Jim Riek

Contrary to what you hear from my colleagues, my real job in life is anchoring the 5, 6 and 10 o'clock news at KOMU 8. Yes, I do play golf -- a lot of golf -- but I have no plans of quitting my daytime job! Or is it my nighttime job? If I tried to make a living playing golf, I would go bankrupt!

I started this broadcasting career in Jefferson City with a radio job as a senior in high school. Working my way through college, I eventually shifted from radio to television. My radio stops also included stations in Fulton and Joplin.

Emily Spain

Emily Spain is an award-winning journalist who has come home to Mid-Missouri to rejoin the KOMU 8 News team. Join Emily with Jim Riek weekday evenings for KOMU 8 News at 5, 6, 9, and 10.

Emily and her family are thrilled to be back in their hometown where she was born and raised, graduated from the Missouri School of Journalism, and married her husband. She might already be a familiar face! After graduating from the university, Emily stayed in Columbia and worked as a morning anchor for KOMU 8 from 2012 to 2014. She also served as an adjunct faculty member for the university, teaching student journalists the ins and outs of the news biz. Before coming back to KOMU 8, Emily spent three years in North Carolina working as a multimedia journalist for WFMY News 2 and a videographer for Duke Health.

Megan Judy

Emmy Award winner Megan Judy has been the morning anchor with KOMU 8 News Today since December 2004.

Originally from St. Louis, I went to high school at St. Joseph's Academy and graduated from the University of Missouri with my Bachelor of Journalism.

Angie Bailey

I'm a Missouri girl. I was born and raised in Northeast Missouri, graduated from Mizzou and moved back to Columbia to work at KOMU 8 in 2005.

I grew up in a very small town as the daughter of a police chief and a school librarian. Sounds pretty fun, huh? It was actually great. I never want to live too far from my parents, and I really appreciate growing up in a rural community.

Jordan Berger

I wasn't born in Missouri, but I got here as fast as I could. Coming from Plano, Texas, I'm proud to be the first Missouri Tiger in my family, and I certainly won't be the last. From day one, I fell in love with this beautiful state, and getting to stay at KOMU 8, after working here as a student, is a total dream come true. Join me weekdays for KOMU 8 News at Noon and for KOMU 8 News Today on Saturdays at 6 and 9 a.m. and Sundays at 7 a.m.

Kenton Gewecke

People ask me all the time, "What made you want to be a weather man?" Well, it has never really been a question in my mind. I grew up in Kearney, Neb. (located in central Nebraska), and the weather there changes just as much as it does here, with severe weather and blizzards and all that good stuff. I love it.

Tim Schmidt

I am the morning weathercaster for KOMU 8 News Today. Who would have thought that a little kid who was scared of lightning would become a weatherman? My family and friends still won't let me forget that. Yet this is a true testament of how far conquering your fears can take you!

Growing up in St. Louis, my childhood was filled with sports, mainly baseball and running. We would make trips into Mid-MO often -- to visit family, watch Dad race quads at Finger Lakes or go to the Lake for a weekend.

Matt Beckwith

I've always wanted pursue broadcast meteorology as a career. When I was a kid, I would stand in front of my computer screen and pretend to give the forecast for hours on end. Now, it feels like life has come full circle. Join me weekdays for KOMU 8 News at Noon and KOMU 8 News at Five.

I want to be the smiling face that helps get you out the door, but I also want to keep mid-Missourians safe and calm when weather is at its worst.