A new face will soon join the KVUE News family. Terri Gruca will join KVUE News as weeknight anchor and investigative reporter.

WCCO

Terri Gruca

Gruca takes over the chair left vacant by Christine Haas -- who went on to anchor at KVUE's sister-station in Houston, KHOU-TV -- and co-anchor the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. weekday newscasts with Tyler Sieswerda.

She is the weekend evening anchor and consumer-investigative reporter at WCCO in Minneapolis.

"KVUE has a long tradition of excellence to uphold," said Patti Smith, KVUE's general manager. "In honoring the trust our viewers have placed in us to maintain that level of excellence, we conducted a nationwide search for an individual who would bring unique qualities to our station, strengthening our current award winning and nationally honored staff, and at the same time, looking for someone who would embrace our community as their new home. We are proud to announce that Terri Gruca is that individual and we are proud to have her join our KVUE team."

KVUE News Director Frank Volpicella says Gruca is an accomplished investigative reporter. During her five years at WCCO, Gruca has received numerous industry awards for her investigative pieces, which include a report on children injured while riding escalators and an investigation into gumball jewelry which resulted in the largest nationwide recall in history and new government standards for manufacturers.

"She's very natural, genuine -- someone you would want to invite over to have coffee." Volpicella said. "She's an accomplished anchor and reporter with a track record of success and a wide range of experience in anchoring and reporting at good TV stations. She's an experienced investigative reporter with a focus on consumer, whose reports have affected change."

Gruca, a native of North Carolina, has previously worked as anchor and consumer reporter in the Greenville, Spartanburg, Asheville market, anchor in Knoxville, Tennessee and reporter in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.

"Her commitment to excellence throughout her career has been evident at every turn," Smith said. "She's an award winning anchor and investigative reporter specializing in consumer issues. She is passionate about her service to her community and is anxious to make Austin her home. I know that our viewers will join us in showing Terri what a great community Austin and Central Texas is; a place where her contributions will be appreciated and a place she will love to call home."

Gruca says she is very excited about joining KVUE and relocating to Austin. Viewers will see her on the air in December.