Keith Russell has been hired at WRC in Washington, DC, the NBC O&O announced today. He will anchor the midday newscast and contribute to the station’s evening newscasts.

The move is a transition from sports to news for Russell, who has been sports anchor at WPVI in Philadelphia since 2005. Prior to that, he spent more than five years as an anchor at ESPN.

“Keith is a smooth anchor and a solid storyteller, as he has shown through his many years working in television,” WRC vice president of news Camille Edwards said in a statement.  “I know his talents will easily transfer to news, and our viewers will enjoy his energy and his passion.” Read more

After WRC‘s Shomari Stone reported on the case of a man who is currently wanted by the FBI for kidnapping his two children, the fugitive, Faical Chebbi, reached out to the D.C. NBC station and shared his side of the story in an interview via Skype.

Chebbi, who is now on the FBI’s Most Wanted List, is accused of taking his two children, ages three and six, away from his ex-wife during a court-ordered visit in November and whisking them away to Tunisia.

After Stone reported on the manhunt last week, Chebbi contacted WRC and the station set up an interview (video after the jump). Read more

WTTG has officially promoted Tony Perkins and Wisdom Martin to morning anchor positions, the Washington, DC Fox O&O announced today.

Perkins will co-anchor from 7 to 10 a.m. alongside Allison Seymour, while Martin will co-anchor from 4:30 to 7 a.m. with Sarah Simmons. Both Perkins and Martin have held these roles on a temporary basis since earlier this year; Perkins replaced Steve Chenevey in January, while Martin replaced Gurvir Dhindsa in March.

“We are pleased to welcome Tony and Wisdom into these new roles on our FOX 5 morning newscasts,” WTTG vice president and news director Phil Metlin said in a statement. “They are both seasoned journalists, who are widely respected in this market.”

Doug Culver has been named vice president of news at WJLA, the ABC-affiliate in Washington, DC. His appointment is effective July 9.

Culver announced last week that he was leaving WFTS after four years as news director at the Tampa ABC-affiliate. He replaces Alex Likowski, who recently left WJLA after six years.

The move reunites Culver with Bill Lord, WJLA’s general manager. The pair has worked together at both KIRO in Seattle, where Culver was assistant news director from 1998-07, and KNBC in Los Angeles, where Culver was an executive producer from 1990-98.

“Doug has a great track record of success as a newsroom leader and as a journalist,” Lord said in a statement. “He will be a welcome addition to our strong management team.” Read more

ABC’s Diane Sawyer took some time during the “World News” tease on WJLA last night to recognize the one-year anniversary of Alison Starling and Leon Harris anchoring the 5 p.m. newscast (video above).

“I just think sometimes you have to pay attention to an anniversary,” Sawyer said, as boxes of cupcakes appeared on the anchor desk. “Eat and be merry, and we celebrate you.”

Jim Rosenfield, a veteran anchor who made his mark in New York with WNBC and WCBS, is joining WRC in Washington, D.C. The NBC-owned station announced today that Rosenfield is coming on board as a weekend anchor.

“Jim is a talented anchor and reporter, but more importantly, he’s an all-around good guy,” said Camille Edwards, WRC’s vice president of news, announcing the move. “I’ve known him for almost 20 years, and I am so happy to be working with him again. He is a perfect addition to our winning news team.”

Rosenfield spent a decade working as a reporter and anchor in New York, first at WCBS, then at WNBC, then back at WCBS, where he replaced Ernie Anastos on the station’s evening newscasts. He signed off from WCBS for good in May of 2008. Read more

John Schriffen is joining ABC News as a New York-based correspondent, president Ben Sherwood announced today.

Schriffen most recently was a freelance reporter for WCBS, the CBS O&O in New York City. Prior to that, he was a general assignment reporter at WRC, the NBC O&O in Washington, DC, for three years. He started his television career in New York City as a reporter for News 12 The Bronx.

“John brings great energy, creativity and competitiveness to his journalism and will report for all of our platforms,” Sherwood wrote in a memo to ABC News staffers this morning. “Please join me in welcoming him aboard.”

After 12 years at WTTG, sports director Dave Feldman is leaving the Washington, DC Fox O&O. His last day will be May 30.

“Dave has an incredible work ethic and will be remembered for the quality sports coverage he delivered to WTTG viewers for the last 12 years,” WTTG vice president and news director Phil Metlin told TVSpy. “We wish him the best of luck in his new job; he will be missed.”

Feldman, a California native, began his career at KCBS radio in San Francisco. His first job in television was at KTIV in Sioux City, IA. He has also worked at Orange County News Channel and ESPN. Read more

Richard Kim, the owner of Town Square Market in Washington, DC, was found guilty yesterday of selling alcohol to a minor (video above). The store has been a focal point of an investigation by CBS-affiliate WUSA since December.

WUSA reporter Andrea McCarren began investigating Town Square Market earlier this year as part of a series on underage drinking. The series sparked outrage and discussion amongst WUSA viewers, and McCarren took a week off from reporting the story in February because of calls for “revenge and retaliation” against her family. Watch her original report on Town Square Market inside… Read more

WUSA‘s morning newscast was suspended for 20 minutes today after anchors and production staffers were forced to evacuate the building because of a fire alarm.

The alarm sounded at 5:01 a.m., just as morning meteorologist Howard Bernstein was beginning his forecast (video above). “If you see me running for the doors, it’s not a drill,” Bernstein joked as he continued his forecast. Read more