After a couple of months searching for a news director, WKRG-TV has officially settled on Chris Best, who has worked with WMC Action News 5 in Memphis, Tennessee, for the past two years.
General Manager Mark Bunting announced the hire last week with a press release.
“Chris brings with him large-market news experience, metered market and digital experience as well as having a track record for improving news content while helping newsroom staffs become better at what they do,” he wrote.
Best takes the spot vacated by Mike Rausch, who left the station in October to take a news director’s position at KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Rausch led the WKRG newsroom for seven years.
Best held the assistant news director’s position at KPRC-TV in Houston, Texas, prior to his latest gig reporting at WMC. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, has twice won the Edward R. Murrow award for breaking news and overall excellence, and has also won an Emmy. One of Best’s challenges at WKRG will be helping lead the newsroom as it transitions from ownership by Media General to new owners Nexstar.
His previous experience also includes stints at KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, Missouri; KCTV in Kansas City, Missouri; WKMG-TV in Orlando and KTVT-TV in Dallas.
“His experience ranges from small-market Missouri to two top 10 markets in Texas,” Bunting said. He is set to begin at WKRG Jan. 16.
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