Jim Snyder, longtime anchor at KSNV News 3, is stepping down after a 30-year career in Las Vegas broadcast journalism, and 38 years overall. His final broadcast is set for Wednesday at the 6 p.m. newscast. Snyder, 60, has decided to retire and relocate to Thermopolis, Wyoming, fulfilling his longtime wish to live along a river and embrace a slower pace of life.
Snyder’s decision to leave was influenced by the emotional toll of covering difficult news stories, particularly in recent years. He describes a cumulative effect from decades of empathetic reporting, especially when dealing with grief and tragedy. The turning point came in July during a live broadcast when he learned his mother, Karen, had suffered a serious stroke. Snyder interrupted the newscast to share the news with viewers in a rare display of vulnerability. Karen passed away just as he was about to visit her in Oregon, and her death made the summer especially difficult. She had been a guiding voice in his life, encouraging him to consider stepping back as the job became more challenging.
Snyder’s career began after graduating from Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. He held positions in Washington, Reno, and Seattle before settling in Las Vegas. Over the years, Snyder has covered every major local event, from the Oct. 1 shootings to major sports arrivals and high-profile interviews, including with Presidents Obama, Clinton, and Trump. His close friend and co-anchor, Dana Wagner, described Snyder as a steady, trusted voice for viewers in times of crisis.
A favorite memory Snyder shared was showing a childhood Cubs pennant to President Obama, a lifelong White Sox fan, during one of their interviews—a moment met with laughter and good humor.
Snyder’s colleagues and management praised his professionalism, kindness, and steady presence. He will be honored with a farewell dinner following his final broadcast, which will include a highlight reel of his three decades in Las Vegas news. As the industry continues to change, Snyder leaves with no regrets, confident that the newsroom is in capable hands as he begins a new chapter.
