Sarah Landau has been named digital sales manager for Hearst’s Fort Smith-Fayetteville, AR, ABC and CW affiliates KHBS-KHOG.

“Sarah Landau is a leader.  Her knowledge of broadcast and online advertising, and her ability to translate those opportunities to our team and our clients, makes her the perfect fit for this position,” said KHBS-KHOG president and general manager, Brian Sather. “Sarah embodies our commitment to innovation and excellence and I have every faith this will translate into results for both the station and our clients.”

Landau has been a marketing consultant for KHBS-KHOG since 2009. In her new role, she will oversee all local digital sales for the stations’ website, mobile platforms and all associated digital properties.

“Sarah has already proven herself as a leader on our sales staff,” said Chad Happersett, general sales manager for KHBS-KHOG. “Her customer engagement is excellent, and I’m confident as our new DSM she will lead our digital sales effort to new heights.”

KFSM anchor Ashley Beck was arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

The Fort Smith, Ark. CBS affiliate reports Beck was stopped by a State Police trooper on Interstate 40 early Sunday morning. She was arrested and booked into the Crawford County Detention Center. She was later released after posting a cash bond.

Beck, who joined KFSM in 2009, anchors the station’s 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. The station did not immediately respond to TVSpy’s request for comment.

KHBS-KHOG has announced Darby Bybee will join the ABC affiliate as the weekend evening meteorologist.

“Darby’s addition creates the largest team of meteorologists in our viewing area and enhances our commitment to provide the most comprehensive weather coverage around the clock,” said KHBS-KHOG news director, Greg Shepperd.

The station said Bybee, who comes from KARK in Little Rock, has logged nearly 45,000 miles in 23 states while reporting on tornadoes and hail and wind events.  He previously worked at KLKN in Lincoln, NE. Read more

KHBS-KHOG, Hearst Television’s duopoly in Fort Smith, Ark., will launch the market’s only local weekend morning newscasts on October 13.

The newscasts will air both days from 6 to 7 a.m. and 8 to 9 a.m., with “Good Morning America” airing during the gap hour. John Paul (pictured) joins the station from WSBT in South Bend to anchor the newscasts. He will be joined by meteorologist Brittany Bell and reporter Ben Wagner.

“Saturdays and Sundays are so important to our viewers,” KHBS-KHOG general manager Brian Sather said in a statement. “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.”

KHBS-KHOG will produce a 9 p.m. newscast on a CW-affiliated digital subchannel beginning tonight, the stations announced today.

The newscast will air seven days a week. On weekdays, it will be anchored by Angela Taylor, with meteorologist Drew Michaels and sports director Mike Jacques. On weekends, Jay Plyburn will anchor and Brittany Bell will handle the weather.

“I know other stations have chosen to deliver a different kind of experience at 9:00 p.m., but we plan to offer a substantial, fast-paced traditional 30 minute newscast filled with local news, delivered by our award-winning team of journalists,” KHBS-KHOG president-GM Brian Sather said in a statement.

Greg Shepperd has been named news director at KHBS-KHOG, Hearst Television’s duopoly in Fort Smith-Fayetteville.

Shepperd has worked for Hearst for the past seven years. Most recently, he was the managing editor for KCRA, the NBC-affiliate in Sacramento. He is also a former assistant news director for WDSU, the NBC-affiliate in New Orleans.

“Greg has distinguished himself throughout his career as a newsroom leader with a unique blend of exceptional team leadership skills, and an eye for what it takes to deliver great local television news,” Brian Sather, president-GM of KHBS-KHOG, said in a statement. “His passion, energy, and work ethic are infectious and I’m confident our team and our viewers will be well-served with this appointment.” Read more

Jonathan Martinez has signed on as evening anchor at KNWA, the NBC-affiliate in Fort Smith.

Martinez joins KNWA from KNIN, the Fox-affiliate in Boise, where he was the morning anchor. “Jonathan’s talent, experience and positive energy made this an easy decision,” KNWA general manager Lisa Kelsey said in a statement. “He will make a wonderful addition to our team.”

Martinez co-anchors the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts on weekdays alongside Neile Jones (pictured). He replaces Matt Turner, who left the station last month.

Dawn Dugle is out as news director at KHBS-KHOG, after just over two years with the Hearst-owned station in Fort Smith-Fayetville.

KHBS-KHOG vice president and general manager Brian Sather confirmed Dugle’s departure with TVSpy but declined to elaborate on the nature of her exit.

Dugle was named ND at KHBS-KHOG at the beginning of 2010, after working as assistant ND for 18 months at WAPT, Hearst’s station in Jackson, MS.  Before WAPT, Dugle worked as an executive producer at KEYE in Austin and a news producer at WTVT in Tampa.

No word yet on who will replace Dugle at KHBS-KHOG.

KFSM, the CBS-affiliate in Fort Smith, has parted ways with sports director John Engleman (pictured) and sportscaster Mike Irwin, Arkansas Online reports.

Irwin, who has worked at KFSM since 1975, was reportedly fired on Monday. Engleman was informed last week that his contract would not be renewed. He has been at KFSM since 2009.

“We are not ending sports coverage,” news director Rick Bagley said. “Our plan is to tell  better stories about all local sports, including the Arkansas Razorbacks. Sports is and will continue to be an important part of our product on-air and online.” Read more

Laura Huckabee, an Arkansas native and cousin of Mike Huckabee, is joining KHBS-KHOG in Fort Smith-Fayetteville, where she’ll anchor the Hearst station’s weekday morning newscast.

Huckabee has over two decades of forecasting experience, including ten years at WGCL in Atlanta.

“Laura understands weather is the most important element in our morning newscast,” said Brian Sather, KHBS-KHOG’s president and general manager, announcing the move. “I’m confident from day one viewers will enjoy her comfortable delivery and informative local forecasts.” Read more