Erin Kiernan is a bit more animated these days.

The WHO-TV broadcaster is now delivering the news on the station's Web site as a computer-generated "newsbot." The station added the feature earlier this week.

"The idea of being able to get the news on the Web site and have it be very easily updated was what attracted us to this," WHO General Manager Jim Boyer said. "She records the audio and the program syncs the mouth with her voice."

Kiernan left KCCI-TV for longtime rival WHO earlier this year and cannot appear on the air until next June due to a noncompete clause in her contract. Boyer said the clause does not apply to the Internet.

"I asked if they could make me look like Laura Croft," Kiernan said, laughing, referring to the tiny-waisted and busty heroine of the "Tomb Raider" series of video games and movies.

Boyer said the station opted for the animated approach because it does not require new video clips and requires Kiernan to only record new audio, which can be done anywhere.

"There's sort of a neat factor going on here," he added. "It's fun to watch . . . and it can be updated anytime we want."

Kiernan said she's happy to be delivering the news in some fashion after several months of working behind-the-scenes at WHO.

The software used by the station is made by the New York technology firm Oddcast. The animation style is similar to ads currently aired by Charles Schwab.

KCCI-TV News Director Dave Busiek declined to comment. November ratings sweeps began this week.