TVSpy
Twin Cities NBC-affiliate KARE is returning to midday. The Gannett-owned station announced this week that it will introduce an 11:00 a.m. newscast in January that will be a mix of news and lifestyle segments.
“KARE 11 Today” will try to take advantage of its “Today” show lead-in with longtime KARE anchors Diana Pierce and Pat Evans taking the programming reins from Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. “We’re pleased to be back with midday news on KARE 11, especially with the strength of Diana Pierce and Pat Evans,” said John Remes, KARE’s president and GM.
KARE has been airing the lifestyle show “Showcase Minnesota” in the 10:00 a.m. slot and then going back to “Today” at 11:00. “KARE 11 Today” will smooth out the station’s lineup, with four hours of “Today” airing in succession. KARE said that the new newscast would allow the station “to better align with NBC’s ‘Today.'”
The newscast’s anchors are KARE mainstays. Evans has been with the station since 1994 and Pierce is a local legend, having been on channel 11 for nearly three decades.
“Both Pat and I have such respect and appreciation for the wonderful people in this community,” said Pierce, “that we look forward to connecting even more with them on another stage.”