KXAS 5' David Finfrock cuts down; Rick Mitchell steps in

NBC 5 / KXAS-TV today announced that Chief Meteorologist David Finfrock has signed a long-term agreement with NBC 5. Additionally, Finfrock said he will retire at the agreement's end, after a more than 40-year career with the station.

NBC 5 also announced that meteorologist Rick Mitchell will join NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. and NBC 5 First at Four (4 p.m.), Monday-Friday. Finfrock will continue to forecast during NBC 5 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., weekdays. Meteorologist Grant Johnston will transition to NBC 5 Today each weekday morning from 5-7 a.m. while Meteorologist Samantha Davies will continue to forecast weather from 4:30-5:00 a.m., each weekday. NBC 5 Meteorologist Remeisha Shade will remain doing the weekend morning newscasts.

"I was fresh out of college when Harold Taft hired me, and I never dreamed I'd spend my entire career at one television station," said Finfrock. "I'm not ready to leave yet, but I've been thinking about retirement for several years, and I'm pleased this agreement offers me the opportunity to finish my career right where it began – with the first television station in Texas."

Finfrock is only NBC 5's second chief meteorologist in the station's 64-year history. After receiving his meteorology degree from Texas A&M University in 1975, he joined KXAS-TV and was mentored by legendary North Texas meteorologist, Harold Taft. Finfrock was named chief meteorologist in 1991.

"NBC 5 takes great pride in bringing viewers the area's best weather coverage to prepare them for what lies ahead," said Susan Tully, NBC 5 Vice President of News. "David's experience and dedication to accurate forecasting is unparalleled in North Texas television. The fact that he will be here to guide us through the coming transition is invaluable."

"We're incredibly fortunate to add Rick Mitchell, a chief meteorologist from Oklahoma City, to an expert team that includes Grant, Samantha, Remeisha and me," said Finfrock. "I've always insisted that everyone we hire be a professional meteorologist, and you won't find a team more professional than this anywhere."

Mitchell has been chief meteorologist at KOCO-TV, Oklahoma City, OK, since 1994. Previously, he forecasted weather at WOI-TV in Des Moines, IA, and Accu-Weather, in State College, PA. He has been recognized for his severe weather forecasting experiences from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press. Mitchell's team of meteorologists at KOCO-TV was recognized by then Oklahoma governor, Frank Keating, for their exceptional work covering tornados in May 1999. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from the University of Nebraska.

Mitchell said, "I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be on the air each weekday at 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. The combination of the rich history of KXAS-TV, and the chance to be part of their wonderful weather team makes this a dream job for me. While I've loved my time in Oklahoma City, I look forward to making new friends, and facing new challenges in Texas."

Finfrock and Mitchell will work together transitioning responsibilities for the NBC 5 News at 10 p.m. and NBC 5 First at Four in the coming weeks.

Johnston will assume his weekday morning assignment on NBC 5 News Today immediately.

Johnston joined NBC 5 in 2010 and has appeared primarily on weekend evening newscasts, but recently filled in on NBC 5 Today from 5-7 a.m. weekdays. He came to NBC 5 from KFOR-TV, in Oklahoma City, OK. Johnston graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Atmospheric Science and was recognized for his undergraduate research on hurricanes and El Nino.

NBC 5 is in the process of locating a meteorologist to assume responsibilities for weekend evening newscasts.

(NBC release)


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