WJMN To Introduce Local News, Go HD

Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced today that its CBS affiliate WJMN Marquette, Mich. (DMA 180), will launch two weekday newscasts beginning in April.

Branded as “Local 3,” the newscasts will air Monday through Friday at 6 and 11 p.m. in full HD.

Local 3 News will originate from a new, state-of-the-art broadcast facility currently under construction just west of Marquette, in what will become WJMN-TV Plaza.

Commenting on the Local 3 News launch and new broadcast facility, Joseph Denk, vice president and general manager of WJMN and WFRV Green Bay, Wis., said: “Nexstar and our Marquette station operations are dedicated to supporting the evolving needs and interests of our local viewing communities, hometown businesses, and public organizations. Our newest initiative at WJMN-TV is focused on delivering the most compelling and informative local news that touches the daily lives of our viewers. With our soon-to-open broadcast and digital operations center and HD news facility, we are simultaneously raising our commitment to our viewers and advertisers with enhanced content production, marketing opportunities and an overall improved viewing experience for the community at large.”

To lead the launch of the station’s local news effort, Nexstar has appointed Cynthia Thompson as news director and anchor. Thompson most recently served as the news director and station manager of WBUP-WBKP, the ABC affiliates serving Michigan’s Central Upper Peninsula. Thompson began her career in journalism in 1988 as a reporter and news anchor at WLUC  Marquette.

Among Thompson’s new responsibilities will be recruiting journalists and establishing news production as well as related programming for Local 3 News and the station’s digital platforms including, UpMatters.com, mobile apps, Twitter and Facebook. Thompson’s appointment is effective immediately, and she will report to Denk.

Thompson holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Central Missouri.