Steve Doocy, one of the anchors of “Fox & Friends” news program on Fox News, has been chosen as the Distinguished Kansan of the Year by the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas and will be honored at a banquet Friday.

Rita Noll, co-president of the organization, said Doocy was chosen because he often makes public references to his Kansas roots.

“He’s obviously a proud Kansan,” she said. “We thought he kind of embodies the spirit of being a Kansan.”

Doocy was born in Iowa but raised in Kansas and graduated with a journalism degree from Kansas University, Noll said.

The banquet marking the occasion will be at the Maner Conference Center, on Southwest Topeka Boulevard, in Topeka. Tickets are available for $75.