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Major Anchor Departures and Staffing Shifts Reshape KARE 11
MINNEAPOLIS — KARE 11, the Twin Cities’ NBC affiliate, is undergoing significant changes as several of its most recognizable anchors and reporters depart the station. The exits, spanning retirements, layoffs, and personal decisions, highlight a period of transition for one of Minnesota’s most-watched newsrooms.
Recent Departures
The most recent changes came with the announcement that Sports Director Reggie Wilson’s position is being eliminated. Wilson, who took over the sports desk in 2021 following Eric Perkins’ departure, confirmed that his last day will be December 31, 2025. His exit comes less than a year after his wife, former anchor and community relations manager Alexis Rogers, was also let go due to broader “national changes” affecting her role.
On the same day Wilson shared his news, meteorologist Wren Clair revealed she and KARE had “mutually agreed to part ways.” Clair, who joined the station in May 2025, made the announcement on social media, thanking viewers and colleagues while noting her plans to pursue opportunities beyond television. Clair’s departure also comes as she continues her high-profile lawsuit against her former employer, KSTP-TV, over allegations of harassment and retaliation.
2024 Retirements and Departures
The latest departures follow a wave of change in 2024, when several long-serving and high-profile journalists left KARE 11.
- Randy Shaver, the veteran sports anchor, retired after an extraordinary 41-year career at the station.
- John Croman, political reporter for nearly three decades, also retired.
- Morning anchor Gia Vang and longtime reporter Lee Valsvik both stepped away from their roles.
These exits collectively marked the end of an era for many loyal KARE viewers.
New Hires and Role Shifts
To fill the gaps left by these departures, KARE has made several key hires and reassigned beats:
- Danny Spewak has taken over the political beat from John Croman.
- Former intern Morgan Wolfe rejoined the station as a full-time anchor and reporter.
- Jessica Hart was hired as a reporter, adding fresh perspective to the newsroom.
A Broader Industry Shift
KARE 11’s restructuring mirrors broader changes across the local television news industry, where downsizing, retirements, and staffing shuffles have become increasingly common. For viewers, the changes mean saying goodbye to familiar faces while adjusting to a refreshed lineup of journalists tasked with continuing the station’s legacy of coverage.
As KARE 11 moves through this transition, the departures of figures like Wilson, Clair, Shaver, and Croman underscore a newsroom in flux—balancing the loss of veteran voices with the arrival of new talent set to shape its next chapter.
