Chowdhry out at CBS3

MORE CHANGES are afoot at CBS3.

For one, station executives have decided not to renew their contract with award-winning TV news reporter and former beauty pageant winner Syma Chowdhry.

Chowdhry, who just had a baby, was very gracious about the split.

"I am sad to leave such a great group of people, but I'm extremely excited about what's to come," she said. "With my contract coming to an end, it was the perfect time to take a look at my life and make some changes myself. I hope to see my colleagues succeed."

A station spokeswoman declined comment.

The moves are part of a complete overhaul new CBS3 General Manager Brien Kennedy has been making to "Eyewitness News."

They've also hired a new news director.

Margaret Cronan is the new vice president and news director at CBS3 and the CW Philly. She's replacing Susan Schiller, who left in June.

Cronan used to work as an executive producer for the same station in the late '90s, then went on to direct news for WBAL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Baltimore, and later for WPBF-TV, the ABC affiliate in West Palm Beach. She'll be starting her new role Sept. 22.

And just in time for football season, CBS3 has found a familiar face to replace earlier axed sports director Beasley Reece. Emmy-award winner Don Bell, whose first major market sportscasting gig was at CBS3 as a weekend sports anchor more than a decade ago, is coming back to assume the top job.

Over the years, Bell has anchored for FOX Sports 1 in L.A. and hosted ESPN's "SportsCenter," as well as having a stint in radio. He starts on Sunday.

Tickets for Kevin Hart's "What Now?" tour in Atlantic City go on sale today at noon. He'll be playing the newly added date on New Year's Eve at Boardwalk Hall (2301 Boardwalk).

Sources say the massive turnout for his Aug. 30 show at the Linc prodded producers to put on another performance in the region.

Passyunk Post publisher and former Daily News assistant city editor Albert Stumm will be on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" later this month, but he's not allowed to speak of any winnings.

"I can't say much other than that I had a great time, and you'll just have to tune in to find out how it went," said Stumm. "Of course, though, [Pope Francis] is muscling for Philly's attention that week."

The show will air Sept. 24 and 25.

A painter whose work has been featured in dozens of TV shows and on movie sets, including "The Big Bang Theory," "Law & Order LA" and "Horrible Bosses," is coming into town from the West Coast to showcase some new work later this week.

Stephen Bruce, an acid painter and creator of "Phenomenal Metalworks," will debut his 2015 collection at the Bazemore Gallery (4339 Main St.) in Manayunk on Saturday. This will be his first exhibit in Philly.

"I met Lenny Bazemore three years ago in San Francisco," Bruce said. "He asked me if I would be interested in being represented by his new gallery that he had yet to break ground on. It's great to be a part of his aesthetic vision."

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