When he was a graduating senior at St. Augustine High School in 1980, the school yearbook included a photograph of , his name, his nickname and his desired profession: meteorologist.
Singleton has been living a dream as a television meteorologist for almost two decades.
Dr. Tami Singleton, Damon's wife and one of the community's most prominent doctors, posted the station's announcement with a curt response on Facebook: "Smoke and mirrors."
New Orleans crime activist Reggie Ford posted a video on Facebook after a call from inside WDSU. Something funky had happened. He urged his followers and viewers to contact the station to complain. He suggested they dial (504) 679-0600 or email newstips@wdsu.com.
Yes, there's more to the Singleton story.
Singleton respectfully declined to be interviewed. That's OK, my friend and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. brother.
I reached out to WDSU President and General Manager Mike Neely and to News Director Melissa Dart to get their perspectives. Neither responded.ย
I've looked at enough social media posts and talked with enough people familiar with the matter that it's clear to me what has gone down.
Much-loved Margaret Orr retired after 45 years with the station in March, including a yearslong stint as chief meteorologist. She had replaced WDSU Chief Meteorologist Dan Milham. WDSU insiders and fans were certain Singleton would move up when Orr left.
That didn't happen, and THAT is the reason the Emmy award-winning Singleton chose to retire. He felt disrespected. He didn't get the job he earned.
WDSU hasn't named a chief meteorologist as of Tuesday morning. The City Council will honor Singleton on Thursday. Singleton's last newscast is Friday at noon. When he walks out of the station one last time, he'll be retired for the second time. He previously served in the U.S. Navy for 22 years.
Damon Singleton wanted to be a meteorologist as young as a high school.ย
Courtesy photo
Whoever gets the chief meteorologist job will step into a high-profile role, one that's much more than a go-to television personality. At many TV stations, the chief meteorologist must know all available weather technology and deliver the best information on the spot. That role is pressure-packed and expensive, but it is crucial to public safety and typically drives viewership.
Anzio Williams was the WDSU news director who hired Singleton, back when Milham was the station's chief meteorologist and Margaret Orr was on the weather team. It was understood that Orr would succeed Milham, and many assumed (wrongly, it turns out) it was now Singleton's turn.
Without Singleton, WDSU's weather team collectively has less than 10 years at the station. Singleton alone has 18 years.
With both his Navy and his WDSU retirements, he'll do OK. Financially, he won't have to work. But professionally, I hope he does. He'll certainly have options.
A defense contractor might be interested, for example. How many meteorologists can say they've been a Navy commander and the executive officer of a ship carrying 600 service members?
An educational institution might be interested. Singleton ran the ROTC program at Southern University in Baton Rouge.
He also may choose to start his own enterprise and work for himself.
It's unlikely, but he could drive a no-scheduled-hours Lyft or Uber.
WDSU is entering the busiest part of the hurricane season without Orr and Singleton. South ถถา๕h anticipates a busy storm season this year. At least seven major storms are forecast in the next few weeks.
Orr told me that Singleton has "seen the people of this community through many storms." That includes a tornado that went right through his home. She described Singleton as someone she could always count on, someone who "all along would step up."
"If you're asking me whether he could do the (chief meteorologist) job," she added as I asked a rather imprecise question, "absolutely, he's capable."
Williams, the station's former news director, is now NBC's executive vice president for talent and strategic initiatives. He watches over the network's 44 NBC-owned-and-operated affiliates and Telemundo broadcast outlets. He has a reputation for spotting and developing talent, fixing what needs fixing and seeing the future now.
He felt "the Lord had blessed me" when Singleton signed on at WDSU. Now that Singleton is closing this chapter, he sees possibilities.
He said Singleton might not be done with his television career. He can see Singleton returning to help viewers navigate their weather lives in a larger television market โ or even in New Orleans.
We may yet see a lot more of Damon Singleton.