KDKA morning traffic/transportation reporter Jim Lokay will front the "Does It Really Do That?" consumer segment popularized by the late Yvonne Zanos, who died last month after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Mr. Lokay will report the segments "for the immediate future," according to KDKA general manager Chris Pike, who also said much consideration was given to whether the segment should continue.

"This was a particularly difficult decision given the recent passing of our friend and colleague Yvonne," Mr. Pike wrote in an e-mail. "Ultimately, we know that there continues to be significant viewer interest in these segments and we are comfortable that Yvonne would have been supportive of this decision."

Ms. Zanos' daughter, Niki Conaway of Mt. Lebanon, said Ms. Zanos' family is happy that the segments will continue.

"None of us ever thought it would not go on," she said. "I think [my mom] would be really happy they're continuing the segment because she loved to do it."

Mr. Lokay will remain the station's morning traffic reporter but transportation reporting for the evening news will be handled by general assignment reporters for the time being. There's no word on how KDKA will handle other aspects of the consumer beat.

Mr. Lokay said he was asked to take over the segment last week; producers had previously begun laying the groundwork for some reports. Mr. Lokay's first report will air Thursday, the first day of February sweeps.

"It was pretty unexpected," he said. "It's an honor to attempt to fill her shoes for the time being."

He said the intent is to keep the spirit of the segment the same.

"You want to focus on the subjects and I'm gonna kind of lay low and let the products and the people speak for themselves," Mr. Lokay said. "Interaction is what made it work with Yvonne and hopefully we can keep that going in some respects."

Mr. Lokay said Ms. Zanos was one of the first KDKA employees to welcome him when he started working at the station, and he said "it's an honor to be in her position, at least for now.

"We certainly won't forget about Yvonne because I think everybody in the newsroom has one of her autograph cards on their desks," he said. "She's still smiling at everybody at the station right now."

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