KDNL-TV Channel 30's news director Gary Whitaker was faced with a bigger challenge when Channel 30 became affiliated with KTVI Channel 2 and he had to create a news department that would be competing with network-affiliated newscasts. Whitaker was prepared to create a news department with daily broadcasts to compete with KPLR's 9 p.m. news as part of Channel 30's plans. Whitaker envisions a newscast that is all research-driven and well balanced.