CT News Anchor Returns To Airwaves Following Extended Medical Leave

Brendan Mackey, a Fox61 morning news anchor, returned to the broadcast this week, after missing time due to a health issue.

He has not disclosed the nature of the illness, but he was out for several weeks this year due to "some serious health complications."

"I want to thank both Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix and CU Anschutz in Colorado," he wrote on Facebook.

The veteran anchor, who shares the morning desk with Symphonie Privett, joined the station in September 2025, following a nearly three-year stint at WWSB-TV in Sarasota, Florida.

During Tuesday's newscast, Mackey said he was glad to be back, and thanked viewers and colleagues for their support. See below.

"I'm not going to sugar-coat it, it's been pretty rough," Mackey said. "But because of my friends, my family, my amazing girlfriend, I'm able to sit back with you today. And, honestly, I just want to a shout-out to the amount of viewers who reached out... I knew that when I moved to New England it was special, but to the people here in Connecticut, thank you from the bottom of my heart."

Before Fox61 and his job in Sarasota, Mackey spent time at WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin, and at a pair of stations in Rapid City, South Dakota.

He grew up in Colorado, and graduated from the University of Colorado in 2018.

Well-wishes from fans poured in upon Mackey's return.

"Good to have you back!" one fan wrote. "The morning team wasn’t the same without you!"

Added another, "So glad you are feeling better and able to be back at work with your work family! Sending continued prayers from Wisconsin!"