WFAA reporter Jonathan Betz is leaving Dallas for New York City, he announced on Facebook Thursday.

“I can’t say exactly where I’ll be working yet, but I’ll still be doing the news,” Betz wrote, according to Dallas media blogger Ed Bark. “It’s a great opportunity, and I’m extremely excited.”

Betz joined WFAA, the ABC affiliate in Dallas, in 2008. He has also worked at KHBS-KHOG in Fayetteville and WWL in New Orleans.

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.”

Hearst Television’s Barbara Maushard is adding to her duties as vice president of news.

Maushard will oversee Hearst’s corporate news efforts, a role that was previously held by Brian Bracco. In November, Bracco was named general manager of KSHB in Kansas City.

Maushard has served in her current role since 2008. Before that, she was news director at three Hearst properties: WESH in Orlando, WISN in Milwaukee and KHBS-KHOG in Fort Smith, Ark.

“Barb has served with distinction at several Hearst stations, leading award-winning news teams,” Hearst Television chairman and CEO David J. Barrett said in a statement. “Her dedication to quality and excellence in local journalism has been instrumental in the success our stations have had in serving their local audiences.”

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.”

Toledo ABC affiliate WTVG has made three new hires, according to the Toledo Blade: Ross Ellet (left), Nichole Langley (center) and Daryl Kirkland-Morgan (right).

Ellet is a meteorologist who joined WTVG from the Ohio News Network, which shuttered earlier this year. Before that, he was a weekend meteorologist for KHBS-KHOG, Hearst Television’s duopoly in Fayetteville, Ark.

Langley, also a meteorologist, will serve as WTVG’s weekday traffic anchor and reporter and will also be an occasional weather anchor. She comes from KFBB in Great Falls, Mont., where she has been the morning meteorologist since 2010. Read more

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