Eight Emmys boost KMBC back to the top among area stations

After an off year, KMBC, Channel 9, returned to dominance as the most-honored Kansas City TV news operation at last weekend's Mid-America Emmys ceremony in St. Louis. Channel 9 took home eight awards, nine if you count the one sister station KCWE, Channel 29, won for promotion. That matches the night's high total of nine Emmys won by St. Louis station KSDK. KMBC photographer Tim Twyman scored a hat trick with one photography and two editing Emmys, and the station led all Kansas City entrants with 24 nominations, twice that of KSHB, Channel 41. Other KMBC winners include its Sunday-night "Sports Final," director Tim Sapp for live coverage, Jim Flink and Jason Rhodes for live spot news, Nikki Egan for best newscast producer and Sam Jones for promotion. KSHB took only two Emmys this year, compared with seven in 1997. It was, however, the only local station nominated for best newscast, and 41's Denny Brand won in a tough investigative-news category. Brand's expose of unqualified school-bus drivers beat out Stan Cramer's report on a crooked ambulance company and Brian Karem's look at the creaky Chouteau Bridge. Now for the downside: KSHB investigative producer Kim Kruger was laid off this summer. News director Lynn Heider is gone. And Lori Miller, nominated for best weathercaster, was recently demoted in favor of WDAF's Gary Lezak, who joins the station next year. Once again, KCPT, Channel 19, scored more Emmys than KCTV or WDAF, thanks to "Rare Visions and Roadside Revelations," the celebration of Midwestern folk art with Randy Mason, Mike Murphy and Don Mayberger. KCPT also won for "This Place Called Home," the Kansas City remembrance written and narrated by The Star's Charles Gusewelle. Longtime KCTV, Channel 5, news executive Jim Overbay got a nice retirement gift, sharing the award for best community outreach with Carol Williams. It was Channel 5's only Emmy. Laura Manivong collected the sole Emmy for WDAF, Channel 4, in writing. The short-lived "Fox 4 Investigates" unit, nominated this year for two Emmys, is now a memory. Reporter Brian Karem is reportedly leaving the station for personal reasons; his producer left WDAF months ago, and the position was never filled. Also winning an Emmy were Jim Wheeler and Claudia Wight of Lenexa-based Wheeler Film Productions for a public service announcement produced for the Kansas Health Foundation. Local stations took 15 of the 61 awards in the regional competition, dominated (as usual) by St. Louis TV stations. The Mid-America region includes TV markets in Missouri and parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky and Louisiana. Most of the judging was done by members of the Cleveland and Ohio Valley chapters of the TV academy. Former Kansas City newsman Russ Mitchell was host; he is co-anchor of "CBS News Saturday Morning," a program KCTV chooses not to air. Maria moves off mornings After more than 13 years of early rising, KMBC's Maria Antonia is taking a sanity break. Citing health and family reasons, Antonia signed off KMBC's 5:30 a.m. newscast and will assume weekend anchor duties next Saturday. Weekend anchor Flink moves to "First News" on Monday. Antonia will continue her reporting chores during the week. StarTouch: 889-7827 and enter 8852 (TVKC). E-mail: writeme@tvbarn.com