A longtime television news anchor known throughout eastern Iowa is leaving to take a job with a local school district.

KWWL says that anchor Tara Thomas is leaving the station and TV News to become director of community and school relations for the Waterloo Community School District. Thomas is expected to leave the station after her hiring at the school district is approved. Her appointment is on the docket at March 11 school board meeting.

Thomas has worked for KWWL since 2002, and has been co-anchor of evening newscasts with Ron Steele since 2007.

Station General Manager Jim McKernan says Thomas has been "a tremendous asset to KWWL" and will be missed.

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