She’s had a great run as as an anchor and reporter for 17 years and Elizabeth Alex’s TV career will officially end tonight as she signs off for the final time at KSHB-TV at 6 p.m.
Viewers can expect many tears and fond farewell messages during newscasts (see photos of her through the years below). In addition, she was interviewed today on the “KC Live” show (below).
In March 2011, Alex stepped down from her full-time 10 p.m. co-anchor spot (replaced by Christa Dubill) to take a position with KidsTLC while still anchoring the NBC affiliate’s 6 p.m. newscasts with Mark Clegg.
Then last September, Bottom Line reported that she was leaving KidsTLC to join the Christian Foundation group in KCK as its Community Outreach and Media Relations Director. She continued to anchor the 6 p.m. news until tonight.
The Kansas City Star’s Tim Engle asked Alex whether it was her decision to part ways with the NBC affiliate.
“It evolved,” she says, “into this mutual decision.”
The station says that Alex will continue to serve in a “Special Correspondent role with 41 Action News and will contribute to future special projects and participate in various station sponsored events.”
“I thank KSHB, and the people of Kansas City for the honor of all these wonderful years on the air.”
A Kansas City native, Alex grew up in Overland Park and graduated from Shawnee Mission West. She attended the University of Arkansas and worked in broadcasting in Fayetteville and Fort Smith, Ark., The Quad Cities and West Palm Beach, Fla., before joining KSHB.
The winner of numerous journalism awards during her career, she is widely known for her humanitarian activities. She also shared a close bond with cancer patients and their families following the loss of her late husband, Brian, to esophageal cancer.
Viewers wanting to send their thoughts to her may do so at www.kshb.com/elizabeth.
“I’m so lucky to have worked with Elizabeth!” wrote former KSHB News Director Peggy Phillip.
“After 10 1/2 years together, tomorrow (Wednesday) is going to be a difficult day here,” long-time co-anchor Mark Clegg posted on Facebook. “We are saying goodbye to my friend and co-anchor Elizabeth Alex.
“It’s going to be tough to look over and not see her sitting beside me any more.”
NOTE TO ELIZABETH
Dearest Ms. Alex: We will miss you as news anchor, but we know that you are going on to another career where you will also do a great deal of good!! You truly deserve the title of the “Edward R. Murrow” of Kansas City:
You insisted on fairness in controversial stories like the Salva tragedy when most of your fellow journalists were falling all over themselves to pander to the local versions of the PC Police. Like I say, we will miss you at Channel 41, but we wish you best of luck in your new career!! Sincerely, Respectfully and In Christ, Ernest Evans
SAD
I’m sad to see her go. She was always a real class act. 41 won’t be the same without her.
GANNON INTERVIEW
The biggest thing I remember of Elzabeth Alex was when she was trying to interview Rich Gannon in a post-game interview after he had replaced the benched Steve Bono in a home loss against San Diego during the 1996 season. Rich Gannon was very short with her and basically told her to leave. Then, the station went back to Don Fortune who was in the studio covering the Chiefs post-game show. You could see how uncomfortable it made Elizabeth Alex feel. I do wish her the best on her new endeavor.
LIFE AFTER TV
As soon as 41 ran the tribute to Elizabeth, my phone rang in Colorado,a friend telling me I was in the video. My thanks to the management of KSHB for including me in her long career.
We were part of a great experiment, and even though it didn’t turn out the way I had hoped, Elizabeth (one of the only TV anchors who’s referred to by only her first name) has certainly proved herself to be an outstanding journalist and anchor. She always knew there would be life after TV, and is showing all of us how it can be done.
HER LEAVING NOT GOOD THING
Elizabeth arrived at 41 at the same time I started at KMBZ. I watched to learn, knowing she grew up in KC. I learned a lot, and enjoyed watching her and Tom. It’s 2013 and there was a time when news was solid on all 3 channels. I never can figure out why managment needs to tinker with a good thing. Her leaving the airwaves is not a good thing for KC viewers.