Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – After announcing in September he was stepping away from KAIT after 25 years, the television station’s chief meteorologist has announced he has accepted a position with the St. Bernards Foundation.

Ryan Vaughan, who has worked at Jonesboro television news station K8 News, announced in September he was stepping away from the station after his contract expires on Dec. 29.

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He announced Thursday morning he had accepted a position as Major Gifts Officer with the St. Bernards Foundation, a volunteer fundraising organization affiliated with the hospital. He said he will start the position in 2027.

“In that position I get to connect with people who want to give back to our community through people and programs we support,” Vaughan said in his announcement video. “It’s a different role but the purpose is the same: serving communities that I love.”

Forecasting the weather is not out of Vaughan’s future, he said. He said he will remain on social media “dabbling in the weather with winter storms coming in and when tornadoes threaten.”

Vaughan first joined KAIT in 2001. After spending three years at another Gray Media station in Montgomery, AL, he returned to Region 8 in 2005 and has been a fixture on KAIT’s weather team ever since. KAIT celebrated his 25th anniversary with the station earlier this year.

Vaughan holds the National Weather Association Seal of Approval and was named the National Weather Association’s Broadcaster of the Year in 2016. He has also served on the National Weather Association board and has been active in his community, including service as a volunteer firefighter with the Western Greene County Fire Department.

“Ryan has proven himself as our region’s premiere meteorologist for the past 20 years. He’s kept us informed with life-saving information when severe weather threatens, making him a trusted face and voice our community turns to,” St. Bernards media relations manager Mitchell Nail said in a statement.

“Most of all, he does it because he loves this community and has a desire to serve others. We’re honored he chose to continue that service with St. Bernards Foundation as we strive toward our mission to provide Christ-like healing,” Nail added.

Watch Vaughan’s full announcement here.

Update: This article was updated to include a statement from St. Bernards media relation manager Mitchell Nail.

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