A major shakeup in the Panhandle’s local news industry, as KNEP, more commonly known as NBC Nebraska or KGWN Scottsbluff, has shut down its Scottsbluff operations.
Last week, Gray Broadcasting announced it is selling its interests in the Scottsbluff, Cheyenne, and Casper television markets to Marquee Broadcasting Inc. in exchange for a FCC permit to construct a new station in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Gray Media Group issued a statement, saying “We are proud of the very good work that our Scottsbluff news bureau has provided over the past several years. Unfortunately, given the many challenges facing news media, particularly in small communities, it is no longer possible to continue to underwrite the investments necessary to keep that news bureau open. We will continue airing local newscasts in the eastern portion of our market, including Scottsbluff, that are produced in our Cheyenne newsroom, and we are working to relocate each of the four news professionals in Scottsbluff to positions in Cheyenne or other newsrooms within our company.
“The sale to Marquee is subject to various approvals and is not expected to close until the second quarter. Consequently, Marquee is not making any decisions about or for Gray’s people or operations.”
Staff at the Scottsbluff station were notified late last week, meaning that community staples like John Clanton, who has been covering area athletes since 2001, will be looking for a new market to share his signature catch phrase ‘See ya!’. Also known to be impacted were a trio of young reporters early in their careers.
The sale was also expected to impact sales representatives and a production director who have served for more than a decade as the station management moved from Duhamel Broadcasting to Rushmore Broadcasting Inc., to Schurz, and then most recently to Gray.
Their news Facebook page was deactivated on Friday, and their news website page hasn’t been updated with local news since Thursday.
Last week’s announcement comes about six weeks after they rebranded from NBC Nebraska to KGWN Scottsbluff.
The TV station began its roots in the Panhandle in 1958 as KDUH, the namesake for founder Helen Duhamel. It broadcast out of its station in Hay Springs, Nebraska until moving its operations to Scottsbluff in the early 1980’s.
Jerry Dishong was the fixture anchorman for the Panhandle for KDUH/ NBC Nebraska for more than 50 years, until his retirement in 2018.
Friday and Monday’s newscasts on KNEP have been coming out of Cheyenne, Wyoming’s ‘Wyoming News Now’ broadcast. As the Marquee Broadcasting merger gets closer to being finalized, it is unknown at this time what that will mean for the NBC provider in the Panhandle.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was updated 2/7/24 with and by a statement issued by Gray Media Group.
