Jim Mertens is joining the team that brings you News 8 at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.
As we previously announced, Jason accepted a position at ABC-affiliated WRTV in Indianapolis. The location lets Jason stay close to family in Chicago, and to his friends in the Quad Cities as well.
“Jim is a natural leader, whose expertise and relationship with the Quad Cities make him a perfect fit to co-anchor our evening newscasts,” said WQAD News Director Alan Baker.
Jim says the change is bittersweet because he considers his morning co-anchor, Julie Sisk, to be his best friend.
“Both she and Eric are so great together on ‘Good Morning Quad Cities,'” Jim said, adding, “I look forward to working with Denise. She has such a great presence in the newsroom and on the air. A true professional. She makes it look effortless.”
The move also reunites Jim with Chief Meteorologist James Zahara.
Jim joined Good Morning Quad Cities in 2006, after he spent more than a decade as an anchor and reporter for other newscasts on WQAD News 8. Jim also hosts “The Cities,” a weekly half-hour public affairs program on the Quad Cities PBS station WQPT-TV.
Jim begins co-anchoring WQAD evening newscasts May 11, 2015.