KMBC Launches Expanded Morning News On KCWE 
     KMBC TV9 News, hot off huge ratings victories at every time slot in February, has launched an expanded morning newscast starting Monday, March 3.
    "KMBC 9 FirstNews on KCWE" will highlight local and national headlines, live breaking news, weather and traffic. It will air weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on sister station KCWE, Ch. 29.
    Wayne Godsey, president and general manager of KMBC/KCWE, said the expansion of the morning news is a direct response to the changing needs and lifestyles of viewers.
    "Right now, KMBC 9 'FirstNews' ends at 7 a.m. Our viewers tell us they want and need local news, traffic and weather from KMBC 9 News throughout the morning," said Godsey. "We intend to serve those needs by expanding our No. 1 rated morning newscast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on KCWE including traffic coverage from Johnny Rowlands in NewsChopper 9." 
    The program features an ensemble cast of KMBC 9 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists including Jim Flink, Dion Lim, Kris Ketz, Donna Pitman, Joel Nichols and Johnny Rowlands in NewsChopper 9. Jere Gish will move to weekend nightside anchor and Dan Weinbaum will go back to weekend morning anchor. 
      KMBC will continue to broadcast ABC's "Good Morning America" on its regular channel; however, viewers looking for local news, weather and traffic information can turn to sister station KCWE 29 to continue watching "FirstNews." The expanded newscast will be aired in HD.
     For Comcast it's channel 236, Everest 615, and Time Warner 1431. KMBC-TV is the first Kansas City television station to broadcast news in high definition. 
      Hearst-Argyle Television Inc. owns KMBC-TV and manages KCWE-TV.     03-03-2008