Sally Shamrell is joining Tucson ABC affiliate KGUN as co-host of “The Morning Blend,” the station’s daytime lifestyle and information show.

It is a return Tucson for Shamrell, who worked at NBC affiliate KVOA until 2003. Since then, she has worked in infomercials and as an actress.

“We are very pleased to have Sally back in Tucson where she can utilize her great talents in the unique environment of The Morning Blend on KGUN9 and CW58,” KGUN general manager Jim Arnold said in a statement.

Shamrell will co-host the program with Amanda Guralski.

Rob Guarino, chief meteorologist for Tucson NBC affiliate KVOA, is no longer with the station, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

Guarino was arrested in early April on suspicion of DUI. At the time, KVOA general manager Bill Shaw told the Daily Star about Guarino, “He’s here and he’s going to be here going forward.” This time the Daily Star said Shaw wouldn’t comment.

Guarino came to KVOA in 2011 from KOAT in Albuquerque.

[FTVLive]

KOLD meteorologist Chuck George, who has been on a leave of absence from the Tuscon CBS affiliate since last month, has revealed that he suffers from severe depression.

“I want to share this story for two reasons. One is that I really need to heal myself,” George said on Thursday’s evening newscast (video above). “It’s kind of a final process in what I’m going through. And another is that I want people to know that they’re not alone. I thought I was alone for a long time. And I know I’m not now.” Read more

Chuck George, chief meteorologist for Tucson CBS affiliate KOLD, is taking a leave of absence.

KOLD general manager Debbie Bush confirmed with TVSpy George was taking the leave of absence, but gave no indication of why or how long he would be gone saying she could not comment on employee matters.

George took a previous leave of absence from the station in September of 2011 after sending strange tweets and appearing slow and rambling while on air.

Sergio Urquidi is joining Univision Arizona as lead anchor for the evening and late-night newscasts in Phoenix and Tucson.

Urquidi will be based in Phoenix. He joins Mary Rabago and Felipe Corral at the KTVW anchor desk.

“We are pleased to welcome Sergio Urquidi to one of the best news teams in the country,” Univision Arizona VP-GM Roberto Yañez said in a statement. “Urquidi’s experience will be a wonderful addition to this team, which has shown their commitment to the community day after day by reporting on the issues that affect our state.”

Urquidi was most recently the lead anchor for “El Opiniario,” a news, features and onion show that airs on SOI TV. He worked at Univision from 1997-2009 as a weekend anchor for the national newscast, “Noticiero Univision,” as well as senior correspondent and substitute anchor for the late-night newscast, “Última Hora.”

FTVLive is reporting Forrest Carr is leaving the Tucson ABC affiliate KGUN.

Carr had been re-hired as news director in 2009. He served as news director at KGUN from 1997 until 2001.

In December, the station hired Jim Arnold to replace former general manager Julie Brink who was let go in November.

Carr has also worked as news director at WFLA in Tampa, FL, WFTX in Ft. Myers, FL, and KRQE in Albuquerque, NM.

Jim Arnold has been named vice president and general manager of Journal Broadcast Group’s Tucson operations, which include KGUN, KWBA and four radio stations.

From 2000 to 2010, Arnold was the general manager at KGUN’s crosstown rival, CBS affiliate KOLD. He has also worked as VP-GM of WQRF in Rockford, Ill. and KMAR-KCIT in Amarillo, Texas.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join the Tucson stations of the Journal Broadcast Group,” Arnold said in a statement. “Many of the talented people here have been peers and friends for many years and I look forward to working with them and the entire team in serving our audiences and advertisers.”

Arnold replaces Julie Brink, who left KGUN-KWBA last month.

Mindy Blake, anchor reporter for KOLD, the CBS affiliate in Tucson, AZ, has announced she’s getting out of the news the business.

Blake posted a goodbye on her facebook page saying, “Hello Friends- After nearly 25 years at KOLD, I have decided to change hats. I have accepted a job at Amphitheater School District as the Director of Community Relations.”  Blake goes on to say, “As you might know, education is a passion for me. I want to be part of helping all children reach their potential, and support the teachers and staff who make that possible.”

Blake, who started at KOLD in 1988, is also an adjunct professor in the Journalism Department at the University of Arizona.  On her bio page on KOLD’s website, she is quoted as saying, “I enjoy teaching the next generation of journalists how to tell a story.” Read more

Inside Tucson Business is reporting Julie Brinks is out at KGUN as vice president and general manager.

Brinks, who had been general manager at the Tucson ABC affiliate for 5 years, had been the longest tenured general manager at a Tucson commercial station.

Jim Prather, executive vice-president of television and radio operations for Journal Broadcast Group will take over at KGUN as well as KWBA 58/cable 8 and the four Tucson radio stations under Journal’s banner until a permanent replacement can be found.

We’ve reached out to Journal Broadcast for confirmation but have not heard back.

>UPDATE: Journal Broadcast Group has confirmed with TVSpy that Julie Brinks is no longer with the company and that Jim Prather is now acting general manager.