TEGNA’s NBC affiliate in St. Louis, which must remain in a “hold separate” state despite its ultimate ownership by Nexstar Media Group, has chosen a lead anchor for its local evening newscasts — another sign that becoming a full sibling of KTVI “FOX 2” and KPLR-11 is potentially years away.
Earning the seat alongside Anne Allred at 5pm Central and Kelly Jackson at 6pm and 10pm Central is Steve Savard.
He’ll officially take on that role following the retirement of Mike Bush, a 41-year KSDK veteran, on August 13.
Bush announced his plans to step down late last year.
“It’s both an honor and a great responsibility to succeed Mike,” Savard said. “He has set a high bar for delivering news at KSDK and throughout St. Louis. Mike and the team have been so welcoming, it feels like I’ve been at 5 On Your Side for years. I’ll do my part to carry on the legacy they have built.”
Savard joined the KSDK team in February, hosting a once- a-week segment honoring veterans called “Spotlight on Service.” Well-known to the St. Louis community, Savard has served as news anchor and sports director at KMOV-TV and famously provided radio play-by-play as the voice of the NFL’s St. Louis Rams for 16 years while outside of Los Angeles. He has also been news anchor at KOLR-TV in Springfield, Mo.
“Steve is a great choice for the KSDK anchor desk and, most importantly, for our viewers,” Bush said. “We competed against each other for years, first in sports, then in news. Now that we’ve finally gotten to work alongside each other, I’ve seen firsthand that he’s a true professional who genuinely cares about this community. I’m happy to leave our viewers in such good hands.”
