A trusted name in Nebraska weather, Kent Boughton brings over 50 years of broadcasting experience to News Channel Nebraska as Chief Forecaster. A Grand Island native, Kent's career began at just 15 years old as a radio disc jockey at KRGI before transitioning to television after graduating from Brown Institute in 1977.

Kent’s TV career took off as a sports and weather director at KIFI-TV in Idaho Falls before he returned to Nebraska in 1979 to serve as weather director at KHAS-TV in Hastings. Over the next 12 years, he became a household name, guiding viewers through Nebraska’s ever-changing weather—including his defining live coverage of the devastating Grand Island tornado on June 3, 1980.

After a brief break from broadcasting to focus on his family, Kent returned to the airwaves in 1999 as Chief Forecaster in Kearney, where he remained a trusted weather source for Nebraskans for more than two decades. His passion for the outdoors also led him to pioneer the “Outdoor Files” segment, sharing local hunting and fishing stories with viewers.

In 2023, Kent retired from full-time broadcasting but wasn’t ready to step away from forecasting. He continued working as a part-time forecaster at Lincoln’s KLKN-TV. Now, Kent has found a new home at News Channel Nebraska, where he continues doing what he loves—tracking Nebraska’s ever-changing weather.

As Chief Forecaster for NCN, Kent delivers afternoon and evening weather updates Monday through Thursday from NCN’s Grand Island weather studio, reuniting with longtime colleague Dave Griek.

“I'm very happy to be starting my new position at News Channel Nebraska,” Kent says. “I'm doing what I love to do: tracking the weather for our Nebraska viewers and beyond.”

A Nebraska Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame inductee, Kent remains a staple in Nebraska broadcasting. Whether he’s tracking severe storms or sunny skies, his deep understanding of Nebraska’s weather and his ability to connect with viewers make him an invaluable part of the NCN Team.

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