Brett Anthony Will Join KY3 as Chief Meteorologist
The veteran forecaster takes over the chief meteorologist position in Springfield this October.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in People
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KY3 has announced that Brett Anthony will join its weather team as chief meteorologist starting October 1, 2026. He succeeds Ron Hearst, who is retiring after a 38-year tenure with the station.
Why it matters
The change marks a significant leadership transition for the KY3 weather department, which serves as a primary source of meteorological information for the Springfield and Ozarks region. Hearst concludes a long-standing career as a fixture in the local broadcasting community.
The KY3 weather team is comprised of five members. Incoming meteorologist Brett Anthony arrives with an American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal and two regional Emmy Awards.
The players
Brett Anthony
He is an American Meteorological Society Certified Broadcast Meteorologist and two-time regional Emmy Award winner.
Ron Hearst
He is a veteran broadcaster who is retiring from the KY3 chief meteorologist position after 38 years of service.
KY3
This is a television station based in Springfield, Missouri, serving the surrounding Ozarks region.
Brandon Beck
He serves as a member of the KY3 weather team and continues to manage the morning meteorologist shift.
The details
Brett Anthony joins the Springfield station following his previous work in Tyler, Texas, and will begin his on-air duties the week after October 1. While Anthony assumes the chief role, current team member Brandon Beck will continue to lead the morning weather shift.
Timeline
Brett Anthony officially joins the KY3 team on October 1, 2026.
On-air broadcasts for the new chief meteorologist begin in early October 2026.
Market Landscape
The transition follows the retirement of Ron Hearst after 38 years of service, signaling a major generational shift in the regional broadcasting landscape. This change positions the station to refresh its weather brand while maintaining a five-member team structure to compete for local viewership.
Viewers in the Springfield and Ozarks area will see a new face during primary weather broadcasts starting in October. Existing daily routines for morning weather coverage will remain consistent with the current team structure.
The takeaway
Leadership changes at local stations often bring subtle shifts in broadcast style and visual presentation for daily viewers. Residents should anticipate a familiar five-member team rotation, despite the change in the chief meteorologist role.
Further reading
For more on personnel changes in the local media landscape, explore the People section.
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