Dana King, anchor for San Francisco CBS O&O KPIX, has announced she will be stepping down from the anchor desk.
“I am leaving the business to build my next life as an artist,” said King. “In order to do it right, I am making a commitment that requires a choice between continuing an already amazing career and starting a brand new one. KPIX has been my second home. I will miss it all more than you know.”
King, who has worked at KPIX for the last 15 years, began working towards a a Master’s Degree in classical sculpture from San Francisco’s Academy of Art University a few years ago.
She was known for boldly allowing her hair to go gray, something not seen among anchors. At the time, King said, “For me, it was a decision about matching my looks with my experience” You can watch a story she did about the subject after the jump.
“It’s been my privilege to work with Dana during 12 of her 15 years here,” said Dan Rosenheim vice president and news director of KPIX. “We will always be deeply appreciative of Dana’s contributions to CBS 5 and proud of her excellent service to the people of the Bay Area.”
Co-anchor Ken Bastida reacted to the news by saying, “I am honored to have shared co-anchoring duties with Dana but as I have seen her transition from journalist to artist, I am happy to see her pursue this next phase of her life.”
King began her broadcasting career in Los Angeles as a general assignment reporter for KABC. In 1990, she was the evening news anchor at KTVI in St. Louis. She then worked as an anchor for “Good Morning America Sunday” and joined CBS News in December 1993 as co-anchor and reporter for the prime time news magazine “America Tonight.” She was co-anchor of the “CBS Morning News” and a frequent contributor to “CBS This Morning.” She also worked as a general assignment reporter for the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather.”
Her last day at the station will be this Friday December 7.
Here’s the story about going gray: