Waddell’s exit leads changes at KLAS-TV

It’s going to be a bad week to be on a diet at KLAS-TV, Channel 8.

After 32 years at the station, anchor Gary Waddell’s final regular newscast is set for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 3.

Anyone partaking in the retirement cake will barely have had time to burn off the calories from the welcome gathering for the new morning team, Cale Ramaker and Shauna Khorrami, who are set to start four days earlier.

Waddell’s retirement, while certainly the most notable, is only the latest exit in a summer of departures from the station.

Dayna Roselli was let go in June, Calvert Collins also left the station that month, and Dave McCann departed in May.

Having been a reporter at WFLD-TV in Chicago, Waddell moved to Las Vegas in 1971 to work for KORK-TV (now KSNV-TV, Channel 3). He’s anchored evening newscasts at Channel 8 since joining the station in 1980.

Waddell was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 1997 and last month joined the Associated Press Radio-Television Association Hall of Fame.

“I’ve had a front row seat on history, and have watched this community change dramatically,” Waddell said in a statement. “While it’s been fun, I’m looking forward to the next phase of my life, without the responsibility of daily, Monday through Friday obligations.”

Waddell may be retiring, but he isn’t going away. He’ll still contribute to Channel 8 coverage of major events and is hoping to create programming for KLVX-TV, Channel 10.

He will continue to anchor Channel 8 newscasts at noon, 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. until Aug. 3.