KDKA, the CBS O&O in Pittsburgh, has hired two new anchors for the evening newscasts: former CBS News consumer correspondent Susan Koeppen (pictured) and former WEWS anchor Kimberly Gill.
Koeppen, who frequently contributed to “The Early Show” during her time at CBS News, will co-anchor the 6 p.m. newscast with Stacy Smith and the 11 p.m. newscast with Ken Rice beginning September 19. She will also contribute to the station as a consumer reporter.
“It was a really natural pairing for her to come to the station,” KDKA news director Anne Linaberger told the Pittsburgh Business Times of Koeppen, who lives in Pittsburgh with her family.
Kimberly Gill, who was cut loose at Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS in July, begins October 3 as the noon and 4 p.m. anchor. She will anchor both broadcasts alongside Smith.
“Pittsburgh is a beautiful city and I’m thrilled to be joining a television station that’s so well respected,” Gill told TVSpy in an email. “I look forward to getting out in the community, meeting people and exploring everything the city has to offer.”
Koeppen and Gill are filling spots that have been open since the retirement of Patrice King Brown in January. KDKA has been using existing anchors to fill in for Brown, who was the anchor of the 4, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts, in the interim.