Sydney Benter, a KXAN Austin evening anchor, signed-off the station Friday, May 28, 2021.
Benter posted on Facebook in June that her contract was not renewed:
"I appreciate the inquiries regarding my whereabouts given I'm no longer on your TVs each night. I know there are plenty of folks who won't mind my absence, but to those who've taken the time to reach out, compliment my work and wish me well, please know I'm so thankful for your support. I value authenticity and professionalism and I'm heartened to hear that came across to many of you.
So, the short version of the story is this: my contract expired and I wasn't asked to stick around."
You can read Benter's full Facebook message below.
On June 10, 2021, Britt Moreno debuted as the new KXAN evening news anchor.
Benter announced her departure from the Nexstar station on her social media accounts at the end of May.
"It’s time to remove the blinders that have allowed me to plow through the last couple months. I can’t avoid the date on my calendar any longer—Friday says: 'last day at KXAN.'
If life came with an instruction manual, I’d follow the directions to the next step. Instead, I’m staring at a blank page that’s daring me to write a plot twist. It’s at once liberating and terrifying.
Whatever lies ahead, I’m so fortunate to have friends, family and (soon-to-be-former) colleagues who offered encouragement and validation when life threw me a curveball I wasn’t anticipating. At least I can safely cross baseball player off the list! One down, plenty other possibilities to explore."
UPDATE: Benter posted on her LinkedIn account that in November 2021, she joined the City of Austin as a Public Information Specialist.
Benter came to KXAN in October of 2017 from WKRC Cincinnati, Ohio where she was an evening news reporter and anchor.
She previously worked for WTWO Terre Haute, Indiana as an evening news anchor.
The Cincinnati native is a University of Cincinnati grad.
There has been lots of changes at KXAN as of late. Just this week, I posted that KXAN investigative reporter Erin Cargile was leaving the station.
In January, longtime chief weathercaster, Jim Spencer, announced his semi-retirement from KXAN.
*Post updated with Benter June update and news about Britt Moreno joining KXAN as afternoon/night news anchor.
