People
Phil Parker, the morning host at iHeartMedia’s KFYR/550 (Bismarck), has announced plans to retire on July 29. Parker has been in the radio business for 44 years.
Philadelphia PBS and NPR station WHYY reported that Sarah Glover, who is currently the managing editor at Minnesota Public Radio, is joining the station as vice president for news and civic dialogue. Glover had worked in Philadelphia prior to joining MPR last year.
Reporter Rhonda Silence is retiring from WTIP/90.7 (Grand Marais) after a career that included decades covering the news at the Cook County News-Herald and then WTIP. The station devoted the June 2 edition of its North Shore News Hour to a celebration of her career.
Nexstar has named Judson Beck the general manager of CBS affiliate WFRV/5.1 (Green Bay) and My Network TV station WJMN-TV/3.1 (Escanaba-Marquette). Beck has been GM of Nexstar FOX affiliate WLAX/25.1 (La Crosse) since 2015.
Two longtime anchors, who are married, have departed Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8 (La Crosse). Jennifer Livingston had been a morning anchor while Mike Thompson was an evening anchor. Thompson cited concerns about the TV news schedule’s impact on his family in his farewell announcement and said his future plans would be announced. Livingston announced that she is joining Mayo Clinic Health System.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that Alex Corradetti has been named morning news co-anchor at Weigel CBS affiliate WDJT/58.1.
Samantha Basarico has exited the morning anchor role at Gray NBC affiliate KBJR-TV/6.1 (Superior-Duluth) for a job in Colorado.
Wrapped up my last full week as morning anchor at KBJR. I move to Colorado Springs Monday to continue my journalism career. Exited to see what the future has in store! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/EqwyyRKuxR
— Samantha Basirico (@snbasirico) May 27, 2022
Today is Sam Ali‘s last day as sports director at FOX 21 (KQDS-TV Duluth). He’s moving to the NBC affiliate in Flint, MI.
Northland, it’s been an absolute blast, but the party will be over very soon: pic.twitter.com/vywErvwuIx
— Sam Ali (@SamAliSports) May 30, 2022
Former Vikings player Ben Leber has been named co-host of “Twin Cities Live,” the afternoon talk show on Hubbard ABC affiliate KSTP-TV/5.
The Star Tribune’s Patrick Reusse wrote a remembrance of radio host Dark Starr marking the tenth anniversary of his death.
Former WCCO radio host and KARE 11 anchor Cory Hepola suspended his third-party bid for Minnesota governor on the day of the filing deadline.
I will continue to passionately serve the people of this state because I believe in us and our future.
— Cory Hepola (@CoryHepola) May 31, 2022
A STATEMENT ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/mEq40yeTFg
Stations and companies
The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota Public Radio/American Public Media Group has closed its “APM Reports” unit, which had 18 employees.
Twin Cities Public Television (KTCA/KTCI) recently posted a summary of its 1980s history.
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) launches its new hourlong 4 p.m. newscast on Monday, June 6. It will be anchored by Kristin Pierce, Derrick Rose, and Mark Baden.
TiM FM (KFJT-LP/107.9 Lincoln) helped Lincoln Christian School raise $164,000 in one day! The money will be used to finish the Scheels Center addition to the school. Lincoln Christian mascot “Judah the Lion” posed with TiM FM Founder and General Manager Brad Leggett in the photo at the top of this page.
Axios is among the outlets that noted efforts by new CNN CEO Chris Licht is cutting back on use of the term “breaking news.” The phrase has long been mocked by both the public and people within the industry, but there is also a belief that use of the term will lead to higher ratings.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation has scheduled its U.S. Senate debate for Oct. 7 and its gubernatorial debate for Oct. 14. The debates are available to all Wisconsin radio and TV stations for live or delayed broadcast.
News tips? Press releases? Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!