After more than a decade on Boston television, Kimberly Bookman is stepping away from WHDH’s 7News. The veteran reporter made the announcement Sunday, telling viewers her final broadcast would air Tuesday evening.
“12 years. It’s the longest amount of time I’ve ever stayed at any job,” Bookman wrote. “Come Tuesday, I will sign off from 7News for the last time.”
Her words carried the weight of someone who poured everything into the job. “I always strived to be responsible in my reporting, knowing how important words are during challenging times, breaking news, and on emotional subjects,” she added. “I trained nearly every reporter who walked through the doors in the last decade. I am proud of my contributions here.”
She was clear about one thing: this was her call. “This is my choice,” Bookman stated. “I believe the best stories are the ones that keep unfolding. So stay tuned, the next chapter is just beginning.”
As originally reported, Bookman is a Needham native and American University graduate with a degree in broadcast journalism. She joined 7News in August 2014, but her Boston TV roots go back further. Before WHDH, she worked at WCVB, where she covered two of the region’s most defining moments: the Boston Marathon bombings as they unfolded, and the capture of notorious crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger.
Her resume is stacked with hardware. Bookman earned a regional Robert E. Murrow Award, three New England Emmy Awards, one Southeastern Emmy, and recognition from both the New York State Broadcasters Association and the Associated Press. Two of her Emmy wins came for coverage of the Mattapan Massacre and a major Massachusetts Water Resources Authority water main break.
Fellow anchor Keke Vencill offered a warm send-off. “I’m so proud to be part of your team, Kimberly. You’re one of the most dedicated journalists in the field, leading with a mindset of community service both at work and outside of it. Wishing you all the best and many blessings in this new chapter.”
Sunbeam Television, which owns WHDH, did not release a public statement about the departure. Bookman herself has not revealed what comes next professionally, leaving only a hint that something new is on the horizon.
For Boston viewers who watched her cover the city’s biggest stories over the past 12 years, Tuesday’s sign-off marks the end of a familiar presence on their screens.