Voorhies Florida Bound

After 25 years, Steve Voorhies is leaving KFSM, Channel 5.

Voorhies, who is assistant news director over the Fayetteville operation, has taken a job as news director at WRHG, an NBC-affiliate television station in Panama City, Fla. His first day at the new gig will be June 16. His last day at KFSM will be Friday the 13th.

“I stayed in one place for 25 years,” Voorhies said. “Now it’s time to have a career. I’m really going to miss Northwest Arkansas. I love this area. But it was just an opportunity that was too good to pass up.”

KFSM, which is owned by the New York Times Co., is looking for a replacement for Voorhies.

With newsrooms in Fort Smith and Fayetteville, KFSM has historically led in Nielsen ratings for the 10-county dominant market area. But KHOG/KHBS, Channels 40/29, took the lead during the 10 p.m. newscast away from KFSM during a couple of recent ratings periods.