Tom Halden, a weekday morning news anchor on FOX 9, has been named director of communications for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. He plans to begin May 6.
A member of Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, Halden has worked for Twin Cities’ FOX affiliate KMSP-TV since 2003. He anchors the station’s morning news from 4:30-6 a.m. and co-hosts FOX 9 Buzz, which airs at 9 a.m. weekdays.
Prior to FOX 9, Halden was an anchor for WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana, from 1997 to 2003, and KAAL-TV in Austin from 1996 to 1997. From 1995 to 1996 he was a reporter in Alexandria.
While at FOX 9, he initiated and produced the weekend segment “Faith Talking,” which aired from 2006 to 2009.
He said he applied for the position because he felt like he had accomplished his goals at KMSP-TV, and was asking himself, “Where is God taking me next?”
Despite the challenges the archdiocese is facing as it responds to victims/survivors’ claims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and Chapter 11 reorganization, Halden said the church’s message is still “hope, redemption and reconciliation.”
“I really think that with the pope and the reorganization plan, it’s an opportunity for us to have a fresh start and renew who we are and what our message is to people who may not have been listening for quite awhile because of all the things going on,” he said. “There will definitely be some more tough days, but in the final analysis there’s really a sense of hope and energy among the people.”
Halden expects his experience working in Twin Cities media will be an asset in his new role. “It will be a good mix of introducing our people and our leaders, and folks who are really making a difference every day, to people they might not normally be introduced to,” he said. “I really know the process, and I think I know someone in every news room in the Twin Cities.”
He said he will miss his colleagues at FOX 9, “but not getting up at 1:15 in the morning” for the early morning newscasts.
“It’s a great place to work,” he added. “I feel like I’ve been part of a family for the past 12 years.”
Halden grew up in North St. Paul, where he attended the Church of St. Peter. He earned a degree in 1995 from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, where he studied mass communications and political science.
An extraordinary minister of holy Communion at Mary, Mother of the Church, Halden has also served as a catechist and capital campaign committee member. He is also a volunteer for several local and regional nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity and the Safe Families Safe Children Network. He is married and has four children.
Halden plans to leave KMSP April 10. Anne Steffens, the archdiocese’s interim communications director, plans to continue her role through the end of June to help with the transition.
