Career
She was formerly a health reporter for New Jersey Network"s nightly half hour NJN News broadcast. Kessler was hired by WWOR-television in 1976 as a reporter and became co-anchor of "News at Noon," with anchorman Tom Dunn later that year. She also co-anchored the station"s "News 9 PrimeTime," which was an 8 Prime Minister newscast, from 1983-1987.
When WWOR-television switched to a 10 Prime Minister newscast in late 1987, Kessler became solo anchor of the "News at Noon." She also co-hosted "9 Broadcast Plaza," a 3-hour live daily news/chat program from 1989–1991, joined by future Today Show co-host Matt Lauer.
In 1994, Kessler was fired by WWOR. She subsequently sued the television station for religious discrimination, among other charges. Kessler, who is an Orthodox Jewish woman, claimed that she was forced to work on Saturdays, which is forbidden by the Jewish religion.
She was later able to successfully sue the station for $7.3 million. Kessler was among the first journalists to interview John Lennon when he received a green card after years of fighting United States. government efforts to deport him.
She has been a resident of Englewood, New Jersey for more than 20 years.
