harlan, a native Detroiter who started her journalism career on radio before coming to WDIV, will take on an ambassador role with the station, WDIV said.
“As a grandmother of three boys, ages 7, 4 and 2, it’s important for me to be able to spend quality time with them while they are young,” Harlan told the station.
After her last newscast in November, she'll return to host the “America’s Thanksgiving Parade."
