Four days after announcing the hiring of meteorologist Bryan Bennett, Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA has announced it’s adding meteorologist Julie Phillips to its “Storm Team.”

“I’m very excited to be adding Julie, and more recently, Bryan Bennett to Storm Team 8.” said chief meteorologist Steve Jerve. “They are both well educated and experienced meteorologists with Florida forecasting experience.  They’ll fit well with our tradition of excellence and team work at News Channel 8.”

Phillips comes to WFLA from KTXS in Abilene, TX, where she is the morning meteorologist. She replaces Brooks Garner who left last month for KHOU in Houston. Her first day will be June 10.

After more than 51 years at WTVC, Marcia Kling has announced her retirement from the Chattanooga ABC affiliate.

“Unlike the Energizer Bunny, I never intended going on and on …  So, when my work day ends on Thursday, May 30, I will leave the station for the last time,” Kling wrote in an email to WTVC staff. “The decision to do so has not been easy … and largely because of all of you.”

Kling, who is known as “Miss Marcia,” joined the station in 1962. During her tenure with the station, she has hosted and developed educational program and served as the station’s director of community affairs. Most recently, she has been a contributor to “This N That,” WTVC’s local talk show.

“Miss Marcia will tell you she hasn’t worked one day in those years because she has been doing what she loves,” WTVC general manager Mike Costa said in a statement. “We love Miss Marcia and will miss her gracious presence in the building and on our air.”

Michael J. Hayes has been named senior vice president and group head of Hearst Television.

Hayes comes from WTAE, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, where he has been president and general manager since 2011. Before that, he spent eight years as general manager of WYFF, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C.

“In every step of his career with Hearst Television he’s been a high performer, and we are delighted that he’ll be joining our talented management team in New York to work with our stations and help us compete at an even higher level in the years ahead,” Hearst Television CEO David J. Barrett said in a statement.

Hayes’ promotion is effective June 1. His replacement at WTAE will be named at a later date.

This week, WAVY/WVBT is hiring a newscast producer, as well as an investigative reporter. Meanwhile, WABC needs a news media manager, and WRNN is seeking a booker/producer. Get the scoop on these openings and more below, and find additional just-posted gigs on Mediabistro.

• Newscast Producer WAVY/WBVT (Portsmouth, VA)
• Investigative Reporter WAVY/WBVT (Portsmouth, VA)
• News Media Manager WABC (New York, NY)
• Booker/Producer WRNN (Rye Brook, NY)
• Studio Camera Operator WRNN (Rye Brook, NY)

Find more great TV jobs on the TVSpy job board. Looking to hire? Tap into our network of talented TVSpy pros and post a risk-free job listing. For real-time openings and employment news, follow @MBJobPost.

Larry Conners,the KMOV anchor who said on facebook the IRS targeted him after an interview with President Obama last year, is off the air until further notice.

“He’s not suspended. We just all thought it made sense (for him) to take a few days off,” Sean McLaughlin, news director for the St. Louis CBS affiliate, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “We take this very seriously, and we don’t expect this to drag on. We’re still looking into the situation and weighing our options.”

>UPDATE: Conners’ attorney told TVSpy in a statement, “As the attorney for Larry Conners, I am constrained to advise you that he is barred by corporate from making statements, posting on Facebook, or participating in interviews on the IRS issue. That is the only reason for his silence.” Read more

Jorge Torres will be joining Albuquerque NBC affiliate KOB as weekend meteorologist.

Torres is coming to KOB from El Paso ABC affiliate KVIA which announced the news its facebook page, “In case you missed it this morning Meteorologist Jorge Torres made the announcement that his last day on Good Morning El Paso will be Friday May 31st. Jorge will be taking over the as Weekend Meteorologist at KOB in Albuquerque. Lets all wish Jorge good luck as he continues his career.”

Torres has worked at KVIA since May 2009. KOB news director John Mason told TVSpy Torres starts at the station in mid-June.

[El Paso Times]

WRAL, the CBS affiliate in Raleigh-Durham, is launching a news partnership with The Fayetteville Observer.

The station has relocated its Fayetteville bureau to the Observer‘s newsroom. The new bureau will debut on the air on the 5 p.m. newscast Friday.

“The Observer has a long tradition of outstanding local coverage, and we’re excited about growing a partnership with the newspaper that will benefit our viewers and their readers,” WRAL president and general manager Steven Hammel said in a statement.

Gary England, chief meteorologist for Oklahoma City CBS affiliate KWTV, will be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.

England has worked at KWTV since October 1972. His induction into the Hall will take place November 7, 2013.

The Oklahoma Hall of Fame has inducted names like noted author Ralph Ellison, radio announcer Paul Harvey, and Cincinnati Reds’ catcher Johnny Bench. Inductees get their names along with a bust and a portrait displayed at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. They also get granite monuments in the Heritage Plaza at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

After eight years at WBRE in Scranton, Joe Holden is joining WPXI in Pittsburgh, according to the Times Leader.

Holden, a member of WBRE’s investigative team, will sign off from the station on June 27. He begins in Pittsburgh July 1.

“I like talking with people. I love telling their stories, and I really have a special place in my heart for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. … There’s something really unique about this place, and that’s what’s kept me here nearly eight years,” Holden told the Times Leader.

Stephanie Elam is joining CNN as a Los Angeles-based correspondent. Elam comes from KNBC, the NBC owned station in Los Angeles, where she is the weekend evening anchor.

It is a return to CNN for Elam, who worked as a business news correspondent for the network before joining KNBC in 2011.

“Stephanie is an excellent communicator and tenacious reporter, and we are pleased to have her back as a part of the CNN family,” CNN vice president of newsgathering Terence Burke said in a statement.