KDKA-TV reports Cannon was ‘ill’

KDKA-TV (2) weekend anchor Don Cannon appeared “disheveled” and disoriented during Saturday’s 6 p.m. broadcast, reports the Post-Gazette, and it’s not clear when the veteran newsman will return to work.

In a prepared statement, General Manager Chris Pike told the P-G‘s Rob Owen that Cannon became “ill” and was excused from later broadcasts. Cannon had reportedly been off for several weeks before Saturday’s telecast.

The incident has fired up the broadcasting rumor-mill in Pittsburgh. While at WTAE-TV (4) in the 1990s, Cannon, now 67, was involved in two well-publicized and embarrassing incidents, including a drunken-driving arrest in 1993. He has since gone public to openly discuss his battles with depression and alcoholism.

In addition to his work at KDKA and WTAE, Cannon has hosted a talk show on WBBM radio in Chicago and anchored the evening news at KYW-TV, Philadelphia, and WFLD-TV, Chicago. He has three children and three grandchildren.