Life certainly is a series of strange twists and turns.
In October 2009 Bobby Totsch left KMOV in St. Louis to take over as Vice President and General Manager at Kansas City’s KCTV.
He immediately began making a series of changes at the CBS affiliate, including numerous changes to the morning anchor teams, bringing in sports staffers and creating new local shows.
However, none of the changes Totsch made rivaled the one when it was announced first on this site that he had been conducting secret focus-group tests across the country with potential weather candidates with a goal of replacing veteran meteorologist Katie Horner.
In November 2011, Horner who had been a fixture (and lightning rod for critics) at the station for 23 years, was replaced by Chris Suchan. In June of this year we announced that Horner was starting a new career in real estate.
Fast forward to October 31 of this year. Totsch’s controversial career at KCTV came to an abrupt end, and he was recently replaced by Darrin McDonald .
And now it has been announced today that Horner will be back on the air as a meteorologist at none other than Totsch’s old station of KMOV-TV in St. Louis.
A University of West Florida graduate with a Meteorology degree from Mississippi State, Horner will be doing forecasts at noon and 5 p.m. starting January 7 at the CBS affiliate.
“I have spent 17 years studying, forecasting and helping people through every aspect of Missouri weather from ice storms, heat waves, floods and tornadoes,” Horner said in a news release issued by KMOV. “It’s an honor to join KMOV’s team of dedicated, skilled meteorologists led by Steve Templeton.”
“There are few people who have the credentials Katie will bring to News 4,” said Sean McLaughlin, executive news director at KMOV. “She is a severe weather expert and will bolster our already strong weather team.”
A NICE NOTE TO KATIE
Dear Mr. Horner: Congratulations!! And, many thanks for the classy way you responded when you were dismissed for being an “alarmist”. My suggestion to your critics in the KC-area: How about asking the doctors and nurses at that hospital in Joplin who had five minutes warning that a tornado was going to strike how they feel about “alarmist” weather forecasters? I suspect that these doctors and nurses feel the same way that the survivors of the Titanic felt about the “alarmists” who said that the ship was not unsinkable and that more lifeboats were needed. It is a sad commentary on our society that people are willing to endanger themselves, their families and people in the community simply so they don’t have to wait two hours to see their favorite TV show. Get a life –there are some things in life more important than waiting two hours to see “Criminal Minds”–A J Cook will be just as beautiful two hours later!!Best of luck in Saint Louis!! Sincerely, Respectfully and In Christ, Ernest Evans
I’m very happy for Katie, who was the MC for Faith and Family Day at “the K” on at least one occasion. I sure thought she got a bad rap here.
CLASS ACT
Good job. She’s a class act who got a raw deal. Definitely one of the nicest people in the business. Best of luck in StL.
KATIE WILL LIKE 4
She’ll like it at Channel 4 and will have a good staff to work with. Her colleagues, Steve Templeton, Kent Ehrhardt and Matt Chambers are very solid pros who stand out when the weather news is big.
HOME SALES
Interesting… Home sales must be down in Johnson county.
Actually, she worked out of the Parkville, MO office.
GOOD LUCK, KATIE
I lived in KC for many years and can tell you that I always flipped thru the channels to watch Katie’s coverage during a storm. So glad she’s moved to St Louis! Good luck, Katie and welcome to the Lou!
HAPPY FOR KATIE
I am so very happy for Katie – there is no one like her. I enjoyed watching the weather when she was on – now it is boring. KCTV lost out when they let her go.
KATIE HORNER NOTE
Kate we just love you and so glad you are in St. Louis never what channel 5 anymore channel 4 you did a good jop hiring her .
GO KATIE!
St. Louis wins, Kansas City and surrounding area’s loss! Congragulations Katie.
Kitie, I miss you, I trusted you. I just don’t truset any of these others. I’m glayd you have another god job. I’m sorry for KC. We lost Your friend Sherry
KATIE FAN
Katie gets it right. Her passion and concern are unequivocally matched in the weather arena. I thoroughly enjoyed her tenure in KC and was flabbergasted when she left. She will be sorely missed as a legendary meteorologist and a friend to all those who loved and appreciated her abilities to effectively deliver the weather. Go get em Katie!!