Long-Time Minnesota TV Reporter + Anchor Announces Departure To Pursue ‘New Dreams’

A face very familiar to many television news viewers in a few different markets in Minnesota just announced her departure from her most recent TV home to pursue what appears to be something new.

Jennifer Austin, who grew up in the Twin Cities and went to college at St. Cloud State University, started her television news career in Duluth, Minnesota. Austin started off reporting and then anchoring the KBJR 6 (now called Northland News Now) morning newscast, eventually moving to anchoring the evening newscasts over her roughly 6 years in Duluth.

Jennifer departed her KBJR 6 evening post for a role at KARE 11 in the Twin Cities. During her time at KARE, she spent time reporting and anchoring for a station she grew up watching as a kid.

In a heartfelt Facebook message posted today (November 28) about her big announcement, Jennifer admitted she was a bit intimidated to join such a staff "full of all-stars" and work with people who inspired her to pursue her career in the industry.

Austin called working at KARE 11 "a dream I never thought I'd fulfill", spending 5 years of her nearly 12-year career in journalism at the Twin Cities NBC affiliate.

With her announcement of her departure, Jennifer seems to suggest she might be pursuing something a little different.

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In her post, she comments how a lot has changed over her 5 years with the station, but not necessarily negatively. Her family has grown. She has become great friends with her colleagues at the station. But with that change, Austin expresses it is time for another change.

She noted that "It is time. Time to learn new things. Time to fulfill new dreams", teasing that she will share more about those new dreams down the road.

Jennifer's last day on the air at KARE 11 will be this Friday, December 1.

In the meantime, I wish Jennifer the best. As someone who had the opportunity to work with her in a few capacities both at KBJR and on the radio during interviews between their morning show and our morning show, I can say she is truly a class act in every respect. Getting the chance to see her on the air once in a while in the Twin Cities, growing into a new role in a bigger market was cool to see as a fellow broadcaster.

Whatever your new adventures are, here's wishing you the best!