Missoula CBS affiliate KPAX unveiled a new set designed by Devlin Design Group this week.

“I’m thrilled to have so many different options that we can use during the newscast. Each show can have a different look for our viewers if we choose,” KPAX news director Mike Powers said. “And the colors really pop out too.”

Laurel Staples is joining KECI, the NBC affiliate for Missoula, MT as morning anchor.

“Laurel brings a wealth of regional knowledge and journalism experience to NBC Montana,” said Chris Grogan, Director of News Operations for NBC Montana.

Staples takes over for Rob Hudson who left KECI for WDAZ in Grand Forks, N.D.  NBC Montana’s morning show, “Montana Today” covers Western and Southwestern Montana on KECI in Missoula, KCFW in Kalispell, MT and KTVM in Butte-Bozeman.

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Richard Reingold has been named vice president and general manager of Bonten Media Group’s TV stations Missoula-Kalispell and Butte-Bozeman, Montana.   In his new position, Reingold will oversee operations for NBC affiliates KCFW in Kalispell, KECI in Missoula and KTVM in Butte and Bozeman.

“Dick Reingold brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and smarts to Bonten’s Montana operations,” Randy Bongarten, Chairman and CEO of Bonten Media said.  “His broad and successful background which includes news management, general management and station ownership makes Dick a tremendous asset for our entire company.”

Previously, Reingold was founder and CEO of Black Heritage Network, the first non-fiction Black content cable, satellite and internet network.  His first day will be Tuesday.

Rob Hudson will debut later this month as evening co-anchor on WDAZ, the ABC-affiliate in Grand Forks, ND.

Hudson comes to WDAZ from KECI in Missoula, MT, where he was the morning anchor. He has previously worked at KARE in Minneapolis and KSWB in San Diego. He will co-anchor the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts alongside Molly Thorvilson beginning August 27.

“We’re really excited to have him here,” Thorvilson told the Grand Forks Herald. “We’ve been able to spend some time with him, and he’s a really nice guy, really down to Earth.”

Hudson replaces Charley Johnson, who left the station in May.

Max Media’s KTMF is preparing to launch a nightly newscast in Missoula, MT.

The newscast will air at 9 p.m. and will focus on “heavy local news,” Max Media president Linda Gray told The Missoulian. Gray said the news department, helmed by news director and anchor Sarah Gravlee (pictured), is being assembled “from scratch.”

Gravlee will be joined by sports director Dominic Sheldon and chief meteorologist Dave Cochran. She comes to KTMF from KULR in nearby Billings, where she was an anchor, reporter and producer. Read more