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

Dawn Dugle is out as news director at KHBS-KHOG, after just over two years with the Hearst-owned station in Fort Smith-Fayetville.

KHBS-KHOG vice president and general manager Brian Sather confirmed Dugle’s departure with TVSpy but declined to elaborate on the nature of her exit.

Dugle was named ND at KHBS-KHOG at the beginning of 2010, after working as assistant ND for 18 months at WAPT, Hearst’s station in Jackson, MS.  Before WAPT, Dugle worked as an executive producer at KEYE in Austin and a news producer at WTVT in Tampa.

No word yet on who will replace Dugle at KHBS-KHOG.

Laura Huckabee, an Arkansas native and cousin of Mike Huckabee, is joining KHBS-KHOG in Fort Smith-Fayetteville, where she’ll anchor the Hearst station’s weekday morning newscast.

Huckabee has over two decades of forecasting experience, including ten years at WGCL in Atlanta.

“Laura understands weather is the most important element in our morning newscast,” said Brian Sather, KHBS-KHOG’s president and general manager, announcing the move. “I’m confident from day one viewers will enjoy her comfortable delivery and informative local forecasts.” Read more

Meteorologist Brittany Bell is joining KHBS-KHOG in Fort Smith-Fayetteville, AR.  Bell will anchor the weather on the stations’ weekend evening newscasts and work as a reporter during the week.

“We are pleased to have Brittany join our team of award-winning meteorologists,” KHBS-KHOG news director Dawn Dugle said.  “She joins us in the middle of severe weather season, where our viewers will notice her commitment to keeping them safe during spring storms.”

Bell is set to graduate from Mississippi State in May with a B.S. in professional meteorology.  She recently worked as a fill-in weathercaster at WMC in Memphis. Read more

KHBS-KHOG is adding a new sports anchor.  The joint ABC-affiliate announced today that it has hired Josh Taylor as a weekend sports anchor and reporter.

Most recently, Taylor worked as a sports reporter and producer at KHBS-KHOG’s Hearst sister station in Pittsburgh, WTAE.

“Josh’s passion for college and high school sports will fit in well with our commitment to offer the best local sports coverage in Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith,” news director Dawn Dugle said, in announcing the hiring. “We’re excited for him to join our 40/29 Sports team.” Read more

Hearst’s KHBS-KHOG, joint ABC-affiliates serving northwestern Arkansas, is set to expand its morning newscast to 4:30 a.m. beginning next week.

“As the lifestyles of our viewers change, the news we deliver must change with them,” said Brian Sather, KHBS-KHOG’s president and general manager.

The extra half-hour will be anchored by Derek Burleson (right), who has been appearing alongside Melissa Kelly in the mornings since 2008. Meteorologist Matt Devitt will also be on-hand to offer early morning weather coverage.

“Not only will our early morning viewers get local news earlier, but we’re adding resources to provide them more local news and weather,” news director Dawn Dugle pointed out. The station says that a team of field crews will be setting their alarm clocks earlier to provide additional live news reports for the expanded newscast.