Breaking! David Custer Suddenly Gone From WNEM in Mid-Michigan

Those of us in the media world know that part of our job is creating a bond with our listeners and viewers. They trust us daily to bring the world to them, good or bad, and often we become a staple in their daily lives. When that familiar face or voice is suddenly gone, it can be like losing a family member.

Mid-Michigan television viewers are reeling from learning of the shocking departure of David Custer, a cornerstone of WNEM-TV5’s news team. The Emmy Award-winning journalist, beloved for his integrity and compelling storytelling, announced that he was informed on July 1st that his contract would not be renewed. His tenure at the station came to an abrupt end on July 28th.

For nearly 11 years, Custer was known and admired for not just delivering the news each night, but also bringing viewers some of the most captivating human interest stories as well as those tough-hitting subjects others would shy away from. He became a voice for the voiceless, and the goodness in his heart found itself outweighing the greatness he was achieving by bringing those ofter looked-over subjects to the forefront.

That above-and-beyond style of journalism earned Custer an impressive resume of accolades including 11 Emmy Awards, Emmy for Best News Anchor in 2021, 3 Edward R. Murrow Awards ( WNEM has 4 of which 3 were from Custer's efforts), 4 National Telly Awards in including a GOLD in 2024 – one of three in the entire country, and 5 Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards just to touch on a few.

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David Custer, a trusted voice in Mid-Michigan for many years, shared the surprising news with his followers in a heartfelt and personal statement. In the message Custer talks about staying on even after being informed his contract would not continue.

"After being delivered this news, I stuck it out to honor my contractual obligation, as difficult as it was, because I have always been dedicated to you, the viewers… and to my team who look to me for leadership", he wrote.  "I'm so proud of the last ten years and the people who encouraged me and brought me back to telling stories. I worked some crazy hours, holidays, late nights and missed out on a lot in my personal life... but it was all worth it. Your unwavering support and the friendship’s I’ve made have allowed me to use this platform with purpose."

View David's full goodbye message below.

Those who have worked with Custer in the past shared their thoughts on the departure;

"David is truly a news director's dream. His commitment to journalism, passion for doing the right thing, and his ability to lead a newsroom is what every newsroom needs", Barb Roethler, Custer's former new director at WSMH shared. "I tried to get David to come to channel 7 in Detroit so many times before he was asked to step into the main anchor role at TV5. He was so dedicated to that station".

As the community grapples with this unexpected change, one thing remains clear: David Custer’s impact on Mid-Michigan journalism is indelible. His departure from WNEM is not just the end of a chapter for the station, but a pivotal moment for the region’s media industry.

Stay tuned for more updates as we follow this developing story and the future endeavors of David Custer, a journalist whose legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and influence.

You can read his full statement here.