AFTER TWO DECADES, TAMPA ANCHOR EXITS BUSINESS FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS

From journalist to public relations.

Spectrum Bay News 9 morning anchor Erica Riggins has been named the new public information officer for St. Petersburg, Florida Mayor Ken Welsh.

“It was a tough decision,” Riggins told viewers. “I’ve spent nearly 20 years right here.” 

She said she’ll miss telling stories about, and for, the communities Spectrum Bay News covers.

“But I must admit, I won’t miss getting up at 1:30 in the morning every day to come to work,” Riggins admitted. “That’s been really tough.”

A Texas native, Riggins started her TV career as a weekend anchor and reporter for KXII in Sherman, Texas.

“Their decades of work in the community will prove invaluable as we continue our mission towards inclusive progress. Collaborating with the community and key stakeholders is imperative to ensuring transparency and accountability at all levels of this administration,” Welch said, according to the Weekly Challenger.