KARK Parent Company Names New Station GM, Promotes Rogala

Arkansas Business.com reports KARK's parent company Nexstar has promoted Rick Rogala to company vice president and regional manager and Northwest Arkansas GM Mike Vaughn comes to Little Rock and becomes GM and vice president of KARK.

Shreveport Weekend Anchor Gone

This from a tipster:

Diana Raphael don't have to drive to Shreveport from Alexandria to anchor the weekend news shows at Ktal no more.

Does This Make it Official Now...

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogs Mike Francis has officially been named Chief Meteorologist at WXIA in Atlanta. If I understand this correctly..the Met Francis is replacing didn't know he was leaving until yesterday when KARK put out the news release on its website...and e-mailed out to ATN.

Maybe....or Maybe NOT....

The Arkansas Democrat Gazette has published a story on its website reporting KARK Chief Met Mike Francis has NOT accepted the job in Atlanta. Mike Francis' attorney tells the ARK Democrat/Gazette, "Francis is leaving the Little Rock station, where he has worked since 2001, but that "where he's going has not yet been determined." "Mike has not accepted an offer from WXIA and nothing has been finalized"(A)n offer has been made and conversations are continuing -- for now, Mike is simply a candidate for their Chief Met opening and nothing more."

KARK News Director Rob Heverling tells the newspaper,"KARK issued the news release on its website after Francis told him Tuesday that he was resigning because he had accepted the Atlanta job." Heverling said KARK had been in contract negotiations with Francis, but said there is no bitterness between the parties. Read the full article HERE.

Chief Met Leaving KARK

Source: KARK KARK 4, Your Weather Authority, has proudly announced today that Chief Meteorologist Mike Francis has accepted the Chief position at WXIA in Atlanta, GA. Francis has been with KARK for ten years and was instrumental in building KARK’s brand as the station Central Arkansas can count on to be Your Weather Authority.

KARK 4 News Director Rob Heverling said, “We will certainly miss Mike and all that he has brought to KARK over the past 10 years. We are very proud that he has developed so much during his tenure here that he has been able to make a positive impression on a top-ten TV market. Way to go Mike!”

Heverling added, “The good news for us is that Mike leaves behind a weather brand that’s bigger than just one person, it’s about a dedicated team, working together to keep viewers safe during severe weather and help them plan for their day or their week.”

Mike Francis said, “Leaving Central Arkansas will not be easy for me. I want to thank our viewers, fans, friends and all my coworkers at KARK for helping me become the meteorologist I am today. The times we’ve shared together have given me and my family the opportunity to get the Chief Meteorologist position in one of the biggest TV markets in the country and we’re very grateful.” Francis also said, “It’s always been my number one goal as a meteorologist to keep people safe and it gives me great pleasure to know that with the weather team of Brett Cummins and Greg Dee, the people of Central Arkansas are in good hands. KARK is a great station and I wish them all the best.”

Francis started at KARK-TV on June 25, 2001 and was announced Chief Meteorologist on May 23, 2008. He has covered countless severe weather events in Arkansas such as Atkins on February 5, 2008, Mena on April 9, 2009 and most recently the tornado in Vilonia on April 25, 2011. Francis currently does his daily forecasting on the morning newscast, KARK 4 Today for both KARK-TV and KARZ-TV. His last newscast will be July 1, 2011.

Little Rock Anchor Leaving for Texas

This from a tipster:

Justin Earley is leaving Fox 16 to become the main anchor at a station in Tyler, Texas.

NWA Station Hires New Sports Head

KHBS/KHOG Press Release Mike Jacques joins KHBS/KHOG-TV (Channels 40 and 29) as Sports Director/Anchor and Reporter June 27th. Jacques will anchor and report on 40/29 News at 6 and 10pm and online at 4029tv.com.

Jacques brings 10-plus years of college and high school sports reporting talent to 40/29 News - most recently serving as a reporter for the University of Wisconsin Badger Sports Report, featured on several network affiliates and the Big 10 Network.

“Mike’s passion for local college and high school sports will be a great asset,” said 40/29 News Director Dawn Dugle. “He’s a unique story teller and we look forward to him reporting on the Razorbacks, University of Arkansas – Fort Smith and the outdoor sports our area is known for.” “Mike shows viewers the human side of sports, not just the scores and stats,” added KHBS/KHOG-TV President and General Manager Brian Sather. “I’m convinced that will resonate with our viewers.”

Known to viewers as “Jocko”, Jacques served as Sports Director in Wausau, Wisconsin at WSAW-TV where he became an award winning journalist for his work on "The Highlight Zone", a Friday night high school sports program. Jacques has also reported and produced sports for WMTV-TV in Madison and WISN-TV in Milwaukee.

Jacques is a recent graduate from the University of Phoenix where he received his Master’s degree in Business Administration, while previously he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Hunt to Start Getting Her Beauty Sleep.....

Well it seems Allyson Cortney arrived at KATV just in time. I still say she has too much energy to work at Channel 7. Any how a tipster sends this in:

Beth Hunt is going to 5 PM starting monday here what she said on her facebook page I Want to thank everyone for choosing to wakeup with the DayBreak crew each day I've been working the morning shift for about 7 years but i will be Getting to sleep in starting Monday I'll be heiping out in the evenings here at channel 7! I hope you all will continue to watch see u at 5 P M instead of 5 A M. !

Did Shreveport Station Have Second Thoughts...

about putting Chrissi Coile as Gerry Mays' sidekick? I saw her anchoring the weekend edition of the news...and a tipster sends in this;

It appears like Chrissi Coile will no longer co anchor with Gerry. She was doing the health report, but she wasn't anchoring. Advertisements for a "main anchor" have aired recently

Former Shreveport Anchor Finds New Job

Former KTBS anchor Sherri Talley now with the the United way.

This email was forwarded to me from a tipster:


Dear media friends,

I'm honored to be working now with the United Way of Northwest Louisiana. I知 looking forward to keeping you informed about how thousands in our 10-parish region work collaboratively to improve the lives of citizens, particularly in the areas of education, health, income and basic needs.

My contact information is listed below. If you know of anyone else in your company who might want to be included in news/community releases concerning United Way, please let me know.

Thanks. I look forward to working with you!

Sincerely,

Sherri


Sherri Talley
Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations

KARK Blooper...

This from the tip box:
KARK, Channel 4, news really blew it the other night (Friday, I think) when doing a story about a couple of guys that were robbed in their Conway neighborhood while following a suspicious looking individual. The two, while observing the individual, were then robbed by another party. One of the boys that was robbed agreed to speak to the KARk reporter ONLY if his face and identity was electronically altered, fearing reprisals. KARK then covered his face through the first part of his on-camera comments but then, for some unknown reason, aired a wide shot clearly showing his face for about 4 seconds. The next edit showed the boy's face once again covered while he spoke. Amazing! My wife and I couldn't believe it. It aired during the 10 p.m. news. I'd be interested to see what their explanation is for the mistake.