Cincinnatti NBC-affiliate WLWT has moved veteran anchor Jack Atherton off its 11 p.m. newscast, leaving Sheree Paolello to anchor solo.

Atherton, who has been Paolello’s co-anchor since 2009, will continue appearing alongside Paolello during the station’s 5:30 and 6:00 p.m. newscasts.

WLWT news director Stacy Owen said that the move was made so that Atherton could focus more time on reporting as the 2012 election approaches.

“It gives us the opportunity to have Jack dig into the elections during this critical political year, elevating Jack’s role in an area of passion for him,” Owen said in a statement, posted by Cincinnati.com.  “Sheree has proven with the 5 p.m. that she can deftly handle a high-paced, high content show at 11 p.m.”