KY3 hires new anchor as Rose prepares for exit

KY3 Inc. has hired a new anchor as the successor to longtime on-air personality Lisa Rose.

Emily Pritchard, a Missouri native with more than 15 years of journalism experience, will serve as co-anchor of KY3 News at noon and 6 p.m. with Steve Grant, according to a news release from KY3 and its parent company, Atlanta-based Gray Media Inc. (NYSE: GTN). She's set to appear in various newscasts and promotions ahead of her official start day on July 28.

A graduate of Waynesville High School and the University of Missouri, Pritchard's anchoring and reporting jobs have included time at KPNX (NBC) in Phoenix; WHDH in Boston; KY3's Gray Media sister station KMOV (CBS) in St. Louis; KXTV (ABC) in Sacramento, California; WBND (ABC) in South Bend, Indiana; and KOMU (NBC) in Columbia. KY3 is an NBC affiliate.

"This is my home and the community that shaped me. There is something truly special about coming back to where my curiosity about the world began. I grew up watching KY3 and I had my first taste of journalism in my classes at Waynesville High School," Pritchard said in the release. "Now it's a full-circle moment for me to be able to share how special a place this is with KY3 viewers in Missouri, Arkansas and beyond."

Pritchard will succeed Rose, a KY3 anchor for four decades who announced her retirement earlier this year. Rose's last day is scheduled July 25.

“While we will sorely miss Lisa Rose in the newsroom, we are excited about this new phase we are entering with Emily," KY3 General Manager Brian McDonough said in the release. "She will continue KY3’s legacy of excellence and commitment to the community."