RALEIGH — A North Carolina television station's top political reporter will become Gov. Pat McCrory's next communications director.

McCrory's office confirmed Friday that WNCN-TV's Kim Genardo is joining the new Republican administration starting next week. Previous communications director Chris Walker announced earlier this month he was leaving the post after working with McCrory for three months, citing family concerns.

Genardo worked at WNCN since the late 1990s and was also a weekend anchor. The Chicago native and Northwestern University journalism school graduate previously worked at WGHP-TV in High Point.

McCrory's office says Genardo will make $120,000 a year.