television journalism

CBS6 Albany anchor Olivia Jacques anchored her three-hour morning news show while in active labor, humorously updating viewers on her progressing childbirth between headlines. The 35-year-old journalist, two days past her due date, coordinated with co-anchor Julia Dunn, who announced Jacques’ water breaking at the broadcast’s start. Using work as a distraction strategy instead of hospital waiting, Jacques joked through contractions until completing her shift. Social media documented the unprecedented overlap of professional duty and personal milestone. On Thursday, Jacques confirmed her son Quincy’s healthy arrival, exemplifying extraordinary dedication as she balanced broadcast deadlines with delivery-room urgency in a televised first for journalism. [99 words]