This Saturday marks a milestone for 5 On Your Side anchor Kay Quinn – 30 years at the station.
Kay began contributing stories to 5 On Your Side in January 1989 and signed her first full-time contract at the station on May 25 of that year. Since then, Kay has played a fundamental role telling the stories that matter most to St. Louis, including her signature work on the health beat. She built deep roots within the health community, covered the latest advances in medicine, and told the deeply personal medical stories of thousands of St. Louisans. But she says what’s most rewarding is the relationship she’s built with viewers.
“How blessed am I to have this opportunity to share the news of the day, the heartaches, sorrows, joys, and celebrations of our community with viewers,” said Kay. “I’ve been able to earn the trust of the people who watch, and I really value our relationship.”
For 20 years, Kay could also be seen anchoring weekend newscasts. While it’s a shift some people may not favor, she loved playing a part in making sure the station was always looking out for the interests of the community.
“I’m proud of that, and proud we’ve always kept viewers informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Kay. “It’s a commitment that’s never changed.”
For the last 17 years Kay has anchored alongside Mike Bush, someone she also considers a friend.
“Kay is just the consummate professional,” said Bush. “She’s a great anchor, a great reporter, but more than that she is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met in my life. For me, being able to call her a friend and a colleague has been like winning the lottery every year for 30 years.”
In 2011, Kay helped build the new 4 p.m. newscast from the ground up. She helped develop the type of show it is today and has anchored it for eight years. She calls it one of her most fulfilling accomplishments. She looks forward to continuing to bring viewers the news they need and want in the future.
“Kay’s commitment to our community is inspiring to all of us at 5 On Your Side,” said President and General Manager Alicia Elsner. “Kay gives so much of her free time to supporting organizations like Komen St. Louis and Catholic Charities. She also takes the time to mentor young journalists and aspiring anchors within our station. We value her work, her service to our region, and her dedication to St. Louis.”
Kay’s interest in television and journalism stems from her father’s career in sports management. Jack Quinn was the president of the St. Louis Blues Hockey Club in the 1980s and ‘90s. From a young age, his work ethic and optimism greatly influenced her life.
“I really feel like I wouldn’t be where I am today without the influence and guidance of my father,” said Kay. “He always gave me the best advice, including reminding me to enjoy what I do.”
Kay began her broadcasting career at radio stations in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, before moving to St. Louis in 1985, where she also worked in radio news. She is an Emmy Award winner, and her hard work has earned her much recognition over the years. She currently anchors the 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. newscasts Monday through Friday.
“I may have been here for 30 years, but it’s because of all the incredible people I work with that I’ve been here this long,” said Kay. “This is really a team sport, and my longevity here is because of the dedication of every single person in the building.”
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 49 television stations and two radio stations in 41 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and approximately 30 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry’s top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA also delivers innovative and unparalleled solutions for advertisers through TEGNA Marketing Solutions (TMS). TMS is a one-stop shop that helps businesses thrive through an unmatched suite of services and solutions that reach consumers across television, email, social and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit http://www.tegna.com/.
For more information contact:
Alicia Elsner, 314-444-5256
