R.I.P. Paul Johnson, Former KNBC Traffic Reporter

Former KNBC traffic reporter Paul Johnson, who underwent brain surgery in January, has died. He was 75.

KNBC has the details on its website:

He put up a heroic fight against a glioblastoma (brain tumor) but on Tuesday, it was time to go, and as his wife Nancy said in a voicemail to his coworkers a few minutes after he left, "He's gone to see Jesus."

The world was a better place while he was in it, telling us to "buckle up, be careful out there," but what he was really telling us is that no matter what was ahead on the road, no matter what obstacles or accidents were in the way, that it was going to be OK.

Johnson has been a part of NBC4's on-air team since August 1988. During his tenure, he served as both a weather and traffic report contributor.

Before joining Metro Traffic in August 1982, Johnson spent more than eight years with Capital Cities, leaving a position as program director for WJR-FM in Detroit, Mich. He has also reported traffic conditions for several Los Angeles radio stations, including KNX, KZLA, KACE, KXEZ and KSRF.

Johnson had been off the air since his surgery; KNBC originally said that Johnson would return -- but then the station ended its long-running contract with Metro Traffic, which had employed the reporter.

KABC Morning Anchor Kathy Vara Jumps Back to KNBC

KABC/Channel 7 morning co-anchor Kathy Vara is heading back to Burbank and KNBC.

Vara, who had been at KABC for the last nine years, will anchor KNBC/Channel 4's 4:30 a.m. early morning newscast, and then serve as a "contributing anchor" for the 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. "Today in L.A." newscast.

Vara's hire represents the latest change at the Peacock-owned station under Steve Lange, KNBC's newly named VP of content.

The station also recently made a switch on "Today in L.A.," moving anchor Jennifer Bjorklund into a reporting position, and putting Alycia Lane -- recently hired from Philadelphia -- alongside Chris Schauble in the anchor chair.

KNBC also just ended its relationship with Metro Traffic, which had provided the station's traffic reporters. (KNBC's weather reporters are now handling double duty.)

Vara joins KNBC next Monday, March 22, and makes her on-air return on Monday, March 29.

Vara previously co-anchored “Today in LA” from 1994 to 2001.

"Kathy will be a perfect complement to the anchor team of Chris and Alycia and reinforces our commitment to the mornings where so many people choose to get their local news of the day," said Craig Robinson, KNBC President and General Manager. "We are deeply invested in early morning news and Kathy’s contributions will be a terrific addition to our morning team."