People who watch lots of TV news sometimes feel very protective of those who sit a the anchor desk and deliver it. They care about their hair, clothes, and general demeanor. After all, they are coming into their living rooms on a daily basis, so to speak, with their electronic presence. So it must have been with heavy hearts that the public learned of the retirement of Carolyn Long, the longtime KCTV evening news anchor, after almost 29 years. KCTV is the CBS affiliate in Kansas City. Her final day was May 30. Long's replacement is Lauren Magarino.
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There Is Excited Buzz About Lauren Magarino, Who Is Replacing Carolyn Long
Per popculture.com, Josh Morgan, news director of KCTV5, shared, "We are beyond excited to welcome someone of Lauren's character and talent to our newsroom. I can't wait for the community to get to see just how much she cares about her work, her teammates, and the Kansas City area as a whole."
Magarino assumed her new anchor responsibilities a couple of weeks ago on June 2. Long graciously gave her some advice. "I will tell you a secret about this desk. This news desk, I think, has magical powers. I can have a full-on migraine, and I come around here, and I stand in my little spot, and I get ready to talk and that migraine goes away. It's a magical moment here and it happens in every newscast. I hope that magic passes along to you. I hope you feel it, too."
Long Was Hired Back In 1996
Don North, who was then the station's news director, brought Long on board. He praised her warmly. Per the outlet, he said of her, she was "an easy hire to make. I mean, she was really good from the very beginning." Long swiftly proved herself, "eventually being promoted to the anchor desk, becoming one of Kansas City's most recognizable faces in local news."
She Reminisced About Her Lengthy And Distinguished Career
Before she went out the door at KCTV, Long looked back fondly at her time there. "I remember when I walked in the door the first time and there was a long-time reporter here, Lana Joyce. And up on the board was 'celebrating 20 years. When I came in for my interview I thought, 'Oh my gosh. Who stays at a television job that long?' And look at me now. It's been a blink. It really has flown by."
Long is also looking forward to the future with joy and anticipation. Her husband already took a job in Florida and they have been making the very arduous commute just to be with each other. She said, "It's time to reunite our family and get back together" and "it's just time to try new things."
