Kerr Resigns at WOWT
Broadcast News by Jim Minge, staff writer
published Saturday, December 19, 1998
Omaha World-Herald
Widely known newscaster Gary Kerr is retiring after 34 years at WOWT-Channel 6.
Kerr, 59, said he decided to retire because "there wasn't a future here for me
anymore, and it was just time to go, so that's what I'm going to do."
In September, Kerr was relieved of his 5 p.m. co-anchor duties with Pat Persaud,
which he had held since 1991. Kerr was moved to a reporter position.
WOWT News Director John Clark said he took Kerr off the anchor desk because he
wanted consistency in his 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts, which now feature anchors
Persaud and John Knicely.
But Kerr, whose last day will be Dec. 31, said he doesn't know why WOWT would
break up a winning anchor team. In the latest ratings report from Nielsen Media
Research, WOWT's 5 p.m. newscast was No. 1 for the period that Kerr was at the
anchor desk.
"That sends a pretty strong message about opportunity and my future (as an
anchor), so I decided this is the time to go," Kerr said.
Clark said this week that he did not want Kerr, who was lead anchor at WOWT from
1971 to 1991, to retire.
"I offered him a long-term contract with a variety of opportunities, because I
value Gary's work," Clark said. "He is one of the finest broadcast journalists I
have ever known."
Clark said he offered Kerr a weekly issues-oriented talk show and high-profile
reporting opportunities at WOWT.
"But I think Gary thinks it's time for a rest, and I honor and respect that
decision."
Kerr, who began his career in broadcasting in 1962 on KSCJ-AM in Sioux City,
Iowa, said he didn't know what his future might hold.
"What I plan to do is not do anything for three, four months and see what that's
like," Kerr said. "I have never not worked before, and so I don't know what it
will be like."
He said he is sure he will remain in Omaha.
"This is my home," he said. "Whatever I do will be here."
© 1998-2003 Todd Clark/Video Butcher
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