Jim Kent has joined WFIR-AM 960 as news director and co-anchor for its weekday morning news, the radio station announced Friday.

He's expected to be on the air by late next week.

Kent previously was news director for WDBJ (Channel 7), Roanoke's CBS affiliate. He was ousted from the television station in July. He joined WDBJ in 1977 and worked as a news anchor and assistant news director before being named news director in 1991.

In a prepared statement about its new hire, WFIR praised Kent's talent and experience.

The move returns Kent to radio, the format in which he started his career. The Ashland native worked for radio stations in Richmond and Lynchburg before moving to Roanoke.

WFIR is owned by Wheeler Broadcasting, which also owns Roanoke stations Q99, K92, VIBE 100 and 94.9 Star Country.

-- Pete Dybdahl