Longtime Ad Astra Radio News Director Lucky Kidd Dies
The McPherson broadcaster spent more than 35 years on Kansas airwaves, guiding listeners through breaking news and severe weather
MCPHERSON, Kan. — Lucky Kidd, Ad Astra Radio’s longtime news and public affairs director, died Sunday, the station announced. Kidd anchored newscasts across the company’s Kansas markets — at one point voicing news for 11 stations — and was widely known for his severe weather coverage and his signature on-air catchphrase, “I’m Lucky Kiiidd.” “His dedication was something everyone admired and he will be greatly missed,” the station said.
A 1979 McPherson High School graduate, Kidd got his start at KNEX in McPherson before working in Pratt, Liberal, Dodge City and Great Bend. He joined Ad Astra Radio as news director in 1999, when the company operated three stations, and returned to his hometown studios in 2022. In October 2025, he received his first Kansas Association of Broadcasters Award of Excellence, marking 35 years in broadcasting. The station asked listeners to keep his family in their thoughts. Read Ad Astra Radio’s 2025 profile of Kidd, “Lucky by Name, Legendary by Voice.”
Editor’s note: There aren’t many news sources in McPherson, and I looked to Lucky daily to keep up with news in the area. His life’s work was telling us what happened at the game last night, what came out of the commission meeting, when the storm was coming. He will be missed. — Greg