Fresno TV anchor Kim Stephens retiring after 23 years

Beloved TV information anchor Kim Stephens is looking it quits after 23 years on the air, marking the newest main shake-up to hit Fresno’s native tv information scene.

Stephens is leaving KMPH Fox 26’s “Nice Day,” the morning present she helped launch in 2003 alongside longtime weatherman Kopi Sotiropulos, in accordance with the Fresno Bee.

For greater than 20 years, the duo grew to become acquainted fixtures in viewers’ properties, with Sotiropulos supplying the laughs and Stephens bringing a extra severe strategy with years in tv information — and backed by Edward R. Murrow and Emmy awards.

Sotiropulos retired in March, which means Stephens’ exit will go away “Nice Day” with out both of its authentic anchors.

“Kopi and I are actually happy with what we began,” Stephens advised the Fresno Bee. “And we’re proud to have it carried on.”

Stephens introduced her departure on Instagram, revealing she is stepping away from “Nice Day” after touchdown a full-time, tenure-track place with Fresno State’s Media, Communications and Journalism Division. She has labored as an adjunct professor there since 2015.

“I don’t count on to see this new chapter as ending one profession for one more,” she says of the brand new job on social media. “I actually see it as carrying the perfect of journalism ahead. For years folks have trusted me to inform their tales and now I get to assist put together younger journalists to do the identical ethically.”

Her closing day on the station might be Nov. 25.

The retirement comes as Fresno’s tv information business undergoes a broader expertise shuffle.

At ABC30, Jason Oliveira is taking a while off earlier than transferring to the station’s night newscasts, the place he’ll exchange longtime anchor Warren Armstrong following Armstrong’s deliberate retirement in November.

Cory James has returned to ABC30 to take over Oliveira’s spot on the “AM Dwell” broadcast. James beforehand labored on the station from 2016 to 2020 earlier than leaving for WCBS in New York.

His return comes after ABC30 misplaced three different on-air personalities — Tiffany Olin, Gabe Ferris and Stephen Hicks. Sydney Berger has since taken over as sports activities director in Hicks’ place, in accordance with the Fresno Bee.

KSEE24/CBS47 has additionally skilled a string of exits, together with Ben Morris, Brian Dorman, Briana Byus and Jason Takhtadjian.

Dorman not too long ago addressed the exodus on-air alongside Byus and Lauren Wallace after viewers repeatedly requested what was happening.

“What’s going on at CBS47 Eye Witness Information? Nothing, to be sincere with you,” Dorman mentioned, in accordance with the Fresno Bee.

“This occurs in a number of newsrooms the place contracts come up at the very same time. All of us began across the identical time, completely different yr … after which contracts come up and that is what occurs.

“There’s going to be an entire bunch of latest gifted folks coming in.”

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