Anchor Radetich leaving KTNV-TV

KTNV-TV, Channel 13, evening anchor Nina Radetich, who survived an ethics scandal three years ago, is leaving the ABC affiliate next month.

The station announced the departure Wednesday, saying Radetich was moving on after five years at the station to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with her 18-month-old son and her husband, Jack Finn.

Weekday anchor Tricia Kean, who joined KTNV in 2001, will move into the anchor chair as a co-host with Steve Wolford, according to the station.

After a highly promoted move from KVBC-TV, Channel 3, Radetich came under fire in September 2009 when she recommended the public relations services of Finn, who was then her boyfriend, to a tire company that was being investigated by KTNV.

Radetich was heard on tape offering Finn's damage control skills to Tire Works owner Roshie Weightman.

Radetich asked Weightman to keep the conversation between them because KTNV didn't know she was contacting Weightman, who was being investigated by Radetich's colleague, Darcy Spears.

Later, as members of the journalism community called for Radetich's ouster, KTNV Vice President and General Manager Jim Prather told staffers he was backing Radetich "100 percent." He later characterized the anchor's behavior as a "lapse of judgment."

In the station's announcement Wednesday, Radetich was quoted as saying she is "very proud of what we've accomplished at Action News over the past few years."

She added, "I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my professional life, whatever it may be, and really looking forward to more time with my family. My husband and son are the world to me, and being the best wife and mom I can be will always be my top priority."

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Sending our wishes for speedy recovery to local celebrity photographer Denise Truscello, who is recovering from lung surgery after the discovery of a rare condition. ...

The last name of Cale Ramaker, half of the new morning anchor team at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, was misspelled here Wednesday.

SIGHTINGS

Actor Taye Diggs, with his brother, Gabriel Diggs, and friends at Criss Angel's show (Luxor) on Tuesday. ...

Kiss legend Gene Simmons and his wife, Shannon Tweed, playing a round at the Kiss by Monster Mini Golf during a LiveNation party Wednesday honoring him.

THE PUNCH LINE

"The world's largest and best-preserved tyrannosaurus rex resides at Chicago's Field Museum. The T-rex is so old it was found wearing a Cubs World Series ring." - Conan O'Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.