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Former WBZ-TV anchor and reporter Shelby Scott dies at 86

Former WBZ-TV anchor and reporter Shelby Scott has died
Former WBZ-TV anchor and reporter Shelby Scott has died 01:48

BOSTON – Former WBZ-TV anchor and reporter Shelby Scott has died at age 86. Scott worked at WBZ from 1965 until her retirement in 1996.

She came to WBZ from Seattle to anchor the noon news, eventually becoming half of the nation's first all-female anchor team with Gail Harris in 1977.

She became legendary for storm coverage, prompting the Boston Globe to jokingly measure snowfall in "Shelbys" instead of feet.

Shelby Scott
WBZ-TV reporter Shelby Scott  CBS Boston

After her retirement, she would return to WBZ to cover major storms, including the 1997 April Fools' Day Blizzard.

"We are so sad to learn of the passing of Shelby Scott. Shelby was a force of nature and a legend for her coverage of New England storms. Every time there is a blizzard or nor'easter, viewers always reminisce about Shelby's reports and are quick to try to crown the 'next Shelby Scott,'" WBZ-TV president and general manager Justin Draper said. "There will never be another Shelby. She was one of a kind, and so much more than a storm reporter. She was an anchor, president of the SAG-Aftra Union, and a distinguished member of the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame. This is an enormous loss for the WBZ family and our industry. Our condolences go out to Shelby's family." 

Scott died June 1 at her home in Tucson, Arizona. 

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