Key Takeaways
- Donna passed away after a battle with lung cancer.
- Her career began at WMBD-TV in Peoria, Illinois, and KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City.
- In 2019, she joined WWAY in Wilmington, North Carolina, as a local news anchor.
Donna Gregory, a prominent American news anchor and journalist, was born in 1963 and passed away on November 19, 2024, at the age of 61, after battling Stage 4 lung cancer.
Her contributions to over four decades in the field of journalism and her inspiring presence on screen left a lasting impact.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Donna Gregory developed a passion for storytelling and journalism from an early age.
She pursued higher education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, where she earned a degree in Radio/TV and Theatre.
Donna then began her career in local news as an anchor and reporter at WMBD-TV in Peoria, Illinois, and later at KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 1988, she joined WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina, as a weekday news anchor, a position she held until 1996.
During this time, she co-anchored the 5:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. newscasts, becoming a familiar and trusted presence for viewers.
She also hosted the station’s coverage of the annual Raleigh Christmas Parade and traveled to NCAA Final Four tournaments to co-anchor WRAL sports specials.
After leaving WRAL, Gregory moved to KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, where she anchored the midday newscast until 1997.
She later joined WNCN-TV as a primary weekday anchor, working there until 2001.
By the early 2000s, she was serving as an anchor and correspondent for prominent networks, including MSNBC, the TODAY show, CNBC, NBC Nightly News, and Dateline.
In 2019, Donna returned to local news, joining WWAY in Wilmington, North Carolina, initially to fill in for another anchor, Randy Aldridge, who was battling cancer.
Her role quickly became permanent, and she became a beloved figure at the station.
Co-hosting Good Morning Carolina and anchoring WWAY News at Noon, she captivated viewers with her engaging storytelling.
Throughout her career, Donna Gregory was celebrated for her excellence in reporting and mentoring aspiring journalists.
Donna Gregory’s untimely passing in her early sixties leaves a profound void in the lives of her family, friends, and the communities she served.
Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the standards of excellence she set in journalism.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- In April 2024, medical tests revealed that Donna was suffering from Stage 4 lung cancer after enduring prolonged health concerns.
- As a mother, she showed devotion to her four children: Sam, Callan, Avery, and Everett.
- She was a member of the Emeritus Board of NC Theatre in Raleigh and the Coastal Advisory Council for Make-a-Wish Eastern NC.
