Sinclair Station Broadcasts Effected by Ransomware Attack...

 It seems KATV/Channel 7/Little Rock was effected buy a Ransomeware attack that efffected Sinclair stations across the country. This morning's newscasts on KATV were not what we were use to seeing....CNN.com reports that Sinclair newscasts acoss the country were effected...no graphics...no e-mails....video...phones. Seems all the issues began Saturday..and continues. Live programming was effected....

 

Sinclair Press Release: 

BALTIMORE–(October 18, 2021)–Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SBGI) today provided information on a recent cybersecurity incident.

On October 16, 2021, the Company identified and began to investigate and take steps to contain a potential security incident. On October 17, 2021, the Company identified that certain servers and workstations in its environment were encrypted with ransomware, and that certain office and operational networks were disrupted. Data also was taken from the Company’s network. The Company is working to determine what information the data contained and will take other actions as appropriate based on its review.

Promptly upon detection of the security event, senior management was notified, and the Company implemented its incident response plan, took measures to contain the incident, and launched an investigation. Legal counsel, a cybersecurity forensic firm, and other incident response professionals were engaged. The Company also notified law enforcement and other governmental agencies. The forensic investigation remains ongoing.

While the Company is focused on actively managing this security event, the event has caused – and may continue to cause – disruption to parts of the Company’s business, including certain aspects of its provision of local advertisements by its local broadcast stations on behalf of its customers. The Company is working diligently to restore operations quickly and securely.

As the Company is in the early stages of its investigation and assessment of the security event, the Company cannot determine at this time whether or not such event will have a material impact on its business, operations or financial results.

As the Company conducts its investigation, it will look for opportunities to enhance its existing security measures.

Tegna and DISH Fight it Out!!

Tegna (parent company of KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock) is fighting it out with DISH over a new re-transmission agreement. This spat is effecting over 50 Tegna stations, including KTHV.  Heck with streaming becoming so popular I would've thought these fights would be over by now.  What I always like hearing is how the broadcast companies want to play the victim in all this.  They are the ones demanding MORE money and how they wanna brainwash the cable/satellite customers into thinking the cable/sat providers won't have to pass the increase along to them.  There are soo many options these days to get local news and network programming,  the broadcasters still wanna demand more $$ for the same inferior product.  Increase the quality of the product then maybe it might be worth more!!!

KTHV Anchor/Reporter Quits TV News......

 

 

Today was Jordan Howington's last day on the air at KTHV/Channel 11/Little Rock.  She had only been in the news business for 7 years....and she is stepping away from it according to her FB page:

Hi, friends.

This is such a bittersweet post.

Over the past several months, I’ve been doing lots of praying. With a lot of thought, I’ve decided to make the most difficult decision of my life thus far to step away from the tv news business. For 7 years, I have poured my heart into sharing the most impactful stories of Arkansans. I’ve gone into the trenches with you, laughed with you, cried with you, and fought for you. And that’s been my greatest honor. I have met some of the finest people and have built relationships that will last a lifetime. I’m truly grateful for Arkansas State University, KAIT-8, and THV11 who’ve helped mold me into the communicator, the go-getter, and the problem-solver that I am. I will miss hanging with the greatest viewers on the air 5-days of the week. It’s sad, but my decision comes with great joy. I will be joining the Cooper-Anthony Mercy Child Advocacy Center team. I’ll get to advocate for abused children in Central Arkansas. It is an incredible opportunity that I’m thrilled to take on. This opportunity will also allow me to spend more time with my family, especially my precious daughter Stausia. THV-11 will always be my home because the people there are family through and through. I’m so thankful for my team’s support through this transition, and my boss Shayla who has been my biggest cheerleader for many years. My husband is my rock and has shown much grace, love, and support through this emotional ride! I’m a blessed girl. My last day at Channel 11 will be Saturday October 9, so please join in! In the meantime, we’ve got more stories to share! Below are some memorable pictures throughout the past 7 years of my career. I love you, Arkansas. This Is Home.

Long time ArkLaTex Journalist Inducted into EMMY Silver Circle

 

Source: KSLA Fred Gamble has been gathering and reporting news in the ArkLaTex for over 48 years!  Gamble has been honored and inducted into the EMMY Silver Circle.  Gamble started his career in 1973 at KTAL in Texarkana.  Gamble currently works for KSLA/Channel 12 as the station's reporter/ photojournalist for the counties in Southwest Arkansas and Northeast Texas.  

“It is truly an honor and a privilege to work with Fred Gamble. His passion for news, commitment to the community, and joy for life are qualities that we should all do our best to replicate. I congratulate him wholeheartedly on an honor very well-deserved,” said Sacha Purciful, general manager of KSLA.

Suspended KATV Anchor/Weather Guesser Return

They are back!! KATV/Channel 7 anchor Chris May and weather guesser Barry Brandt have returned to the air after being suspended since mid-September.  May and Brandt returned to the air for the 10pm newscast Wednesay, 10.06.2021.  May and Brandt had been suspended for donning afro style wigs to celebrate the arrival of cooler weather here in Arkansas.  KATV news director Nick Genty was fired!!  Below are statements from May and Brandt:

Chris May: “First I want to take a moment to apologize and be accountable for a terrible decision I made when I last appeared on this newscast back on September 16. That night, I did what many of you have said I did. I appropriated a look that was not just unprofessional. It was insensitive, and it was offensive. My intentions were irrelevant. All that matters is how I made people feel. And it is clear that I cause many people, many African Americans in particular, to feel pain. And for that I could not be more sorry. It has been said that questions of race and racism can define people's view of the world in fundamental ways. And on a newscast like this one. It's important that those views be explored and amplified, treated with respect, not ridicule. All of this has led me to more closely examine myself and the station to more closely examine its mission and purpose in covering our entire community. In both cases, I think we've found that we can and we must do better. And moving forward, we promise we will. Personally, I'm grateful for a second chance to earn your trust, and to continue serving the city and this state that we're also proud to call our home. Barry.

Barry Brandt: “Thanks, Chris. And I want to sincerely apologize for my actions. A few weeks ago, during the live broadcast, I made what I believed was a light hearted reference to the 1970s using a prop during my forecast. Please know it was never, ever my intention to offend or cause any harm. This incident has taught me to be more aware of cliches and stereotypes and the damage they can cause. It was insensitive, it was objectionable, I apologize deeply for my actions, and I will work to regain your trust.”