Sacramento Anchor Busted for DUI to Resurface Across the Street
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When Mark S. Allen was arrested for his second DUI, many thought his career in TV news might be over.
But, you have to remember, In TV news it's all about viewers and if a station thinks you can bring them in, they are willing to look past just about anything.
After that second bust, Allen "resigned" from KMAX's “Good Day Sacramento” in March.
But, he has landed a new gig and it's in the same market. Allen is joining Tegna's KXTV in Sacramento.
The Sacramento Bee writes that Allen will become part of the station’s morning news team and “you’ll see his work on our other shows as well,” said KXTV general manager Risa Omega.
Allen said his first day at KXTV will be Friday, but Omega would not pinpoint a date for his first appearance.
This is a return for Allen at KXTV.
He began his television career in 1988 at KXTV, where he appeared with Lisa Ling on the teen show “Scratch,” which later became nationally syndicated.
Allen’s new gig will involve entertainment coverage, stories on local people and working with an on-air team that includes Walt Gray, who ranks with Allen as one of the region’s best-known media figures.
Allen said he began receiving job inquiries in January, after completing a monthlong rehabilitation program, and when his future with KMAX, which had removed him from the air pending an internal investigation, was unclear. The offers became more “meaningful,” he said, after he “came clean” about his drinking and recovery process in the on-air March resignation video and a separate Facebook video message to fans that drew more than 230,000 views.
“I’ve never thought such love from a community possible,” Allen said. “I have had such overwhelming support.”
Partly in response to the outpouring from fans, he will spend part of his time at Channel 10 “celebrating local heroes in the community,” Allen said. “I don’t think in my lifetime I will be able to pay (people) back, but I will do my best.”
