U OUGHT TO KNOW.

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

Paul Magers 

Age: 49

Profession: News anchor

Why U ought to know him: Magers joined the KCBS news team Jan. 5 after 20 years anchoring at KARE-TV in Minneapolis.

Where U've seen him before: From 1981-83 he was a reporter and anchor at KGTV in San Diego. A native of Santa Maria, Calif., he grew up in Washington state and took his bachelor's degree in speech and economics from the University of Washington. He moved to the Twin Cities in 1977 and earned his juris doctorate from the University School of Law in St. Paul. He reported for stations in St. Paul and Portland, Ore., before settling in for the long stay at KARE in 1983. Magers left the top-rated Minneapolis station when his 10-year, $11 million contract lapsed and station owner Gannett failed to sweeten the deal sufficiently to persuade Magers and wife Kathy to stay. KCBS is looking to him to bring the station into closer competition with 11 p.m. leader KNBC. Current ratings show KCBS tied for third place in the six-way news race with Spanish-language ``Noticias'' on KMEX.

Best thing about working in Minneapolis: ``For me,it's been obviously knowing the community because I was there for such a long time. The learning curve here is large.''

Best thing (so far) about working in Los Angeles: ``So far, the people I've met at KCBS and (sister station) KCAL.''

Best moment on air: ``One that I got a big kick out of was I was interviewing President Clinton and he was watching a football game between Nebraska and Oklahoma. You only have so much time for the interview. He had just finished answering a question in a long fashion as he was prone to do, and I asked him which team he was rooting for. He said, 'I like - No, I'm not going to answer that.' I kind of enjoyed that.''

Worst moment on air: ``Honestly, I've not had any moments like that. I've been very fortunate in that respect.''

Of those that can be foreseen, the Southern California news story he's most looking forward to covering: ``I think covering Gov. Schwarzenegger, because it's much like covering Gov. (Jesse) Ventura. I think the dynamics of that whole situation will be interesting to watch unfold.''

The best thing about major-market local news these days: ``The ability to go anywhere and get a story, in large part due to technology.''

The worst thing: ``The sheer size of the market in which we live. You look at the city limits of L.A. ... Inside the borders of this city you'll find (the area of) Manhattan, Boston, San Francisco, Cleveland, St. Louis and Minneapolis, and there's still room left. I think people in other areas don't get that. One of the common raps on Los Angeles (TV news) is, 'Oh, there's another aerial shot.' Yeah. Eventually you'll get there on the ground.''

What he misses about Minneapolis: ``Its wintertime. And there's a little hamburger place I like where they make a burger called the Juicy Lucy with the cheese on the inside of the patty - I miss that.''

Do the station veterans put the new guy through hazing?: ``No, not yet. Now you've got me worried. Do you know something I don't?''

Where U can see him: 5 and 11 p.m. weekdays, and tonight in a special one-hour newscast at about 8 p.m., immediately following the ``Survivor All-Stars'' premiere on KCBS Channel 2.

If U want more information: www.cbs2.com.

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PAUL MAGERS