Grand Rapids is Losing Another Popular TV Personality. Who?

Anchoring an early morning TV news show can be a grind and a real drain on ones life. You're up early, one/two o'clock in the morning, in the studio by at least three and on the air at five.

There you will be for several hours. It can beat you up and that is why Jay Plyburn of 13 ON YOUR SIDE is saying goodbye after three years on the morning show.

There is the fact that Jay and his wife Whitney had their first child, a baby girl, in September, 2022, and take it from one who knows, early morning broadcasting, whether it's television or radio, is a serious strain on a young families life.

Jay has had such a varied career in show business. As a child, he was raised on the stage and took part in countless theatre productions, but his career eventually placed him in front of the camera. Jay also remains actively involved in the performing arts. He had a recurring role on The Resident (FOX) and was seen on Insatiable (Netflix). He has also taught acting classes.

WZZM said Jay’s journalism career started in early 2008 when he was hired by a station in Texas. He then worked in Arkansas and Georgia before finding his way to Michigan in January 2021.

When he is not on the air he enjoys traveling with his wife and exploring the great outdoors. He loves climbing (rock and any climbable tree he comes across), biking, kayaking, hiking, and camping. He also loves to cook and spends much of his time in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes.

Hey, maybe with this extra free time he will have we'll see him cooking on the Food Network creating baby food.

At any rate, Jay wants to stay in West Michigan to pursue new interests and will be leaving the team in mid-March.