On the morning of September 11, 2001, veteran KCCI anchors Kevin and Mollie Cooney became the first voices in Central Iowa to bring the unfolding national tragedy into local homes. Their extended live broadcast, part of the CBS News Special Report, kept Iowans informed for hours as the nation grappled with the attacks.

First on the scene for Iowa viewers

Kevin and Mollie, who rarely co‑anchored, were thrust into an unprecedented news event. “We were helpless and hopeless,” Mollie recalled. “We just stood there. There was nothing. You want to do something, and then all of a sudden they shut all airplanes down across the country. The newsroom snapped to attention, and we knew we had a job to do because it was hitting us.”

Kevin described the pervasive uncertainty that day: “There was a sense of uncertainty, I think, among all of us, like, how long was this going to go on?” Their calm, steady presence helped Central Iowans process the shock and fear.

Interview with Senator Tom Harkin

During the marathon coverage, the Cooneys secured a live interview with Senator Tom Harkin, who was just blocks from the Pentagon. The senator condemned the attacks, calling them “cowardly acts against our nation” and promised a vigorous response: “We are going to use every resource of the federal government, state and local agencies to track these people down. These cowards. And we’re going to bring them to swift and certain justice, I can assure you of that.”

Why the memory matters

Now, 25 years later, Mollie emphasizes the importance of teaching younger generations about the events of 9/11. She says preserving the memory of that day helps reinforce the values of resilience, faith, and community that defined the nation’s response.

The Cooneys’ reflections serve as a reminder of the profound impact the attacks had on Iowa families and the vital role local journalists play in guiding communities through crisis.

Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.