LEX 18, the NBC station in Lexington, Ky., has tapped a former CNN correspondent to become its new main co-anchor.
Larry Smith is joining the station’s weeknight coverage at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
He’ll replace longtime anchor Kevin Christopher, who retired from the station in August after two decades behind the news desk.
“There is a professional grace, passion, and commitment that is shared among the leadership and team members at LEX 18, and that combination is hard to find in media outlets today,” Smith said. “I’m excited to join this winning group and looking forward to becoming a part of the Lexington community.”
Smith, most recently a freelance sports anchor and host, already has connections to the station. During his time at CNN and HLN as a sports anchor and correspondent, he worked with LEX18 sports anchor Mary Jo Perino.
He’s also no stranger to local news. Smith has worked in local markets like Knoxville, Tenn., West Palm Beach, Fla., Cincinnati, and most recently in Washington, D.C. at WJLA, where he anchored the morning news and 5 p.m. news from 2015 through 2018.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Larry will be joining our team at LEX 18,” main anchor Nancy Cox said. “We became fast friends and see eye-to-eye about how to best serve central and eastern Kentucky. He has a passion for serving the community as a trusted, reliable source for information, especially in these troubling times. I welcome Larry and his family to Kentucky to share in our mission at LEX 18 for a long time to come.”
Smith starts next month.