KNWA-TV/KFTA-TV Promotes From Within for New Razorback Nation Anchor, ALSO Names New Met

Source: KNWA-TV/KFTA-TV Press Release KNWA-TV / KFTA-TV today announced the promotion of Derek Ruscin from Weekend Weather Anchor / News Photographer to full-time Sports Reporter for KNWA Northwest Arkansas News. At the same time the station named Dan Ashley as the new Weekend Meteorologist. The announcement was made by Blake Russell, Vice President and General Manager of the television stations.

“As we continue to grow the news department, it's exciting when we already have someone here that can take a new position and run with it.,” said Mr. Russell. “Derek does a great job anchoring weather on the weekends, and I think he'll be even better as the fifth and newest member of the Razorback Nation team.”

"My dream growing up was always to be a sportscaster," said Mr. Ruscin. "And here's my opportunity."

Mr. Ruscin joined the KNWA Power Doppler Forecast team as the weekend forecaster in March of 2005. He's worked in the broadcast industry since he was 15, calling basketball games for the cable TV station in his hometown of Searcy, Arkansas. His interest shifted from sports to weather on January 21, 1999 when he lived through the largest tornado outbreak in Arkansas history. Now, he's turning his attention back to sports.

Dan Ashley comes to KNWA/KFTA from KOAM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Pittsburg, Kansas. Mr. Ashley graduated from the University of North Carolina at Asheville in 2003 with a degree in Atmospheric Science. His hometown is Rock Hill, South Carolina, where his family (mom, dad & one sister) still live.

"I'm looking forward to coming to both a growing station and a growing area like Northwest Arkansas," said Mr. Ashley. "There seems to always be something going on here, and the chance to continue to forecast weather as it rolls through tornado alley will be a blast."

“Forecasting weather and covering the Razorbacks are two important services we provide to our viewers,” said Mr. Russell. “It's great to have two people of this caliber complimenting the growth of our television stations.”