ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - Today, Monday, April 13, a huge surprise came for a beloved WALB News 10 anchor and one of Georgia’s biggest broadcasting legends.

Congressman Sanford Bishop stopped by during WALB’s six o’clock newscast to let Karla Heath-Sands know he recognized her induction into the Georgia Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame on the Congressional floor with a special proclamation.

The special proclamation recognizes Karla as someone who “has used her platform for purpose.”

A portion of the proclamation reads, “Karla Heath-Sands has taught us how to tell stories with compassion, to ask the right questions with humility, and to amplify the hopes of those whose voices might otherwise go unheard. Her induction into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame is not only an honor of a career well done, it is an affirmation of a life spent lifting others.”

Karla’s family members attended the presentation, joining Congressman Bishop and her on the WALB News 10 set.

Karla moved to tears, thanked Congressman Bishop, her family, her WALB coworkers, and the viewers of South Georgia.

In November 2025, Karla learned she would be among the elite group of broadcasters inducted into the GAB Hall of Fame.

The GAB held a special ceremony in late March in Atlanta honoring Karla and the other 2026 Hall of Fame inductees.

You can take a look at the official recognition here.

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