Within 15 seconds another sighting came in: "It's wiped out an apartment complex." Kurtis's warning – "For God's sake, take cover" – became synonymous with the Tornado outbreak sequence of June 1966 that left 16 dead and injured hundreds more. At 7:00 p.m., while on the air, a tornado was sighted by WIBW cameraman Ed Rutherford southwest of the city.
Severe weather was approaching Topeka, so Kurtis stayed to update some weather reports. On the evening of June 8, 1966, Kurtis left a bar review class at Washburn to fill in for a friend at WIBW-TV to anchor the 6 o'clock news. He was commissioned a lieutenant (j.g.) in the United States Navy Reserve (Chicago, 1966–1969). Kurtis served as an enlisted man in the United States Marine Corps Reserve (Topeka, Kansas 1962–1966). After passing the Kansas bar examination and accepting a job with a Wichita, Kansas law firm, Kurtis discussed his options with Harry Colmery and Bob McClure of Colmery and Russell and decided not to pursue a career in law. While in law school he worked part-time at WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas. He graduated from Independence High School in 1958, the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism in 1962 and he earned a Juris Doctor degree from Washburn University School of Law in 1966. His sister is former Kansas state Senate Majority Whip Jean Schodorf, of Wichita, Kansas.Īt age 16, Kurtis began working as an announcer for KIND, a radio station in Independence. Upon his retirement, the family settled in Independence, Kansas. His father's military career included extensive travel for his family. Kuretich (Croatian: Kuretić), of Croatian origin (1914–2001), a United States Marine Corps brigadier general and decorated veteran of World War II. Kurtis was born in Pensacola, Florida, to Wilma Mary Horton (1911–2002) and William A.
Don't Tell Me!, as well as serving as the host of Through the Decades, a documentary-style news magazine seen on CBS/ Weigel Broadcasting's digital multicast network, Decades syndicated subchannel. Kurtis is currently the scorekeeper/announcer for National Public Radio ( NPR)'s news comedy/quiz show Wait Wait.
Previously, he anchored The CBS Morning News, and was the longtime anchor at WBBM-TV, the CBS-owned and -operated TV station in Chicago. He was also the host of a number of A&E crime and news documentary shows, including Investigative Reports, American Justice, and Cold Case Files. New episodes drop every Tuesday (Apple, Stitcher, Spotify).Bill Kurtis (born William Horton Kuretich September 21, 1940) is an American television journalist, television producer, narrator, and news anchor. Diving even deeper, "Cold Case Files: The Podcast," hosted by Brooke Gittings ("Convicted" and "Actual Innocence"), has returned for an all-new season to take listeners through the investigative process of some of the most difficult-to-solve murders featured on past seasons of "Cold Case Files." Visit to listen and subscribe.
Featuring interviews with family members, friends, detectives, and others close to the cases, the refreshed classic series examines all facets of the crime and shines a light on a range of voices and victims. Narrated by the original host and producer of "Cold Case Files," celebrated veteran journalist and newsman Bill Kurtis, each one-hour episode of the Emmy-nominated series examines the twists and turns of one murder case that remained unsolved for years, and the critical element that heated it up, leading to the evidence that finally solved it.
With recent advancements in technology and the methods used to solve these cases, as well as the unwavering dedication of victims' families, law enforcement and the public, "Cold Case Files" explores the cases the defied the odds. There are over 100,000 cold cases in America, and only about 1% are ever solved. "Cold Case Files" premieres Friday, August 20 at 9pm ET/PT followed by "American Justice" at 10pm ET/PT. A&E Network's iconic and acclaimed original true crime classic series "Cold Case Files®" returns this summer exploring shocking stories of cold cases. Episode 300 with Bill Kurtis From Cold Case Files.