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.

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]

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.

Brandon Spinner has been promoted to chief meteorologist at KDLT, the NBC affiliate in Sioux Falls.

Spinner joined KDLT in March as the morning meteorologist. He replaces Cody Matz, who is leaving KDLT to join KMSP in Minneapolis.

“I am confident Brandon will do a great job moving to our evening newscasts. He is an extremely hard worker, and he will bring a lot of enthusiasm to KDLT News at 5, 6 and 10,” KDLT news director Paul Heinert said in a statement.

Before joining KDLT, Spinner worked at KQDS in Duluth, Minn.

“Hawaii News Now” has announced sports director Chris Tanaka will be switching from sports to news.

Tanaka will take over for current 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. anchor Shawn Ching. The station said Ching is leaving “Hawaii News Now” next Friday to concentrate full-time on his law career. “Hawaii News Now” is the branding for Honolulu’s CBS affiliate KGMB and NBC affiliate KHNL.

“Though Shawn Ching is difficult to replace, we are confident that Chris can fill his shoes on our top-rated broadcasts,” said KGMB-KHNL news director Mark Platte. “In the two years he has been with us, Chris has proven to be a gifted and intelligent anchor who can think on his feet.”

[Honolulu Star Advertiser]

Former NBC and CBS correspondent Ed Gordon is the subject of Mediabistro’s latest “So What Do You Do?” interview. Gordon, who hosts an interview series that airs debuted on the 10 NBC-owned stations last month, talked about how the partnership with the station group came about:

I wish I could tell you that I had a lot to do with that, but we have a great team that works with us, and the gentleman who was in charge of going out there and selling the show in syndication reached out to the folks that make those decisions, and we were very pleased that all 10 NBC O&Os took the show. Over the years, I’ve been very proud of the [interview subjects] I’ve been able to get, and the caliber of them and, most importantly, what they’ve talked to me about. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to people who open up to me in ways that they don’t open up to most interviewers, and I hope that the people that made the decision that they were going to take the show saw some of that.

Gordon also offers advice for securing “exclusive” interviews, which he says is harder than it used to be: Read more

Bill Spencer has joined Houston NBC affiliate KPRC as a member of its investigative team.

“I’m thrilled to be here.” Spencer told TVspy. “My first story is an investigative piece on Monday night at 10:00 p.m.”

In January, Spencer left Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ after 16 years. According to Deadline Detroit, his contract wasn’t renewed. “Being out of work was terrifying for me,” said Spencer who started at KPRC yesterday. “I’ve never been through that before.”

The investigative reporter admits it’s tough to start over in a new market. He’s already fielding story ideas through twitter, “If you have been the victim of a home burglary recently. I’d like to talk to you.” Read more

Ashley Kringen is joining Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR as a reporter.

Kringen, who comes to KFOR from KDLT in Sioux Falls, SD, posted the news on her facebook page,”For those of you who are loyal viewers & constantly interact with me on this page, I want you to know I have accepted a position in Oklahoma City. Thank you for all the support.”

Before working at KDLT, Kringen started her broadcasting career at KVVU in Las Vegas where she was an assignment editor.

KFOR’s recently hired news director, Carlton Houston, begins working at KFOR in two weeks.

NBC has released the trailer for “The Michael J. Fox Show,” slated to premiere this fall. Michael J. Fox plays Mike Henry, a former anchor suffering from Parkinson’s disease who returns to the WNBC anchor desk (video above).

The trailer features cameos from “Today” hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie.

Carlton Houston has been named news director of Oklahoma City NBC affiliate KFOR. Houston comes from Tulsa ABC affiliate KTUL.

“I am excited about leading a talented staff at KFOR,” Houston told TVSpy. “However, I will miss the spirit of teamwork at KTUL.  This station’s commitment to the community has made it a great place to work.”

Houston replaces Mary Ann Eckstein who left after 33 years at KFOR. He is currently the Region Six director for RTDNA.

Since 2007, Houston has been the news director at KTUL. He got his start as a reporter with KMBC in Kansas City, MO, and has also worked in Norfolk, VA, Jackson, MS, and Tampa, FL.

Houston starts at KFOR on May 28.