Beloved local news anchor announces exit after 39 years
His father always said: 'Don't stay too long at the party.' After nearly four decades, a familiar face is leaving Portland televisions.
KATU anchor Steve Dunn is retiring from news at the end of this year.
Dunn is the host of KATU's weekly political show 'Your Voice, Your Vote.' He was a pioneer for KATU's City in Crisis coverage, spotlighting Portland's core struggles during the pandemic and recovery.
Dunn made it clear that he is retiring only from news, not his career. He has other journalistic endeavors to see through.
Dunn attended Central Michigan University and studied broadcasting. He interned at WXYZ-TV in Detroit.
Prior to KATU, Dunn worked at at WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan and WPBN-TV in Traverse City, Michigan. He moved to Arizona and worked at KGUN-TV in Tucson.
Dunn came to Portland in 1986 and earned nine Emmy nominations during his time at KATU. He is a four-time Emmy recipient for Top News Anchor in the Northwest four times.
KATU anchor Steve Dunn is retiring from news at the end of this year, he is the host of KATU's weekly political show 'Your Voice, Your Vote'
Dunn came to Portland in 1986 and earned nine Emmy nominations during his time at KATU, he also won the Emmy for Top News Anchor in the Northwest four times
The beloved anchor enjoys golf in his free time. He holds an annual golf tournament called 'Dunn's Duffers' in support of local charities.
Dunn is set to retire in mid-December. He shared a personal message with his viewers, saying he feels ready for a new chapter and is exploring other passions.
He made it clear this was not a sudden decision and that he will miss his coworkers.
One of his favorite memories in the newsroom was throwing snowballs at his longtime co-anchor Debora Knapp.
She agreed, telling KATU: 'We've spent countless snow days in hours long coverage, on set together. Perhaps my favorite snow day was when he brought the weather inside the studio and started throwing snowballs at me in the middle of a newscast.'
Knapp also said she couldn't have asked for a better partner on the news set.
'I'm lucky to call him more than a co-worker, he's a friend. Remember, don't believe everything you read on the internet. We are not married, no matter what google tells you.'
The beloved anchor enjoys golf in his free time, holding an annual golf tournament called 'Dunn's Duffers' in support of local charities
'It's a given that he's a great journalist, but what I will treasure is the person he is.'
KATU News Director Danielle Frack expressed that Dunn will be missed for his experience and commitment to covering big stories the right way.
She said: 'It's cliché, but must be said – there is no one like Steve Dunn. That's no more obvious than when you introduce him to a new employee.'
'The KATU News family wishes him the very best in his new adventure.'
