WBKO anchor Gene Birk is taking a leave of absence to recover from back surgery.
The Bowling Green, Ky., ABC station told viewers Birk is undergoing surgery for spinal stenosis, a condition that can put pressure on the spinal cord and the nerves within the spine making it difficult to walk.
The station said his recovery will “take some time” and that it expects Birk back on-air “as soon as the doctors give him the OK.”
Advertisement
Birk first came to WBKO as sports director in 1986. He left in 1993 and returned a year later as the primary news anchor.