Central Texas is mourning the sudden loss of longtime KCEN 6 anchor Kris Radcliffe, a well-loved figure who dedicated 22 years to reporting the news with warmth, humor, and an unshakable commitment to his community. Radcliffe, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 51, was a mainstay of the NBC affiliate station, cherished by colleagues and viewers alike.
Radcliffe’s death was announced Wednesday during an emotional evening newscast. His co-anchor, Lindsay Liepman, fought back tears as she paid tribute to her friend and colleague, expressing the deep bond and admiration she shared with Radcliffe. “Kris sat in the chair right beside me, and he was simply the best,” Liepman shared. “Funny, genuine, and smart. I looked forward to working with Kris every single night, and I think you all could tell at home. We had fun here.”
The tribute was marked by raw, heartfelt words as Liepman recounted her last moments with Radcliffe, wishing she could have savored their time on air just a bit longer. “If I had known yesterday was going to be our last newscast together, I would have ignored the cues to wrap from our producers and just laughed a little longer at all of his jokes,” she said. Unable to complete the broadcast, Liepman’s parting words resonated with everyone who had grown fond of Radcliffe’s steady presence on screen. “I simply can’t get through the newscast tonight, and I hope you understand.”
Born in California, Radcliffe brought his West Coast roots to Texas, but he fully embraced his new community when he joined KCEN in 2002 as a sports anchor. Quickly becoming a household name, he later moved to the morning show *Texas Today*, where for nine years he guided Central Texans through news, sports, and weather each day. In his later years at the station, Radcliffe became the face of KCEN’s evening news, covering everything from local and national headlines to major breaking stories.
Over his two decades at KCEN, Radcliffe was there to report on some of Texas’s biggest and most difficult stories. From the Baylor men’s basketball scandal to the Columbia breakup over Texas, and even the two Fort Hood shootings, Radcliffe’s calm and empathetic coverage helped viewers process challenging events. He also hosted and produced 200 episodes of *Money Talks*, a segment focused on financial education, for which he earned the Waco Tribune-Herald’s On-Air Television Personality of the Year six years in a row.
KCEN’s president and general manager, Rob Dwyer, reflected on Radcliffe’s legacy. “KCEN and the Central Texas community lost a truly wonderful person,” Dwyer said. “Kris Radcliffe, husband, father, grandfather, and anchor for KCEN, will be missed. Kris was a kind and generous person who elevated everyone he was around. It is hard to say goodbye.”
Radcliffe leaves behind a loving family: his wife, two daughters, and two grandchildren. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this difficult time. His sister, Libby, shared a statement on behalf of Radcliffe’s grieving wife, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends and fans alike. “On behalf of my sister, she wanted me to relay to you our profound thanks to the tremendous outpouring of love and support for her, their girls, and families,” she posted on social media. “She’s receiving and reading your texts and posts but it’s simply too difficult to respond at this time.”
As the Central Texas community remembers Kris Radcliffe’s legacy of kindness, humor, and unwavering dedication, details about memorial and funeral arrangements are expected to follow. A void is left in the KCEN family and the hearts of many viewers, who, for 22 years, invited him into their homes.
