NOW THE WHOLE STORY…

Tegna’s KARE got so excited over its hiring of the Twin Cities market’s first Hmong-American anchor it kind of lost sight of a host of other changes that station is making.

True, the hiring of Gia Vang is a landmark – at least for Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The Hmong community is an important demo – but she’s not the first to be on the air in the region.

More on that a little further along.

She’s coming to Minneapolis to fill the morning news slot that will be left open come July when Lauren Leamanczyk changes her alarm clock, turns in her morning coffee cups and shows up on the station’s planned revamp of its 5 pm newscast.

She’ll be joining Julie Nelson, Randy Shaver, Belinda Jensen and Eric Perkins while continuing her investigative reporter role.

“We are creating a new ensemble cast to showcase and tell stories differently during KARE 11 News at 5,” said Director of Content Stuart Boslow. “By adding Lauren to this already well established and award winning anchor team, we will be able to allow all three of our News anchors to get out in the community more and share stories that matter to all Minnesotans.”

“An ensemble cast”?

We doing “Knot’s Landing” here?

Please…

Back to Vang’s situation…
Other Hmong-Americans have made their mark in the Minneapolis-St. Paul market and several have anchored in smaller, neighboring markets.

Laura Lee reads the news for KAAL in Rochester and Bao Vang helped lead the morning team at WSAW in Wausau, Wis.

In the Twin Cities, Hmong-Americans have occasionally filled in behind the desk, like former KARE reporter Boua Xiong.

But Gia Vang appears to be the first Hmong-American coming into this market specifically as an anchor.

Happy to have her join the “cast” in a featured role.