The State Of Local News: Part Three

Here is the third and final post on the state of local news as I see it here in Spokane. The subject is KHQ-6. 

KHQ Local News is becoming the dominant newsroom in the market. KHQ has been quietly working for years. Chipping away at KREM 2's once solid thrown atop the ratings mountain. Channel 6 has a lock on morning newscasts with KHQ Local News Today. The best thing KHQ has done in a very long time was bringing Shelly Monahan back to Spokane. Shelly, Dave, Sean and George are the team to beat in the AM. Instead of infomercials I'd like to see KHQ launch a Noon newscast. A Noon show anchored by Shelly and Dan Kleckner would kick KREM's noon show around the block and back again.

KHQ in the evenings has been in a spirited battle with KREM for first place. Dan Kleckner and Stephanie Vigil are now the longest running evening anchor team in Spokane. KHQ has moved away from the traditional model for it's sports department. Usually the sports director or in this case senior sports anchor would work Monday-Friday. But Sam Adams, channel 6's new senior sports anchor doesn't work a typical schedule. He and Matt Rogers split days during the week with on usually working one weekend day. KHQ recently brought in new chief meteorologist Bill Kelly. KHQ has re-branded it's weather forecasts with the "The Weather Authority" moniker. The graphics used to present the weather have also been given a slight facelift. It will take some time to see if viewers warm to Mr. Kelly. Tom Durian has turned out to be a great weekend anchor. Leslie Lowe was a very smart hire on former news director Jonathan Mitchell's part. Leslie comes across so warm and friendly, yet smart and authoritative.

One thought in these tough economic times. KHQ is anchor heavy. The morning show has three anchors. Dan Kleckner only anchors two newscasts daily. Although Mr. Kleckner anchors web updates during the day. Bill McGinty and Dana Haynes only anchor 30 minutes of television daily. Although the two FOX First at Ten anchors report heavily during the earlier evening broadcasts. And, Ms. Haynes recently took over the "Take It To Heart" health segments from Julie Humphreys who has left KHQ after more than 20 years. KHQ is blessed to have such a roster of impressive talent. Some have been with KHQ for more than 20 plus years. But with the stagnant economy and the massive layoffs at many newsrooms across the country. Can KHQ afford to keep everyone in their current lineup?

Overall, KHQ Local News is doing an excellent job. With Jana Gray's promotion to Executive News Director, what changes will she make to channel 6's newscasts? When will KHQ move to full high definition newscasts? With a tweak here and there, KHQ Local News could be unstoppable.

KHQ's Website