After nearly nine years as a KCNC-Channel 4 news anchor and reporter, Molly Hughes is off the air.
“They didn’t renew my contract. They’re thinking about saving money,” Hughes told me nearly two weeks after her last day. She said management called her March 22 and told her that March 26 would be her last day.
While not sharing specifics about her contract, Hughes said she had “a significant period of time left” on it, for which she is getting paid.
KCNC general manager Walt DeHaven declined to comment, saying it’s the station’s policy not to discuss personnel matters.
“Right now I am focusing on my kids; it’s awesome,” Hughes said. “I’ve worked since they were born, and up to the day they were born. The break feels pretty good in my second week.”
Hughes, hired by the station in 2001 as the morning-news co-anchor, moved to the big show as night-time anchor six months later after Aimee Sporer left KCNC to stay home with her children. After seven years in that seat, Hughes was demoted to a reporter after the station decided to bring in Karen Leigh, new blood from Minneapolis.
At the time, management said they were pleased that Hughes elected to take the lower-profile job rather than quit altogether.
“I’m a workhorse,” Hughes said. “I don’t know how long I’ll be able to be idle. I’m available.”
Southwest promos.
Southwest Airlines is sporting a “double header” in Denver this weekend with special promotions for the Rockies home opener today and the Denver Nuggets game Saturday against the San Antonio Spurs.
To celebrate the home opener, Southwest employees in uniform will be walking around LoDo and Coors Field between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. handing out Southwest-branded baseball cards inviting baseball fans to sign up for the Denver Baseball Vacation online sweepstakes with a chance to win airline tickets, hotel accommodations and game tickets to a Rockies away game. Register at southwest .
Saturday will be Southwest Airlines Night with the Nuggets, featuring a tailgate party at 5 p.m. at a Southwest Airlines tent outside Pepsi Center. The first 80 fans who show up at the tent, find the Southwest mascot and say “Bags fly free only on Southwest Airlines” win tickets to that night’s game.
Local vocal Angie Stevens will perform at the tent between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.
The first 7,000 people who arrive get a $25-off fare-saver coupon.
Sushi scene.
East will soon meet West at Elway’s in The Ritz-Carlton Denver when a sushi bar is installed alongside the existing raw bar in the restaurant.
The new space, which should be up and swimming by the end of the month, will feature a dedicated sushi chef making the usual sushi suspects plus a special Elway’s Downtown Roll with ingredients to be determined. Prices are under $10, and valet parking is free.
EAVESDROPPING
A man to a woman at the Denver Auto Show:
“You look so relaxed. Did you stop off at a dispensary before coming here?”
Penny Parker’s column appears Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-630 AM. Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.
