Austin360 blogs > TV Blog > Archives > 2008 > November > 20 > Entry
Meteorologist Laura Skirde leaving KXAN
Laura Skirde, KXAN’s ace weekend meteorologist and part-time reporter, is leaving Austin for the mountains of Denver, where she anticipates landing another job but doesn’t have one yet.
Her last weekend on the air here will be Nov. 29 and Nov. 30. Sniff, sniff.
“It’s a leap of faith but a very calculated move,” says Skirde, who came to KXAN from a morning roost in Peoria, Ill., in 2002.
“I’ve thought about it very deeply. My contract here was up, and they made me a nice offer to stay, and I do love the station, especially working with Jim Spencer. But I’m ready for a new challenge in my career.”
Specifically, Skirde, 35, is ready for prime time, and KXAN’s chief meteorologist Spencer is firmly entrenched in that top job.
“Laura is so talented, a terrific meteorologist,” said Michael Fabac, news director for KXAN. “Jim isn’t going anywhere, and Laura wants to free up her options. She’s been working weekends for a long time and wants to grow. She has the ability to do so much more than she’s doing.”
The station already has hired Skirde’s replacement, Natalie Stoll, a meteorologist from Sioux City, Iowa.
Since arriving in Austin, Skirde, who grew up in Denver and earned her degree at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has become a serious runner. A fixture on the hike-and-bike trail, she has run one marathon and plans to run more. She also enjoys golf and boating.
As she waits to land from her “leap of faith,” Skirde plans to spend a relaxed holiday season with her family in Denver. A white Christmas with time on the slopes sounds good to her.
And when she can announce that new job, which sounds like it’s more than just a possibility, Skirde says she’ll let us know.
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Comments
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By Jay
January 6, 2010 2:48 PM | Link to this
Laura is a nice addition to the KOVR CBS 13 News cast in Sacramento. If you guys think she is attractive you should watch the news cast sometime online. Everyone that works at KOVR is very attractive. From the weather girls to the reporters and anchors. Whoever does the hiring for them deserves an atta boy/girl because I've never seen a news cast with so many attractive Ladies and Men before. And no I don't go both ways, just confident, lol
By dave
October 13, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
I can see why you all miss Laura. she is awesome.Smart and beautiful. Great in front of the screen. We got her here in Sacramento.. Hope she stays for awhile.
By Mark H
August 14, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to say that I am from Modesto CA and so far she is a triple plus for us. I really look forward to watching the news and weather, and she is the icing that completes the cake for Sacramento and the rest of the valley.
By Rusty B.
August 4, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Your loss is our GAIN. As of August 3rd 2009, she's on KOVR13 and its sister station UPN31 KMAX in Sacramento, California now. She's been there for 2 two days so far and I can see why you all miss her so much. She has a great screen presence, nice voice, and already fits in well at her new home. I wish her the best.
By doobie
February 28, 2009 1:25 AM | Link to this
I miss seeing Laura on air just as I miss seeing Michelle Valles. course I can look at Michelle on channel 42 should I care to watch that show. I don't. guess I will not have that chance to watch Laura.
By hank r
February 2, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
am going to miss her..
By burrman
December 30, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Sorry to see Laura go. She WAS the reason my wife and I watched KXAN news. She is incredible in front of the camera and has a delivery matched by no one in the entire Austin market. Her coverage of news and weather was better than Jim Spencer in every way! KXAN let their best get away.
By davec
December 20, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
I didn't realize we had so many weather pervs in Austin...geez...
By Cole
December 7, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this
That sucks. Laura is definitely a big loss for KXAN. Other than Jim Spencer, there's not much reason to watch KXAN's newscasts anymore... :-(
By ab
December 2, 2008 10:25 PM | Link to this
I am so sad to hear that Laura is leaving!! You guys quit messing with my Jim Spencer! He is BY FAR my favorite meteorologist (next to Laura) and he too is a very nice and genuine person. As far as Michelle Valles is concerned,she needs to go back to where she came from. She is was flirting with my brother IN FRONT of his WIFE!!! What a tramp! Nobody wants a boozing, hoochie mama reporting the news! Good riddance!
By Austin Sucks
December 1, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Austin does not deserve someone of her caliber. She as the other exceptional people that have come and gone from Austin will say that she is glad to be in another city now.
By Roger
November 24, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
It's the weather, I mean come on, it's the freakin weather. There are 100,000 people in Austin that would do just as good of job with 2 weeks of on air training. On air TV work is not that hard. Oh so the hours are tough. So what isn't.. have fun in Denver sweetie...
By Bob
November 22, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
People understand why she's leaving but you hate to see Austin's best news/weather team broken up. She is, simply, as good as it gets. INTELLIGENT, lovely beyond mortal words...Leslie Rhode's arrival takes some of the sting out LS's departure but just barely. There's gonna be a Laura-shaped hole in local broadcasting for a long time. Best of luck to you, Laura Skirde, and don't forget the way back to Austin.
By Joho
November 21, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Some people have just got "IT" - Laura's one of those. Hate to see her go. I've always been awestruck at how professional she is. Maybe KXAN should have designated her as heir apparent (like UT did Will Muschamp), and given her a deal she couldn't turn down. No, different business altogether. All the best, Laura!
By Not Fooled
November 21, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Michelle Valles, stop leaving anonymous comments saying KXAN should bring you back!!
By Newswatcher
November 20, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
I agree. It's like KXAN wants to be bad. The news director is horrible I hear, and now I believe it after losing my favorite, Michelle Valles, now Laura Skirde? What the heck? The news is so boring with that chic Rhode. What are you thinking KXAN????
By laura
November 20, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Good luck to her. It will be good for her to get away from the over reacting austin market
By rob
November 20, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
KXAN is going downhill fast. The other networks are not much better, but after years of KXAN, I am watching the other networks now. It's almost as if KXAN wants to be bad.
By ralph r.
November 20, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Why do they keep the over dramatic jim spencer?
i only watch the weather on kxan when jim spencer isnt the one doing the weather.
By Dude
November 20, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
I guess I'll be moving to Denver to see her. :)
By nate
November 20, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
Yup wayyyytooo hott for this medium media market. I second the Michelle Valles nomination!
By Bobby
November 20, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
o well, the NEW star of local weather is KEYE 42's MEGAN CAMPBELL on weekday mornings. smokin hot and an awesomely soothing voice.
By MO Free
November 20, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Laura is the total package -- trusted meteorologist, personable and beautiful. Here's the real deal (what they won't make public): KXAN is losing serious ground in this market and Laura Skirde is ready for an opportunity that will propel her career to the next level. She was stuck at KXAN with no upside. Good move for her. The bonus is she will be staring at the mountains every day. Beats the heck out of a trip around "Lady Bird Lake."
By Rell
November 20, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
I think you're the hardest working person in weather... everytime you click on the tube.. it seems like Laura is on...
Best of luck!
By Kim
November 20, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Sorry to see her go, she and Spender make a great weather team, they are pretty much the only reason I tune into KXAN. I wish her the very best, and hope that one day she'll return to Austin.
By Ferd
November 20, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
She is great. I will sure miss her, and know that she will have no problem finding another job, she is so talented.
By Can;t get it right either
November 20, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
she didn't get a DUI like someone else we know? Did she? Hook'em
By Gander 62
November 20, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Hate to see her go, very good at what she did, especially since she didn't go to tu.
By JAS
November 20, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
One of the best in the business. A certified meteorologest that understands the charm of broadcast while bringing the forecast with professionalism and class. And she is one hell of a reporter... I will miss her more than most.
Peace...
By stella
November 20, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
She will be missed..Good Luck Laura in whatever you find. You are a great meteorologist!
By James Bond
November 20, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
What a baby doll.
By keith
November 20, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Should've dumped Spencer for this star. Once again, Austin is the stepping-stone market for real talent. Jim Spencer? Give me a break.
By keith
November 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
She's the only reason I ever watched KXAN....she's hot when she wants to be....oh well, KXAN is becoming the new Fox7 and no one wants to watch it...
By Bill
November 20, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
No, KXAN. Tell us it isn't true!!! KXAN is making a big mistake in letting this one go. She is not only very good at her job, but she is a genuinely nice person.
By LH
November 20, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Who cares.
By M1EK
November 20, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Ditto on the top notch. She actually interviewed me before the 2004 commuter rail election for a news story - she has skills beyond weather.
By KarenS
November 20, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
KXAN's loss will be someone'e gain!
By Dude
November 20, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
I'm going to miss her many sexy pink and black outfits.
By Manuel
November 20, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Top notch journalist and meteorologist... a loss for KXAN.
By I know!
November 20, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
bring in Michelle Valles to take over Skirde's spot!