People
Jim Monk is now news director at Red River FOX affiliate KVRR/15.1 (Fargo). Monk is a longtime market veteran who previously worked as a reporter at KFGO/790 and was more recently KVRR’s social media director. He replaces Joe Radske, who is moving to the news director’s office at Gray NBC affiliate WEAU/13.1 (Eau Claire).
Gray TV ABC affiliate KCRG/9.1 (Cedar Rapids) announced that Jim Mertens will be its new evening co-anchor starting May 24. Mertens comes from an ABC affiliate in an adjacent market, Tegna’s WQAD (Moline), and has also hosted a weekly PBS public affairs program in the Quad Cities. At KCRG he replaces Chris Earl, who left for a job in Florida earlier this year; Earl had replaced longtime anchor Bruce Aune several years ago. Mertens will co-anchor with longtime KCRG team Beth Malicki, Joe Winters, and Scott Saville.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Weigel CBS affiliate WDJT/58.1 (Milwaukee) named Frankie Jupiter morning co-anchor.
TVNewsCheck reported that Gray NBC affiliate WOWT/6.1 (Omaha) named Greg Price as general sales manager and Laura Abel as digital sales manager.
Christian artist Mat Kearney recently performed live for about 50 listeners on the TiM FM/goTandem.com performance stage in Lincoln. TiM FM is KJFT-LP/107.9 (Lincoln) and translator K255CS/98.9.
Podcasts and Programs
Salem Media Group has hired Michele Tafoya to host a podcast called “Sideline Sanity,” which will be produced by Salem Media-Twin Cities. The podcast will focus on life, politics, and world news and will release four episodes per week. Tafoya is known nationally as a former NBC Sports reporter and is also well-known for her work in the Twin Cities market, including several years as a co-host of the KQRS/92.5 morning show. She is also co-chair of Republican candidate Kendall Qualls’ campaign for Minnesota governor.
A recent feature in Radio World highlights Hubbard Radio‘s new localized podcast apps that highlight local content for Minnesota and Washington, D.C.
Chicagoland-based MediaTracks Incorporated has sold weekly syndicated programs “Radio Health Journal” and “Viewpoints Radio,” which air on nearly 1,500 radio stations nationwide, to American Urban Radio Networks, LLC. The deal was brokered by Bob Heymann of Media Services Group.
TV Spy reported that Weigel CBS affiliate WDJT/58.1 (Milwaukee) has launched a new digital newscast intended for audiences watching on phones. The “Quickcast” will be posted at 5:58 p.m.; WDJT does not have a 6 p.m. broadcast TV newscast as the station airs syndicated programming at that time.
Awards
Station of the year winners at the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards for Excellence were Hearst’s WISN-TV (Milwaukee), Allen Media’s WKOW (Madison), Gray TV’s WSAW (Wausau), Good Karma Broadcasting’s WTMJ/620 (Milwaukee), Seehafer’s WOMT/1240 (Manitowoc), Good Karma’s WBEV/1430 (Beaver Dam), Sun Prairie Community Foundation’s WLSL-LP/103.5 (Sun Prairie), Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s WLUM/102.1 (Milwaukee), Midwest’s WIFC/95.5 (Wausau), Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting’s WCOW/97.1 (Sparta-La Crosse), and CTJ Communications’ WLKG/96.1 (Lake Geneva).
LINK: Full list of WBA Awards of Excellence winners
News tips for next week’s log? Email jonellis@northpine.com!