MOBILE, Ala. – Akievia McFarland has been named Weekend Evening News Anchor and Multi-Media Journalist for WKRG News 5. The announcement was made today by Jesse Grear, WKRG Vice President and General Manager.

“Akievia has been a team player ever since she started with us,” said Grear. “She’s earned this position based on her professionalism, personality, and ability to connect with our viewers. We’re lucky to have her.”

“We are proud of Akievia and excited to see her take on new duties with this promotion,” said Gene Kirkconnell, WKRG’s News Director. “Akievia is a warm, gifted communicator. 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!”

McFarland is from the Birmingham area. She graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a focus on multimedia journalism.

She came to WKRG News 5 in December 2020 as a News Producer. She was promoted to Traffic Anchor/Reporter in July 2022 prior to this promotion.

“When I learned of my promotion, I had a ‘Somebody pinch me!’ kind of feeling flow through me,” said McFarland. “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. As I prepare to turn this page in my career, it feels bittersweet. I will miss working with my WKRG News 5 This Morning team each day. 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!”

McFarland will be working on-air alongside Meteorologist Grant Skinner, and Sports Anchor/Reporter Gerhard Mathangani on Saturdays at 6pm, 9pm & 10pm, and Sundays at 5pm, 9pm, and 10pm.