DORI MONSON
Dori: Big changes for newly independent journalist Brandi Kruse
Nov 8, 2021, 3:04 PM | Updated: Nov 9, 2021, 9:02 am
Brandi Kruse is striking out on her own to pursue a new independent show. (Courtesy photo)
(Courtesy photo)
Independent journalist. How does that sound? For my former KIRO Radio colleague and dear friend Brandi Kruse, it sounds important enough to step away from her former news gig at FOX-owned KCPQ-13.
Brandi joined me to talk about what happened to her popular former political TV show, “The Divide with Brandi Kruse,” and her decision to leave KCPQ so she can start a podcast that allows her to do what she believes she does best.
“You’ve actually known about this for a long time because you’re kind of a confidante of mine,” Brandi told me on our Monday show.
What she shared with my Monday listeners is why she made the change:
“I came to the conclusion if I wanted to do my best work — my best work for the public — I didn’t believe I could work for corporate media and work for the public at the same time,” she described.
The catalyst? A disagreement with FOX 13 management about the future of “The Divide,” the talk show Kruse created and has hosted since August 2019.
“We could not work past that disagreement,” Brandi revealed. “I was upset because it meant so much to me.”
It’s why she called me in tears a few weeks ago.
“I knew that I couldn’t do the kind of journalism that I wanted to do,” she said.
So, in typical tenacious Brandi Kruse-style, she is shifting platforms, and kicking it into an even higher gear.
“If I couldn’t do it there (KCPQ 13), I decided I was going to do it on my own,” she said.
On her own is now “[un]Divided with Brandi Kruse” at this link. Her debut post can be found here.
To find out how Brandi feels about her former employer, what she believes is happening with the recent departure of nearly 25% of the FOX 13 news team, the challenges of covering local politics, and whether her sources will stick with her on her new show, check out my entire interview with her:
Brandi’s talent is deep, her commitment is unyielding, and her friendship is invaluable. Expect to hear more from Brandi and “[un]Divided” on The Dori Monson Show.
“Just because I walked away from (my former) job,” Brandi assures me, “doesn’t mean I would ever walk away from you.”
Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from noon – 3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.
