Maybe it was shortsighted, but I wonder if Shirleen was hired due to the recent "issues" with the weekday female bench and the possibility that someone could've abruptly left. In the last 6-9 months Diana was out tending to both her husband and son, and I'd imagine her full return was in doubt...I know it was here. Lori also spent noticeable time away when her father was ill, and while her long-time employment was never really questioned, her and Ken wanting to move off the noon show added to the instability. Finally, lest we forget, there was the question (if only for a brief time) if Liz could be leaving to follow Josh as he looked for a new job.
Now the station is loaded with 8 weekday anchors. While that seems like a lot, and someone could eventually be cut, it still only puts them in-line with sisters WLS, WPVI, and KTRK, and they're still smaller than those 3 when counting Monday through Friday weather and sports staff. Heck, within New York, 7 weekday anchors is about average at the lesser operations, so 8 isn't crazy at the #1 outlet.
Just a thought.