Randy Shaver announces he’s leaving KARE 11

Randy Shaver, a familiar presence at KARE 11 for more than four decades, is leaving the station. He has co-anchored the station’s evening news with Julie Nelson since 2012. Before that, he served as sports director for 18 years.

He made the decision when he signed his last contract more than three years ago.

“I knew I was heading down this road,” he said in a phone interview Thursday afternoon. “If I was still covering sports, I probably wouldn’t be walking away. But it was the news things, like the pandemic and George Floyd and politics. They got to me. It’s just been a lot.”

Shaver, 65, said he’ll continue to contribute to 93X’s morning show and run his charity organization.

Shaver first revealed the news Thursday morning on Facebook.

“Honestly, if you would have told me in 1977, at age 18, this was how my life was going to turn out, I would have immediately said, ‘SIGN ME UP!’” he wrote. “It’s been an amazing journey!”

Shaver, who got his professional start at KAAL-TV in Austin, Minn., was inducted into the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2020

“I am so happy for him and for his lovely wife, Roseann, but having a hard time imagining life at KARE without him,” Nelson posted on Facebook. “I love him like a brother and respect him immensely.”

Shaver said his last day on the air will be June 28.

“Randy has impacted Minnesota in so many positive ways,” KARE’s director of content, Stacey Nogy, said in a statement. “His devotion to prep sports is unequaled, honoring high school athletes for 40 years. He’s done incredible work as both a sports and news anchor, and he’s inspired countless people as a two-time cancer survivor. We look forward to celebrating his remarkable career.”

In 2003, Shaver and his wife started the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund, which raises money for cancer research and patient aid programs in Minnesota. The anchor’s annual golf tournament has raised more than $8 million to fight the disease.

Shaver said he plans to spend more time with his family, which includes two sons and two grandchildren.

“Just know, I walk away from KARE on June 28 a blessed man,” he wrote. “Thank you so much.”