Starting Monday, Grand Rapids NBC-affiliate WOOD will start the morning newscast at 4:30 a.m.

“We’re responding to changes in viewers’ habits being seen all over the country,” news director Rebecca Sapakie said in a statement. “Our entire team will be here ready to go at 4:30 a.m.”

WOOD’s normal morning team — anchors Emily Linnert and Brett Thomas (pictured) and meteorologist Terri DeBoer — will helm the extra half-hour.

WOOD, an NBC-affiliate serving Southwestern Michigan, began broadcasting its newscasts in high definition over the weekend, starting with Saturday’s 6 p.m. newscast.

“What we do for our viewers isn’t changing,” WOOD news director Rebecca Sapakie said, in announcing the station’s HD launch. “24 Hour News 8 will continue to lead the way in breaking news, investigative reporting and severe weather coverage. Only now it will be in high definition.”

WOOD is the third station in the Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo market to go HD, following Fox-affiliate WXMI and CBS-affiliate WWMT.

Marlee Ginter, who recently left her post as weekend morning anchor at KOMO, is set to debut as co-anchor of WOOD‘s weekday 10 p.m. newscast, alongside Brian Sterling.

According to the Grand Rapids Press, Ginter began reporting for WOOD’s 5, 6, and 11 p.m. newscasts this week and will be at the 10 p.m. anchor desk beginning on Monday.

Before her time with KOMO, Ginter worked as a reporter for WSPA in Spartanburg, SC, where she was named “Reporter of the Year” by the South Carolina Broadcasters Association for her investigative reporting.

“Marlee’s experience with breaking news and investigative reporting is a perfect fit for 24 Hour News 8,” WOOD news director Rebecca Sapakie said. “I know her experience will only serve to benefit our viewers and this community.”