KOMU expands news programming

KOMU 8 News has started airing a 9 p.m. newscast and an extended edition of KOMU 8 News Today. Both are running Monday through Friday.
KOMU’s 9 p.m. newscast, launched last Monday, will compete with KMIZ’s 9 p.m. newscast on Fox 22/KQFX.
Jim Riek and Angie Bailey will anchor KOMU 8 News at Nine, and Megan Murphy and Chance Seales will anchor the extra half hour of KOMU 8 News Today. The program, which previously ended at 7 a.m., now runs from 4:30-7:30 a.m. On July 1, Seales replaced Lauren Whitney, who left the station to pursue another career opportunity, according to a KOMU news release.
KOMU 8 General Manager Marty Siddall said the newscasts will feature live, in-depth coverage of overnight and breaking news, investigative reporting and weather forecasts.
News Director Stacey Woelfel said the TV station created the additional news programming “to bring our viewers the highest quality news coverage at more times to fit their schedules.”
KOMU 8 is a self-funded auxiliary enterprise of the University of Missouri. The station serves a dual purpose within the community. KOMU 8 provides the public with news and entertainment programming while also serving as an educational institution for MU students. The KOMU 8 newsroom is the only one of its kind to also serve as a teaching lab, according to the station’s news release. At KOMU 8, students attending the Missouri School of Journalism are given the unique opportunity to work alongside professional journalists in a real-life newsroom.