KSPR names Jerry Jacob lead anchor

Springfield's ABC affiliate has hired Jerry Jacob to take over as lead anchor early next year.

Jacob, who currently serves as a reporter for KY3, starts in January as the main anchor for KSPR to succeed Joe Daues. Jacob's last day with KY3 - which manages KSPR for Perkin Media - is Jan. 1, according to a news release. KY3 and KSPR operate in the same building at 999 W. Sunshine St.

"While the KSPR newsroom staff is excited about the changes, the KY3 newsroom staff will greatly miss Jerry's enthusiasm and work ethic. Luckily, he will still be in the same building," KY3 General Manager Brian McDonough said in the release.

The transition represents a return for Jacob, who started in Springfield as a sports director for KSPR. He moved to KY3 in 1995. In 2007, Jacob enlisted in the U.S. Army - where he served in Iraq, Haiti and Afghanistan and advanced to the rank of sergeant - and returned to Springfield to rejoin KY3 in early 2012.

Daues is moving from his job as lead anchor of KSPR to a position in the sales department of KY3. The release said the move allows Daues to spend more time with family.

"I have loved working in TV news for the past 20-plus years in the Ozarks, but am now looking forward to new challenges in the broadcasting world," Daues said in the release.