PHOTOS: 75 years of WOWT

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - 6 News WOWT is celebrating our 75th anniversary on Thursday!

While working on some special ways to commemorate this milestone, 6 News has been looking through our archives and wanted to share some images of familiar faces we thought our audience would enjoy.

GARY KERR

Gary Kerr joined WOW radio and TV in 1964 before becoming an anchor at WOWT in 1971. Known as the “Cronkite of the Midwest,” Kerr even recorded a TV promo with the legendary newsman.

Kerr spent the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s behind the desk but it was his work in the field, reporting that energized him, sharing history firsthand alongside co-anchor Byron Wood. Kerr covered several presidential campaigns and also reported on the Iran hostage crisis on location in Germany.

Kerr retired in 1998 and was inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame in 2022.

Gary Kerr photo gallery

JOHN KNICELY

John Knicely has been a fixture on the WOWT anchor desk since 1992, but he first worked as a sportscaster for the station from 1974 to 1981.

He then went to work at an ABC affiliate in St. Louis before returning to Omaha at KETV in May 1984 before making way back to 6 News WOWT eight years later, anchoring the evening newscasts alongside Pat Persaud for a time.

John has since become a favorite in the community, particularly with his “Knicely Done” news features.

John Knicely photo gallery

JOHNNY CARSON

Johnny Carson, one of Nebraska’s most famous celebrities, spent much of his early broadcasting career at WOW radio and TV, where he hosted a morning show called “The Squirrel’s Nest.”