By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
After decades of shaping local news in Hays and beyond, News Reporter Becky Kiser will sign off for the final time at the end of Sept.
Kiser's passion for journalism began in the fourth grade when she wrote news for her parents’ newspaper company in Protection.
"It was a little weekly newspaper that included the highlights for the schools that week. I remember writing a column about the class chameleon, Gilligan," she said.
Kiser was born in Blackfoot, Idaho, and later moved to Dodge City, where she graduated from Dodge City Senior High School and Dodge City Community College. She became involved in an award-winning radio broadcasting program and worked as a stringer for a local radio station, KEDD.
After community college, Kiser continued her education at Fort Hays State University, earning a bachelor's and master's in communications.
She started her professional career at KAYS Radio and TV in Hays in 1981 before moving in 1987 to Portales, New Mexico, where she led college students in a nightly local news program on the PBS station.
"I started at KAYS as the TV weather girl and then made my way to reporter and news anchor. I also produced and anchored radio newscasts," she said. "I then went to work at Eastern New Mexico University and was a teacher and advisor for the school's PBS television station, KENW."
After her time in New Mexico, Kiser relocated to Amarillo, Texas, in1989, joining ABC affiliate KVII as the medical reporter and co-anchor for the prime time 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
While in Texas, Kiser said the most well-known person she interviewed was Barbara Bush, wife of former President George H. W. Bush.
"She was on a media tour for her dog who wrote a book. It was unusual to promote White House pets like that but it was in his name and it was really sweet," Kiser said.
Kiser returned to Hays in 1991 after KAYS-TV was sold and rebranded as KBSH, continuing to work in TV news. She later returned to Fort Hays State University as a teacher of radio and TV classes.
After seven years of teaching, Kiser launched a local cable TV news show in 1994 called 'The Local Edition' for KMA production company on Hays Cable TV. The program migrated to Eagle Community Television, where it became known as 'Street Beat,' and eventually became Hays Post.
"That was a learning curve for me because it was online. I was going from changing writing styles from broadcast to a print writing style," Kiser said.
Hays Post transitioned into an online news platform, where Kiser hosted radio shows on KAYS and provided news updates in both the mornings and evenings.
Kiser also watched the community's growth through her regular coverage of the Hays city commission meetings on Thursdays.
"I love Hays. I'm excited about the growth we've seen in the last few years, both population and business-wise. It says a lot about the community and the region and I hope to see it continue," she said.
After more than four decades in journalism, Kiser witnessed major changes in the media including technology, shifts in the on-screen presentation of news anchors and evolving reporting standards.
Kiser said she appreciates the colleagues she’s worked with throughout her career, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in the newsroom.
As her retirement approaches, Kiser said she feels excited and anxious but will stay involved in the community while enjoying well-deserved relaxation.
She said her career was a journey of engaging with everyday people to well-known figures, never knowing what each day would bring.
"It's been a wonderful experience. I look forward to coming to work every day because I like what I do and not everybody gets to say that about their job," Kiser said.
Over the years, Kiser has received numerous awards, including:
- 2024 KAB honorable for multimedia reporting
- 2023 KAB first place for multimedia reporting
- Second place for complete newscast and honorable mention for a special program
- 2022 KPA first place for best story originating from a public notice
- 2022 KAB honorable mention for complete newscast.
She is currently on the United Way of Ellis County board and a member of Women Who Lead.