EAST PROVIDENCE – Karen Adams, veteran news anchor at WPRI-TV Channel 12, will say goodbye to viewers for the final time at the end of this year, the television station announced Friday.
Karens will retire after 21 years in the anchor chair.
“It’s been an exciting and fulfilling career where I have been the ‘eyewitness’ to news events in Rhode Island, New England and around the country,” Adams said. “My work in the community has been a blessing and a true delight.”
Adams, who began her career at WPRI-TV in 1989, thanked Eyewitness News viewers who “have allowed me into their homes every evening” and said she is grateful to the “wonderful management” at WPRI and Fox Providence “who have been generous and supportive throughout my years here.” When she came to Channel 12, she thought she would stay for just a few years, but she and her husband, Ed Mauro, ended up settling here because they came to love Rhode Island.
She has received a number of Associated Press, Emmy and community-service awards and has been inducted into the silver circle for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She received honorary doctorates from the University of Rhode Island in 2010 and the New England Institute of Technology in 2009.
Adams’ last day on the job will be Dec. 30. A nationwide search will be conducted for her replacement, according to Joe Abouzeid, WPRI-TV news director. “We will miss Karen’s hard work and professionalism,” he said.
The station indicated that Adams will continue her extensive involvement in the community. “While we will miss her here at the stations, I know that Karen is excited to continue on with her community involvement and we all wish her much success,” said Jay Howell, general manager.
Adams has been involved, often in leadership positions, in dozens of community organizations, including Meeting Street School, the Providence Preservation Society, Community Preparatory School, Trinity Repertory Co., Providence Animal Rescue League, Big Sisters of Rhode Island, Crossroads Rhode Island and Special Olympics Rhode Island.
