Early shift

Justin Kree signed on for the first time Monday as WLNS’ morning news co-anchor. Kree slides into a co-anchor seat that has been vacant since Evan Pinsonnault left for California in February.

“My ultimate career goal is anchoring, so this is a step in the right direction,” Kree said.

He joins coanchor Chivon Kloepfer at the WLNS morning news desk. Kloepfer, who has been anchoring solo since February, is glad to have a co-anchor to share the workload.

“I’m used to go, go go, non-stop working,” she said. “Now I can actually leave the desk and sit down for a minute.”

Kree, a Brighton native, graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2012 and left Michigan to take a job at KWES in west Texas shortly after. He worked for two years in Texas, but when he saw an opening at WLNS, he jumped at the chance to get back to Michigan. He was hired as a reporter at the station in mid-May.

“In Brighton we can still get Lansing news,” Kree said. “It’s nice to be closer to home, closer to family. I’m really enjoying it.”

Even in the short time at the station, he has made a good impression on his co-workers.

“As soon as I found out he was a candidate (for co-anchor), I knew he would fit right in,” Kloepfer said. “He’s a team player.”

Kree joins a team of on-air talent that has been all-female since Pinsonnault’s departure. Kloepfer, who is joined most mornings by meteorologist Emily Wahls and reporter Mariah Harrison, is looking forward to a more gender balanced show.

“It’s nice to have a male presence on the show again,” Kloepfer said.

Kree is excited about the new position, and is glad for the opportunity to stay with WLNS.

“I think it’s a really good fit,” Kree said. “The chemistry is great, and the passion for news is there.”