Honestly, if you live in the Miami Valley, you probably grew up with the 11:00 p.m. news chime. It’s kinda just part of the furniture. For decades, WHIO News Center 7 has been the heavy hitter in Dayton broadcasting, and even with everyone getting their alerts on their phones these days, they still manage to hold the top spot.
But things are changing. Big time.
If you haven’t tuned into Channel 7 lately, the newsroom looks a lot different than it did even a couple of years ago. Legendary figures have retired, new faces are leading the Storm Center, and the way they cover the "Big 2" (that’s Montgomery and Greene counties for the uninitiated) has shifted into a 24/7 digital grind.
The Changing of the Guard: Life After Cheryl McHenry
It’s weird seeing the anchor desk without Cheryl McHenry. She was there for nearly 44 years. Think about that. She started before most people reading this had a cell phone. She officially retired in May 2025, and it felt like the end of an era for Dayton media. She wasn't just a reader; she was the person people trusted when tornadoes were ripping through Celina or when the Oregon District shooting happened.
Now, the heavy lifting falls to veterans like James Brown, Letitia Perry, and Gabrielle Enright.
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James Brown is basically the face of the station now. He’s the guy you see at 5, 6, and 11. He has this "Making a Difference" segment that’s been running for over a decade, focusing on the good stuff happening in the Miami Valley. In a world where the news is usually a dumpster fire of bad vibes, it’s a nice break.
Then you’ve got John Bedell leading the I-Team. If you see him on your doorstep, you’re probably having a bad day. He’s been digging into everything from secret data center deals using crazy amounts of water to local cold cases. He actually got a Pulitzer Prize finalist nod for his work, which is pretty rare for a local TV guy.
Storm Center 7: Why the Weather Focus is Obsessive
Dayton weather is moody. You can have a blizzard on Monday and be wearing shorts by Thursday. That’s why Storm Center 7 is basically the station's crown jewel.
Austin Chaney is the Chief Meteorologist now. He actually left for a bit to work in Charlotte but came back home. Fun fact: his grandpa is Darrel Chaney, the former Cincinnati Reds shortstop. People around here take their weather seriously, especially after the 2019 Memorial Day tornadoes.
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The station uses something called "Live Doppler 7."
Is it the most advanced radar on the planet?
Maybe not.
But it’s the one people trust when the sirens start going off in Trotwood or Beavercreek.
They’ve also added guys like Ryan Marando and Britley Ritz to the team to handle the constant streaming updates. It’s not just about the 6:00 p.m. broadcast anymore; it’s about the push notifications you get at 3:00 a.m. when an ice storm is moving in from Indiana.
What Most People Get Wrong About WHIO
A lot of people think WHIO is just a TV station.
Wrong.
It’s a massive media machine owned by Cox Media Group. They share a building on South Main Street with the Dayton Daily News and WHIO Radio.
Because they’re all in the same "Cox Media Center," they have more reporters on the ground than almost anyone else. When a wrong-way crash happens on I-70 (like the tragic one involving Doniell Snow recently), you’ll see Mike Campbell or John Bedell on the scene for TV, while the radio side is hitting the traffic updates every few minutes.
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It’s also a secondary market for the Cincinnati Bengals.
If you’re a Bengals fan, WHIO is your home base. They carry every road game and most home games because Dayton is technically "Bengals territory." They even do special "Orange Zone" coverage.
Recent Stories Making Waves
- The I-70 Wrong-Way Crash: Recent toxicology reports revealed a driver was three times over the legal limit, a story Mike Campbell has been tracking closely.
- Housing in Trotwood: New single-family homes are finally going up in the Twin Creek neighborhood, priced between $280,000 and $300,000.
- Wright-Patt Job Cuts: Nearly 60 employees at the base are facing layoffs, a huge deal since WPAFB is the state's largest single-site employer.
How to Actually Get the Most Out of WHIO News Center 7
If you’re still just waiting for the evening news, you’re doing it wrong. The 2026 version of local news is all about the app.
- Download the News App: It’s free. It gives you the "Live Drive" times which, if you’ve ever been stuck on US-35 during rush hour, you know is a lifesaver.
- The Storm Center 7 App: This is separate from the news app. It has 250-meter resolution radar. Basically, you can see if the rain is hitting your neighbor's house and not yours.
- Smart TV Apps: They’re on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire. You don't even need a cable subscription to watch the live streams.
- I-Team Tipline: Got a problem? Call (937) 535-7777. They actually listen to these.
Honestly, local journalism is in a weird spot nationwide, but WHIO seems to be holding the line by leaning into the "hyper-local" stuff. They cover the school board meetings in Huber Heights and the high school football scores in Kettering that the big national outlets wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.
If you want to stay ahead of what’s happening in your backyard, make sure you're following their specialized "I-Team" investigations. These reports often lead to real legislative changes in Columbus, particularly regarding consumer protection and government transparency. Also, set up custom alerts on the WHIO app specifically for "Breaking News" and "Severe Weather" to avoid the fluff and only get the stuff that actually affects your commute or your safety.