City of Las Vegas Honors Anchor Denise Valdez
The longtime Channel 8 news anchor is scheduled to retire following her final broadcast on October 22.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Civic
Longtime local news anchor Denise Valdez is being honored by the City of Las Vegas as she prepares to retire from her role at Channel 8. Mayor Shelley Berkley surprised the veteran journalist during an evening broadcast to name October 20, 2026, as Denise Valdez Day.
Why it matters
The proclamation marks the career of a news figure who has been a staple of valley broadcasting for two decades. It follows a similar recognition issued by the Clark County Commission last month as Valdez approaches the conclusion of her tenure.
Valdez is retiring with 5 Emmy awards to her name, including two recognized as best anchor in the Pacific Southwest Region. Her tenure at Channel 8 began in 2006, spanning two decades of local news coverage.
The players
Shelley Berkley
The Mayor of Las Vegas who delivered the city proclamation.
Denise Valdez
A veteran news anchor retiring from Channel 8 after 20 years.
Clark County Commission
The governing body that issued a separate proclamation in September.
The details
Mayor Shelley Berkley delivered the city proclamation during a surprise visit to the 8 News Now studio on October 20. The honor celebrates Valdez's career contribution ahead of her final scheduled newscast, which is set for October 22, 2026. This follows the Clark County Commission's decision to issue a separate proclamation for Valdez in September.
Timeline
2006: Denise Valdez began her career at Channel 8.
September 2026: Clark County Commissioners issued a proclamation for the anchor.
October 20, 2026: The City of Las Vegas officially designated the date as Denise Valdez Day.
October 22, 2026: Valdez is scheduled to anchor her final newscast.
Beyond the Strip
This honor repeats the pattern of official recognition for long-standing valley media figures established by the Clark County Commission's September 2026 proclamation. It extends that acknowledgment to the municipal level as the anchor concludes her two-decade career.
Viewers who follow evening news broadcasts will see the anchor in her final appearances through October 22. The city proclamation serves as an official acknowledgment of a career that has served the valley since 2006.
The takeaway
The city has formally recognized the two-decade career of one of its most prominent news anchors as she prepares for retirement. Residents can catch her final newscast on October 22, 2026.
What happens next
Watch for the anchor's final broadcast, which is scheduled for October 22, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local leadership and community developments in Civic.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KLAS.
