SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 2, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — KUTV 2, the Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate in Salt Lake City, has named Heidi Hatch as a new main anchor, finally replacing Shauna Lake who left the station in May, two months after a second DUI arrest.
Hatch is no stranger to the anchor desk or the Salt Lake City market, having worked at KUTV for nearly a decade. Prior to that, she worked as a reporter/anchor for KTVX, before moving to Orlando where she held a morning anchor gig at FOX 35 for five years.
Word of Hatch’s ascension came by way of an e-mail from news director Mike Garber. “In addition to being a strong anchor, Heidi is very good at impact reporting and engaging on social media, all things our customers say is critical. In her nine years since returning to Utah, Heidi has certainly gained the trust and confidence of the people of Utah,” he wrote.
Hatch’s hiring came after a weeks of on-air auditions, during which time she and veteran KUTV morning anchor Mary Nickles took turns appearing on the station’s all-important 10 p.m. newscast, along side anchor Mark Koelbel.
Insiders say both Nickles and Hatch had lobbied intensely for job while the station conducted an exhaustive search across the U.S. for Lake’s replacement until just a couple of weeks ago.
Hatch will assume the position for the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts beginning Aug. 10.
Congrats to Heidi! I love her spirit. I also love Mary, but it stressed me out thinking she wouldn’t be part of the noon news. That would have really ruined my day!
I really miss shaun a lake. I believe the station should have helped shaun a instead of getting rid of her. We all have faults, even you. I came here from Missouri 7 years ago
There they have compassion. Sorry this station doesn’t.
I really like Heidi. However the station should have helped Shauna with her medical condition. I just heard Sterling tonight thank Shauna and Mark er Heidi and Mark. Obviously she is still part of the soul of KUTV.
How do we know KUTV did not offer help to Shauna? Sometimes people think there is NOT a point of no return for them.
I also miss Shauna Lake. She has something about her that people felt. She was human. She wasn’t fake or pretend to be better than anyone else. She gave us the news like she knew what she was talking about. She just didn’t read it. She had the passion when she talked. Find someone who can do the same. To bad you couldn’t give her more help. Not the 2 strikes your out.
I personally believe Heidi is the spot on personality for KTVU. She is fresh in professionalism and appearance.
My best to Shauna and wish for her success in ridding an issue plaguing most every street corner in American.
Speaking from a glass house.