Former KSN reporter joins ABC News

T. J. Holmes, who began his broadcasting career at KSN in 1999 has signed a contract with ABC News and will serve as a co-anchor of America This Morning and World News Now.

Holmes spent five years as an anchor with CNN News and most recently was with BET.

Holmes' live coverage of events, including the May 22, 2011 Joplin Tornado was praised by ABC News President James Goldston in his memo announcing Holmes' new status:

I’m thrilled to announce that T.J. Holmes is officially joining America This Morning and World News Now as co-anchor. In addition to his anchor duties, he will also report across our all broadcast and digital platforms.

T.J. has impressed us all for the past few months with his vibrant storytelling, engaging style, and quick wit.

An award-winning journalist, he has reported from around the world on some of the most important stories of our day.

T.J. was live on the scene following the Virginia Tech campus shootings, the devastating tornados in Joplin, Missouri, and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; and in 2009 covered the first presidential debate between then-Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. His contributions to the coverage of the oil spill and the Presidential campaigns garnered CNN two prestigious Peabody Awards.

In 2012, T.J. earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for his work as the host of BET’s late-night talk show “Don’t Sleep,” where he joined distinguished thought leaders and correspondents to discuss African American interests.

When not in front of a camera, you can find T.J. treating his wife and daughter to some of his mom’s famous southern cooking. Born and raised in Arkansas, he is a passionate Razorbacks fan. Since marrying his wife, who was born in Zaire, in 2010, he has committed countless hours to Africa-related organizations, and has dedicated himself to learning her native language, Kikongo.

A skilled broadcaster and a dynamic storyteller with the ability to report on a variety of different stories, I’m confident T.J. will be a strong asset to our team.

Please join me in congratulating him on his new role.

James

Holmes worked at KSN in 1999.

From his Wikipedia page:

Holmes started his television career at KSNF Channel 16 in Joplin, Missouri. He drove to Joplin from the University of Arkansas campus to hand-deliver his resume and reel. He was hired on the spot. Holmes spent less than a year at KSN as a producer, assignment reporter, and weekend anchor.