If you’ve turned on the TV recently to catch the morning news in Salt Lake City, you might have noticed a familiar face is missing from the anchor desk. People are asking the same question: Did Dan Spindle leave KSL? Honestly, the answer is a bit of a "yes and no" situation depending on exactly when you last tuned in, but the short version is that he has indeed moved on to a new chapter.
Change in local news is always a bit jarring. You get used to these people in your living room while you’re drinking your first cup of coffee. Dan Spindle, with his Emmy Award-winning background and that specific brand of morning energy, became a staple for the Wasatch Front after joining the station back in 2019. But as of early 2025, the "KSL Today" and "KSL News at Noon" anchor desks look a little different.
The big move back to Arizona
So, where did he go? He didn't just vanish into thin air. In a move that surprised many Utah viewers but made total sense for his career arc, Dan Spindle actually headed back to familiar territory. He officially joined the Good Morning Tucson anchor team at KGUN 9 in Southern Arizona.
This was a homecoming.
Dan had spent a decade in Phoenix and had previously worked in Tucson earlier in his career. While he often spoke about how much he loved the "legendary" status of KSL and the beauty of Utah, the pull of Arizona seems to have been stronger. He started his new role at KGUN 9 on January 13, 2025, joining co-anchor Claire Graham and meteorologist April Madison.
🔗 Read more: Why Broke Boy Flight Lyrics Still Dominate the Algorithm
It’s always a little bittersweet for the audience. One day someone is telling you about the traffic on I-15, and the next, they’re reporting on "Neighborhood News" in the desert.
Why news anchors leave suddenly
You might feel like these departures happen overnight. One morning they are there, the next they aren't. Why? Contracts in the broadcast world are basically ironclad and kind of weird. Often, when an anchor decides to leave or their contract ends, there isn't a long, drawn-out goodbye. Sometimes it's a "non-compete" issue, or sometimes the station just wants to transition to the new team immediately to keep the ratings steady.
In Dan's case, the transition seemed professional. He had built a solid reputation at KSL for his "Positively 50+" reports and his deep dives into the shrinking Great Salt Lake. He wasn't just a "teleprompter reader." He did the work.
Dan Spindle’s impact at KSL
- KSL Today & Noon Anchor: He held down the fort during the high-energy morning slots.
- Environmental Reporting: He was vocal about the Great Salt Lake crisis, specifically the "life support" state of Antelope Island.
- Community Storytelling: His "Positively 50+" segments highlighted local volunteers and aging-in-place resources.
What this means for KSL viewers
When a heavy hitter like Dan Spindle leaves KSL, it creates a vacuum. KSL is a powerhouse in the Salt Lake market, and they usually have a deep bench of talent to fill those seats. However, viewers often feel a sense of "loyalty fatigue" when the faces they trust move on.
We saw this before when Andrew Wittenberg left and Dan originally took over that spot. People were upset then, too. It’s the cycle of local news. You’ll likely see more of the existing KSL morning team—like Shara Park or Lori Prichard—taking on more weight, or perhaps a new face will be brought in from another market to start the cycle all over again.
Honestly, if you miss Dan’s reporting, the internet makes it pretty easy to follow along. Since he's at KGUN 9 now, his segments are often clipped for their website and YouTube channel. It's not the same as seeing him cover Utah news, but if you just liked his style, he's still out there doing the same high-quality journalism, just with a lot more cacti in the background.
Actionable steps for fans
If you’re trying to keep up with Dan or just want to know how to navigate these local news shakeups, here is what you can do:
- Check the KGUN 9 Website: If you want to see what Dan is up to in Tucson, their "Meet the Team" page is the most current source for his latest work.
- Follow Social Media: Anchors almost always post their career updates on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter) before the station officially announces anything.
- Support Local Journalism: Regardless of who is behind the desk, the reporting on issues like the Great Salt Lake remains vital. Keep watching KSL for the substance of the news, even if the "personality" you liked has moved on.
- Set Alerts: If you have a specific reporter you like, Google Alerts for their name can help you track where they land if they suddenly disappear from your local screen.
The departure of Dan Spindle from KSL marks the end of a five-year run where he helped guide Utah through some pretty significant years. While he's back in Arizona now, his footprint on Utah's environmental reporting remains part of the station's recent legacy.