WKBT, the Morgan Murphy CBS and CW station in the La Crosse-Eau Claire market branded as News 8 Now, has added Phil McIlrath as anchor of News 8 Now This Morning and the News at Noon.
McIlrath will appear on both newscasts alongside meteorologist Nicole Scalicky. The station said his first day on News 8 Now was Friday, Oct. 23.
An Iowa native, McIlrath previously worked in television in Des Moines, Iowa, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he earned an Emmy nomination for feature reporting. He returns to television after twelve years as a stay-at-home dad.
McIlrath lives in Winona with his wife and four daughters. He said he is excited to return to local news and has a particular interest in human interest stories about people who are not always noticed in the news.
News Director Jason Walker said McIlrath brings great energy and will be a good fit for viewers in the Coulee Region.
In a second change, Brooklyn Heyn, who has anchored News 8 Now weekend newscasts since joining the team in 2025, will join veteran anchor Ken Kosirowski on the weeknight 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
