KPRC 5 p.m. anchor Kris Gutierrez has left the Houston NBC affiliate after almost two years there.
Houston media blogger Mike McGuff notes Gutierrez’ exit comes a few weeks after his co-anchor Daniella Guzman re-joined the station from KNBC in Los Angeles.
Gutierrez said he left to help his parents “who need more help these days.”
“This global pandemic has been a constant reminder that work will always be there, but time with family isn’t guaranteed forever,” said Gutierrez.
Station gm Jerry Martin sent an email to staff announcing the move. You can read the note below.
Gutierrez returned to the station in March 2020 from KXAS in Dallas. He’d worked at KPRC once before between 2003 and 2007. He’s also worked at Chicago CBS owned station WBBM, Fox News Channel, KVUE in Austin, KXII in Sherman. Texas and WKBN in Youngstown, Ohio.
Here’s the text of Martin’s email which Gutierrez posted to social media:
Today we say goodbye to a friend and colleague, Kris Gutierrez. Kris has been a valued member of our news team on two different occasions.
I will let Kris explain in his own words why he has made the difficult decision to resign, but he leaves with our deepest respect and understanding.
“Stepping away from a main anchor job, while a difficult decision, is a small price to pay for family. The reality is my parents, back home in Dallas, need more help these days and I’ve always promised to do whatever I can, as best as I can.
This global pandemic has been a constant reminder that work will always be there, but time with family isn’t guaranteed forever.
Please know that I’ve approached each day with excellence.
Our news team should be proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, at a time when viewers expected it more than ever. Houston will always hold a special place in my heart.
My wife, my kids and I will always be thankful for the love and support we’ve received from this community and I’ll always be grateful for the tremendous opportunity that KPRC 2 gave me… not just once, but twice.”
Thank You, Kris… you will be missed by our viewers and your co-workers.
Kris’s last day will be February 2, 2022.