Last Updated on August 13, 2025 by Editor
Profile
Kris Ketz Biography
Kris Ketz is an American working in the field of journalism as a news anchor at 6, 9, and 10 p.m. on KMBC since he was promoted in May 2015. Before that role, he served as KMBC’s First News co-anchor, a role he was promoted to in October 2007. He joined KMBC on July 4, 1983, as KMBC’s weekday edition at 5, holding the role for 14 years.
Kris Ketz Height
Ketz stands at a rough height of 5 feet and 7 inches.
Kris Ketz Age
Ketz was born on April 29th but keeps his year of birth away from the limelight. Thus, his exact age is unknown. He celebrates his birthday on April 29th. This is evident in his Instagram post on April 29, 2025, captioned “Thank you, Lara Moritz and Brya Berry, for the lovely cake!”
Personal Life
Kris Ketz Relatives and Family
Ketz keeps information regarding his family and relatives away from the public eye. However, we will update this information once it’s available to the public.
Kris Ketz Spouse and Children
Ketz is divorced and has 7 children and grandchildren named Archer, Duffy, Frankie, and August. Archer was born on April 24, 2020, and is 5 years old. This is evident in his Instagram post on April 23, 2024, captioned “He turns 5 tomorrow ! Happy birthday Archer !!!” Duffy was born on February 6, 2021, and is 4 years old. This is evident in Ketz’s Instagram post on February 6, 2025, captioned “Happy 4th birthday Duffy Ketz !”
Frankie, his only granddaughter, was born on September 16, 2022, and is 3 years old. This is evident in his Instagram post on September 14, 2024, captioned “My only granddaughter. And her 2nd birthday party is tomorrow night.” August was born in August 2024 as suggested by his Instagram post on August 3rd, 2024, where he shared a picture of himself holding August and welcoming him to the world.
Did Kris Ketz and Dana Wright Divorce?
Ketz was previously married to Dana Wright. They got married in November 2014, as suggested by his Facebook post on November 17, 2014, captioned “Wanted to share some news from the weekend. As many of you know, Dana Wright, or Dana & Parks on 98.1FM KMBZ, became my wife. Haven’t seen all of the photos…” On November 16, 2018, he shared a photo of them on his Facebook account and captioned, “Happy anniversary, Honey !! Dana Wright KMBZ KMBZ.”
In March 2024, Dana addressed the rumors of their divorce on YouTube, stating that they had amicably divorced and called Ketz her “biggest champion.” She also said that they maintain their friendship and that will not change even though they might go their separate ways. Moreover, she highlights that there was no dramatic reason for the divorce and emphasizes the importance of respect and friendship in such situations.
Dana graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas. She works as the other half of the #1 afternoon talk radio program “Dana and Parks” on KMBZ-FM in Kansas City. She kick-started her radio career in 2011 after being a TV news anchor and investigative reporter for 17 years.
Kris Ketz Education
Ketz received his high school diploma before enrolling at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. While at the university, he worked for WQUA radio station in Moline, Ill, as a weekend anchor. He later got promoted to the station’s afternoon and morning anchor, then became the station’s news director.
Professional Life
Kris Ketz Career
Ketz works for KMBC as a news anchor at 6, 9, and 10 p.m. He was a co-anchor of KMBC’s weekday edition at 5 for 14 years before being appointed as KMBC’s First News co-anchor in October 2007. He was later promoted to his current role at KMBC 9 News in May 2015.
Ketz has covered several big stories, including Hurricane Andrew in Louisiana, South Central riots in Los Angeles, and national political conventions. He was among 4 local television news anchors picked to interview President Obama Face-to-face in February 2015.
After college, in 1991, he worked at WQAD-TV in Moline, a station where his father worked for 35 years. There, he started as a weekend co-anchor and producer, then got promoted to a weeknight co-anchor. His most memorable part in his career was when he co-anchored KMBC’s Father’s Day edition in 1998.
While in Kansas City, Ketz was a committed member of the Hispanic Media Association. He also helped in collecting funds on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association via his association with the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Since 1980, he has been a co-host for local MDA telethons in Kansas City and the Quad Cities.
Kris was an active member in the Hispanic Media Association of Greater Kansas City. Additionally, he has actively raised money on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association through his involvement with the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon. Kris has been a co-host of local MDA telethons in Kansas City and the Quad Cities since 1980.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Ketz has won many awards for his works. For example, in 2008, he won a Midwest Emmy for Best Anchor, which he had previously won in 1991 for a report on the influence of the Ku Klux Klan in the Kansas City area. In 2003 and 2001, Ketz was recognized as “Best Reporter” in a reader’s poll in Kansas City Magazine. In addition, he was also nominated for an Emmy in 2003 for best anchor.
Ketz won the 2004 prestigious Barbara Potts award from Hope House for increasing public understanding of domestic violence in Kansas City. In addition, he was nominated for a regional Emmy Award in 2011 for “general assignment reporting” for an uplifting story about a meeting between the donor’s family and the recipient for the first time.
In August 2008, the Kansas City City Council gave Ketz a special congratulatory resolution, marking his 25th anniversary at KMBC. He was enrolled in the Silver Circle of the Mid-America Chapter of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), which is an exclusive group of professionals acknowledged for their significant contribution to TV over the last 25 years or more.
Kris Ketz Net Worth
Ketz has garnered a net worth ranging from $1 million to $6 million during his successful career as a joournalist.
Kris Ketz Salary
Ketz receives an approximate annual salary of $110, 000 which he earns working as a news anchor and a reporter for KMBC.
Kris Ketz Social Media
Ketz has active social media platforms, i.e., Facebook, X(previously Twitter), and Instagram. He has a following of over 32Kon Facebook, over 3.3K on Instagram, and 31.7K on X.
Kris Ketz Station
At KMBC 9 News, Ketz works alongside his fellow journalists and meteorologists such as;
- Brya Berry
- Cody Holyoke
- Donna Pitman
- Jamie Weiss
- Kelly Eckerman
- Lara Moritz
- Dennis Evans
- Taylor Kauffman
- Nick Bender
- Bryan Busby
- Pete Grigsby
- Brittany Foster
- Katie Horner
- Neville Miller
- Matt Flener
- Matt Evans
- Brian Johnson
- Len Jeannings
