WSFA, the NBC affiliate for Montgomery, AL, has debuted a new set.

Designed by FX Design Group, the set has a working weather center and a separate spot for stand ups. Behind the standing anchor desk (pictured), a large monitor sits inside a wood background piece.

The station has included a picture gallery on its website showing multiple angles of the new design. Click here to view. You can also see more photos after the jump. Read more

Sports anchor Kyle Montgomery has left Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, media blogger Mike McGuff reports.

Montgomery joined KPRC in June 2012 from Raycom Sports’ ACC network, where he had worked since 2011. He previously worked at NBA TV and Turner Sports, as well as at WSFA in Montgomery, Ala. and WDAM in Hattiesburg, Miss.

According to McGuff, Montgomery’s bio was stripped from the KPRC website on April 1. According to TVEyes, his last appearance on the station was March 31.

Jennifer Oravet, a reporter for the Montgomery, AL, NBC affiliate WSFA, posted what appeared to be her findings about an article in the satirical paper The Onion.

Oravet posted the following to the station’s facebook page.

I contacted the PR firm listed in this article, they claim the article is “ficticious” and have no involvement in the alleged study.

The Onion article states the “public relations firm of Hill & Knowlton have advised the United States to begin distancing itself from the state of Alabama as soon as possible.” Read more

John O’Connor will join WSFA, the NBC affiliate in Montgomery, as an early evening anchor.

O’Connor left Jacksonville’s WTEV-WAWS in 2010 after eight years as an anchor. Beginning in January, he will co-anchor WSFA’s 5 p.m. newscast alongside Valerie Lawson and the first half of the 4 p.m. newscast alongside Sally Pitts. He will also report for the 10 p.m. newscast.

“I am excited and know John is excited about coming on board,” news director Scott Duff said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience, strong journalistic skills and I feel his addition will benefit our newscasts and our viewers.”

WSFA is building a new studio that overlooks downtown Montgomery and the Alabama Capitol building (pictured).

Construction on the new facility is set to begin immediately and be completed by early October. The NBC-affiliate’s new home will feature two studio cameras, as well as outside cameras and cabling for live shots from outside the building.

“This is an amazing opportunity to get our anchors and reporters outside the four walls of a traditional studio,” news director Scott Duff said in a statement. “Anytime you can inject a beautiful backdrop to TV news it adds vibrancy to the broadcast. The possibilities are endless and having a downtown presence will enhance all we do at WSFA 12 News.” Video after the jump… Read more

Mark Bullock has been promoted to weekday evening anchor at WSFA, the NBC-affiliate in Montgomery, AL.

In his 13 years at WSFA, Bullock has “anchored every newscast at the station and has worked every shift,” according to a statement announcing his promotion. He replaces longtime evening anchor Bob Howell, who retired last week.

“For years, I worked closely with Bob. I consider him a mentor and a friend,” Bullock said. “And while no one can fill his shoes, I am honored to have been named his replacement.” Read more

Veteran anchor Bob Howell has announced his retirement from WSFA, the NBC-affiliate in Montgomery.

Howell joined the station as the weekday evening anchor in 1976. He left the station in 1998, but returned in 2004 to anchor the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.

“His wisdom, demeanor and desire to be the best have kept this station on top during all the years he has been associated with it,” vice president and general manager Collin R. Gaston said in a statement. “We wish him continued success and happiness in the future and look forward to having him back as often as we can.”

Howell will continue to anchor through the May ratings period and will officially retire on June 1.

Meteorologist Dan Atkinson, who has worked in television for 40 years, has announced his retirement from WSFA, the NBC-affiliate in Montgomery, AL.

Atkinson worked for WSFA from 1974-82 before joining the The Weather Channel as a meteorologist. He then returned to WSFA to close out his career in 2006.

“Seldom, if ever, have I ever gone anywhere and had anybody come up to me and say, ‘I’ve got a word for you about that Channel 12,’” he said at a reception honoring him (watch the video, above). “It’s always, ‘Boy, you guys are doing great.’ And what an honor to be a part of that.” Read more

WSFA chief meteorologist Rich Thomas is celebrating his 30-year anniversary with the station this week.

Thomas joined the Montgomery NBC-affiliate in 1981 as a weekend meteorologist. He’s served as chief meteorologist since 1983.

To put the milestone into perspective, Thomas has been with WSFA for more than half the time the station has been on the air.  WSFA honored Thomas during a recent newscast (video above).

Collin Gaston has been promoted to vice president and general manager at Raycom Media’s WSFA in Montgomery, AL.

The move comes after Ken Selvaggi, who had been WSFA’s VP-GM since 2006, was tapped to succeed Steve Langford atop WAVE, Raycom’s Louisville station, earlier this month.

Gaston currently serves as WSFA’s general sales manager. He will assume his new role on March 28th.

Before joining the Montgomery NBC-affiliate four years ago, Gaston worked for WAWS and WTEV in Jacksonville, FL.