Fox 32

In the first expansion of its news operation in years, Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 announced plans Thursday to add an hourlong newscast at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“First at Four,” to be anchored by Anthony Ponce and Sally Schulze, will debut August 3.

First at Four

Ponce and Schulze, who currently anchor on weekends, will front the new show from the station’s main studio, while reporter Tia Ewing will contribute from the streetside "Studio 32."

Leading into Fox 32's 5 p.m. weekday newscast (anchored by Corey McPherrin and Dawn Hasbrouck), “First at Four" will replace the Hollywood gossip magazine "TMZ" at that hour. With the expansion, Fox 32 will produce 10 hours of local news each weekday and a total of 55 hours of local news a week.

“Chicagoans deserve more than just sound bites to understand the unprecedented news currently affecting them," said Fox 32 news director Matt Piacente. "We will continue to deliver the news of the day, but with deeper explanations and perspectives from our experts, viewers, and journalists.”

A statement from the station said the new newscast will "rely on unique, in-depth interviews with experts on critical local and national stories, including the pandemic, protests and upcoming election."

Thursday's comment of the day: Bob Manewith: It is great to see more opportunities for journalists. And in this era of niche media, these two networks [Black Information Network and Black News Channel] should find viewers and listeners, provided those viewers and listeners can find them.