Roberts was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, grew up in Dallas, and graduated from Texas State University. KFSM signed on for the first time on July 9, 1953 as KFSA-TV on channel 22. Solera Dental Spa. He said he hopes to find another job covering the Razorbacks, whether it be in TV or another medium. However, under the terms of an agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the merged station used the KNAC call letters until the sale formally closed. I think that the show is in pretty good shape and we definitely have a lot of things in the works that I think will make the show one of the most talked about podcasts on the internet. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Chief meteorologist Matt Standridge reacted to her announcement post and said, "At least you're still on our side of the Mississippi River. [26] When the station announced plans to build the facility in 2018, original plans called for a newer facility in Fort Smith to serve as its main studio. News Reporter KLKN-TV Aug 2014 - Aug 2016 2 years 1 month. Meet anchors, reporters, weather and more on 40/29 News' news team page. FORT SMITH (KFSM) -- Operations began July 9, 1953, at KFSA TV Channel 22, out of a building owned by Donald W. Reynolds in downtown Fort Smith. The area's original affiliate, KPBI-CA which was repeated on full-power KPBI, went silent after its owner Equity Media Holdings went bankrupt. The station lost its CBS affiliation when KFPW-TV (now KHBS) signed on in 1971. Stations were permitted to carry the press conference live on-air, but were prohibited from any online stream. Reynolds then built a microwave relay hop on Mount Magazine to relay live programming from the Little Rock stations. Sports is and will continue to be an important part of our product on-air and online.". Over the course of eight years, viewers have witnessed her evolve into a skilled newscaster. KFSM also operates a secondary studio and news bureau on North 13th Street in downtown Fort Smith (site of its former main studio). At the end of the documentary on Saturday, there will be a phone number to the FBI you can call if you have any information about the cases. In an interview with Talk Business & Politics, Lewis said he is not unhappy with life but is ready for something different, and ready to be present in the moment when he is with family. Naturally, viewers want to know where he is going next and if . However, the Fayetteville area was served by KGTO (TV) in the late-1960s and 1970s. However, the news of anchor/reporter Laura Simon leaving 5NEWS has been met with widespread disappointment. However, Fort Smith and Fayetteville are sandwiched between Little Rock (channels 2, 4, 7, and 11) to the east, ShreveportTexarkana (channels 3, 6, and 12) to the south, Springfield (channels 3 and 10) and PittsburgJoplin (channels 7 and 12) to the north, and Tulsa (channels 2, 6, 8, and 11) to the west. Lewis, known for rolling his sleeves up while broadcasting during severe weather, joined 5NEWS in July 2001, and his awards include the National Weather Associations Seal of Approval and the American Meteorological Societys Seal of Approval. After nearly five years, this is my last week at 5NEWS.. At the time, UHF stations could only be seen with an expensive converter, and even with one picture quality was marginal at best. Additionally, the Fort Smith television market is a fairly large market geographically, spilling across a large and mostly mountainous swath of Arkansas and Oklahoma. Sports Anchor/Reporter. 2023, Arkansas Hearst Television Inc. on behalf of KHBS-TV. Mike Irwin was fired by KFSM on Monday after 37 years at the station. However, the networks extended the AT&T coaxial cable to Little Rock in 1957 to provide live coverage of the Little Rock Crisis. In fall 2017, KFSM began airing a 30-minute newscast at 4 p.m., titled 5 News First at Four. It also provides a 24-hour local newscast seven days a week on Cox channel 55 in Springdale and Fort Smith. There have been so many vacations weve had to cancel because of weather events., Part of the job pressure has been a change in expectations during the past 20 years. The sale was completed on September 19, 2019.[25]. These stations broadcast these networks on their digital subchannels. Simon earned a very competitive internship at NBC Chicago during her time at Columbia, where she worked alongside reporters, anchors, producers, and photographers. "Back then, its a small town. After that, she and her husband will depart for St. Louis. Were gonna find her. A familiar face to viewers in the Fayetteville-Fort Smith television market, Roberts worked as a News Anchor/Reporter for KFSM-TV, but most of Roberts career has been spent as a Sports Director. Still Missing Morgan will air exclusively on Channel 5 and can be watched live on Paramount+. Roberts has play-by-play experience, and has worked as a network sideline reporter for NBC Sports. Additional pay could include bonus, stock, commission, profit sharing or tips. Full Profile Ashely Beck Fort Smith, AR Professions & Specialties News Anchor Commercial Announcer Presenter Experience & Education Lewis said there are career options he is considering, but nothing thats certain. As a result, the KFSA stations were sold off, with channel 5 going to Buford Television in 1973 and renamed KFSM-TV (after the airport designation for Fort Smith Regional Airport). He added later in the interview that, being on call 24/7 is not easy. The podcast has a lot of potential, and we are working hard to improve it. A message seeking comment from KFSM station manager Van Comer was not immediately returned. Professional Background CheckInformation on professionals, their work history and resumes. So naturally, they are curious to know why she is leaving and where she is going next. Our aim is to make it easy for people to interact with us, and to bring out a certain kind of personality we find very exciting. I also host a radio show called 'The Stump', which is a podcast about the biggest topics in the world of sports. A few other shows are in the works as well. Full-power KPBI, at one point a standalone RTV affiliate, officially became KFSM's sister station on January 5, 2012 with an FCC "failing station" waiver and changed its call letters to KXNW; at that time, KXNW dropped all remaining RTV programming in favor of a simulcast of KFSM-DT2, which had for a while also carried a part-time affiliation with Antenna TV in addition to its primary MyNetworkTV affiliation (until Antenna TV was ultimately segregated out onto its own dedicated sub-channel via KFSM-DT3, as of spring 2016). A local TV-Appliance dealer, Bill Engles (a.k.a. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Material from the Associated Press is Copyright 2023, Associated Press and may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Garrett Lewis to leave KFSM after 20 years as chief meteorologist. The storm left four people dead in western Arkansas. Claudia Sessa Leaving 59News: Wheres the West Virginia Anchor Going? NY Times CO. Sell TV Group to Equity Firm for $530M; Second equity group to buy a media business in two weeks. Talks between Reynolds and KNAC's owner, businessman Hiram Nakdeiman, resulted in an agreement to merge the two stations. Heather Lewis joined KOLR10 News as an anchor for Daybreak in July 2015. The TV news business has taken me all over the country to cities like Chicago, Joplin, Kirksville/Ottumwa and Northwest Arkansas/the River Valley. Its just that we arent really able to go the whole way yet with the show. (DMA 99),has hired Erika Thomas as weeknight anchor. It's one of the most important programs we've aired in recent years, and you can see it Saturday (April 17) at 12:00 p.m. I am a former kfsm news anchor and current on the show Inside KFSM. pic.twitter.com/kk4HNLDUVJ, Laura Simon (@5NEWSLaura) August 26, 2022. I honestly dont know. In 1969, the FCC barred common ownership of newspapers and broadcasting outlets. I think we could have a lot more stuff in the works. We have a lot of ideas and a few different ways of doing things. It also simulcasted the weekday noon and nightly broadcasts. Prior to that, he was a Radar Meteorologist (Intern) at North Dakota Water Commission. Learn How to State Your Case and Earn Your Raise, Climb the Ladder With These Proven Promotion Tips, A Guide to Negotiating the Salary You Deserve, How to Prepare for Your Interview and Land the Job. They look forward to their mornings with 5NEWS before heading to work. Laura Simon was born and raised in a suburb of St. Louis. His forecasted last day forecasting is July 30. I think that podcast is one step closer to being done. On weeknights, the latter newscast competes with the prime time newscast which airs on Fox affiliate KFTA-TV; KXNW was the only station which airs a 9 p.m. newscast on weekends until August 2012 when KHBS/KHOG began producing a nightly 9 p.m. newscast for their CW Plus-affiliated digital subchannels. and Volunteer Coordinator, Salvation Army NWA. 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Mayberry offers bill to address child care center, workforce shortages, DroneUp, McMillon Innovation Studio partner on drone use study, Retailer survey highlights final-mile shipping challenges, tech solutions, The Supply Side: Walmart, Sams Club battle for business customers, The Supply Side: More retailers focusing on healthcare in 2023, Walmart to hold virtual shareholder events again this year, Two Northeast Arkansas counties still leading state in COVID-19 cases. KFSA radio personality Pat Porta hosted the first broadcast. ALMA, Ark. I really just reached a point where I needed a break, Lewis said when asked about whats next. This would be a very good thing to do, because we would have to have a lot of content that we could use to market ourselves and get a lot of buzz for our podcast. KFSM morning anchor Laura Simon is leaving the Fort Smith, Ark. She remembers how quickly this became a national story. Copyright Talk Business & Politics 2017. . [4] KFSM operated a low-power analog translator, K62DQ (channel 62), licensed to Fayetteville with a transmitter in Johnson along I-540/US 62/US 71. In 2013, she became the weekend anchor at KTVO-DT, covering news across Northeast Missouri and Southeast Iowa. This month KFSM Channel 5 will celebrate 60 years on the air serving the people of Northwestern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. Michaela Pereira Leaving Fox 11: Where Is the L.A. Anchor Going? [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21], Following the Sinclair deal's collapse, Nexstar Media Group announced its purchase of Tribune Media on December 3, 2018, for $6.4billion in cash and debt. But Comer did say he was searching for a new anchor to replace Malone. All of us at 5NEWS are thankful for his service, and we wish him and his family only the best as he moves on to his next adventure Sleeves Up!, Arkansas headlines delivered to you on demand. "I have some bittersweet news to share with you this morning," Lewis wrote . FACT CHECK: Dave Ramsey Made a Statement About America Online, FACT CHECK: CIA Director Gina Haspel Found Dead, FACT CHECK: Kwik Trip Launches Kwik Strip Gentlemens Clubs. Were not the largest market. Lewis, known for rolling his sleeves up while broadcasting during . This created a large "doughnut" in Northwest Arkansas where there could be only one commercial VHF license, plus a noncommercial license (eventually occupied by AETN's KAFT). It was owned by Donald W. Reynolds and his Donrey Media Group alongside Fort Smith's two major newspapers the Southwest American and Times Record (later merged as the Southwest Times Record) and KFSA radio (AM 950). We are also looking for people to come to our website to ask us questions. Weekend sports anchor and sports reporter for 5NEWS. Meet the anchors, reporters and meteorologists from 5NEWS KFSM in Fort Smith, Arkansas Mitch and his two kids live in Fayetteville. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The network was number one in viewers and KNAC-TV quickly became a favorite because of its VHF signal and CBS affiliation. CBS affiliate KFSM. [citation needed] Although the system was less than dependable, it was far better than kinescopes' which aired as many as three weeks after the original air date. The station operated out of an old building. My advice to the next generation of journalists would be to go after your goals, but dont get too attached to the outcome., Content WriterThe Brandon AgencyMyrtle Beach, South Carolina, Laura Simon Leaving Fort Smith Station for St. Louis, Prior to joining KFSM in 2014, Laura was an anchor and reporter at, An error has occurred, please try again later. I was executive producer at 5NEWS back then. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. Example video title will go here for this video, In the News Now | Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison. I am the type of person who will organize my entire home (including closets) based on what I need for vacation. He's scheduled to start in his new role in mid-January. The estimated additional pay is $3,886 per year. former kfsm news anchors By editor k December 29, 2021 0 62 Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp I am a former kfsm news anchor and current on the show 'Inside KFSM'. Mitch Roberts joined 40/29 News as Sports Director in May 2014. This employer has not claimed their Employer Profile and is missing out on connecting with our community. UHF stations do not get good reception over large areas or in rugged terrain. "I had heard through the grapevine they were going to radically change their sports department," Irwin said Tuesday when reached by phone. The issue has been discussed between KFSM and the university. On weekdays, 5 News This Morning was shortened 30 minutes, beginning at 5 a.m. instead of 4:30a.m. A replay of the previous night's edition of 5 News at 10 was played to fill the time slot. Engleman had worked at the station since 2009. She will start at KFSM in early June and will co-anchor the station's 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts with Daren Bobb. Walker had worked for KFSA radio and earlier for Nakdieman at KWHN. Sep 2012 - Jul 20152 years 11 months. Deanna Durante - she was with KARK as weekend anchor in the 2000s. Washington Regional . By 1958, it became apparent the Fort Smith market was not large enough to support two television stations. I have some bittersweet news to share with you this morning, Lewis wrote Monday on facebook. There are a lot of things in the works and a lot of things that need to be worked out, but the podcast is definitely the next step. "The story just developed, and more and more people talked as it went along," she said. Andrew Horansky, and Sports Anchor Nick Camino. Jobin Panicker Jobin Panicker is a reporter at WFAA in Dallas, TX, specializing in stories from. KNAC's weathermen LeRoy Stollard and Cy Spicer were also staff members of the new operation. Like many of us who've been around since it happened, Schultz says the reporting forged many friendships. CBS affiliate.. Simon told viewers she's leaving the station to work in her hometown of St. Louis, where she said she'll anchor . His passionate coverage of our extreme weather and commitment to serving our communities have been exemplary. Lewis, 40, is a member of the board of the Benton County Childrens Advocacy Center and Arkansas Board for Childrens Advocacy Centers of Arkansas. Were so proud of you, and youre going to thrive in STL! We are also working on an actual podcast, more on that later, but this was an idea from one of our former hosts. Thank you so much for making me a part of your morning routine. Get TVSpy delivered straight to your inbox. Syndicated programming on KFSM includes Rachael Ray, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, and Dr. Phil, all of which are distributed by the corporate cousin of KFSM's affiliated network, CBS Media Ventures. Laura Simon announced the bittersweet news on her live broadcast on August 26, 2022. The estimated base pay is $66,283 per year. Children's T.E.A.M. The Eye Center . Simon was nominated for a student Chicago/Midwest Emmy Award during her junior year for a report she did on Richard M. Daleys 20-year tenure as the citys mayor. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group, transitioned from analog to digital broadcasts, "Tegna Selling To Standard General For $5.4 Billion". . KTLA Morning News (TV Series 1991- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. During the late 1950s, both KFSA-TV and KNAC struggled for advertising and viewers. The two stations' operations were merged at a converted furniture warehouse in downtown Fort Smith at North 5th and B Streets that had originally been renovated for KNAC-TV. ", "We are not ending sports coverage," Bagley continued in the e-mail. Engleman said he was pursuing other options. Its signal reaches 15 counties in Arkansas, and also expands north into Missouri and west into Oklahoma. After graduating, Simon got her first job at Nexstar Media Group, Inc. in Joplin, Missouri. Eustasis Psychiatric & Addiction Health. http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1392679.pdf, "Acquisition to make Tribune Co. largest U.S. TV station operator", Company Completes Final Steps of Transaction Announced in July, "Sinclair Broadcast Group to buy Tribune Media for $3.9billion plus debt", "Sinclair Broadcast Group Sets $3.9 Billion Deal to Acquire Tribune Media", "Sinclair and Tribune Fall as FCC Slams TV Station Sale Plan", "FCC chair rejects Sinclair-Tribune merger", "FCC throws Sinclair/Tribune deal in doubt", "FCC Throws Wrench into Sinclair Media Megadeal", "Sinclair Tries to Appease F.C.C., but Its Tribune Bid Is Challenged", "FCC orders hearing even as Sinclair changes plans to sell TV stations to address concerns about Tribune deal", "Tribune Terminates $3.9 Billion Sinclair Merger, Sues Broadcast Rival", "Tribune Kills Sinclair Merger, Files Suit", "Tribune Media pulls out of Sinclair Broadcast merger", "Tribune Ends Deal With Sinclair, Dashing Plan for Conservative TV Behemoth", "Tribune Ends Deal with Sinclair, Files Breach of Contract Suit", "Tribune withdraws from Sinclair merger, saying it will sue for 'breach of contract', "Nexstar Announces Deal to Buy Tribune for $6.4B", "Nexstar Selling 19 TVs In 15 Markets For $1.32B", "Nexstar to Sell Stations to Tegna, Scripps for $1.32 Billion", "In Fort Smith since 1953, KFSM relocates headquarters to NWA", "Garrett Lewis to leave KFSM after 20 years as chief meteorologist", "Local Flavors: Former weatherman Garrett Lewis appreciates lazy Sunday omelets", "KFSM TV Listings | Fort Smith/Fayetteville News | KFSM 5NEWS", "DTV Tentative Channel Designations for the First and the Second Rounds", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KFSM-TV&oldid=1127137480, Television stations in Northwest Arkansas, Television channels and stations established in 1953, Low-power television stations in the United States, Articles with dead external links from February 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles needing additional references from May 2017, All articles needing additional references, Articles using infobox television station, Articles with unsourced statements from May 2018, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Fort Smith (FSM is also the airport designation for the, This page was last edited on 13 December 2022, at 02:43. Roberts has worked in St. Louis, Nashville, and Las Vegas, Nevada, winning an Emmy for Best Sportscaster in St. Louis. A familiar face to viewers in the Fayetteville-Fort Smith television market, Roberts worked as a News Anchor/Reporter for. Menu. Michelle Muscatello Leaving WPRI: Where Is the Rhode Island Meteorologist Going? Irwin said the move was not related to the station's decision to stream a University of Arkansas press conference introducing new football coach John L. Smith last Tuesday. Mike Irwin was fired by KFSM on Monday after 37 years at the station. 23, 2015 - 5:24 PM. On September 1, 2010, the FCC granted KFSM a construction permit for a fill-in translator in Van Buren on channel 24. LITTLE ROCK Fort Smith-based CBS affiliate KFSM-TV fired sports reporter Mike Irwin on Monday, ending a 37-year career at . Garrett has been recognized by the Arkansas Associated Press for his work including numerous awards for Best Weathercast. A graduate of Alma High School, Lewis earned a bachelors degree in geosciences and masters degree in applied meteorology from Mississippi State University. CBS affiliate. In November 2020, KFSM returned to its normal broadcast schedule with 5 News This Morning weekdays beginning at 4:30a.m. and 5 News This Morning Saturday originating as a KFSM broadcast rather than a KTHV simulcast. Related Searches:All TV News Anchor Salaries|All KFSM-TV Salaries. QVC/HSN Layoffs in 2023: Which On-Air Personalities Were Let Go? Matt Standridge is an American chief meteorologist currently working at KFSM Channel 5 since September 2021.