BATON ROUGE, LA – In a move signaling a broader push into digital media, WAFB announced Tuesday it has finalized the acquisition of The Sadvocate, a Baton Rouge-based satirical news outlet known for its coverage of local politics and civic issues.
As part of the transition, longtime chief meteorologist Steve Caparotta has been appointed Editor-in-Chief of the newly formed Satirical News Division, a role the station says will “bridge the gap between forecast accuracy and editorial judgment.”
Station representatives described the acquisition as a strategic effort to expand WAFB’s digital footprint while “meeting audiences where they are increasingly consuming news, whether factual or otherwise.”
Caparotta, who has spent more than two decades delivering weather forecasts across south Louisiana, said he looks forward to applying the same analytical approach to editorial decisions.
“Whether it’s predicting rain or evaluating headlines, it’s all about patterns,” Caparotta said. “We’re committed to bringing a measured, data-driven approach to satire.”
Under the agreement, The Sadvocate will continue operating under its existing brand but will integrate with WAFB’s broader content network over the coming weeks.
WAFB stated the deal will proceed through standard closing procedures, with integration efforts already underway. Leadership indicated the new division will operate with dedicated resources while leveraging the station’s existing newsroom infrastructure. No financial terms were disclosed.
