WEEK-TV has a new early-morning anchor, but she isn't new to Peoria
EAST PEORIA — Jessica Cook still is working the early-morning shift, just on a different Peoria-area television station.
The morning-news anchor/reporter at Heart of Illinois ABC (19) has returned to sister-outlet WEEK-TV (25). There she is anchoring "25 News Today" and "25 News at Noon."
On both telecasts, Cook replaced Semone Doughton, who in September announced she was leaving the station after three years there and about 30 years in the business. She now is spokeswoman for the Peoria Police Department.
Cook anchored the WEEK morning and lunchtime programs temporarily after Doughton left. But earlier this week on her Facebook professional page, Cook announced the arrangement will be permanent.
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For about two years, Cook was on the air at both stations before she shifted full-time in 2017 to HOI ABC.
"They say you never forget how to ride a bike, and that's how I felt filling in on 25 News," Cook told the Journal Star. "Once the nerves went away, I realized I couldn't turn down this opportunity.
"Anchoring the morning and midday news is a blessing, and I'm looking forward to the years ahead."
"25 News Today" airs from 4:30 a.m. until 7 a.m. weekdays on the local NBC affiliate. "25 News at Noon" begins at that time weekdays and airs for an hour.
For the past four years, Cook anchored "Good Morning Illinois," which airs between 5 and 7 a.m. weekdays on HOI ABC. Longtime Peoria TV news and sports reporter Donnie Tillman is co-anchor.
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Cook also spearheaded "Troubleshooters," an HOI ABC consumer-protection segment. Tillman is to assume that duty, according to Cook.
WEEK and HOI ABC operate out of the same East Peoria facility. Earlier this year, Gray Television Inc. of Atlanta assumed control of both stations after it purchased their previous owner, Quincy Media Inc.
A native of suburban Chicago, Cook joined WEEK/HOI ABC in 2015, not long after she graduated from the University of Illinois.
It isn't clear if or how HOI ABC intends to fill Cook's place on "Good Morning Illinois." A telephone message was left for Jim McKernan, general manager of that station and WEEK.
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The station switch isn't the only recent change for Cook. Last month, she married Clayton Demanes, who attended Bradley University and is from Peoria. Cook gave her spouse a special thanks for his support regarding her new job.
"Throughout the past six-plus years, I've had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and sharing some amazing stories," Cook stated. "I'm excited to continue to grow my career in central Illinois."
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria TV news anchor Jessica Cook moves from WHOI-TV to WEEK-TV
