Chicago Anchor Legend Sets Retirement, Replacement Named

By Kevin Eck 

WLS anchor Ron Magers will retire from the Chicago ABC-owned station on Wednesday, May 25.

Magers started at WLS in 1998 as 5 p.m. anchor and began anchoring the 10 p.m. in 2002. He’ll be replaced by Alan Krashesky, who will continue to anchor the 6 p.m.

“I’ve been a night worker in television all of my adult life. It’s time for a leisurely dinner and maybe a movie or the theater,” said Magers. “I’m delighted that Alan is taking the job. He’s a pro who will carry on the great tradition of excellence we have all worked so hard to create.”

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“No hyperbole is necessary to describe Ron Magers. He is simply the best,” said vp of news and news director Jennifer Graves. “We thank Ron for his unrelenting pursuit of excellence and for all he has meant to ABC 7 and our Chicago viewers. We will miss him.”

He started his career at KEZI in Eugene, Oregon in 1965 and then worked at KGW in Portland, Oregon before moving to KPIX in San Francisco, Calif. His last stop before moving to Chicago was with KSTP in Minneapolis, Minn. In Chicago, he teamed up with Carol Marin at WMAQ. The two left after the station hired Jerry Springer as a commentator.

Krashesky has worked at WLS since 1982 and was the first anchor of the station’s morning newscast.

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