Michele Tafoya Ending Show On WCCO Radio

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- WCCO Radio afternoon drive host Michele Tafoya announced that she's ending her show. Tafoya, who also works for NBC Sports, says she wants to spend more time with her family.

"It's just become more and more evident to me over the last two and a half years as I've been doing this show, that I don't get enough time with my kids," Tafoya said in announcing her decision on her show Monday. "(They don't get) time that they deserve and the time that I want."

During the NFL season, Tafoya had been doing her 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. show at WCCO Radio Monday through Thursday, and then she'd fly to her NBC job Friday to cover the NFL Sunday Night Game as sideline reporter. The seven-day work weeks meant little time with her husband and two children.

Tafoya said she needed a change.

"I'm going to work as a mom, which so many of you know is more than a full-time job," she told listeners Monday. "I don't think I can do it well if I'm spending my weekdays (at WCCO Radio) and my weekends on the road."

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Michele Tafoya Announces She's Leaving

CBS Radio Market Manager for Minneapolis Mick Anselmo said her decision comes as no surprise, considering her schedule. Tafoya will be covering the upcoming Super Bowl in Indianapolis, and the Olympics in London this summer.

"She's an immense talent, driven and focused," Anselmo said. "But her new role at NBC includes an Olympic assignment as well as the Super Bowl, and is even more demanding of her schedule."

It was announced that John Williams, who currently hosts from 9 a.m. to noon on WCCO Radio, will now take the helm from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

"It's going to be a lot of fun and a great challenge to move into that afternoon slot," Williams said. "Michele is one of the great names in Minnesota broadcasting, and the bar in the afternoon is really high."

WCCO Radio's John Hines will be temporarily filling the hole Williams leaves in the morning until a permanent replacement is found.

The changes go into effect Monday, January 30. Tafoya's last show will be Friday.

Anselmo says Tafoya will continue to do work from time to time for WCCO, as a fill-in host and commentator.

Tafoya says the decision was not an easy one.

"This has been the opportunity of a lifetime," Tafoya said. "This is WCCO Radio."