TV Station Fires Reporter Over Her Comments On The Woman Who Accused Mel Tucker
Brenda Tracy, the woman who accused dismissed Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker of sexual assault, has received an apology from a Lansing-based television station for social-media statements made by the station’s sports director.
According to a source familiar with the matter, WLNS general manager Marci Daniels personally apologized to Tracy following a series of social-media remarks from sports reporter Audrey Dahlgren last Thursday.
TV Station Fires Reporter Over Her Comments On The Woman Who Accused Mel Tucker
Audrey Dahlgren, formerly the sports director at WLNS in Lansing, Michigan, was apparently fired late last week.
My response to WLNS parting ways with Audrey Dahlgren.
It’s not a case of the “woke media” defending Brenda Tracy.
WLNS appears to have had legitimate concerns, and the optics of Dahlgren covering this story have been problematic from Day 1.
A cautionary tale.
⬇️ https://t.co/tnGL07rWO0 pic.twitter.com/ADGGUQwoRQ
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) October 10, 2023
Dahlgren, a seasoned journalist, tweeted material provided by Tucker and his counsel. This comes as the former Spartans head coach is embroiled in a court dispute over whether or not he owes the remaining $80 million on his contract.
Michigan State argues Tucker’s employment was terminated for reason.
Audrey Dahlgren is out at WLNS.
I’m told it’s related to concerns regarding her coverage of the Mel Tucker/Brenda Tracy story.
— Justin Spiro (@DarkoStateNews) October 10, 2023
This information includes a tweet with an email from Tucker’s legal team. Tracy was accused of having consensual relationships with Tucker and at least one other instructor at the same time.
Among the posts that drew criticism, including from fellow journalists, was one in which Dahlgren said of Tracy, “She did lie,” after text messages released by Tucker’s attorneys claimed Tracy was out for money in bringing her allegations against Tucker, who was fired last month.
Brenda Tracy’s communication shows, per the evidence, she shared information with multiple members of the media in an attempt to shape the narrative several months in advance of the investigation’s completion. pic.twitter.com/HCIAmU9LSK
— Audrey Dahlgren (@AudreyDahlgren) October 5, 2023
Dahlgren, who covers Michigan State athletics on a daily basis, primarily football and men’s basketball, has not blogged about Michigan State on X since the series of postings that received criticism.
Dahlgren also stated that her tweet in which she claimed Tracy lied was misconstrued and that she sought to amend the terminology.
Mel Tucker’s legal team also discloses there is a new witness who said the phone call between Brenda Tracy and Tucker was consensual.
Also, Tracy tried to destroy written communication with Ahlan Alvarado.
After her death Tracy asked for access to her phone/computer. pic.twitter.com/ASWr9RWtjB
— Audrey Dahlgren (@AudreyDahlgren) October 5, 2023
Much of the criticism seems to be directed at Dahlgren’s reporting on Tucker’s attempts to prove his innocence. It appears that statements made by his legal team are worth reporting, and this happens all the time.
Considering he was the head football coach in OUR market, yes, I am putting this public information out there.
Her side of the story was released and this is his side.
It’s called reporting. https://t.co/pGOHrjhQ7u
— Audrey Dahlgren (@AudreyDahlgren) October 5, 2023
The station’s confirmation of the apology comes despite mounting evidence that Dahlgren is no longer employed by WLNS. Her LinkedIn profile, which formerly identified her as WLNS sports director, now lists her as a “sports broadcaster” and states that her job at WLNS terminated in October 2023 although she continues to work for the Big Ten Network. Her title with the station has also been deleted from her profile on X (previously Twitter), and she is no longer included on the station’s website’s employee roster.
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