Press release announcing hiring of Kris Gutierrez as morning anchor:

CHICAGO (CBS) — Kris Gutierrez has been hired as the new morning news anchor at CBS 2 Chicago [WBBM-TV]. Beginning March 12, 2012, Kris will anchor the 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday broadcasts alongside current co-anchor Susan Carlson.

In announcing the appointment, Jeff Kiernan, vice president and news director of CBS 2 Chicago said, “Kris has an incredible depth of news experience – on a local and national level – and I am thrilled to welcome him to our morning news team. He will bring a new energy and fresh perspective to our early morning news show and I’m confident viewers will enjoy his broadcast style.”

Gutierrez comes to Chicago from FOX News Channel where, since 2007, he has been a national correspondent based in Dallas, TX. As a network reporter for FOX News, Gutierrez was responsible for all editorial content in a four state region: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas.

Previously, Gutierrez worked as a reporter and fill-in anchor at KPRC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Houston [2004-07] and KVUE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Austin [2001-04].

Gutierrez began his broadcast career as a reporter and weekend anchor for two CBS stations. From 1999-2000, he worked at KXII-TV in Sherman, TX and, from 2000-2001, he worked at WKBN-TV in Youngstown, OH.

Gutierrez, who is married with two children, graduated from Texas Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. His father is from Mexico and his mother grew up in Downers Grove, IL.

“CBS 2 Chicago has a rich tradition of producing quality news that informs and enlightens and I’m excited to join the team,” Gutierrez said. “In addition, I look forward to reconnecting with my extended family living in the Chicagoland area.”

Bruno Cohen, CBS 2 President/General Manager, took time to thank anchor/reporter Jim Williams, who has been filling-in weekday mornings since July, 2011. “During our search for a morning news co-anchor, Jim Williams made an extraordinary contribution to our newscasts by doing double-duty – anchoring weekday mornings and weekends,” Cohen explained. “It was a tough schedule and we are excited to have Jim back full-time as weekend anchor and weekday reporter.”

The CBS 2 Chicago 4:30-7 a.m. news is the only early morning newscast to post year-to-year growth in the market.