Whatever happened to Chase Cain?
A week ago the new WISN-TV (Channel 12) morning show co-anchor was tweeting up a storm about Gov. Walker, Nik Wallenda, gas prices, Whistling Straits and life in the 5th ward with his linked to WISN stories about those events.
On Aug. 4 Cain introduced a segment on the station’s 10 p.m. newscast called “Social Square,” the same name of a social media segment on ABC’s “Good Morning, America.”
This week he has become conspicuous by his absence.
Mention of Cain has been scrubbed from the WISN website, including the May 26th announcement that he would be replacing Patrick Paolantonio as morning co-anchor with Melinda Davenport.
And links to stories he reported for the station turn up “Page Not Found.” He continues to post items on his personal Twitter account, including random political and media news and inspirational sayings.
But there is no mention of WISN on Cain’s personal website.
And mention of his working for WISN has been removed from his Twitter bio which calls him a three time Emmy winner, University of Georgia alum and father of a yellow lab.
Station news director Chris Gegg confirmed Caine’s departure with a terse statement: “Chase Cain is no longer a member of the WISN 12 News Team. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.”
Cain did not respond to an email request for comment.
Who is/was Chase Cain and what happened to him?
Neither question has a clear answer. His hiring looked like an attempt by WISN to up the ante in the lucrative and competitive morning show landscape, against market leader WITI-TV (Channel 6).
Cain, whose resume includes heavy use of social media, was hired for the morning show when Paolantonio moved to 5, 6 and 10 p.m. replacing Craig McKee.
In my original story on his hiring I noted Cain’s Facebook page called him a “Social Media Anchor” and I speculated that his social media activity was one reason WISN found him appealing.
Cain, an Atalanta area native, previously worked at XETV, the second oldest station in San Diego, as morning show anchor. He joined XETV in 2014. He also worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Tampa. While at XETV he hosted a segment called “Trending & Friending.”
Cain’s tenure with the station lasted a little more than four weeks and ranks among the briefest in Milwaukee media history. It represents an unusual misstep for steady-as-she-goes WISN.
And there is probably an interesting story behind it.
To paraphrase television reporters when they finish a story about an unsolved crime:
Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact … me.
Below is the original WISN press release announcing Cain’s arrival.
NEWS THIS MORNING”
Cain to join Melinda Davenport on anchor desk in July
MILWAUKEE, (May 26, 2015) – Starting the week of July 6, journalist Chase Cain joins the award- winning “WISN 12 News This Morning” team as co-anchor with Melinda Davenport. Cain replaces
Patrick Paolantonio who was recently promoted to the 5, 6, & 10 p.m. newscasts.
“Chase will make a wonderful addition to an already great team,” says Jan Wade, president and
general manager. “Melinda fit in here immediately, and now Chase will become part of the very
dynamic group that includes Sally Severson, Matt Salemme and Tim Elliott. Chase is a smart, caring
and engaged journalist who has great passion for story-telling. He enjoys what he does, and I think
viewers will see that right away.”
Cain is an Emmy award-winning anchor who comes to Milwaukee from San Diego 6 where he
anchored “San Diego 6 In The Morning.” A native of Atlanta, Cain is a graduate of the Grady College
of Journalism at the University of Georgia.
Cain has reported in several major markets, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and across Florida.
While in Tampa, Cain’s coverage of proposed cuts to state colleges and universities was honored with
an Edward R. Murrow Award. His reporting on the placement of automatic external defibrillators
(AEDs) in middle schools in Orlando won an Associated Press Award.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to join Milwaukee’s #1 newsroom,” says Cain. “WISN 12 is one of those
increasingly rare news organizations which combine veteran journalists, a wealth of resources, and
constant innovation to effectively serve its viewers. I’m confident Melinda, Sally, Tim, Matt, and I
will quickly build upon what’s already the best morning show in town.”
Cain joins the team awarded “Best Morning Newscast” in May from the Wisconsin Broadcasters
Association (WBA). The team includes Meteorologist Sally Severson, Traffic Reporter Matt
Salemme, Breaking News Anchor Tim Elliot and Co-Anchor Melinda Davenport.
immediately and I think he’ll add a great dimension to ‘WISN 12 News This Morning.’ I believe we
have a strong team with Tim’s recent arrival, along with veterans Sally and Matt, who are the pillars of the show.”