Niel Vierzba is returning to Duluth as sports director at Red River’s FOX 21 (KQDS-TV). It’s a hat trick for Vierzba, who started in Duluth at WDIO before moving to KBJR and then to his current position at Gray NBC/FOX affiliate KFYR-TV (Bismarck).
Never say never 😉 (career update) pic.twitter.com/DB7eoRub46
— Neil Vierzba (@Neil_Vierzba85) July 29, 2022
Meanwhile, Sam Gabrielli is departing from the chief meteorologist position at KQDS-TV for a new job in Kentucky.
Briggs LeSavage has been named co-anchor of the 5 p.m. news on Gray NBC affiliate KBJR-TV/6.1 (Superior-Duluth). LeSavage had previously anchored newscasts on KBJR’s “CBS3” channel.
Mariam Mackar has departed Duluth’s WDIO, where she anchored and reported, for a job at Scripps NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4.1 (Milwaukee).
Some personal news🚨I’m heading to Milwaukee! I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be taking the next step in my career working among incredible journalists at @tmj4. I can’t wait to explore the Milwaukee area and grow as a reporter there. My last day at WDIO will be August 2nd. pic.twitter.com/DkZsrGynlo
— Mariam (@mariammackar) June 27, 2022
Meanwhile, WTMJ-TV announced that Brian Niznansky has been promoted to chief meteorologist.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted several other changes at WTMJ-TV, with Tom Durian and Symone Woolridge co-anchoring morning news and Susan Kim moving from mornings to evenings.
Brandice Bailey has been named news director at FOX owned-and-operated WITI/6.1 (Milwaukee).
I am so excited to join the @fox6now family and can’t wait to make @CityofMKE home!!! https://t.co/KsVJzXVsQi
— Brandice Bailey (@bbaileynews) August 4, 2022
Isthmus reported that George Smith is no longer at Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison), where he had been an evening anchor.
Anchor/reporter Tisia Muzinga announced her departure from Hearst CBS affiliate KCCI/8 (Des Moines).
Three amazing years! Thank you, Central Iowa 💙 pic.twitter.com/WWGxlwOWoN
— Tisia F. Muzinga TV (@TisiaMuzinga) July 29, 2022
Chuck Sibley, chief photographer at Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10 (Rochester), is marking 50 years with the station.
KGAN/2 (Cedar Rapids) is remembering longtime engineer Garen Braun, who passed away after working at the station for 59 years.
Gray TV announced that Don Vesely, the general manager of NBC affiliate WMTV (Madison), will add oversight of Gray’s stations in Rockford and Peoria.
Keith Brake announced his departure from Radio FM Media’s “Bison 1660” (KQWB West Fargo), where he had hosted an afternoon drive sports talk show.
Some news. Thanks to everyone who listened. pic.twitter.com/ISsU99ZXxf
— Keith Brake (@The_BrakeDown) July 29, 2022
Stations
Subchannel network DigiTV has shut down operations after just 10 months on the air. The network had carried British drama, reality, and lifestyle programming and had been seen on subchannels of TCT stations KDMI (Des Moines), KCWV (Duluth), KWKB (Iowa City), and KTTW (Sioux Falls).
Subchannel network Twist has recently been added on KRDK/4.12 (Valley City-Fargo), KNDB/26.2 (Bismarck), and KNDM/24.12 (Minot).
NPR station KIOS/91.5 (Omaha) told listeners that its new antenna has been installed and that it is now awaiting shipment of its new transmitter. The station expects to be back to full power by Sept. 1. As reported here, the station has been transmitting with 1.15kW rather than its licensed 55kW since last year.
News tips? Press releases? Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!