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KPAX news and the Montana Television Network on Friday announced the hiring of a new news director to oversee their newsrooms in Missoula and Kalispell.

Keith Hatten, the former assistant news director of WRTV in Indianapolis, also served as assistant news director for the CBS affiliate in West Lafayette, Indiana.

“I’m eager and excited to get to work with our incredible team at KPAX,” Hatten said in a statement announcing the change. “I’m ready to settle into the Missoula area and ready to continue our important work of serving the needs of our audiences and presenting journalism that will positively impact our communities.”

Hatten began his television career as a photographer transitioning into news and sports reporting before taking a photojournalist role at WXIN in Indianapolis.

He graduated from Purdue University and his wife works as a registered nurse. The couple has a four-year-old daughter.

“As we continue to be the standard of journalism in Western Montana, I am thrilled to be bringing in someone of Keith’s caliber and character to lead our talented news team,” said Brian Joyce, the vice president and general manager at KPAX. “His experience in many of our Scripps markets will be a great fit for our station, and our Missoula and Flathead communities.”

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