Where in Tarnation is......

..KTHV reporter Lauren Clark?  A blog reader brought it to our attention Clark hasn't been on the air for a while now. 

Begining of the End for KLRT News?.....

This from a tipster:

Nexstar came to the FOX 16 studios and gave employees the option to extend their medical benefits from mid-November through the end of the year - presumably "in the event" they are laid off. Looks like the end is near and the sale of Newport's stations will soon close. Employees were also given the "opportunity" to apply for jobs at KARK...too bad there are just a few available. I think most people are so bitter about this whole thing that they won't go that route, unless they truly love Little Rock and wish to call it home for the long term. Most will seek employment elsewhere. And for anyone who thinks it's "Mission Broadcasting" running the show, you're crazy - all talks to employees have been done by Nexstar, save one.

Shreveport Station Responds to Where its Missing Anchor Is

KTAL/Channel 6/Shreveport has posted a response on its facebook page to questions viewers have had concerning the debut of the new anchors and the absence of Michelle White.  Here's the post:

Wanted to catch everyone up on what’s going on in the newsroom. Many of you have noticed our new anchor Jacque Jovic, who debuted on NBC 6 News this week. Wanted to catch everyone up on what’s going on in the newsroom. Many of you have noticed our new anchor Jacque Jovic, who debuted on NBC 6 News this week. The feedback on her contribution to the newsroom has been great (which doesn’t surprise us) but it has brought up the question of ‘where’s Michelle?’

Michelle is off this week, but will be back on Monday. When she returns she will be moving to new hours here at KTAL, and will be working during the day. Michelle and Nick will continue to anchor our newscasts at 5 and 6, with Jacque and Nick anchoring the 10. As you can imagine, Michelle is looking forward to having evenings off for the first time in several years.
 

We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Jacque on board at NBC 6 News, as well as wishing Michelle the best as she moves to more ‘normal’ hours.
 

By the way, you may also have noticed our new AM co-anchor Dan Jovic, who has joined Leslie Draffin and Patrick Dennis on NBC 6 Today. And yes you’re correct—Dan and Jaque have the same last names. They are married, and are enjoying settling into life in the ArkLaTex together.

KTAL to Debut New 10pm Co-anchor Tonight

KTAL/Channel 6/Shreveport will debut tonight a new co-anchor for its 10pm newscast.  Jaci Jovic will be anchoring aside Nick LaFave.  Jaci's husband Dan debuted this morning on the station's morning news program. Someone delivered cupcakes to the newsroom to welcome Jaci to the team.

 Just a side note, Michelle Lafitte was MIA from the evening newscasts.

A "Letter Day" Campaign Being Organized to Help Turner Family

Lots of folks are wanting to know how they can help the Turner family.  Here's something from KNWA:

Friends of the Turner family are coming together to help support Matt's wife Julee and daughter Preslee financially as well as emotionally.

There's a silent auction being held for the them, with all the proceeds going to Julee and Preslee.

All information on that event is listed on Life {Sweet} Life blog.

Aside from financial support, Julee's friend and KNWA Blogger Kelly Stamps is hoping to help Julee emotionally deal with this tragic loss.

She's organizing a "Letter a Day" campaign to encourage Julee in the weeks and months to come.

She's asking for help on her blog. For all the information, just visit Kelly's Korner.

THV Evening News Team Gathers to Remember One of Their Own

The KTHV evening news team came together Sunday night to remember and pay tribute to the newest member of the team.  Craig, Dawn, Liz and Ed all were in studio Sunday night remembering the short time they had working with Matt Turner.  If you missed it you can watch it HERE.

Winds Blowing in Change at Shreveport Station

Folks in the Ark-La-Tex are a buzz about the new anchors at Nexstar's KTAL/Channel 6/Shreveport.  One of the new anchors debuted today on the morning program.  Dan Jovic made his on air debut this morning as a new co-anchor of the morning program.  Dan joins KTAL from WJW, FOX 8 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Dan's wife Jacgue Jovic will be co-anchor of the evening news at KTAL.

KNWA Remembers Matt Turner

Matt Turner kicked off his tv broadcasting career at KNWA in Northwest Arkansas.  He joined KNWA in 2003 as a sports reporter/anchor. In 2006 Matt was promoted to main evening news anchor.  He stayed at KNWA until July 2012.  To see the tribute click HERE.

KATV Sports Director Remembers Matt Turner the Sports Intern

KATV Steve Sullivan Some knew him as a former Arkadelphia football player, the son of a pastor.  Others knew Matt Turner as a highly, successful news anchor at KNWA in Northwest Arkansas.  Here in Central Arkansas, people where just getting to know Matt as a news anchor at KTHV.  I was just getting used to Matt Turner, the news anchorman.

Matt's passion was sports. I don't remember the year, but I do remember that Paul Goza was the quarterback for Arkadelphia, when Matt spent a summer and fall as my sports intern.  We shared a passion for high school sports , and Matt came up with an idea for a sports documentary. He decided to follow the Arkadelphia football team from pre-season drills to their post-season football banquet.

He did all the work and I did the voiceover.  He thought having my voice on the tape would help sell more tapes.  I wish he was right.  The final product wasn't exactly an ESPN 30 for 30 production , but it was exceptional work for a sports intern.  It's been several years, but you can still find that beta tape above my desk.  That project is a Matt Turner memory that will last a lifetime.

Shortly after leaving Channel 7 , Matt landed a job with Mike Nail in the KNWA sports office.  It was around that time that Matt started dealing with a " mystery " illness.  He woke up one day and couldn't move.  Matt attacked his illness like the Arkadelphia documentary. He was relentless. He traveled all over the country seeing the best doctors looking for answers.  He was a young man dealing with a serious health problem.  A son who watched his Dad die of Leukemia.

Just about every twitter message I sent to Matt started with a question, "How are you feeling?".  My hope was that someday I would click on a message from Matt, and he would say he was feeling great.  I never got that message. Matt had his good days and bad days, but he never let his health interfere with his drive to succeed on and off the air.

Julee, Preslee and Romeo.  Julee was Matt's loving, blogging wife ( Her blog is a must read). She was Matt's partner in the mission to solve his medical mystery.  Preslee is their miracle child.  The most photographed , 10 month old girl in the United States. Then there's Romeo, Matt and Julee's ping pong playing dog, who actually made an appearance on one of my sportscasts.

Today, it's hard to not think about Julee, Preslee and Romeo . Last night, Matt died in a one car accident on his way to Arkadelphia.  I'll miss Matt.

Funeral Arrangements Set for THV Anchor

Source: KTHV The funeral arrangements for KTHV anchor, Matt Turner, have been planned for later this week. His family will have visitation on Tuesday, Oct. 9th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and the funeral service will be held Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Both services are open to the public and will be held at 3rd Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia, where Matt's father pastored for many years. Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home in Arkadelphia is handling the arrangements. To view and sign a guest book in Matt's honor, please click here.

Gannett, Dish Reach An Agreement

Looks like Gannett, KTHV's parent company, and DISH have reached an agreement to keep Channel 11's signal on the satellite service.  According to a story on Channel 11's website a long term agreement has been reached.  The fee squabble stemmed from a fight over DISH's "The Hopper" dvr device and DISH claimed Gannett was asking for more than what it deserved for keeping some 22 of its broadcast channels on the DISH system. 

New THV Anchor Killed in Vehicle Accident

KTHV Today's THV is heartbroken to announce we have lost one of our own. Matt Turner died in a crash on I-30 Saturday night. State police say his vehicle ran off the interstate and hit a highway sign. 

 Matt joined Today's THV in September, coming to us from television station KNWA in northwest Arkansas, where he spent nine years on the anchor desk. But he's been part of this state his whole life.

 Born and reared in Arkadelphia, Matt played baseball and football for Arkadelphia High School. Being a two-year starter for the Arkadelphia Badgers led him to quarterback for Southern Mississippi, then after one year in Hattiesburg he transferred to his hometown to play starting quarterback for Ouachita Baptist University where he met his wife, Julee. They have a daughter, Preslee Bell, who is 10 months old. 

When Matt joined Today's THV, he said, "My wife and I are coming home and now I'm a part of a television station that I grew up watching. My mom and family will see me covering the Little Rock area and that will be one of the greatest joys of my life. I'm more motivated than ever to serve my fellow Arkansans by providing informative, entertaining and quality news! I'm dedicated to making a positive difference at Today's THV and I can't wait to get started." In his journalism career in Arkansas Matt earned several honors, including the NWA Business Journal's 40 under 40 list. 

Gannett/Dish Fight over "The Hopper"

Seems Gannett, parent company of KTHV/Channel 11, doesn't like DISH Network's "The Hopper".  According to Reuters Gannett has threatened to pull broadcasting with DISH if it doesn't block the commercial skipping feature on "The Hopper".  Gannett and DISH are in an agreement squabble in several markets including Little Rock.  "If Dish refuses to reach a deal before midnight, October 7 Dish subscribers could lose their local Gannett station and access to some of the year's best programming," Gannett said.

11 and DISH in Fee Squabble

KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock is in a squabble with Dish Network over retransmission fees.  A message on the station's website says DISH subscribers could lose KTHV October 8th if an agreement isn't reached.  A message from the stations states, We cannot speak for DISH. But here is what our viewers should know: KTHV is committed to reaching fair, market-based agreements with all the video service providers in our area. Our track record shows that we have successfully reached such deals time and time again. That is why DISH's refusal to reach an agreement with us is disappointing. It is our hope that DISH will change course and reach a deal because it is unfair for customers to lose one minute of KTHV programming.

Slain Anchor's Mom Can Proceed With Civil Case Against Hospital

The Arkansas Democrat/Gazette reports the Arkansas Supreme Court says Anne Pressley's mom can proceed with a civil case against a Little Rock hospital.  The court ruled Patricia Cannady can proceed with a lawsuit claiming outrageous behavior by a hospital and three workers who illegally looked at her daughter’s medical files, but an invasion of privacy claim must be dropped.  The court did uphold a ruling of a lower court that Cannady cannot sue the hospital for punitive damages. You will find the entire article HERE.

Rise and Shine With Weekend News at 40/29

KHBS/KHOG Press Release Beginning Saturday, October 13^th, KHBS/KHOG-TV will bring viewers the market’s only live and local weekend morning news.

40/29 News Sunrise, Fort Smith-Fayetteville’s top rated local morning newscast during the week, will air 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, ABC’s Good Morning America will now air at 7:00 a.m. while continuing to air on Sunday from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

 

“Saturdays and Sundays are so important to our viewers. Whether they have kids’ activities, church activities, or they have to work weekends, they need accurate weather information and they need the most up to date news so they can plan their day,” said KHBS/KHOG-TV President and General Manager, Brian Sather. “We recognized this, and I’m delighted we’re now able to provide newscasts to fill these needs,” added Sather.

 

“Just like weekdays, our weekend morning news team will provide Live Local Late Breaking news and weather for the entire region,” said KHBS/KHOG-TV News Director, Greg Shepperd. “From Fort Smith, The River Valley to all of Northwest Arkansas, 40/29 News will be your source to help to get weekend mornings started.”

 

Anchoring 40/29 News Sunrise on both Saturday and Sunday will be John Paul. Paul has been with 40/29 News since September and brings more than 5 years of news reporting and anchoring experience to KHBS/KHOG-TV. Paul joined the station from WSBT-TV in South Bend, Indiana. Meteorologist Brittany Bell will provide local weather and reporter Ben Wagner joins the team providing live reports.

 

Top rated in key demographics for two consecutive Nielsen sweeps, the Monday – Friday editions of  40/29 News Sunrise features Meteorologist, Laura Huckabee, a 15 year morning news veteran and the anchor team of Kelly Johnson and Derek Burleson.

Shreveport Weather Guesser Leaving for The Big Easy

A tipster sends this in:

KTBS weekday weather girl Alexandra Cranford announced she's leaving for a position at WWL New Orleans

Fort Smith Weather Guesser Leaving

This from a tipster:

KFSM TV 5 morning weather Jason Adams is leaving ... he sent out first report by Facebook today:
 
"I have some news to share with you all today. Over nearly the last 3 years, it’s been great connecting with you all and sharing some of my crazy life with ya here on facebook. I thought I would share this news with my Facebook fans FIRST… before anything gets said on air, or externally from 5NEWS.

So here it is…. I have accepted a Morning Meteorologist position with the NBC affiliate in Northeast Michigan, serving the Bay City, Saginaw, and Flint market. It is a great career opportunity for me, and I am thrilled to take the next step towards my goal of getting the experience required to become a meteorologist in the South Florida markets one day. My last day at 5NEWS is October 12th."