KNWA to debut new weeknight anchor
by July 26, 2012 4:05 pm 215 views
FAYETTEVILLE — KNWA-TV announced Jonathan Martinez will replace Matt Turner as the station’s new evening co-anchor for the weeknight 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. broadcasts alongside Neile Jones.
Turner said his good-byes during a recent newscast. He and his family are headed to central Arkansas. Martinez will make his debut during the 10 p.m. newscast Friday (July 27) following NBC’s coverage of the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Thursday’s (July 26) announcement was made by Lisa Kelsey, general manager of the television stations, and Brook Thomas, news director. “Jonathan's talent, experience and positive energy made this an easy decision,” said Kelsey. “He will make a wonderful addition to our team.”
“One great thing about Jonathan is that he doesn't just sit on the desk,” Thomas said. “He's willing to get out in the community and work hard to get the stories people need to see and want to see. He's eager to earn the trust of people in Northwest Arkansas and I know he'll be able to do that quickly.”
Martinez came to KNWA from Boise, Idaho, where he was the morning anchor for the FOX affiliate. Before that, he spent time working as a reporter and fill-in anchorman at TV stations in Las Vegas, Nevada, and San Antonio and Beaumont, Texas.
He earned a bachelor of arts degree with honors in radio/television communication broadcasting at Stephen F. Austin State. He minored in business communications.