Chris Willis

KGW news director Richard Jacobs told TVSpy, Willis will start sometime in early July.

Earlier this week we told you about reports of Willis leaving Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. He had worked at the station since 1999, leaving the morning anchor desk in 2011 to become the station’s chief investigative reporter.

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Krupke announced the news on his facebook page saying, “After 7+ years at KVAL, the family and I are moving to Portland & KPTV. Thanks to all that tuned in and let me in to your homes.”

Corey Hanson, news director for KPTV, told TVSpy Krupke starts Monday June 24.

Krupke comes to KPTV from KVAL in Euguene, OR, where he has worked since 2005. He began his career at KLEW in Lewiston, ID. He also worked for KTVQ in Billings, MT.

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Jensen told TVSpy, “I got an outpouring of love from viewers and co-workers after I left.  It was really touching.”

Jensen had been working with the station as an investigative reporter for six years.  He added, “I really did enjoy working with KATU Investigators and with the new news director and the new direction she was taking the team.”

TVSpy has reached out to KATU for comment.  We will update the post with any new information.

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News is by far the most in-demand in this election year, led by NBC affiliate KGW and Fox affiliate KPTV. In fact, five telecasts of KPTV’s 10 p.m. newscast were among the market’s top 17 programs among total viewers during the week ended July 22, according to Nielsen, a rare feat in most local people meter markets.

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Portland police arrested a suspected bank robber on Wednesday afternoon with a little help from the KATU news helicopter.

The suspect allegedly robbed a bank in Hazel Dell, WA, and drove a black Toyota Sequoia over the state line into Oregon. KATU, Portland’s ABC-affiliate, broadcast the car chase live. continued…

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Anita Kissée

Kissée joins TVW from KATU, the ABC-affiliate in Portland, where she has been a reporter and anchor for seven years. She is also a former moderator of “Viewpoint,” the weekly public affairs program on KTVB in Boise.

“Anita’s experience and style fit very well with TVW,” president Greg Lane said in a statement. “In addition to being an exceptional reporter and talented anchor, Anita has extensive background covering state and local governments, as well as a strong personal passion for politics and public policy.” continued…

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Now it looks like those agreements aren’t holding up.

Multichannel News reports that the ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox affiliates in Portland demanded that their signals be pulled from Skitter while they review their retrans agreements with the company. And Skitter has complied. continued…

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Alexis Del Cid

Del Cid joins KCTV from KOIN in Portland,OR , where she has anchored the morning and noon newscasts for the last eight years. She will co-anchor the KCTV newscast alongside Matt Stewart.

“We have made a solid commitment to providing our viewers with consistent and reliable news. Alexis’ solid and strong news background will enhance that commitment,” KCTV news director Blaise Labbe said in a statement. “She is very energetic and has a unique way of engaging viewers.” continued…

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Donahue, who anchors the noon newscast, has spent his entire career at KOIN. In a letter announcing his retirement, he said he will use his retirement “to improve my health and enjoy more time with my family.”

“It’s the people, though, that I will miss most — the many colleagues I’ve worked with over the years who made this job fun — and the captivating people in the stories I’ve told with pictures, words and sounds,” Donahue wrote. “I’ll always be a story teller and a news junkie.”

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Mike Donahue announces retirement

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Published: 3/22 10:50 am

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Updated: 3/22 2:02 pm

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• Mike Donahue announces retirement

PORTLAND, Ore. — Mike Donahue, one of the most familiar and beloved faces on KOIN LOCAL 6 (CBS), announced today that he plans to retire May 31, 2012.

The award-winning journalist and noon anchor for the CBS affiliate says the decision to retire was one of the most difficult of his life, but now “is the time to open the first chapter of a new book.”

Mr. Donahue has spent nearly 42 years at KOIN-TV.  He first appeared on the CBS affiliate in 1968 and spent his entire career at the same television station as a reporter and anchor, a feat rarely accomplished in the often volatile field of broadcast journalism.  Mr. Donahue will share the news with viewers during the KOIN LOCAL 6 News @ Noon broadcast today.

KOIN LOCAL 6 President and General Manager Tim Perry said Mr. Donahue’s contributions to the station are beyond words and he will be greatly missed by his KOIN family and viewers.

“It is difficult to imagine KOIN-TV without Mike Donahue,” said Mr. Perry.  “Mike’s contributions and career long devotion to KOIN and Portland will only be succeeded never replaced.  He is not only a role model journalist, but also a rare and wonderful person.  His departure from KOIN will be deeply felt by his admiring colleagues and our community.  We are happy that he is pursuing new chapters in an impressive life that continues to enrich us all.”

Mr. Donahue chose to share his decision to retire in a letter he wrote to colleagues and fans that is posted below.  The words are moving and befitting of the cherished journalist’s personal style, a trait that made him a local favorite on the air for over four decades in Portland.  He says he will miss the excitement and people, but looks forward to the change of pace.

KOIN LOCAL 6 plans to highlight the outstanding career of Mr. Donahue throughout the month of May.  Beginning April 24 (Mr. Donahue’s birthday) viewers can visit www.koinlocal6.com to relive the stories and share the joy of his incredible career at KOIN-TV.

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Dear KOIN LOCAL 6 fans and colleagues,

Ending a rewarding career after more than 40 years leaves me still wanting more. Like reaching the end of a good book or movie, you don’t want to close the cover or leave the theatre. But, I must. It’s time to retire.

When I reach my birthday in April, I will be full retirement age in the eyes of Social Security. I’m no longer the young reporter who joined KOIN-TV in 1968 at the age of 22. While the ever-changing demands of this profession make it exciting every day, they also ask more of a person. The amazing tools we now have that allow us to cover stories, live around the world and from outer space can, at times, be frustrating to use.

I’m not complaining. I’m very grateful. This long career – covering what many call the “golden years of TV news” – has been a thrilling ride. KOIN-TV has sent me to Europe, Asia and Africa in pursuit of stories. I helped expose the Rajneeshies, searched for D.B. Cooper and chased the New Carissa up the coast.  The eruption of Mt. St. Helens was the biggest local news story of my career. It was breathtaking! I’ll never forget following President Carter’s helicopter over the moonscape left behind by the enormous explosion. Every time I see the cascades I am awed and humbled.

It’s the people, though, that I will miss most – the many colleagues I’ve worked with over the years who made this job fun – and the captivating people in the stories I’ve told with pictures, words and sounds. I’ll always be a story teller and a news junkie. Even today, I can’t resist opening that urgent line at the top of my computer to read the latest news from somewhere.

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KATU news director Don Pratt confirmed Brown’s departure to TVSpy but would not give any details about what led to her exit.

Brown has been covering the Portland sports scene since 2000.  She was recently named Oregon Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

Weekend sports anchor Craig Birnbach, who has been with KATU since 2007, has replaced Brown on the station’s evening newscasts this week. continued…

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Weisberg will be a reporter for the CBS-affiliate’s morning newscast, which is anchored by Chad Carter and Alexis Del Cid.

“Brent’s energy and aggressive attitude is a perfect formula for what we are trying to achieve in our morning show,” KOIN news director Brad Neuhoff told TVSpy in an email.

Weisberg has worked at KPTV since September 2008. His first day at KOIN will be March 15.

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Jason Kravarik

Kravarik has been the news director at KSN, the NBC-affiliate in Wichita, since 2009. He joined the station as a reporter in 2002.

“We always hate to lose someone as talented as Jason, but a move like this is a huge opportunity for him,” KSN general manager John Dawson said in a statement. “It’s a testament to his had work and the passion he brought to our newsteam.”

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While reporting on a heavy blanketing of snow in southwest Portland, a KATU news crew narrowly escaped danger after a falling tree limb pulled a power line to the ground feet away from their live truck.

“I was terrified,” KATU reporter Lincoln Graves said. “As soon as the sky lit up and I heard the ‘zapping’ sounds, I thought the worst. I put my hands over my head thinking our truck mast had somehow touched a power line.” continued…

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Jacobs has served as assistant news director at the Portland NBC-affiliate for over a decade.

KGW president and general manager DJ Wilson confirmed the promotion to TVSpy this week.  An official announcement is expected soon.

Jacobs succeeds Rod Gramer, who left KGW this summer after 13 years as the station’s news director to become vice president and general manager at Bay News 9 in Tampa.  Before joining KGW, Jacobs worked as a producer at Portland CBS-affiliate KOIN.  He has been KGW’s acting news director for the past few months.

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Well, here’s one way to pass the time between newscasts: two KGW staffers were caught on a recent newscast juggling in the background of meteorologist Rod Hill‘s weather report (watch above).

“Hey, this is supposed to be my time, right?” Hill joked. “Just because I can’t juggle, nobody pays attention to me.”

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