Iowa native journalist Elias Johnson returning to WHO 13 as anchor

WHO 13 Information is welcoming again an Iowa native to its anchor desk. 

Elias Johnson, who brings 14 years of broadcast expertise, together with eight in Des Moines, is returning to WHO 13, the information station introduced Friday. 

Johnson’s hiring comes after the departure of anchor Dan Winters, who spent 18 years at WHO 13 as a weeknight anchor and reporter. Winters was employed as vice chairman of communications and public affairs for BHE Renewables earlier this month. 

Johnson received regional and nationwide Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in journalism, in addition to 4 further profession Emmy awards. 

Johnson received his begin in Des Moines in 2007 as a reporter with KDSM-TV, shifting on to KPHO in Phoenix as a multimedia journalist. He labored as a public data officer for the Pinal County, Arizona, sheriff’s workplace, then as an anchor at KNRV-TV in Reno, Nevada. He labored as an anchor for WOI-TV’s “Good Morning Iowa” for six-plus years earlier than departing in Could 2021. Final June, he joined the content material workforce at IAwrestle.

Extra:WHO anchor Dan Winters departs Des Moines station after 18 years on air to concentrate on household

Johnson graduated from Manson Northwest Webster, the place he was a four-time letter winner in wrestling. He wrestled at Iowa Central Neighborhood Faculty earlier than ending his school profession Arizona State College, the place he was a member of the workforce’s 2006 convention championship workforce (then the PAC-10) at 141 kilos. He earned his bachelor’s diploma from Arizona State.

He’ll work alongside anchors/storytellers Erin Kiernan, Jannay Towne and Justin Surrency, WHO 13 introduced. The group will workforce up with Ed Wilson, WHO 13’s chief meteorologist of 35 years, and sports activities director Keith Murphy, a 26-year veteran of WHO 13.

KCCI goes all in on climate with 5 meteorologists on air, hiring 2 newcomers

“We wish to proceed to develop our native content material by bringing essential tales and dwell reporting to Central Iowa,” mentioned WHO 13 vice chairman and basic supervisor Bobby Totsch. “This veteran group of journalists has referred to as Des Moines residence for many years, and they’re very acquainted to our viewers.”

WHO 13 additionally moved meteorologist Jeriann Ritter to a daytime/afternoon shift and meteorologist Megan Salois to the weekday morning position. Ritter will deal with climate for the midday, 4 p.m. and, often the 5 p.m. information. 

Virginia Barreda is a trending and basic project reporter for the Des Moines Register. She might be reached at vbarreda@gannett.com. Comply with her on Twitter at @vbarreda2.