KMSP anchor Jeff Passolt (left) chats with reporter Tom Lyden/Star Tribune photo by Steve Rice

KMSP, the local Fox TV affiliate, is adding more news to its weekday schedule. Fox-owned stations across the country will be introducing bonus newscasts to their schedules. In the Twin Cities, that means a 6:30-7 p.m. broadcast Monday through Friday, starting in July.

"In a time when media critics are accusing large station groups of cutting back on news, we are adding more newscasts than ever with a total of more than 42 hours of local news per week this year," said Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox television stations.

That uptick also includes a 7:30-8 p.m. news show from Monday through Friday on KMSP's sister station, WFTC, Ch. 29. Other markets getting more local stories are Washington D.C., Phoenix, Tampa Bay, New York, Detroit and Charlotte.

A spokesperson for Fox-owned stations said specifics for the Twin Cities market, including who will serve as anchors, has yet to be determined.