As Central Arkansas news stations continue to report on an oil spill in Mayflower, just north of Little Rock, there are concerns ExxonMobil, which owns the burst Pegasus pipeline, is controlling the storyline.

Mother Jones reports on the difficulties some reporters are facing — including threats of arrest — while covering the spill. On March 29, a 20-inch buried pipeline burst in the town, releasing oil into local backyards and streets and, as one local station discovered, a nearby lake.

TVSpy checked in with several Little Rock stations to find out how they’re covering the story. We reached out to FOX and NBC affiliates KLRT and KARK, ABC affiliate KATV and CBS affiliate KTHV.

KATV news director Nick Genty says none of his reporters have been threatened with arrest, but says reporting the story has been a challenge. “Some of the issues that we have run into are that Exxon is running the show at the site.  When we try to get information from local law enforcement, they direct us to the PR from Exxon.”

“We have found other ways to obtain video,” Genty says, “mostly from viewers that have sent in cell phone video from inside the neighborhood.” Read more

Pat Walker has joined Little Rock NBC affiliate KARK as weekend meteorologist.

KARK news director Austin Kellerman told TVSpy, “Pat is a native of the area with quite a bit of experience.  He’ll help us serve out our mission of being ‘Your Weather Authority.’”

Walker previously worked at WCBI in Columbus, MS, KSAN in San Angelo, TX, KSWO in Lawton, TX, KLJB in Davenport, IA, and KPTM in Omaha, NE.

[Arkansas TV News]

Three newsroom managers have left Little Rock’s KARK this month. News director Rob Heverling, assistant news director Jeff Whatley and executive producer Stephanie Jackson all ended their employment with the NBC-affiliate on March 2, according to ArkansasBusiness.com.

KARK general manager Mike Vaughn confirmed the three are no longer employed at the station, but did not address the circumstances behind their departures.

“It’s our company policy that we can’t comment on personnel issues,” he said, noting that the positions were not eliminated and that the station is searching for replacements. Read more

Austin Kellerman has been named news director at KARK, the Little Rock NBC-affiliate announced this week.

Kellerman comes to KARK after serving as news director at KTAB-KRBC in Abilene, TX.  Before Abilene, Kellerman worked as the morning show executive producer at CBS O&O KTVT in Dallas and, before that, as an executive producer at KTAL in Shreveport.

The move represents a promotion within Nexstar Broadcasting.  KARK and KTAB-KRBC, as well as KTAL, are owned by Nexstar.

“Austin has done a tremendous job in the company and has proven himself as both a leader and an innovator,” KARK vice president and general manager Mike Vaughn said in a statement.  “Austin’s enthusiasm and passion are a great fit for the KARK team.” Read more