If you've lived in St. Louis for more than a week, you know that switching on KSDK is basically a local ritual. It's the "5 On Your Side" thing. But honestly, keeping track of who is sitting behind that glass desk every year feels like trying to follow a Cardinals roster during a rebuilding phase. People move, legends retire, and new faces show up just when you finally got used to the last person.
The channel 5 news anchors St Louis viewers see every day are more than just talking heads; they’re the people we eat breakfast with or listen to while folding laundry at 10 p.m. Right now, in early 2026, the lineup is a mix of "I've been here forever" energy and a few strategic new hires that have shaken things up.
The Evening Heavyweights: Mike Bush and the 10 P.M. Crew
Let's start with the man who might actually be made of the same bricks as the Gateway Arch. Mike Bush. Honestly, it’s hard to imagine St. Louis news without him. He’s been with KSDK since 1985—literally decades of reporting. While most people his age are eyeing a golf course in Florida, Mike is still the bedrock of the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. broadcasts.
He isn't alone up there, obviously. Kelly Jackson co-anchors with him at 5 and 10 p.m. They have that kind of easy chemistry you only get after years of working together. You've probably seen them moderating community panels or emceeing charity galas—they’re everywhere.
At 6 p.m., the dynamic shifts slightly as Anne Allred joins Mike. Anne has been a staple for a long time now, and she’s known for being pretty open about her personal life and health journey, which makes her feel way more like a neighbor than a "broadcast personality."
Then there’s Brent Solomon. He’s usually the guy you see anchoring at 4 p.m. and then popping up again with a heavy-hitting report for the late news. Brent has that specific "tell it like it is" vibe that St. Louisans tend to respect.
Today in St. Louis: The Morning Grind
If you’re up at 4 a.m., first of all, I’m sorry. Second, you’re likely watching Paul Cook and Sydney Stallworth.
Paul is a bit of a local legend himself, having spent years in St. Louis radio (remember him on Y98?) before making the jump to TV. He handles the transportation desk and the early-early morning slot. Sydney Stallworth brings a lot of energy to that 4 a.m. hour, which is necessary because, let’s be real, nobody wants to be awake then.
As the sun actually starts coming up, the "main" morning team takes over:
- Michelle Li: A powerhouse who gained national attention a couple of years back for her "Very Asian" segment. She’s become a massive voice for representation in the Midwest.
- Anthony Slaughter: He’s the meteorologist, but he basically functions as a third anchor. The guy has a smile that makes a 20-degree February morning feel slightly less miserable.
- Rene Knott: Okay, so here is the thing. If you’ve been watching lately, you might have noticed some changes. For years, Rene was the heart of the morning show. While things in TV news are always in flux, his legacy on that morning desk is huge.
New Faces and Recent Shakeups
Television news moves fast. Just recently, Melanie Johnson joined the team, coming over from KMOV (the rival Channel 4). It’s always a big deal in the St. Louis "media-sphere" when someone jumps ship between stations. She’s been doing a lot of the fill-in anchor work and heavy breaking news reporting.
On the weather front, Scott Connell is still the Chief Meteorologist leading the charge, but they recently added Lance Blocker to the evening team. Lance is a severe weather junkie—he literally used to fly drones into storms—so he fits right in with the "5 On Your Side" focus on being the "weather station."
Why the Lineup Matters for Your Morning Commute
Why do we care so much about who the channel 5 news anchors St Louis has on air? It’s about trust, mostly. When the sirens go off because a tornado is skipping through St. Charles, you want to see a face you recognize.
KSDK has stayed competitive by leaning into "Project 5," which is their investigative unit. This means the anchors aren't just reading scripts; they’re often introducing deep-dive pieces on things like city corruption or the latest utility rate hikes.
Quick Breakdown of the Current Rotation:
- The Veterans: Mike Bush and Kelly Jackson (The "Gold Standard" pair).
- The Investigators: Brent Solomon and Melanie Johnson.
- The Morning Wake-up: Michelle Li and Anthony Slaughter.
- The Weekend Guardians: Robert Townsend and Laura Barczewski usually handle the Saturday/Sunday desks, though you'll see them reporting in the field during the week.
What Most People Get Wrong About News Salaries
There’s this weird myth that local news anchors are all secret millionaires. Kinda not true. While the top-tier "legends" like Mike Bush definitely do well, the industry has changed. A lot of these folks are working 10-hour days, doing their own hair and makeup, and jumping on social media to answer viewer questions during their dinner break. It’s a grind.
The reason they stay—especially in a market like St. Louis—is the community connection. You don't stay at one station for 40 years just for the paycheck. You do it because you’ve become a part of the city’s history.
How to Get in Touch with the Team
If you have a story idea or you’re just annoyed that your street hasn’t been plowed, these anchors actually check their email.
- Most KSDK emails follow the
firstinitiallastname@ksdk.comformat. - You can also catch them on the "5 On Your Side" app, which is honestly the fastest way to see who’s anchoring the midday or weekend slots if there's a last-minute change.
Basically, the 2026 lineup at Channel 5 is a bridge between the old-school broadcast era and the new digital-first world. Whether you’re watching on a 70-inch 4K TV or scrolling through clips on your phone at a MetroLink stop, these are the voices telling the story of St. Louis.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you want to stay updated on the latest anchor changes or breaking news in the Lou, download the KSDK "5 On Your Side" app and customize your notifications for "Local News" and "Weather." Also, if you have a specific community issue you want them to investigate, you can email the "5 On Your Side" tip line directly through the app—they actually assign reporters to these tips every single morning.