Karen Abernathy
News Anchor
Biloxi, MS
Imagine turning on your TV to find Karen Abernathy giving you the news on one station and David Elliott giving you the news on another channel. That's what used to happen in Jackson, Mississippi in the mid 80s. Dave worked at WJTV and Karen worked across town at WAPT.
Both came to WLOX in 1985 and have been an anchor team ever since, even being inducted into the Mississippi Broadcast Hall of Fame together.
You can see them both on The 4 O'Clock Show and WLOX News at 5:00 p.m. But Karen's not just an anchor. She's also the WLOX health reporter.
"I love bringing people information that can really make a difference in their lives," Karen says.
Her Healthwatch reports are very popular.
"Health news is a challenge to keep up with because there is so much research. And that research leads to new advances in medicine everyday."
Karen also works throughout the year on special health projects like the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. Every year, Karen hosts the giveaway bringing us stories about South Mississippians who are treated at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Karen also enjoys acting in local stage productions. She's had the lead role in several of them. Her love of the theater led to the creation of the WLOX Backstage report. Backstage allows Karen to give you a preview of local plays during WLOX News at 5:00 p.m. when they are ready to open.
This gleefully gruesome musical about a man-eating plant has captured the hearts of theater-goers for 45 years. Karen Abernathy takes us backstage to dress rehearsal for a preview.
Waveland Mayor Mike Smith loves the city of Waveland, where he has served the public for nearly four decades. The mayor said he’ll do whatever it takes to keep moving forward, despite his continuing battle with kidney disease.
When the news broke about the pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Tuesday, one Coast family was already living with a tragedy they believe was caused by the vaccine.
This past year has been a difficult one for everyone. While the pandemic continues to evolve, it looks like we’re finally turning a corner, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to let down our guard.
Two virtual town hall meetings are being held Thursday, one at 4pm and another at 7pm.
Studies show people with poor cardiovascular health are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, but that’s only part of the COVID-heart dilemma.
As longtime WLOX anchor Rhonda Weidner prepares for retirement this week, she is taking a look back at some of her favorite moments over the last three decades.
Here's a breakdown of the number of available hospital beds in the state and in South Mississippi.
Stella the sand tiger shark was already a favorite attraction at the Mississippi Aquarium when veterinarians noticed the five-foot-long, 90-pound shark was having trouble swimming.
Singing River Health System and Bienville Orthopaedics are the first in Mississippi to offer the new minimally-invasive technique, and one Coast woman is happy to be the first patient to reap the benefits.
A Biloxi couple are recovering after both contracting COVID-19.
Teresa Borelli Olague's worries about the virus started weeks with her family overseas before her own isolation began.
Dr. Jason Gulas and Dr. Alice Xenachis are a husband and wife veterinarian team, working together to help animals. Dr. Gulas says it’s like a mission for them.
A prominent coast businessman is doing his part to bring awareness to heart disease while making the most of his life.
New FDA approved technology is helping insulin-dependent diabetics gain more control over their blood sugar levels. Lisa Boccaleri is one of the first patients on the coast to try it out, and says she loves it.
Garden Park Medical Center in Gulfport is offering a new hip replacement option that doctors say means faster recovery for the patient.
A Pass Christian brother and sister have been regular blood donors for more than four decades, giving the gift of life time and time again. They hope to inspire others to do the same.
Ocean Springs woman lost more than 300 pounds, and kept it off for more than a decade.
Just in time for the holiday season, “Elf the Musical” opens at the Mary C. O’ Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs this weekend.
Cory McGee is one of the best 1500 runners in the country and her sights are now set on the U.S. Olympic team.
Owning a small business can be stressful and demanding, but a stroke was the last thing wife and mom Shannon Van Duijvendijk expected to happen to her, especially at age 43.
A lot of people start preparing for flu season in the fall by getting their flu shots.
Pam Piaszik has spent years recovering after a brain tumor but continues to devote time to her community in many ways.
“A Chorus Line” opened on Broadway in 1975 and was the longest-running production in Broadway history until Cats came along in 1997. Now, you have a chance to see a local production of this iconic musical at Biloxi Little Theatre.
Bruce Addison had his kidney and pancreas transplant less than three weeks ago. He feels blessed beyond belief. But now he and his wife are facing new challenges.
After U.S. News evaluated more than 4,500 medical centers around the country, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport received recognition as Best Regional Hospital on the Coast.
The Walter Anderson Theater Project’s production of “Xanadu” opens this weekend, and we take you backstage to dress rehearsal for a preview.
“Godspell” took the world by storm when it opened off-Broadway in 1971, and it continues to touch audiences today.
A boys mentoring program sponsored by a local church is teaching young minds about the benefits of STEM careers.
As part of National Scleroderma Awareness month, we talked with a Gulf Coast woman who has beat the odds with this disease.
It’s a love story for the ages, one that has endured since World War II, and one that continues just as strong today as it did 72 years ago.
It has been a long battle but, Garden Park can finally move forward with its cardiac catheterization lab and offer more diagnostic and interventional heart care.
Most infants diagnosed with the disease don’t live beyond two years old, but a new treatment is giving a Long Beach family hope.
Next week, the Coast will come together walking to bring awareness to lupus, a serious autoimmune disease that affects more than 1.5 million Americans, through the Walk the Loop for Lupus walk.
A Biloxi eighth grader and her mom put on a brave smile and a positive attitude each day as the teenager battles brain cancer with the help of St. Jude Hospital.
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the second leading cause in Mississippi, but many of those deaths could be prevented through earlier screenings.
Yoga is an ancient technique that can help people live healthier lives, mentally and physically. And it's never too late to start.
You've probably heard about calcium being connected to your bone health. But did you know calcium might also be connected to heart health?
Getting healthyWe’re only into the second month of 2019 and many people are already struggling to stick to their New Year’s resolutions to get healthier. Here are some tips to help inspire you to keep working.
Cryotherapy is used for everything from pain management to weight loss, and top athletes say it gives them an edge. It’s a brief exposure to below freezing temperatures - way below freezing - like 220 below!
A long-time Coast resident continues to share the spirit of Christmas despite her two-year battle with lung cancer.
It's a dream come true for an Ocean Spring native who is now competing with artists like Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton after being nominated for a Golden Globe.
It’s new technology that continues to make treating and controlling diabetes much easier. Now there’s a tiny implantable glucose sensor available, approved just months ago by the FDA.
Garden Park Medical Center recently announced it’s getting special recognition for its hip and knee replacement care. That recognition comes at a time when joint replacement surgery is at an all-time high.
Fifteen year old Gracie Wilcox had been in and out of doctor’s offices for several weeks after having abdominal pain and other symptoms that weren’t going away. She ended up seeing Dr. April Ulmer, known as the “tummy doctor”.
The Gulfport Kiwanis Club and the City of Gulfport honored Delk for 50 years of service to the community with Mayor Billy Hewes proclaiming Wednesday as Charles Delk Day.
Robin wants to recognize others who overcome obstacles; thrivers from around the world; with her special Thriver Thursday series.
Having a child who commits suicide is a parents most heartbreaking nightmare, and it’s happening at an alarming rate.
Jeramey Anderson started "The People's Tour" at Moss Point's Riverfront Park, the first of many stops he'll make over the next week.
On Sunday, Army Private First Class Jack G. Hanson was recognized for the military service that earned him a posthumous Congressional Medal of Honor and a Purple Heart.
