CBS46's Jeff Chirico out, Fredericka Whitfield apology, local contestants on 'Big Brother'

In 2013, a video of Chirico getting punched out by a man he was trying to interview went viral.

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Fredericka Whitfield, the only regular CNN anchor based in Atlanta who anchors on weekends, inserted foot in mouth last Saturday by calling a gunman "courageous and brave" after attacking a Dallas Police headquarters.

She said on Sunday she "misspoke" but went on full-out apology mode Monday with this statement:

I misused those words terribly. And I sincerely apologize for making this statement, and I understand now how offensive it was, and I want to reiterate that in no way do I believe the gunman was courageous or brave. I sincerely apologize.

Conservative news sites had a field day.

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The 17th edition of CBS's "Big Brother" debuting June 24 features three contestants with local ties, all vying for half a million dollars [I said $1 million earlier. It's been $500K since the beginning, inflation be damned] by being locked in a house for weeks at a time with 11 others.

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Audrey Middleton, 25

Hometown and current city: Villa Rica, GA.

Occupation: Digital Media Consultant

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Jace Agolli, 23

Hometown: Dunwoody, Georgia

Current City: Venice Beach, California

Occupation: Personal Trainer

Jace is entering the "Big Brother" house single and isn't opposed to to a little summer loving -- or a bromance, for that matter. He knows it could put his game at risk, but he's far too relaxed to care this early in the game.

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Shelli Poole, 33

Hometown: Marietta, Georgia

Current City: Atlanta

Occupation: Interior Designer

Shelli Poole is an interior designer who is also a jewelry designer and sells her products on Etsy.com. She's a fraternal twin and the middle of five children, so she's used to having to fight for attention.