Hartford’s WTIC announced today that it will debut weekend morning newscasts later this month. The newscasts, which will air from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m on Saturday and Sunday, will be anchored by Audrey Kuchen with meteorologist Dan Amarante providing forecasts and weather updates.
“It makes sense to add a Saturday and Sunday morning broadcast for our viewers to enjoy more local news during the weekend,” said Richard Graziano, the station’s vice president and general manager. “We believe the additional newscast will serve the community well and positions the station for growth.”
Kuchen is a Connecticut native who joined WTIC in August after working as a reporter, producer, and anchor for Fox-affiliate KMVU in Medford, OR. When KMVU debuted a new evening newscast in 2006 in partnership with Medford NBC-affiliate KOBI, Kuchen was the anchor. She also served as a co-anchor for KOBI’s 6 p.m. newscast.
Amarante, who recently graduated with a BS in Meteorology from Western Connecticut State University, is also a Connecticut native. He comes to WTIC from WGGB in Springfield, MA, where he served as a weekend meteorologist.
WTIC’s weekend newscast announcement comes on the heels of the station’s hiring of two reporters, Jeevan Vittal and Ayana Noni Harry.
Video of Kuchen and Amarante after the jump…