With Anchor's Shift At News 8, An Era Comes To An End

CONNECTICUT — Darren Kramer, a fixture of the Connecticut television news scene for decades, is finally getting a chance at working more normal hours.

After more than three decades, the WTNH-TV anchor is moving from the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. News 8 broadcast to the 5 p.m. show, the New Haven-based station announced this week.

Kramer also took to his Facebook page to let his fans know about the change.

"For the last 35 years I have had the good fortune to be a working television journalist," Kramer wrote. "It’s the only thing I've ever wanted to do. One of the challenges just about everyone in this business faces is the schedule. Most of us either get up in the middle of the night, or come home in the middle of the night. I have done both for years. Now, I’m thrilled to have landed a local TV news rarity. Starting next week I will be working a dayshift, anchoring News 8 at 5."

Kramer has worked at several stations in addition to WTNH during his career, including in Chicago, Illinois; St. Louis, Missouri; Spokane, Washington; and Springfield, Massachusetts.

He has anchored with Ann Nyberg weeknights for years, and he will continue anchoring with her at 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Veteran anchor Dennis House, who joined News 8 in early 2021, will take over Kramer's night shift responsibilities. Kramer will also file special reports for the station, according to officials.

The transition will take place on Tuesday.

"Thanks to the WTNH News 8 management team for making that a reality," Kramer said. "Late news viewers, no worries. You are in great hands with Connecticut news veteran Dennis House taking over my late night duties. Thanks so much to all of you who let us into your homes every day! I look forward to continuing to work hard to earn your trust. (Along with dinners with my wife, spending more time with my kids, and hitting the sack before midnight.)"

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House will continue to serve as co-anchor of News 8 at 6pm and host of "This Week in Connecticut with Dennis House."

Rich Graziano, Vice President and General Manager of WTNH and WCTX, said Kramer's "commitment to the people of Connecticut and his co-workers is unparalleled,” and he joked that he's happy that Kramer "will now be home for dinner every night."

"That we can seamlessly fill his position with someone of Dennis House’s pedigree is just another testament that News 8 is home to Connecticut’s most experienced news team," Graziano said.

Added House, "Being part of News 8 has been an awesome experience, and I am looking forward to returning to my roots after serving as an evening anchor for 15 years. I have always seen Darren as an incredible journalist, and I am proud to call him a colleague. I hope to uphold his legacy alongside the legendary Ann Nyberg."

"I am happy that Darren will still be delivering the news to the people of Connecticut and be a leader in our newsroom," said Chuck Carter, News Director of WTNH and WCTX. "The team of Ann Nyberg, who is Connecticut’s longest serving anchor, and Dennis House will allow News 8 to continue to deliver the best late news in the state of Connecticut."