Local 3 WRCB said it is "strengthening its weekday anchor lineup with new assignments that place familiar journalists in roles designed to better serve viewers from morning through evening."

As part of the new lineup, Sports Director Ben Bobick has been promoted to morning anchor, joining Sierra Rucker, who also moves into a morning anchor role after serving as a reporter. Together, they will join Meteorologist Clay Smith as the new team for Local 3 Today, airing weekdays from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Mr. Bobick has spent nearly a decade covering sports stories across the Tennessee Valley and has become a familiar face through Local 3's long-running Friday Night Football coverage. In addition to his new morning anchor responsibilities, he will continue connecting with local student-athletes through the second season of Friday Morning Football and his popular Horsing Around feature, which highlights high school basketball standouts.

Ms. Rucker joined Local 3 last year as a reporter after previously serving as a morning anchor in Illinois. Her morning news experience and natural chemistry alongside Bobick during recent broadcasts drew overwhelmingly positive feedback from viewers.

"I've always believed the best part of this job is getting to tell the stories of the people who make our community special. I'm excited to start each morning with viewers, help them prepare for the day ahead, and continue building those relationships in this new role," said Mr. Bobick.

"Morning news is where I found my passion for connecting with viewers, and I'm thrilled to be back in that environment. Ben and I have had so much fun working together, and I can't wait to continue earning our viewers' trust every morning," said Ms. Rucker.

Current morning anchor Michelle Heron will transition to Local 3 News at Noon while expanding her role as an investigative reporter, focusing on in-depth journalism and accountability reporting. Since joining Local 3 in 2014, Ms. Heron has earned multiple Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards from RTDNA for her hard news reporting.

"Investigative journalism has always been at the heart of why I became a reporter. This role allows me to spend even more time pursuing stories that hold people accountable while continuing to connect with viewers each day at noon," said Ms. Heron.

Current noon anchor LaTrice Currie will shift her focus to co-anchoring Local 3 News at 4 p.m. alongside David Carroll, while continuing to anchor Local 3 News at 5:30 p.m. with Greg Glover. She will also continue producing her weekly Eye on Health reports.

Officials said, "The 4 p.m. newscast remains the market's ratings leader, setting the tone for the evening with hyperlocal news, breaking coverage, and weather."

"I've always enjoyed helping viewers understand the stories that impact their everyday lives. The 4 p.m. newscast gives us a unique opportunity to inform people when they're making decisions for the rest of their day, and I'm excited to continue growing that connection while keeping Eye on Health an important part of my work," said Ms. Currie.

These changes will also allow Cindy Sexton, who recently celebrated 41 years with Local 3, to spend more of her afternoon working alongside producers to ensure the station's evening newscasts continue meeting the high editorial and production standards viewers expect. Ms. Sexton will continue anchoring the station's 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts.

"These changes are the result of listening to our viewers and taking a thoughtful look at how we can best serve them throughout the day," said Perry Pace, news director for Local 3. "Each member of this team brings unique strengths, and this lineup puts the right people in the right roles at the right times. We're excited about the chemistry, experience, and journalistic excellence this team will deliver."

The updated lineup "reflects Local 3's continued commitment to developing talent from within while providing viewers with experienced, trusted journalists across every newscast," it was stated.

"Our viewers count on Local 3 every day, and we're always looking for ways to make their experience even better," said Callie Starnes, president and general manager of Local 3. "This is more than a schedule change; it's a strategic investment in our newsroom and our community. These members of our news team have earned these opportunities through outstanding work, and we're confident this refreshed lineup will strengthen every newscast."

Officials said, "The changes reflect Local 3's ongoing commitment to listening to viewers, developing newsroom talent, and matching trusted journalists with the newscasts where they can make the greatest impact.

"The updated assignments pair proven on-air experience with new opportunities for emerging newsroom leaders, while allowing several veteran journalists to focus more deeply on the work viewers already know and trust."

The new assignments take effect Monday, Aug. 17.