The Men of KDKA

The men of KDKA. (No other introduction needed)

Jon Delano – I don’t like him. That’s all Im gonna say because he detracts from my KDLove.

Ross Guidotti and Ralph Ianotti-For the longest time I got these two mixed up. Noooo. They do not look alike. It’s just their names. But here is the lowdown on each: Ross plays and coaches hockey. Gotta love him for that right there. Next up, he served in the USMC. Semper Fi, dude, Semper Fi. He’s always on top of the reports. He also has the thickest head of hair I believe I’ve ever seen. Now Ralph, not so much the thickest hair. But what he lacks on top he makes up for in heart. He handles “Crime Stoppers” which, of course is another segment of KDKA I love. He’s one of the first on the scene of any major story. He’ll be in Washington county then BAM! he’s in Westmoreland.

Stacy Smith – The man had polio as a kid and couldn’t even walk until he was 3 or 4 years old. At one time he was virtually paralyzed from the disease and could barely move except for his eyes. Did he roll over and decide to collect SSI for the rest of his life? Never contribute to society? Hells NO! He’s on the board of directors for Harmarville Rehab and belongs to the 3 Rivers Council for Independent Living. What. A. Guy. Invincible.

David Highfield – The hometown boy. The boy next door. The boy who is not afraid to get wet and muddy during a flood to get the news out. He is Robin minus the lame tights.

Jory Rand – Yum! I don't even mind when he fills in for Bob Pompeani. Yum! Gorgeous and he played hockey growing up? ‘Nuff said. Did I mention Yum? If you don't have HD...get it. He looks even better in HD. I know that this section on Jory is not much other than me mooning over him, but YUM!

Dave Crawley – he makes everywhere KD Country. Every story has a cute little rhyme. I just love those segments.

Harold Hayes – He’s been on KDKA even longer than Patrice! 1979. He’s a staple of my KD viewing. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him doing a story standing in the rain with his glasses all wet and you know he can’t see a damn thing, yet he keeps reporting for us. He is rock solid.

Paul Martino – Has a band called “The Mystic Knights”. Paul covers everything but when there was political shit going down you just knew he would be there. I sometimes think he, Pompeani and Ken Rice are brothers separated at birth.

Bob Allen – This guy is just a great big teddy bear. You just want to hug him when you see that big smile. I just love when it’s snowing out and he wears that fedora. Many times you don’t get to actually see him when his story is on. You just hear his calm, reassuring voice. That's okay though. I can see his big smile through his voice.

Jim Lokay – Ok, I admit, Im not awake to watch him when he does the traffic in the morning. But if I did wake up in time to watch the tellie, I would turn him on. He’s also on during other segments and I have to say I like him. How could I not? He has a German Shepherd Dog.

Marty Griffin – I know he thinks he’s Clark Kent with those glasses and Im assuming Kristine thinks he’s Superman. Marty is on the lookout for us. He’s not afraid to get in somebody’s face when he investigates a case. You can just tell the bad guys hate him when he busts them. You never know when and where Marty is gonna pop up. So, if you’re doing something shady you better watch out! He’ll getcha!

John Shumway – I so very much miss the days of John and Larry Richert in the mornings. Those were the days I had to get up at like 6 am to get to work. These two made me wake up earlier just so I could watch their antics. John is still on the radio with Larry on KDKA in the mornings and I still listen, cracking up laughing the entire time (which anyone who knows me knows it is very hard to get me to even crack a smile in the mornings). Don’t let his good nature fool you though. He’s one of the best reporters on KD and can be all business when he has to be.

Bob Pompeani - Man knows more about sports than anyone else in the world. National, International or Local. He knows his stuff. At the same time, he got an award from PBA in 1998 for their Professional Image Award. He got an award from a beauty school? I recently saw him and his family on the Subway 5 Dollar footlong commercial and I almost peed my pants laughing. I only saw it once and haven’t seen it again. I think it should be played at least every hour. He deserves a superhero name all his own, and he already has one: The Pomp.

And then there is my man….

Ken Rice – Let’s face it…no other man can have eyebrows like that and come off as sexy as he does. Ken is always the consummate professional, but with a human touch and a great sense of humor. I think he is on KDKA all day long and never sleeps. Hometown High-Q is better than Jeopardy. He can deliver some of the funniest quips and never crack a smile, which just makes it all the more hilarious. Recently, during the shootings at LA Fitness, he was the man. You could tell he was furious with the shooter and the senselessness of the violence. At the same time he looked heartbroken for the victims and their families. Yet he stayed professional. Gave us the news as it broke but cautioned us that all details were not verified and not to jump to conclusions. It was some of the best work I’ve ever seen and I was so proud to be a KD watcher even though my heart was breaking at the tragedy unfolding. He is Batman. Not just my opinion. This is the truth. He really is Batman!