Jim Sharpe, Jayme West to take reins of Arizona’s Morning News
Oct 21, 2015, 3:22 PM | Updated: Oct 22, 2015, 9:15 am
Jim Sharpe and Jayme West
PHOENIX — Arizona’s Morning News will soon have two new voices: Longtime news personality Jim Sharpe and award-winning anchor Jayme West are taking over KTAR News’ popular program next month.
The duo will replace Arizona Hall of Fame broadcaster Ned Foster, who is retiring after nearly 27 years, and Connie Weber, who recently left her post as Arizona’s Morning News co-anchor following a successful decade-long run.
Jim and Jayme begin their new roles on Nov. 30.
“With more than 40 years of combined local news experience, Jim and Jayme are the perfect pair to move the Arizona’s Morning News product forward on air, online and on social media,” said Ryan Hatch, Bonneville Phoenix Vice President of Content and Operations. “We think their natural chemistry, insatiable curiosity and passion for our community will be warmly received by our audience, which counts on Arizona’s Morning News to keep them informed and connected.”
Sharpe, a 2006 Associated Press Arizona Reporter of the Year and a war correspondent, most recently hosted a nationally syndicated news talk program on USA Radio Networks. He’s also hosted morning shows in Phoenix, most notably “Sharpe in the Morning.”
“I grew up in Arizona – and grew up on the air in Arizona,” said Sharpe, whose broadcasting career started in Page, Arizona, when he was 16 years old. “I’m honored to be able to bring my deep, local perspective to the show and combine that with the rock-solid journalism standards set by the Edward R. Murrow Award-winning KTAR News team.”
West, a five-time Arizona Associated Press Reporter of the Year winner and 19-year KTAR veteran, will move to mornings after previously anchoring the news in afternoon drive and hosting Arizona’s Evening News.
“As an Arizona native, I was a fan of KTAR long before I began working here. So I appreciate what an honor it is to help lead Arizona’s Morning News,” said West. “I’m also a big fan of Jim Sharpe, so this is really exciting.”
Arizona’s Morning News is Arizona’s only all-news radio show, featuring airborne traffic updates every six minutes in the morning with “Detour” Dan Beach.
