I’m told that KXMB announced last night that meteorologist Hutch Johnson would be leaving, although they declined to say where. Although it was announced last night, it’s been the word in the broadcasting / media community that he’s going to KVLY in Fargo, hired to replace “Too Tall” Tom Szymanski. Since KVLY is owned by the same company as KFYR-TV here in Bismarck, I can see why they’d be reluctant to mention that. Although they apparently mentioned it last night, it’s actually old news. It came up in a conversation with some other TV folks last weekend, actually.

This also brings up an interesting question of mentioning the competition only when it suits them. While I don’t normally see shoplifting stories on KXNet, I did happen to catch this article in which Cliff Naylor Junior was accused of felony shoplifting charges. Perhaps that’s someone in the KX newsroom thumbing their nose at Cliff Naylor and Monica Hannan. I remember KFYR covering stories of Reiten goof-ups, so I suppose it’s all part of the back & forth of competing newsrooms.

Another interesting wrinkle is that KXJB, the Fargo CBS affiliate, is run by the same folks that run KVLY. It’s similar to an arrangement in Bismarck between the FOX and ABC stations. I suppose that limits cooperation between the Fargo CBS affiliate and the ones out west, which are owned by a competitor in this market.

I’m pretty much Switzerland in the whole station vs. station thing, even though I still freelance for the NBC guys sometimes. (I absolutely love the KVLY/KXJB gang, but don’t really know anyone at KXMB.) It might be interesting to watch, but I actually don’t watch much local TV. I’m sure KXMB will work hard to get another meteorologist up to speed to go head to head with Kevin Lawrence (or “K-Lo” as he’s affectionately nicknamed) in time for the winter storm season. Let the competition continue! Oh, and if the industry rumors are true, Hutch…have fun and best wishes in Fargo.