Olivia Ray permanently leaves WLWT. What’s next for the Emmy-winning sports journalist?

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A Channel 5 (WLWT-TV) weekend sports anchor and reporter has left the station.

Olivia Ray, an Emmy-winning sports anchor and reporter, has left WLWT after nearly three years on air, she confirmed to The Enquirer via email. Ray’s last day was Friday, March 28.

“With my first baby due soon, I am leaving WLWT permanently,” she wrote. “After nearly a decade of spending every weekend/lots of long hours and late nights on the job, I knew a change was necessary if I wanted to be present to watch my children grow.”

Ray added that she and her husband are leaving Cincinnati and moving closer to family, but said they will remain in the Midwest. She also said she plans to pursue freelance opportunities following her maternity leave.

“Sports and telling stories are still my passions, so I will not be leaving the business entirely,” she continued. “So, you may still see me pop on your screens now and again! I plan to continue to share Bengals and Reds content while covering the NFL and MLB.”

Ray grew up in Evansville, Indiana, and graduated from Indiana University’s Ernie Pyle School of Journalism in 2017. She began her career at WSBT-TV (Channel 22) in South Bend, Indiana, covering Notre Dame football.

She also worked at WISH-TV (Channel 8) in Indianapolis, where she covered the Colts, Pacers and Indy car racing, before joining WLWT. Ray is also an adjunct lecturer at the Indiana University Media School, per her LinkedIn page.