mikemcguff.com: Shannon Wolfson to replace Leslie Rhode at KXAN Austin

KXAN Austin investigative reporter Shannon Wolfson to replace longtime anchor Leslie Rhode in December

KXAN in Austin announced investigative reporter Shannon Wolfson is taking over as main anchor. She will be replacing Leslie Rhode, who in October announced she was leaving by the end of the year after anchoring at the station for 14 years.

Shannon Wolfson

Investigative reporter Shannon Wolfson will be the new KXAN evening main anchor, joining the team of Robert Hadlock, First Warning Weather’s Jim Spencer and Sports Director Roger Wallace beginning Dec. 2.

The team anchors the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts on KXAN and the 9 p.m. newscast on The CW Austin.

"This is an exciting time for KXAN News, as we name a new leader to join our main anchor team," said News Director Chad Cross. "Shannon consistently contributes to the newsroom behind the scenes as well, with strong news judgment and an assertive, yet thoughtful approach to coverage."

Shannon will take over for Leslie Rhode, who has co-anchored KXAN's newscasts for a total of 14 years and has decided to step down. Her last day at KXAN is Nov. 27.

Most recently Wolfson was a full-time investigative reporter and will continue delivering investigative stories in this new role for KXAN.

"I have been so honored and humbled to be part of this team of incredible journalists at KXAN for the last seven years,” said Wolfson. “I am beyond excited about this new opportunity and look forward to continuing my investigative reporting, as well."

Wolfson, named Best TV Reporter for 2013 by the Austin Chronicle, began her career at KXAN in 2006 as a general assignment reporter. In 2009 she was named main anchor of KXAN News at 9 p.m. on The CW Austin. Her journalism career began at KXII-TV in Sherman, Texas where she was a reporter and an anchor.

Wolfson has covered memorable stories for KXAN like the Fort Hood Shootings, the plane crash into the IRS building in North Austin and the Michael Morton story where a man who was wrongfully imprisoned for 25 years was released after new DNA evidence testing.

Wolfson graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Journalism and a specialty in Broadcast News.

Rhode plans to stay in the Austin area where she plans to "contribute and maintain the friendships I am so blessed to have," she said. "I have always loved telling stories. Now I get to tell a few more bedtime stories."