New Faces

Lots of new faces on local newscasts.

Alex Rozier has joined KHQ as anchor of the 5pm, 6pm and 11pm Sunday newscasts. Alex will report Monday through Thursday evenings.

KREM 2 News welcomes Shawn Chitnis as a general assignment reporter. Prior to Channel 2 Shawn spent two years at KNDO in Yakima Washington. Channel 2 also welcomes Ashley Korslien as a general assignment reporter. Ashley comes to the Lilac City from KRTV in Great Falls Montana where she was weekend anchor.

KXLY welcomes Anusha Roy as their North Idaho Reporter. Anusha comes to Spokane after stints in Seattle and Yakima Washington. Channel 4 also welcomes Aaron Luna as weekend meteorologist and weekday reporter. Aaron comes to Spokane from KKCO in Grand Junction Colorado.

Welcome all to Spokane!

Kris Crocker: Anchor..??

While news surfing on Sunday night, I found a surprise. KXLY 4 HD News at 11pm anchored by Kris Crocker. Yes, Chief Meteorologist Crocker anchoring the news. Pulling double duty, news anchor and forecasting the weather. Kris did a good job, too. Maybe there is another career option for Ms. Crocker. Kris Crocker Anchorwoman! Great Job Kris!

KXLY's Search for A Main Anchor

With the May departure of Dave Erickson, KXLY is searching for a new Main Anchor for its evening newscasts. Rumors have been swirling since Erickson's departure, that he was the first to go with more to follow. Weekend forecaster Sally Showman and McKay Allen have left channel 4. Could there be more departures to follow? I have received many comments since Ericksons's departure, saying KXLY should move Mike Gonzalez and Nadine Woodward to the night shift. What will KXLY management do to shore up the evening news team? New faces or familiar faces in a new time slot?

The Oprah Effect

Who will gain the most from the retirement of  Daytime Queen Oprah Winfrey? Will KREM 2 maintain their dominance at 5pm without Winfrey as their lead in? In September channel 2 will move the Dr. Oz Show to Winfrey's 4pm time slot. To maximize on the opportunity KHQ is moving Ellen to 3pm in the fall. KXLY will air The Nate Berkus Show, a Harpo production in the 4pm slot this fall. Katie Couric's new syndicated show will take its place in the fall of 2012. This also gives the stations time to experiment with programming leading into the local news. Will Oprah's departure end KREM's reign at 5pm? Will KHQ finally pull ahead of the once mighty two? Will KXLY gain traction with new programming and a new lead anchor? What do you think?

The Oprah Effect from The Inlander