As KTUU marks its 60th year on the air, the NBC affiliate is building a new studio in downtown Anchorage.

“This is a major milestone for Channel 2,” president and general manager Andy MacLeod said in a statement. “As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary this year, there is no better time to look toward the future. This 40,000-square-foot facility is an investment in Alaska, and it will give us the unparalleled ability to grow and develop content across all media platforms long into the future.”

Neeser Construction will build the new facility, which will a block and a half away from the station’s current studio and newstroom.

KTUU, the NBC affiliate in Anchorage, has fired reporter Dan Fiorruci for “inappropriate online communications,” general manager Andy MacLeod said in a statement Tuesday.

“Late Friday, Channel 2 was made aware of inappropriate online communications allegedly involving one of our employees, Daniel Fiorucci,” the statement reads. “We immediately notified Anchorage police so they could investigate the matter. Channel 2 immediately ended Mr. Fiorucci’s employment.”

The Anchorage Daily News has more details on Fiorucci’s exit:

The firing came after a website that describes itself as being dedicated to “teaching child predators a lesson” posted a transcript that purports to be a conversation between Fiorucci and someone posing as a 14-year-old girl. The conversation includes sexual banter. Read more

Tracy Sabo, a 19-year veteran of CNN, has been named news director at KTUU, the Anchorage NBC-affiliate announced this week.

Most recently based in Dallas, Sabo produced both domestic and international coverage for CNN.  She also worked as a national assignment editor and spent time as a CNN radio anchor at the network’s Atlanta headquarters.

“Channel 2 News has a tremendous reputation, both inside and outside Alaska for its comprehensive news coverage,” Sabo said. “KTUU’s newsgathering style parallels my work at CNN in many ways, and I look forward to advancing and enhancing the great tradition of news excellence at [KTUU].” Read more