A pioneer of local journalism excellence, WLUK-TV News Director Juli Buehler has announced her retirement after a career spanning 45 years, with more than 30 of those years in service to the people of Northeast Wisconsin.
Buehler is the recipient of numerous awards, including The Associated Press Carol Brewer Award, and her induction into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle in 2016.
Jay Zollar, General Manager of WLUK FOX 11 and WCWF CW 14, said that "Juli has had a truly remarkable journey. Many strong journalists across the country have passed through here and have benefited from her involvement in their lives. FOX 11 would not be what it is today if it were not for Juli's investment of her passion and experience."
Buehler shared that "I am appreciative of all the many opportunities WLUK-TV and Sinclair Media (the parent company of WLUK), have afforded me. It has been an incredible journey with colleagues who have become lifelong friends, and newsroom adventures that are lifelong memories. This career has been a gift."
In a previous role, Buehler also wrote and produced for the Voice of America, based in Washington, D.C. She also worked as a reporter and anchor at television newsrooms in Rochester, Minnesota and Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and as a producer in New Haven, Connecticut.
Under Juli Buehler's leadership, the content creation teams of WLUK-TV embarked on many Northeast Wisconsin firsts, from launching the market-leading four-and-a-half hour morning news program, Good Day Wisconsin, to network affiliation changes, Super Bowl coverage, national political conventions and lifestyle programs. She was an integral part of the team that created FOX 11 Packers Family Night, along with the football organization, as well as advising on the purchase of a property across from Lambeau Field, now known as the FOX 11 Field House. She has served on the executive board of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and played a part in advocating for access and transparency between elected officials, the court system and journalists.
Over the course of her career, Juli Buehler has helped drive the station to its highest overall preference level in the station's history across all linear, social and digital platforms in Northeast Wisconsin.