Kris Gutierrez announced his departure from his evening anchor position to the KPRC 2 staff in an internal email sent out by general manager Jerry Martin today:
UPDATE JUNE 2022
Keith Garvin named KPRC 2 evening anchor
"Today we say goodbye to a friend and colleague, Kris Gutierrez. Kris has been a valued member of our news team on two different occasions.
I will let Kris explain in his own words why he has made the difficult decision to resign, but he leaves with our deepest respect and understanding.
"Stepping away from a main anchor job, while a difficult decision, is a small price to pay for family. The reality is my parents, back home in Dallas, need more help these days and I’ve always promised to do whatever I can, as best as I can.
This global pandemic has been a constant reminder that work will always be there, but time with family isn’t guaranteed forever.
Please know that I’ve approached each day with excellence.
Our news team should be proud of the work we’ve accomplished together, at a time when viewers expected it more than ever. Houston will always hold a special place in my heart.
My wife, my kids and I will always be thankful for the love and support we’ve received from this community and I’ll always be grateful for the tremendous opportunity that KPRC 2 gave me… not just once, but twice."
Thank You, Kris… you will be missed by our viewers and your co-workers.
Kris's last day will be February 2, 2022."
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Gutierrez returned to KPRC in March of 2020 to anchor with Dominique Sachse who herself left the TV biz in October 2021 to focus on her upcoming book and YouTube channel. He took over the seat vacated by Bill Balleza who retired at the beginning of 2020.
At his time of departure, Gutierrez has only worked weeks with new co-anchor Daniella Guzman who just arrived from KNBC 4 Los Angeles (and previously was a KPRC 2 weekend anchor).
The multiple Emmy and Regional Edward R. Murrow Award-winning Gutierrez previously worked at KPRC 2 from 2003 to 2007 as a reporter.
The Lewisville, TX raised Gutierrez came back to Houston from NBC 5 News KXAS Dallas-Fort Worth where he was the 5pm anchor since March 2015.
Gutierrez anchored for CBS 2 Chicago WBBM before joining KXAS. Before that, he was a Fox News Channel national correspondent based in Dallas (this was the job he left KPRC 2 for).
Prior to his first time with KPRC, Gutierrez worked for KVUE 24 Austin, WKBN Youngstown, OH, and KXII Sherman, TX.
