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'ABC Action News' Anchor-Reporter Casper Is Excited About Moving To The Southwest

By WALT BELCHER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2008

TV reporter Susan Casper will "trade tropical storms for high temperatures" by heading west to Phoenix, Ariz.

Casper, one of the most highly visible minorities working in local television, is leaving "ABC Action News" on WFTS, Channel 28.

Sept. 12 is her last day at Channel 28. "I've had a long run in this market and I'm leaving on good terms," says the 35-year-old award-winning anchor-reporter who has worked for four Tampa area television news outlets in the past 11 years.

Casper says her husband, architect Sidney Smith, has been hired to help expand a Phoenix children's hospital. It's a six-year, $500 million project.

"This is a great opportunity for him so I'm overjoyed and thrilled and behind him 110 percent," Casper says. "For the first time in our marriage we are moving because of his job. Now I can stay home and be Mrs. Smith."

But it probably won't be long before she's on the air in Phoenix. WFTS has a sister station there and they know Casper is on the way. "Work has a way of finding me," she says.

Casper will be spending more time with her 3-year-old twins, Sophia and Sierra. "They are excited about the move but their grandparents aren't ready for it," she says.

Her entire broadcast career as been in Florida. Born into a military family, Casper grew up on military bases. "We moved around until my father retired while he was stationed at Elgin Air Force base in the Panhandle," she says.

After graduating from the University of West Florida, she went to work for an ABC station in Panama City. In 1997, she came to Tampa as one of the first anchor-reporters at Bay News 9. "It was exciting to be a part of the beginning of something new like that," she says.

In 2003, she joined the anchor team for the short-lived "38 News at Ten" on WTTA, Channel 38. She later did freelance reporting for WFLA, News Channel 8. She joined WFTS in June of 2006

"This is a big loss for us, but I certainly understand why she's leaving," says WFTS General Manager Richard Pegram.

He says Casper would have played a role in the future of the station. "I wish I had 160 more like her," he says.

Casper says she's leaving with mixed feelings. "I'm excited about making a change and the new possibilities, but I get choked up when people say they will miss me," she says.

And there's the "dry heat" Arizona residents say isn't as bad as humidity in Florida. "It was 108 degrees when we went out there to check out the city," she says. "Dry or not, that was hot!"

MARTHA FOUND: "The Martha Stewart Show" is moving from WFTS to WTVT, Channel 13, beginning Sept. 15.

Thursday's TV column incorrectly reported that the program would no longer be shown in the Tampa-St. Petersburg TV market. Stewart's program will air at 11 a.m. weekdays on WTVT.
WFTS is replacing "Martha" with the new "Bonnie Hunt Show" beginning at art 10 a.m. Monday.

SCI-FI BALL: Cast members from the new Sci-Fi Channel show "Sanctuary" have become big fans of the Tampa Bay Rays after a fun-filled afternoon at Tropicana Field on Saturday.

"This is the way baseball should be played: it's air-conditioned, everyone is so friendly and the team is a winner," said actress Amanda Tapping, who threw out the first pitch, signed autographs and watched the game from a suite.

Also making the first pitch were co-star Robin Dunne and "Sanctuary" producer Damian Kindler, who also was impressed with Rays hospitality.

Tapping and company took time off from the Vancouver-based production which debuts Oct. 3. For more on their visit, see Walt TV on TBOExtra.com

TUNE IN TONIGHT

"Monk," 9 p.m., USA

Mr. Monk faces his 100th episode - and there's still no cure in sight for his hang-ups. As the Monkster watches a TV newsmagazine piece on his hundredth case, he realizes he made a mistake.

"Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," 8 p.m., Fox

Jeff Foxworthy and a new batch of kids start up a new season.