Kim Wagner has been running the morning shift so long she’s nearly forgotten what a routine schedule looks like.
But the popular KSNV Channel 3 anchor has been reminded this summer of what it’s like not to wake up at 1 a.m. Wagner has been off the air since July 13, following her doctor’s advice. The demanding, upside-down schedule had taken a health toll, and Wagner simply needed a break.
She is scheduled to return on or around Oct. 15.
Wagner confirmed those details this week.
“It turns out that waking up at 1 a.m. for almost two decades can take a toll on your health,” Wagner said. “On doctor’s orders, I’m taking some time off the early morning anchor desk to work on my health. But I’m already looking forward to waking up Las Vegas once again in mid-October, when I return well rested.”
KSNV General Manager Larry Strumwasser declined to comment, citing policy from the station’s parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, not to discuss personnel matters.
Wagner’s shifts run 4 a.m.-7 a.m. weekdays. She and her husband, Dana Wagner, started at the station on January 8, 2001. They shared the morning newscast under the “Wake Up With the Wagners” brand from July 2007 through September 2022.
Dana has since moved to the 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. newscasts. He also cited the challenging schedule as the catalyst for the move to the p.m. telecasts. He is typically delivers the noon and 3 p.m. weather reports, and anchors the 5 and 6 p.m. newscasts. Combined, the couple has averaged about 30 hours of airtime every week.
Air Supply/Moreno connection
Air Supply and Frankie Moreno are both recurring headliners at Westgate’s International Theater. Air Supply’s co-founders Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock are back Friday and Saturday night. Moreno returns Nov. 27.
The respective musicians also share a history in Vegas and internationally. Moreno was music director on the 2008 “From The Heart Tour.” He also wrote much of the duo’s 2010 “Mumbo-Jumbo” album. The Russell-Moreno-written single “Dance With Me” hit No. 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.
Air Supply, with Moreno as keyboardist and MD, played a memorable, sold-out show at Orleans Showroom ahead of their world tour. Afterward, the crew raced to Rush Lounge at Golden Nugget, where Moreno was in residency.
Joshua Bell, the violin virtuoso, and members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic joined the party after their concert at UNLV’s Ham Hall. Russell and Moreno (and at least one Elvis tribute artist) led rowdy covers of “All Out of Love,” “Every Woman in the World” and some Presley classics.
The scene sparked the term “cool hang alert,” which lives on today.
And on that point …
Cool Hang Alert
We have spent innumerable Cool Hangs with the esteemed and vocally fantastic Travis Cloer. T.C. is back 7 p.m. Sunday at Aliante’s Access Showroom, performing the best of the Frankie Valli catalog. Cloer played Valli in “Jersey Boys” on the Strip for eight years and about 2,500 performances. He knows his way around the material. Go to boydgaming.com for intel.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.