KOLD Channel 13 chief meteorologist Chuck George returned to the air Monday, ending his unexplained leave of absence that started Sept. 9, when he failed to finish the 10 p.m. broadcast Sept. 6.
At the time, KOLD Vice President and General Manager Debbie Bush said she expected George back on the air in about six weeks. George missed six full weeks of TV broadcasts.
George appeared on Monday’s 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts and has resumed his full schedule, Bush said via email.
George did not respond to email messages and Bush declined to explain the reason for the leave of absence.
Bush said George would not answer questions or release a statement about his absence or return. She said that George’s return means freelancer Troy Barrett, whom KOLD brought on to handle weekend weather during George’s absence, will end his run at the station. Aaron Pickering, who had filled in for George during weekdays, will return to weekends.
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According to Media Bistro, George posted 33 odd, rapid-fire messages on his Twitter account Sept. 6 — some addressing Rob Lowe and Sharon Osbourne — then spoke slowly and rambled on air that night before failing to finish the broadcast.
Tucson Weekly reported that George also took a five-week leave of absence in March and April 2010.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
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