Pittsburgh anchorwoman fired for Facebook remarks on race sues station

PITTSBURGH (AP) — A Pittsburgh newscaster fired after her comments in a Facebook post about a shooting were deemed racially insensitive is suing the television station, claiming she was let go because she is white.


In a federal lawsuit filed Monday, Wendy Bell says WTAE fired her on March 30 "because of her race" in violation of her civil rights. She is seeking back pay, punitive damages and her old job.

In a Facebook post, Bell commented on the March 9 shooting of five black people in the poor Pittsburgh suburb of Wilkinsburg. She speculated that the gunmen were young, black men with multiple siblings and fathers. No arrests have been made in the case.

Her comments sparked a backlash but also drew defenders.

A message left with station management was not immediately returned.