Hearst Television Appointed New News Director
Kristin Kay has been named the new news director for Sacramento television stations KCRA-3 and KQCA-58.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in People
Hearst Television has appointed Kristin Kay as the new News Director for KCRA-3 and KQCA-58 in Sacramento. She assumes the role previously held by Derek Schnell, who transitioned to a position as VP/News at Hearst TV.
Why it matters
Leadership changes at the station level often influence local news coverage priorities and editorial direction. This transition brings a new executive to Sacramento to manage the combined operations of the two regional stations.
The appointment involves oversight of two major local stations, KCRA-3 and KQCA-58. This follows Kay’s recent tenure as News Director at WGAL-8 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, a position she held since March 2023.
The players
Kristin Kay
She is a graduate of California State University-Northridge and has extensive experience at various regional television stations across the United States.
Derek Schnell
He is the former News Director of KCRA-3 and KQCA-58 who has been promoted to serve as VP/News at Hearst TV.
Hearst Television
This organization operates a large portfolio of local television and radio stations across the United States.
The details
Kristin Kay is relocating from Pennsylvania to Northern California to step into the leadership role at the Sacramento-based stations. Prior to her time in Harrisburg, she held professional roles at television stations in Bakersfield, San Diego, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati.
Timeline
March 2023: Kay began serving as News Director at WGAL-8.
September 29, 2026: News of the appointment was published.
Market Landscape
This change follows the broader shift within the Hearst Television executive leadership structure, reflecting a recurring pattern of promoting station-level directors to national corporate oversight roles. The transition highlights the organization's focus on internal talent development across its local media portfolio.
Viewers of KCRA-3 and KQCA-58 may notice shifts in editorial priorities as the new director begins her tenure in Sacramento. These leadership changes typically influence the programming and community coverage strategies for local news broadcasts.
The takeaway
Management transitions are common milestones that often precede subtle changes in local media operations. Residents of Sacramento can expect to see the impact of this leadership shift reflected in the station's future broadcast content.
Further reading
For more information on local leadership changes, visit People.
