Julie Durda, who signed off in September from Miami’s WSVN, is joining rival WPLG.

Bill Pohovey, the news director of the Miami ABC affiliate, announced the news in an email to WPLG staffers Tuesday morning.

“Most of you have heard the rumors … today I can confirm them,” Pohovey wrote. “Julie Durda is joining the Local 10 Weather Team. Julie was one of the most popular weather anchors in the market while she was at WSVN and we are thrilled she’s joining WPLG.”

In his note, Pohovey also said Michael Smith, who is the weekend evening meteorologist, will be leaving the station.

“We want to thank Michael for his dedication and wish him continued success,” Pohovey wrote.

Durda will begin on the air in April, likely because she is sitting out a non-compete clause in her WSVN contract. Despite Smith’s departure, Pohovey said her WLPG assignment has not yet been finalized.

Evansville’s WTVW will become independent when its affiliation with Fox expires next month, station owner Nexstar announced today.

Fox announced in May that it would give its Evansville affiliation to WEVV when the WTVW agreement expires July 1. WTVW will dramatically increase its news coverage in the effort to re-brand itself as Local 7, expanding both weekend and morning newscasts.

“Local 7 will build upon its highly successful news product as we are immediately increasing the amount of local news content and are developing other exclusive, locally originated programming,” station vice president and general manager Michael Smith said in a statement.

KTRV, another Fox affiliate, will also opt for independence when its Fox affiliation expires this fall.