David Murphy retires: meteorologist bids farewell after 31 years with Action News

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) – Longtime meteorologist and journalist David Murphy is planning the next chapter for himself. He will retire next month after three decades with Action News.

Murphy joined Action News in 1990 as a general assignment reporter before becoming a meteorologist in 2004, and was the weekday morning meteorologist for Action News Mornings (4: 00-7: 00 am) and Action News at Noon over the past 17 years.

He has obtained seals of approval from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association, and holds a Certificate in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University.

Murphy’s last day on Action News is September 7, announced Bernie Prazenica, president and CEO of WPVI.

“David Murphy has been a staple of Action News for decades, and his many contributions have been extremely important to our success as the news and weather leader in the Delaware Valley,” said Prazenica. “However, David’s best contribution is to show us all how a true gentleman behaves on and off the air. David will be missed as a colleague and friend, and we wish him and his family, all the best.”

“I was fortunate enough to work at several major TV stations early in my career, but during that time my wife and I couldn’t stop thinking about coming back to Philadelphia,” Murphy said. “Channel 6 was the only station I seriously pursued. I knew it was the news everyone was watching, and I wanted to have a long career at the station.”

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As a weather reporter, Murphy covered hurricanes in North Carolina and Louisiana, as well as two major tornadoes that strangely hit the same region seven months apart in Moore, Oklahoma. He has produced Action News reporting on many aspects of the local Delaware Valley weather. Memorable reports include the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City and the attacks on the World Trade Center in 1993 and 2001.

“From reporting to the weather, it was a blast. The icing on the cake was being part of such a talented and tight-knit morning presenter team with Matt, Tam, Karen and traffic reporter Matt Pellman, who m have been laughing for the past 17 years and I have joined me in serving our amazing Action News viewers, who will also be missed! But after 37 years in broadcasting, I have decided that I am an excellent candidate to exit the workforce, ”Murphy said.

Prior to joining Action News, Murphy was a reporter at WJZ-TV, Baltimore, Maryland; WMAR-TV, Baltimore, Maryland; WNEP-TV Wilkes-Barre / Scranton, PA; and with WFMZ-TV in Allentown, PA.

Murphy graduated from Temple University, Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. In 1984, he was the first Temple University student to win a National Fellowship from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. In 1998 he was honored by his alma mater with an introduction to the Klein College Alumni Hall of Fame. Murphy also holds other prestigious accolades, including several United Press International Awards for his reporting in Allentown, PA.

Murphy and his wife, Barbara, have three children and reside in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He enjoys traveling with his family. He is involved with several local charities, including annual fundraising efforts for the Parkinson Council and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. He is also a longtime Phillies fan and can often be seen with family and friends at the ballpark.

Murphy asked that if you see him, be sure to call him – “Yo Murph!” He loved hearing that greeting from viewers in Philadelphia who have been watching him for 31 years.