After 33 years at KARE 11, Diana Pierce is retiring.
“The timing for me is excellent. I’ve been looking for new challenges,” said Pierce who will earn her Masters in Arts and Leadership from Augsburg College later this month.
“My years in broadcasting have brought me incredible opportunities to interview people, from ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tremendous leaders. The program at Augsburg gave me exactly what I wanted to add to my skillset for a new adventure.”
Pierce is among 10 KARE employees who accepted a buyout from parent company Tegna which was offered to eligible employees on Feb. 18. Allen Costantini, a reporter who joined KARE in 1984, also took the early retirement package.
Pierce joined KARE–when it was known as WTCN–in 1983, as a news anchor. Most recently, she’s been co-anchoring the 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. newscasts.
Pierce co-anchored with Paul Magers (at left) for 20 years, until Magers left for KCBS. They became one of the most popular anchor duos ever in the Twin Cities.
“In my 36 years in the business, I have not come across a person who conducts herself with as much grace and class as Diana Pierce,” said John Remes, President and GM of KARE 11, the Tegna-owned NBC affiliate in Minneapolis/St. Paul. “She is a true professional who enjoyed a sparkling career at KARE 11. Her connection to all Minnesotans runs deep, and it’s an understatement to say she will be missed.”
Pierce was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcast Association’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
A force behind many community projects for the station, including hosting the annual “11 Who KARE” event, Pierce’s last day on the air will be Friday, April 22. Viewers should expect many retrospectives and staffers should expect cake.