Well, it has happened again. Obviously, people can only work with me for a limited time before they beg for release! Over the years, I've had the honor of sharing the FirstNews anchor desk with Maria Antonia, Lara Moritz, Jim Flink, Jere Gish, Donna Pitman and others. I've also worked with almost every other 'niner as they were recruited to fill in over the years. But, clearly, at a certain point, they all decided they simply could not stand working with me. So, this morning, it was a new almost-dawn on FirstNews...The Kris Ketz Era! Mr. Ketz will be joining Donna while Jere moves to weekend FirstNews with Dion Lim. Both Kris and Jere will continue to report for the evening newscasts.

Actually, this is not really Kris' FirstNews debut. Back in the early days, he filled in on a very regular basis whenever Maria was away. In fact, on December 14, 1992, it was Mr. Ketz on the desk with me when a very important phone call came in. Some of you may remember when the show was done from what looked more like a kitchen table than a news desk. (Between you and me, I kind of miss that more comfortable look.) Also, back then, FirstNews was on for an hour from six to seven. Well, about 6:15 a.m., the phone on the set rang...an odd occurence anyway...and it was my wife, Jessica. She told me that, based on how she was feeling, we would be having our third child that day. She told me that she had called the friend who was heading over to watch the boys and I could come home after the show...no big rush. By the third baby, you understand that, in most cases, you do have some time before the big arrival. I hung up and told Kris, "Well, it's baby time at our house again." He immediately told me to hit the road: "You've got to get going...NOW!" I explained that there was time but Mr. Ketz insisted I hit the bricks. After the commercial break, I told the folks at home that I was heading home for baby duty while Mr. Ketz held down the FirstNews fort. I found out later, that the EMT pros in Johnson County had called the station to offer their assistance. I'm sure that happened for two reasons: 1) The EMTs are terrific people and 2) Kris Ketz reported it which made it a big story!

Kris' news credentials are unassailable. He's been here in KC for every major news story of the last quarter century. But, more important for us on FirstNews, he has a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. I have also been called "infectious" but I don't think it was meant to be a compliment. On Friday night's 10:00 news, Kris' longtime co-anchor Kelly Eckerman handed Kris a new alarm clock. However, this first morning, he woke up before the alarm. That may change as the days go by. For example, I have five alarms that go off. Then, when Mr. Ketz arrived this morning, Donna handed him some gourmet coffee. Johnny Rowlands let Kris touch Newschopper 9. I'm saving my gift, which will be a wheelbarrow to deliver Mr. Ketz to his limo when the reality of having to work with me...at 5 in the morning...really settles in.

So, get ready for a whole new voice, face and laugh on FirstNews: The Kris Ketz Era is underway!