Danner Evans
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WSET evening anchor, mother, wife, runner, fisher woman, skier, planker, Pilates enthusiast, and lover of KU Basketball. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!
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Articles by Danner Evans
'Opportunity to succeed': How you can help bring books to children in the ABC13 area
Tue, August 18, 2026 at 3:41 PM Kids reading their books provided by the Imagination Library. (WSET) (WSET) — Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library as a tribute to her dad. "He was one of the wisest men I knew," Parton said. "But I knew in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from seeing all his dreams come true. Inspiring kids to love to read became my passion and my mission.
Imagination Library: Putting more books into the hands of area children
by Pattie Martin & Danner Evans Thu, August 13, 2026 at 11:01 AM Updated Thu, August 13, 2026 at 11:08 AM Providing books to children from birth to age 5 LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — ABC 13 is working this month to make sure children from birth to age 5 have access to books through our Community Counts initiative. With electronic devices becoming an increasingly common way for children to read, many families still value the experience of having an actual book in hand.
Investigation underway after woman dies in Lynchburg crash: Police
The Lynchburg Police Department is investigating a deadly accident. It happened Tuesday, August 4 2026, at 5:10 p.m. in the 6100 block of Fort Avenue. Lynchburg Police and Lynchburg Fire Department responded to the multi-vehicle accident. Police said multiple people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. They are now in stable condition. One of the female drivers died on the scene. Her name hasn't been released.
LPD investigating deadly crash
Tue, August 4, 2026 at 10:28 PM LPD investigating deadly crash in Fort Ave. (Photo: LFD) Lynchburg, Va. — Lynchburg Police are investigating a deadly accident. It happened Tuesday, August 4 2026 at 5:10 PM in the 6100 block of Fort Avenue. Lynchburg Police and Lynchburg Fire Department responded to the multi vehicle accident. Police said multiple people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. They are now in stable condition. LPD investigating deadly crash in Fort Ave.
Imagination Library: How you can help support kids develop a lifelong love of reading
by Danner Evans & Pattie Martin Tue, August 4, 2026 at 6:00 PM Kids reading their books provided by the Imagination Library. (WSET) The program's goal is to get books into the hands of area children from the day they're born. You know her for her amazing musical career, but there's another side to Parton's legacy you might not know about. "Inspiring kids to love to read became my passion," Parton said. Parton said her father was one of the smartest people she knew, but he couldn't read.
Noreen Turyn's legacy in the ABC13 newsroom family
Fri, July 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Updated Fri, July 24, 2026 at 6:16 PM ABC 13 News team. (Credit: ABC 13 News) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — We know Noreen Turyn has become a part of your family over the last 36 years; she's a big part of our news family here at ABC 13, too. Chief Meteorologist George Flickinger said Turyn doesn't get credit for many of the things she does behind the scenes. "One of the huge things she does is check stories for accuracy.
ABC 13 investigates the safety of hormone replacement therapy
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Veronica Bullock and Terry Bollinger spent years feeling miserable. "Not well," Bollinger explained. "Very lethargic. Very not interested in anything." "Terrible," Bullock said. "Very exhausted. Very moody. Like crazy brain fog. Then I had a friend that says, you need to go get your hormones checked." "Discussed the hormone thing," Bollinger said.
ABC 13 investigates hormone replacement therapy
Tue, July 7, 2026 at 11:11 AM Some patients treat symptoms with compounding hormore pellets; they're tiny, seed-like, and inserted under the skin every 3-4 months. (Photo: WSET) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, replaces hormones, like estrogen and progesterone, as your body stops producing them during perimenopause and menopause.
Catching up with Cindy: St. Jude patient is all grown up and healthy
Wed, June 17, 2026 at 3:19 PM Cindy druing a yearly visit to St. Jude after treatment (Photo: Marisa Steel) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Six years ago, we met Cindy at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital when she was seven years old. At the time, doctors were treating her for Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Cindy during her treatment at St. Jude (Photo: Marisa Steel) Fast forward six years, look at Cindy now! She's a 13-year-old rising 8th grader. Cindy is a very active teenager and athlete.
'I'll bet you they can cure the next kid': St. Jude patient's legacy lives on
'I'll bet you they can cure the next kid': St. Jude patient's legacy lives on Catie was diagnosed with ATRT at 7 years old. (Photo: Kevin O'Brien)
'It takes a village': Celebrating the 2026 St. Jude Dream Home with floor signing
Wed, May 20, 2026 at 3:17 PM Updated Wed, May 20, 2026 at 3:21 PM Everyone involved in the 2026 Central Virginia St. Judee Dream Home, from the contractors and builders to the sponsors, left a piece of themselves forever in the home during the floor signing. (WSET) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — They say it takes a village; that's certainly what it takes to build the Central Virginia St. Jude Dream Home. It all starts with a concept.
This Amherst Co. boy was diagnosed with cancer at 3. Thanks to St. Jude, he's alive at 22.
Wed, May 13, 2026 at 5:00 PM Doctors diagnosed Gage's brain tumor when he was 3 years old. (Photo: Gage's family) AMHERST COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — St. Jude is helping kids around the world, including right here at home in Virginia. When doctors diagnosed an Amherst County boy with a rare brain tumor, his parents, Dale and Tracey, said they are glad St. Jude was their next stop. "At first he was diagnosed with a stomach bug," Tracey said. When then-3-year-old Gage didn't get better, doctors dug deeper.
Family of 6-year-old with cancer shares the ongoing impact of St. Jude
MEMPHIS, TN. (WSET) — The money we raise with the St. Jude Dream Home campaign goes to help cure childhood cancer. It also helps pay for everything once a family walks through the hospital doors; it's helping to provide lifesaving treatment for children, like 6-year-old Hunter. 6-year-old Hunter is a regular little boy. Basketball, baseball -- give him a ball and he's happy. His mom, Jenna, admits her little boy can be a little terror sometimes, too.
Is Lynchburg's GOP firehouse primary legal? Former U.S. Attorney weighs in
Wed, May 6, 2026 at 4:48 PM Updated Wed, May 6, 2026 at 4:52 PM LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The Lynchburg Republican City Committee (LRCC) is moving forward with a firehouse primary at the end of the month. They're using ranked-choice voting to decide who their top three candidates will be to receive the Republican nomination for Lynchburg City Council in the November General Election.
13 Investigates: Protecting yourself from AI deepfakes
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Rapidly evolving technology is making it possible to put words in anyone's mouth. Using a headshot and AI, our team took ABC 13's Danner Evans from inside the studio to out in the field. It takes a matter of minutes to create a video like this, and deepfake videos are popping up all over on your social media scrolls. Most are created by just using an image. If you think you can tell the difference, you're underestimating AI.
'It means everything': Adoption bill spurred by Mark Spain passes state legislature
Thu, March 5, 2026 at 4:17 PM The General Assembly passed a bill spurred by a story Mark Spain investigated in 2022. (Alexia Stanbridge/ WSET) LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Jim Peters tried for years to answer burning questions. "I’ve always been curious, being an only child. Do I have a brother? Do I have a sister? It’d be nice to know," Peters said. However, Peters couldn't access his original birth certificate, which could help solve the mystery, due to state law.
Forest family with ties to Seahawks head coach is ready to cheer on the team on Sunday
Thu, February 5, 2026 at 1:57 PM Groover family now fans of Seattle; head coach Mike Macdonald is married to their niece Steph. (Photo: Tim Groover) FOREST, Va. (WSET) — On Sunday, you may just hear one of the famous Seattle "Fanquakes" coming from a home in Forest. The Groovers are more than fans, they're family. But Tim Groover hasn't always been a Seahawks fan. "No, it's just been two years," Groover admitted. His niece, Steph, is married to Seattle Head Coach Mike McDonald.
Here's how Centra is battling a national doctor shortage epidemic in Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The system is broken. We don’t have enough doctors to meet patient demand; burnout, retirement issues, recruitment, and a growing aging patient population are taxing our healthcare systems. Patients are paying the price with longer wait times. Chief Operating Officer Sloan Albert said Centra acknowledges there's a problem. Centra COO Sloan Albert discusses the issues they face recruiting and retaining doctors (Photo: WSET).
'Our systems are broken;' ABC 13 investigates where are all the doctors?
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Getting in to see a doctor without a painful wait time is harder and harder. For some of you in our viewing area, it’s nearly impossible without traveling out of the region. A growing shortage of physicians is leaving communities with longer wait times, fewer options and serious concerns about access to care. A CT scan in June 2025 left Wendy Barnes' doctor concerned.
'He was interested in knowing people'; ABC 13 family remembers Mark Spain
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — On December 18, 2024, Mark Spain lost a short battle with pancreatic cancer. 365 days later, his light and legacy are still shining bright. The minute Mark walked through the doors at ABC 13 in 2015, we all knew we had someone special. Ashton Sosnowski was the 5:00 p.m. show news producer at the time. "We all met him and were like he's so nice," Sosnowski remembered. "We were excited to see how he'd be with you on the desk. I remember we were going to do the anchor run-through.
Former St. Jude patient finds passion in working for research hospital today
Mon, November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM Updated Mon, November 24, 2025 at 4:32 PM St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is located in Memphis, Tennessee. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Many former patients and their families end up working for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They feel so passionate about the work the hospital does that they want to be a part of it. Jerry Mathis is just one of them. ABC 13 News sat down with him in Memphis on a media visit to talk about his treatment and passion.
'My phone started blowing up': St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway winner picks up $10k prize
Mon, November 10, 2025 at 2:04 PM Leslie Mast won $10,000 in our St Jude Dream Home Giveaway (Photo: WSET). LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — In August, we drew Leslie Mast's name out of the hopper during our St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway show. Mast wasn't watching the news at the time, but her friends sure were. "I forgot completely about it!" Mast said.
'We had no clue:' Mark Spain's wife recounts his symptoms before pancreatic cancer
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — For 10 years, you welcomed Mark Spain into your living room. You trusted him. He started your day on a positive note with his "Good morning, Sunshines," posts on Facebook. He was also there anchoring the 11:00 news when you said good night. You laughed with him; you loved him. No one thought November 25, 2024, would be his last newscast on ABC 13 News, especially his wife, Lynita.
Looking back at Mark Spain's story as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month begins in November
Wed, October 29, 2025 at 3:58 PM Updated Wed, October 29, 2025 at 4:06 PM LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Pancreatic Cancer is a rare, silent killer. We at ABC13 became acutely aware of how deadly it is when Mark Spain was diagnosed last year in November, which is also Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Mark was a staple of the community for ten years before his last broadcast on November 25, 2024. I want to share Mark's story to bring awareness and offer hope for treatment in the future.
Centra helping families navigate life with autism in Virginia
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — There's a growing demand for autism services in Virginia; this year, the number of children diagnosed rose to 1 in 31. Centra is the only clinic of its kind in the Commonwealth offering children with autism spectrum disorder the all-inclusive tools they need to stay out of crisis. Cami and Weston Smith have one of Centra's most watched podcasts. It's all about Weston's life with autism. "I've had autism almost my whole life.
Centra helping families navigate life with autism in Virginia
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — There's a growing demand for autism services in Virginia; this year, the number of children diagnosed rose to 1 in 31. Centra is the only clinic of its kind in the Commonwealth offering children with autism spectrum disorder the all-inclusive tools they need to stay out of crisis. Cami and Weston Smith have one of Centra's most watched podcasts. It's all about Weston's life with autism. "I've had autism almost my whole life.
Chief Zuidema speaks on unsolved murders during his tenure leading Lynchburg Police
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — After nearly three decades of service with the Lynchburg Police Department, Chief Zuidema is moving on. He's set to take over as chief of the Wilmington, North Carolina Police Department, taking with him 29 years of experience from the heart of Virginia. On Tuesday I had the chance to speak with him one-on-one as he prepares to leave behind the mountains for the beach. We talked about how the last year may be the highlight of Zuidema's career.
Skincare and social media: 13 Investigates the dark side of product marketing for tweens
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — If your child is asking for designer skincare products, heed this warning: not all products are meant for young kids. The growing trend among young children could leave them with skin damage. Ask most young girls--their skincare routine is essential. It all starts on social media sites like TikTok and YouTube. Kids and tweens are posting their skincare routines online. The products are pricey; their influence is real, like this video with millions of views.
13 Investigates the dark side of skincare for tweens
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Briana DeVoe took a keen interest in skincare lines when she was about 10 years old. Her mom, Alyssa, said she started asking for Ulta Beauty gift cards for birthdays and holidays. "She was constantly asking for various different products. different brands. None of it was meant for her age," Alyssa DeVoe said. "So it started creating skin issues." Brianna said the very young skincare influencers on YouTube and TikTok piqued her interest.
Area Marines record 'Marine Hymn' together in Lynchburg studio
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'Money doesn't vote; people actually vote': Fundraising update ahead of Virginia primary
(WSET) — The primary in Virginia is next week, June 17, 2025. Candidates have been busy on the campaign trail, but also fundraising. ABC 13's political expert, Dr. David Richards, said it's an important factor for the races. "In a primary, fundraising is key because you have to get your name out there," Richards explained. "This is a race not a whole lot of people will be out voting in compared to the general election. You really have to get people's attention and get them to vote for you.
Principal of Paul Munro Elementary retires after 40+ years as an educator
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — If the Paul Munro Patriots are a family, then Donna Baer would be the mom. Mrs. Baer has been the principal at the school for the past 19 years, and an educator for more than 40. But tomorrow marks the bittersweet last day of work for her at school. She's retiring, but not without a surprise celebration. On Wednesday, the Paul Munro family came together to acknowledge her bright career and the enormous impact she has had on the young generations in the area.
'St. Jude gave us something we didn't think we'd have': Families reflect on treatment
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Anna and Olivia have never met, but they have a lot in common. They're both nine years old. They're both in 3rd grade. They're both pretty active, and they were both diagnosed with cancer when they were two. Their moms, Sam and Kacie, have all that in common, too. "Anaplastic ependymoma grade three is the most aggressive and the most life-threatening, " Sam explained. "At her (Anna) age, there were not many options." Both families found themselves at St. Jude for treatment.
'It's just amazing what they do': St. Jude treats the entire family, not just the patient
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Nine-year-old twins Owen and Olivia are full of spirit, love and a dose of sibling rivalry. Their mom Kacie calls it a love-hate relationship. "They love each other very much. Not that you can tell right now," Kacie said It's a bond made even stronger when doctors diagnosed Olivia with leukemia when she was 2 years old. "Within less than 12 hours, we were a St. Jude family and she had gotten her first dose of chemo," Kacie said.
'We never would have been able to pay for it;' St. Jude helped cure Lynchburg girl
Doctors diagnosed Anna with a brain tumor when she was just two years old. St. Jude helped cure her at no cost. (St. Jude)
'Oaklee's Room' at this year's Dream Home inspired by young St. Jude patient from Virginia
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — The countdown clock to this year's St. Jude Dream Home giveaway is fired up! Yesterday we celebrated the floor signing at the dream home, where we signed the floor with special messages for the recipient of the home. There are now just 28 days left until you can reserve your tickets for the home, built by L.G. Flint. Every year we have a room in each house inspired by a St.Jude patient. This year the room is inspired by Oaklee, who is from Standardsville, Virginia.
Live Like Cash Gaudio Foundation scholarship brings together two families navigating grief
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Cash Gaudio's personality could light up a room. Friends and family say he loved God and was bold in his faith, always willing to help others. The Lynchburg community is remembering Cash Gaudio, after he lost his life to gun violence in September of 2024. (Credit: Shannon Meyers) However, on September 30, 2024, Lynchburg police say Nathaniel Pridemore shot and killed the 19-year-old in his front yard.
Live Like Cash Gaudio Foundation honors first scholarship recipient
TOPICS: Cash GaudioScholarshipFoundationLegacyGriefNathaniel PridemoreCommunityStudent athletes It's been seven months since 19-year-old Cash Gaudio was gunned down in his driveway. As his family moves through their grief today, they are making sure something good comes from his senseless death. Police say Cash was shot and killed by a man named Nathaniel Pridemore and have still not revealed a motive behind the killing.
Celebrating ABC13's Noreen Turyn on her 35-year work anniversary
(WSET) — For three and a half decades, Noreen Turyn has been in the Lynchburg community as a trusted storyteller with ABC13. For those 35 years, the region has turned to her to investigate, hold officials accountable, and be on the front lines of important events. But when Noreen accepted a reporting job at WSET in 1990, she wasn't expecting to stay in Lynchburg long. But Lynchburg became home, and she stayed here in the Hill City ever since.
'Jerry, great to talk to you;' Falwell celebrated election win over phone with Trump
Tue, November 12th 2024 at 3:05 PM Jerry and Becki Falwell and family at the Donald Trump Rally in Salem days before the 2024 election (Photo: Becki Falwell). LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Jerry Falwell Jr. helped to put Donald Trump in the White House in 2016 with his endorsement. Falwell was also front and center at the Trump rally in Salem three days before the 2024 election. Just hours after he won the election Tuesday, November 5, 2024 Falwell said he celebrated with Trump over the phone.
'I'm ready to move on': Jerry Falwell Jr. discusses his future in exclusive interview
(WSET) — Life is very different for Jerry Falwell right now than it was just a few years ago. He resigned from Liberty University in 2020 amid significant controversy. For the last four years, he's shied away from the media. However, he agreed to sit down with ABC 13's Danner Evans at his farm in Bedford County to speak candidly about his future. Danner Evans' one on one with Jerry Falwell (Photo: WSET).
'It was the perfect storm': Jerry Falwell Jr. opens up about his faith in interview
(WSET) — It's been four years since Jerry Falwell resigned from Liberty University amid a hailstorm of controversy in August of 2020. He's remained pretty quiet about it all, until now. Falwell agreed to a one-on-one interview with ABC13's Danner Evans at his farm in Bedford County, where she pulled back the curtain on Falwell's faith now that the dust has settled. Exclusive interview with Jerry Falwell (Photo: WSET) Falwell knew early on he didn't want to follow his father behind a pulpit.
'It's what was supposed to happen': Jerry Falwell Jr. speaks on his resignation from LU
BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. (WSET) — When Jerry Falwell Jr. resigned from Liberty University in August 2020, he was fighting a PR nightmare: a very public revelation about his wife's affair and controversial posts on social media. Falwell said he was also fighting for his life. "I was so sick when I left Liberty for two years," Falwell said. Doctors diagnosed him with a rare genetic blood disease called spherocytosis, which caused clots in his lungs.
'We all paid the price for supporting him': Jerry Falwell Jr. on his controversial past
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — In the spring of 2007 when Jerry Falwell Sr. suddenly passed away, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. was thrust into his role as president of Liberty University. "When they announced I was going to be president, a lot of students responded by saying 'Who's Jerry Falwell Jr.?' They didn't know," Falwell said. "I intentionally laid low." It didn't take very long for Falwell to find his own voice. "I slowly got used to it," Falwell said.
'We all paid the price for supporting him': Jerry Falwell Jr. on his controversial past
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — In the spring of 2007 when Jerry Falwell Sr. suddenly passed away, his son Jerry Falwell Jr. was thrust into his role as president of Liberty University. "When they announced I was going to be president, a lot of students responded by saying 'Who's Jerry Falwell Jr.?' They didn't know," Falwell said. "I intentionally laid low." It didn't take very long for Falwell to find his own voice. "I slowly got used to it," Falwell said.
Jerry Falwell speaks exclusively to ABC 13 for first time since leaving Liberty University
LYNCHBURG, Va (WSET) — For the first time in four years, Jerry Falwell is opening up to tell his side of the story after resigning as president of Liberty University. Falwell has been in litigation with the school and hasn't been able to talk about anything. Now those lawsuits are settled, and he wants everyone to hear his story from him. "I never really got to tell my side of the story," Falwell said to ABC 13's Danner Evans. Evans interviewed Falwell at a chapel on his farm in Goode.
Jerry Falwell Jr. says he worked to bring Trump rally to Virginia
Wed, October 30th 2024 at 4:45 PM Jerry Falwell Jr. and Donald Trump together. LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Former Liberty University president and Trump supporter, Jerry Falwell, has been working for months to bring the Trump campaign rally to our region of Virginia. "I've been working with the campaign since July. The day he got shot and I talked to him about coming to central Virginia to do a rally and he really liked the idea," Falwell said.
Women helping women; MAAM ensures access to breast cancer screening
Lynchburg, Va. — Women in the Lynchburg region united in the fight against breast cancer Friday, October 11, 2024. ABC 13's Danner Evans was happy to be there too to, once again, help emcee the 22nd annual MAAM luncheon at the University of Lynchburg. MAAM stands for mammograms annually a must. Attendees at the annual MAAM luncheon (Photo: Centra).
Winner of new Ford Maverick with St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway picks up the keys
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — Jenni Stewart of Appomattox watched as we pulled her name out of the hopper to win a brand new Ford Maverick throughout the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway. "I thought 'this isn't real, this isn't happening,'" Stewart said, "I had just taken a drink of tea and it went phew all over my dogs!" It took just one ticket for Jenni to win a life-changing prize. "We drove up in a truck that's got over 400,000 miles. This is just what we need," Stewart said.
St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway winner picks up $10,000 prize
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — One of the first prizes we drew during our ABC13 St Jude Dream Home Giveaway show was for a $10,000 Visa gift card courtesy of Bank of the James. Ted Lester, from Nathalie, won that life-changing prize. On Thursday, Ted and his wife Barbara join ABC13's Danner Evans and Jimmy Davis from Bank of the James to collect their prize. The couple said they were watching the giveaway show and heard Ted's name announced.
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