StarBulletin.com

Veteran TV anchor Coble returns to desk


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POSTED: Saturday, March 07, 2009

;  Veteran Hawaii newscaster Linda Coble will join the KHON2 Morning News Monday, alongside husband Kirk Matthews, as guest co-anchor.

“;We are very happy and excited that Linda is coming on board,”; said Joe McNamara, president and general manager, in a statement. “;We look forward to the new husband and wife anchor team.”;

Regular co-anchor Kathy Muneno is on extended maternity leave.

“;I've come off the bench,”; Coble said, adding she is merely “;warming the chair”; for Muneno, probably for a matter of weeks.

Nielsen ratings periods are all-hands-on-deck in local TV, but with a marquee anchor out, McNamara approached Coble. The usual February sweeps were moved to March 5 through April 1 due to the Feb. 17 digital transition.

Coble is unlikely to file stories for later shows as in the past.

“;I have so many community service obligations,”; particularly with the Rotary Club that “;I could not work past 8 (a.m.),”; she said.

Doing a morning show means brutally early wake-ups, but “;getting up at 2:30 with my honey is going to be a delightful way to start the day,”; Coble said.

Coble's career has included time at KITV (then KHVH-TV), KGMB-TV, KOIN-TV in Portland, Ore.; and KSSK-AM 590/FM 92.3.