Bill Worden will retire from WKTV later this month, setting off a slew of anchor changes at the Utica NBC affiliate.
Don Shipman (pictured) the station’s morning anchor, will shift to evenings to replace Worden on the 10 and 11 p.m newscasts. He will also co anchor the 5 p.m. newscast alongside Kristin Copeland. Steve McMurray, the station’s news director, will shift to the 6 p.m. newscast.
Sports director Jason Powles, who has worked in his current role since 1998, will make the transition to the news desk, replacing Shipman on the morning newscast. He will co-anchor with Jenel Boston.
Weekend sports anchor Mike Levin gets promoted to sports director, replacing Powles. Dave Dellecese, the station’s assistant news director, will permanently anchor the noon newscast, which he has been doing on a temporary basis since September.
Nicole Pitt, who has been anchoring the weekend evening newscasts since August, will permanently step into the role.
“These talented individuals bring years of experience, as well as numerous local and state awards with them to their new positions,” McMurray said in a statement. “Our viewers expect and deserve the area’s best news coverage, and today’s announcement affirms our commitment to give it to them.”
The station expects to have all the anchors in their new roles by December 3.