KFSM is celebrating 60 years on the air by keeping it local with stories from the 5NEWS anchors.
As a child, 5NEWS Anchor Ashley Beck thought she wanted to be a cowgirl when she grew up. “Before I was old enough to go to school, I spent every day with my dad working the land, checking cattle, riding tractors. I was in awe of what he did, and I loved it. I was going to take over the family ranches,” said Beck.
Over the years Beck outgrew her cowgirl boots, but she never forgot the lessons learned in Northwest Arkansas.
Ashley applied that work ethic to things she was passionate about, including school. On high school football game nights you could find her leading the Siloam Springs Panther cheerleading squad on the sidelines.
Ashley left Northwest Arkansas to attend Arizona State University, vowing to live in a big city and never come back to Arkansas.
“I can remember thinking I can’t wait to go far, far away. I think I even vowed, that I loved this area, but I wouldn’t be back to live. Cleary, I was wrong.”
Ashley found the city didn’t offer the gracious smiles from strangers, nor the things most important, her family.
“I learned very quickly how special this area is. There is a charm that you just can’t mimic anywhere else.”
After college, and a job in television, Ashley came back home to stay.
“I missed home. And I’m so blessed to be able to be home and still be able to do what I love, which is news.”
And to top it all, her family not only watches 5NEWS every night, her mom’s killer cooking is just up the road.