69 m or 226 ft) 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km 2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. Crime and Public Safety | In November, Somerville insisted he was right to push for the commentary, but he publicly apologized for all the drama because of the way it affected people who work at the station. The couple has two daughters - one of which, Callie, who was adopted in 2005 when she was a baby. Silence irks activists, stirs questions about suspension, Oakland NAACP calls for Frank Somervilles reinstatement at KTVU. But the way this story captivated the nation has many wondering why not the same media attention when people of color go missing?" Somerville does not believe that his Dec. 30 arrest in Oakland on suspicion of driving under the influence was a factor in the stations decision. Update: A spokesperson for Fox tells the Mercury News, "We can confirm Frank is taking time away from the desk to focus on his health and we welcome his return when he is ready.". [6] We wanted to give KTVU a chance to see if they would independently respond, said George Holland, the president of the Oakland chapter of the NAACP, which hosted a rally for 40 to 50 people on Oct. 2. 42 Portfolio, Somerville, MA 02143 is a 9 bedroom, 18 bathroom, 15,789 sqft multi-family built in 1900. Joshua Bote is the tech editor at SFGATE. Because Mr. Somervilles case is pending, he cannot personally comment at this time, but he takes full responsibility for what happened that night.. Somervilles last newscast for KTVU was on Sept. 21. In an interview with the Bay Area News Group published Friday, the celebrated former KTVU anchor. The ABC News report also said that onlyabout one-fifth of missing person cases involving minorities are covered by the news, according to a 2016 analysis published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology. He is a graduate of Bowie State University in Maryland with a BS degree in communications. "[11], On December 30, 2021, Somerville was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after an automobile collision. Crime and Public Safety | He believes that his automotive collision that happened the month before did not play a role, instead, he believes management had already decided to cut him loose months earlier. Somerville was booked into Santa Rita Jail in Dublin after his arrest, then released with a citation to appear in court. [7], In June 2021, Somerville took a personal leave of absence from KTVU following an on-air incident during which he struggled to read the script for several stories and appeared to slur his words. Crime and Public Safety | KTVU anchor Frank Somerville anchors the five o'clock news at the KTVU studio on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, in Oakland, Calif. It's been one year since Somerville replaced longtime anchor Dennis . Now, though, Somerville appears to be putting it out there that he's looking for a job. Franqueville ( French pronunciation: [fkvil]; Picard: Franqville) is a commune in the Somme department in Hauts-de-France in northern France . Woman suspected of making threats toward Christian schools campus in Walnut Creek arrested The case of Gabby has sparked a national outcry as her fianc Brian Laundrie continues to evade authorities. He grew up in the Los Angeles area, went to UC Berkeley and has previously worked as a news reporter at USA Today and SFGATE and as a music writer at NPR. KTVU's news division was infamously responsible for broadcasting the offensive fake names of the pilots of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 following a July 2013 crash at SFO, a mistake they blamed on the National Transportation Safety Board who, in turn, blamed a summer intern. Somervilles Bay Area roots helped make him popular with viewers. Somerville wanted the tag to address domestic violence and the medias tendency to overlook reports about missing and slain women of color, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, which obtained a copy of Somervilles original tag. On Wednesday night's 6 o'clock broadcast, Heather Holmes anchored the show with Andre Senior, saying at the top of the hour, "Frank and Julie are off tonight.". She has previously reported or edited for Bay Area news and lifestyle publications, including Walnut Creek Patch, and Diablo, Oakland and Alameda magazines, as well as The Nation in Bangkok, Thailand and The Economist. Look closely at this picture. And the photo has since gone. Sources told the outlet that Somerville was informed by station management the next day that he was being suspended. But as community groups voice frustration, questions also remain over Somervilles suspension. Frank Somerville, a veteran TV newscaster suspended from KTVU following a dispute over coverage of the Gabby Petito homicide case, said Tuesday that he believes he is not returning to the station . Somerville did reply to local media commentator Rich Lieberman on Monday saying he'd be back on the air that night and that the incident was simply a mistake regarding his prescription medication. She graduated from Northwestern University with a BA degree in German studies and from Mills College with a MFA degree in creative writing and English. His first newspaper job was as a Washington Post paperboy. Somerville, who has an adopted black daughter, reportedly pushed back after the tagline was refused. ", "My guess is that Im not coming back to Channel 2, Somerville tells the Chronicle. But Reynolds also faulted KTVU for fueling the controversy by not meeting with activists to discuss their complaints about coverage, saying that journalism organizations must offer a level of transparency and accountability., While not publicly commenting to reporters about his suspension, Somerville took to Instagram late last month to thank his fans for his support in standing up for what he believes no matter the consequences., We in the media cant be afraid to look in the mirror and ask ourselves tough questions about race and our coverage, Somerville said. The New York-born Petito was slain during a cross-country van trip with her fiance, Brian Laundrie. This property is currently available for sale and was listed by MLS PIN on Mar . His parents raised him in Berkeley, California. Former KTVU anchor Frank Somerville speaks about addiction struggles that he says spurred DUI wreck Former KTVU anchor Frank Somerville opened up about his struggles with addiction on Dec.. Hes one of the highest paid anchors in the Bay Area, but his contract is up in March. The multiple Emmy winner lives in Oakland, grew up in Berkeley and graduated from Berkeley High and San Francisco State University. According to two KTVU newsroom sources, who declined to give their names because they were not authorized to speak on the record, Somerville wanted to add a 46-second tag to an update on the Petito case, which aired Sept. 21. A KTVU spokesperson later explained that he left the air to focus on his health.. frank somerville house. The months-long saga surrounding longtime KTVU anchor Frank Somerville may have finally reached its conclusion. Martha Ross is a Bay Area News Group features writer for The Mercury News and East Bay Times who covers everything and anything related to popular culture, society, health, womens issues and families. [5], In 2013, Somerville apologized on behalf of KTVU for an incident in which racist pilot names were read out in a broadcast on Asiana Airlines Flight 214. The local Fox affiliate has yet to comment on the incident, and as the Mercury News reported, Somerville has declined to respond to them for comment. Early Life and Education. In 2008, he was named co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing 40-year veteran Dennis Richmond. 3bd. 3,096 sqft. Longtime KTVU anchor Frank Somerville, who's been off the air since being suspended by management in September over a disagreement about the coverage of the Gabby Petito case, is speaking out and . As per his date of birth, his birth sign is Pisces. OAKLAND The Alameda County District Attorney's Office has filed two misdemeanor charges against former KTVU news anchor Frank Somerville in connection with his arrest late last year on. Following the suspension and subsequent social media attention, two rallies were held in support of Somerville outside KTVU headquarters in Oakland. Before moving to Frank's current city of Somerville, MA, Frank lived in Bolton MA.In the past, Frank has also been known as Frank J Bacci. Additionally, he spent his childhood in Berkeley and was raised there. But I have no reason to think otherwise.". According to station sources, Somerville, 63, has been suspended indefinitely by Channel 2 management after a disagreement with news director Amber Eikel over coverage of the Gabby Petito homicide case. Frank Somerville (born March 19, 1958) is an American television journalist. Off work, he enjoys playing in bands, busking and karaoke. He was also named anchor of Channel 2 News at 5 in April 2005, when it was launched. Sources said he wanted to point out that the U.S. media often disproportionately covers tragedies involving young White women, while largely ignoring similar cases involving women of color and Indigenous people. I appreciate and admire what they do every day.. He is also survived by many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. [citation needed] He attended Berkeley High School, graduating in 1976. KTVU News Director Amber Eikel has allegedly taken Somerville off the air until further notice, as Liberman reports. "Well, the answer actually has a name: Missing White Woman Syndrome, the term coined by the late and greatGwen Ifillto describe the media and public fascination with missing white women likeLaci PetersonorNatalee Holloway,while ignoring cases involving of people of color.". The driver of the Audi stepped out before Somerville pushed the vehicle across the intersection with his car before ramming it into a light pole, according to documents provided to SFGATE by the district attorneys office. Jay C. Barmann is a fiction writer and web editor who's lived in San Francisco for 20+ years. 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The City of San Leandro also issued an official proclamation honoring him for speaking out about missing women of color and setting an example of strength and equity to our community and those worldwide.. According to The Mercury News, Somerville wanted to add a tagline to a segment about the case to point out the disparity in the coverage of missing persons cases of white women relative to women of color. [citation needed] He attended Berkeley High School, graduating in 1976. Since then, Fox and station management have refused to publicly speak to the issue. I work out every day.. Somerville later excused that saying he had mistakenly taken an Ambien before going on the air. Sources said Eikel was willing to assign a reporter to do a separate, more in-depth story. Reynolds said Somerville may have been well-intentioned, and that he certainly seems passionate about fairness in coverage. Somerville, who has a mixed-race daughter, wanted to make a statement at the end of a segment regarding "missing white woman syndrome," a term coined by the late Gwen Ifill about American media's obsession with the disappearance of young, pretty Caucasian women, when very little national attention is given to the thousands of people of color who go missing every year. In interviews this week, Somerville declined to say anything more about his departure from KTVU, his arrest or his plans. In further comments to Lieberman over the phone, reported on his 415 Media blog, Somerville allegedly insisted he had not been drinking, and had just mistakenly taken Ambien before going on the air. Info stolen in Oakland ransomware attack set to be released In 2008, he was elevated to one of the stations marquee positions when he was anointed co-anchor of the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts, replacing 40-year veteran Dennis Richmond. 2 Frank Somerville Credit: Facebook/Frank Somerville Who is Frank Somerville's wife? After a brief return, he was suspended indefinitely by KTVU management following a dispute over coverage of the Gabby Petito missing person and homicide case. The public silence from Channel 2 and Fox, its parent network, has fueled community frustration over the ostensible reason he was suspended a reported dispute over his push to add a brief commentary on racial inequity to the end of a straight-news story about the disappearance of social media influencer Gabby Petito, whose case had attracted a firestorm of media coverage. Since Somervilles suspension, two rallies have been held outside the KTVU studios in Jack London Square on Oct. 2 and and Oct. 12, both sparked by Somervilles reported desire to address disparities in media coverage of White crime victims like Petito versus women of color. [16][17][18][19], Somerville has been a vegetarian since the age of 12. He works out and practices the Israeli martial art of Krav Maga.[20]. Frank Somerville was "suspended indefinitely," according to the Mercury News, after a behind-the-scenes disagreement about his coverage of 22-year-old Petito's disappearance. Chuck Barney is the TV critic and columnist for the Bay Area News Group. The FBI has issued an arrest warrant for Brian Laundrie, Petitos 23-year-old fianc. Theyre the backbone of Channel 2. A tag is a brief closing to a story thats typically read by an anchor. Last week, the City of San Leandro also issued an official proclamation honoring the multiple Emmy-winning anchor for speaking out about missing women of color and setting an example of strength and equity to our community and those worldwide.. After the initial collision, the driver of the Audi got out of their vehicle and Somerville, in his Porsche, allegedly pushed the Audi across the intersection of Broadway and West Grand Avenue until the Audi hit a pole on the southwest corner of the intersection, Windham's statement said. He became co-anchor of the stations highly rated Mornings on 2 in 1992. He is extremely sorry to the person he hit and has provided all information to his insurance company to cover the other drivers losses. Mr. When an officer-administered field sobriety test showed signs of impairment, Somerville consented to an alcohol screening test; he blew two tests, registering .239 and .219 blood-alcohol levels, according to the statement. 1. What Somerville did that was so wrong is less clear. ), He disputed one comment that said he looked sick on a video he posted talking about an incident in which his daughter was allegedly racially profiled. Joshua Bote is the tech editor at SFGATE. Sources at the station said news director Amber Eikel and editors didnt think Somervilles proposed tag, a brief closing the story, was an appropriate way to cover the issue and would blur the lines between an anchor delivering a straight news story and offering editorial commentary. I think its probably time to (let them know) were still listening and waiting, Holland said. During a now-infamous May 30 newscast, he repeatedly slurred and stumbled over his words and appeared to have trouble reading off the teleprompter. Somerville did not reply to repeated efforts to contact him, nor did representatives from Fox News, who said last month only that the anchor had been suspended pending further review. No one at KTVU, including news director Amber Eikel, would speak on the record. Last fall, he told this news organization that he anticipated his days anchoring at KTVU were over after he was suspended in September for an off-air dispute about the coverage of the Gabby Petito case. KTVU anchor Frank Somerville, one of the most recognizable of the Bay Area's news personalities having been on the air at KTVU since 1991, was pulled from a Sunday broadcast and has not returned . Meanwhile, Oakland police are awaiting the results of blood tests before turning the case over to Alameda County prosecutors to decide whether to file charges. Holland wondered if KTVU or Fox simply hope the controversy will disappear. The next day, Somerville was told he was suspended for defying a superiors orders, sources said. Since his departure from KTVU, he has steadily posted videos on Instagram featuring an assortment of commentary. Somerville, 63, took over as anchor of the six o'clock and ten o'clock news broadcasts at KTVU in 2008, following the retirement of Dennis Richmond. There was no word on how heated the discussion got. Write by: . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Petito, 22, had been reported missing earlier this month while on a cross-country camping trip. Longtime KTVU anchor Frank Somerville shared a Facebook post Saturday reflecting on his arrest and his termination from KTVU nearly a year later.