Popular Austin Anchor Fred Cantu Returns to TV Full-Time, Following Stint at Home Depot

By Andrew Gauthier 

Fred Cantu, who many viewers in Austin know simply as “Uncle Fred,” has left his job in the hardware department of a local Home Depot to join KEYE full-time.

Cantu, who has been working as a fill-in anchor for KEYE over the past few months after departing his regular position there in 2010, is now anchoring the CBS-affiliate’s morning newscast.

Cantu told the Austin American-Statesman recently that he now has a contract with KEYE for “a couple of years at least.”

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After leaving KEYE in 2010, Cantu had trouble finding another TV job so he started working at Home Depot to make ends meet and support his wife Laura, who requires a wheelchair to get around.

Cantu celebrated his final day at Home Depot on Sunday, and the staff there got him a cake.

“Everybody at Home Depot is so happy for me,” he told the Statesman. “One of the managers told me if I ever wanted to come back I have a home there.”

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