Akievia McFarland named WKRG News 5’s weekend evening anchor
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — WKRG-TV viewers will soon see a familiar face at a different hour: traffic anchor Akievia McFarland has been promoted to weekend evening anchor and multimedia journalist.
She will work on-air alongside Meteorologist Grant Skinner and Sports Anchor/Reporter Gerhard Mathangani on Saturdays at 6 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Sundays at 5 p.m.,
9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
‘Akievia’s a gem!’
WKRG News 5 Vice President and General Manager Jesse Grear announced McFarland’s move on Thursday.
“Akievia has been a team player ever since she started with us,” Grear said. “She’s earned this
position based on her professionalism, personality, and ability to connect with our viewers.
We’re lucky to have her.”
WKRG-TV News Director Gene Kirkconnell said he’s proud of McFarland and excited to see her take on new duties with this promotion.
“Akievia is a warm, gifted communicator,” Kirkconnell said. “Viewers already welcome her into their homes to learn about what’s happening with traffic. So, it’ll be natural for them to see Akievia anchor newscasts every weekend and trust her reports on issues about which viewers care. Akievia’s a gem!”
‘Somebody pinch me!’
McFarland, a Birmingham native, graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a focus on multimedia journalism.
She began her broadcast journalism career at WKRG News 5 in December 2020 as a producer. She was promoted to Traffic Anchor/Reporter in July 2022.
As weekend evening anchor, McFarland moves into the role Shamonee Baker held before she was named ‘News 5 This Morning’ anchor.
It’s a dream come true, McFarland said.
“When I learned of my promotion, I had a ‘Somebody pinch me!’ kind of feeling flow through
me,” McFarland said. “I was, and still am, overjoyed. Seeing myself grow from a news producer
to traffic anchor, and now to the weekend evening anchor, in just a few years, has been
nothing short of spectacular.
“God has blessed me tremendously by allowing me to be a part of the WKRG News 5 team and surrounding me with an incredible support system, both at home and at work.”
Though excited about serving News 5’s viewers in her new role, McFarland said turning the page in her career feels “bittersweet.”
“I will miss working with my WKRG ‘News 5 This Morning’ team each day,” she said. “I have so much love and respect for Bill, Shamonee, John, and Caroline, but I am excited to begin telling stories during the week and working alongside Grant and Gerhard on Saturdays and Sundays!
“With our shared talents, I can’t wait to serve our weekend viewers with local coverage they can count on!”
‘News 5 This Morning’ crew will miss McFarland
With McFarland anchoring weekend evenings, she will bid farewell to the ‘News 5 This Morning’ team.
And they will miss her.
“Akievia has proven herself to be a true broadcast journalist and professional,” ‘News 5 This Morning’ anchor Bill Riales said. “She will be sorely missed on ‘News 5 This Morning,’ but has certainly earned the promotion to anchor her own show — and we’re all very proud of her.”
‘News 5 This Morning’ anchor Shamonee Baker agreed.
“Akievia is so deserving of this promotion,” Baker said. “The weekend evening shows are so special with a great team, and I can’t think of a more fitting person for the anchor role.
“Akievia is like a sister to me and I am so proud that I get to witness her growth. Congratulations!”
‘News 5 This Morning’ meteorologist Caroline Carithers said she is excited to see McFarland’s growth but will miss her in the mornings.
“We will certainly miss Akievia’s smile and shining personality in the mornings, but know she will absolutely bring so much joy and talent to the weekend evening team,” Carithers said.
“I have had the pleasure of watching Akievia grow from her producer role, into traffic anchor and now into news anchor, and we could not be more proud!”
Akievia ‘wins people over with her gorgeous smile!’
Upon learning about McFarland’s promotion, the WKRG newsroom filled her inbox with congratulations and warm wishes.
“Akievia’s WKRG story has been remarkable,” WKRG Chief Meteorologist Ed Bloodsworth said. “While she does an excellent job covering traffic for Gulf Coast drivers, many of our viewers may not know that she started with WKRG as a news producer.
“She will bring her excellent news judgment and bright personality to our weekend news. I couldn’t be more excited for her in this new role.”
Akievia has “such positive energy and warmth,” anchor Rose Ann Haven said. “She is a delightful addition to the anchor team! I’m excited for her and the WKRG family!”
“I am so excited for Akievia’s promotion,” anchor Devon Walsh said. “She is a hard worker and shines on the air. She is very witty and puts her own little twist on things.
“In addition, she wins people over with her gorgeous smile! She is going to be an excellent addition to the WKRG anchor team.”
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
