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Brett Jenkins prepares for retirement at Nexstar. August 25, 2026 He's been honored as one of Broadcast Media's Top Tech Leaders rankings by the Radio + Television Business Report in multiple years and has been associated with the nation's largest owner of broadcast TV stations since joining in 2017 as Chief Technology Officer. Now, Brett Jenkins is preparing to conclude his career in broadcast technology, with his departure coming in five weeks. Jenkins directs Nexstar Media Group's IT and engineering functions for both broadcast and digital businesses and became an Nexstar executive through the company's merger with Media General, where he served as VP/CTO. Before that, it was at LIN Media that Jenkins made his mark. He has also held technology positions at ION Media Networks and executive positions for Thales Broadcast & Multimedia and Thomson On October 1, he'll retire as Executive VP/Chief Digital and Technology Officer at Nexstar. At that time, he'll shift to the role of Executive Advisor, overseeing the completion of several special projects. Additionally, Jenkins will provide counsel for Perry Sook, Nexstar's Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; and for Nexstar President/Chief Operating Officer Michael Biard. Jenkins will also remain actively involved in Edgebeam Wireless, a wireless data services provider launched in 2025 as a joint venture among Nexstar and three of the country's largest independent broadcast groups as part of a non-broadcast ATSC 3.0 business development initiative. "Brett has been an incredible asset for Nexstar over the last nine-plus years," said Sook. "He has led Nexstar's technology advancements, overseen our expansion of ATSC 3.0, spearheaded the development and rollout of the company's connected TV and mobile applications, and been instrumental in the planning and execution of our automated sales technology. Brett has had a distinguished career, and we are pleased he is staying on in this new capacity." Jenkins was promoted to Chief Technology and Digital Officer in 2023, responsible for the company's technology, data and digital operations, as well as the development and deployment of ATSC 3.0. Biard commented, "He is a tremendous resource for Nexstar and a leader in the media industry, recognized repeatedly for his ability to solve complex problems, integrate highly advanced technology systems, and execute major digital initiatives. He's been an extremely valuable member of Nexstar's executive team, and we're grateful for his countless contributions to our success." Jenkins added, "It has been an honor to serve Nexstar during a remarkable decade of growth and transformation. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with what I believe is the best management team in the business and alongside outstanding colleagues and leaders at our stations who continuously push the company forward. Together, we strengthened our technology foundation, accelerated our digital evolution, and helped position Nexstar for continued success. I am proud of the role I was able to play during this journey and even prouder of the lasting impact our teams have made. As I make this transition, I have deep appreciation and confidence that Nexstar's best days are ahead." Jenkins' current day-to-day responsibilities and direct reports will be reassigned across Nexstar's deep bench of experienced executives.

Nexstar Charitable Foundation gives $5,000 to Jasper County CASA. Posted: Aug 20, 2026 / 02:29 PM CDT Updated: Aug 20, 2026 / 02:29 PM CDT JOPLIN, Mo. - It's a $5,000 Thursday for a local nonprofit. Jasper County CASA was the recipient of the donation, thanks to our parent company, more specifically, the Nexstar Charitable Foundation. It's something that's happened for four straight years and part of the hundreds of thousands of dollars donated to countless nonprofits across Nexstar's 132 television markets. The money for CASA will be used for its basic infrastructure as it continues to advocate for victims of child abuse. "I think what we really want the community to realize is, although some child abuse really breaks through the media, it's happening all too often. And it is not that rare to have something really sad and tragic happen to children in Jasper County. So, we see that. We live with it and we really need to ask the community to step up - to be a foster parent, to be a CASA," said Debi Koelkebeck, Jasper County CASA Exec. Director. "We have had several of our employees that have actually volunteered as CASAs, and the mission that they do here is just something that the, you know, our employees have embraced," said John Hoffmann, KSNF-TV VP & GM. Ten kids in Jasper County have come into the foster care system this week, alone. Those interested in becoming a volunteer - or learning more - can do that here.

Almanacs release predictions for fall, winter - but can you trust them? by: Addy Bink Posted: Aug 20, 2026 / 10:11 AM CDT Updated: Aug 20, 2026 / 10:50 AM CDT (NEXSTAR) - It's that time of year again. Sunsets are creeping earlier, mornings are starting to feel crisp. A quick look at the calendar shows the autumnal equinox is only about a month away. Which means, of course, that the almanacs have released their look-ahead forecasts. The Old Farmer's Almanac and the Farmers' Almanac are separate periodicals. In addition to the extended forecasts, you will also find gardening tips and skywatching advice. Last month, the Old Farmer's Almanac put out its fall forecast, predicting a "warmer than average" fall, with a "cool, wet" outlook in the Pacific Northwest and northern New England. Much of the Plains and Rocky Mountains could see a warm and dry fall, as could some states in the central Gulf region, while the Midwest, Ohio Valley and the East Coast may experience a cool and dry fall. If that sounds familiar, it's because it isn't that much unlike the forecast the Old Farmer's Almanac put out last year. Looking even further ahead, the Farmers' Almanac recently released its winter weather predictions, calling for "snow, sleet and surprises." Generally, it forecasts that all of the U.S. could see precipitation, whether it's "snowy" in the upper Plains and Midwest, "wet" across the Gulf and southern East Coast, "wetter" in the South or "coastal storms" in New England. That's slightly different from last year's forecast: Regardless of how alike or unlike these forecasts are to previous predictions, how accurate can they actually be? "There are those who believe [them] and those who don't," meteorologist Rich Segal, who recently retired from Nexstar's KXAN, previously explained. Both publications claim to be 80% accurate with their long-range forecasts, which are fueled by their own secret formulas, though research shows only about half of the forecasts produced by the Farmers' Almanac were correct. The Old Farmer's Almanac says its formula, created in 1792, considers solar science, climatology and meteorology. They compare "solar patterns and historical weather conditions with current solar activity." The Farmers' Almanac's formula, established in 1818, has evolved through the years. One of its main factors is the moon's influence, as well as a comparison between previous weather patterns and current conditions. However, the far-ahead planning that both publications employ causes pause for some. "It's more like a crapshoot of trusting something that far into the future since there are times the forecast is blown in the first 24 hours," Segal explained. You won't see a winter weather forecast from the National Weather Service until mid-October, for example. Even that outlook is subject to change, and if it were released any earlier, its reliability would likely decline, Jon Gottschalck, Operational Prediction Branch Chief at NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, told Nexstar. Those outlooks also won't predict specific events, such as major winter storms. "It's just not possible to do that," Gottschalck said. There are temperature and precipitation outlooks available for early fall via NOAA. But these are based on probability. For example, the upper Pacific Northwest is favored to see a warmer-than-average September, October and November. The southern Midwest and Ohio Valley, meanwhile, have an equal chance of a warmer or cooler fall. NOAA, the Farmer's Almanac and the Old Farmer's Almanac do review some of the same factors. Last week, national forecasters said the odds of this year's El Niño reaching the highest strength level - often called a "super" El Niño - are now higher than 90%. The peak could come between October and December, which may continue to support the quiet hurricane season we've seen in the Atlantic and influence our winter. Under a typical El Niño, the northern U.S. and into the Ohio Valley usually see a warmer, drier weather pattern. The southern portion of the country, meanwhile, may have a wetter winter with more rain and snow. However, the exact line that separates these different weather outlooks varies from year to year. How El Niño actually impacts our winter remains to be seen. So can you trust the almanac predictions? Ultimately, it's up to you. "It has its value to those who believe in it and subscribe as such," Segal said. NOAA will have an outlook for the winter months - December, January, and February - in mid-October. Its current three-month outlook is for August, September and October. "While no forecast can claim perfect accuracy, our predictions have proven useful for generations of planners and outdoor enthusiasts," Sandi Duncan, the editor of the Farmers' Almanac, told Nexstar last year. "We continuously refine our method but acknowledge that Mother Nature always has the final say." Nexstar's Alix Martichoux contributed to this report.