People
Hubbard ABC affiliate WDIO/10 (Duluth) is promoting the arrival of Dann Saxton as new Good Morning Northland anchor.
Reporter Sarah Lehr is joining Wisconsin Public Radio:
Tomorrow is my last day at @WKARnews. I’m sad to be leaving behind such a wonderful newsroom.
— Sarah Lehr (@SarahGLehr) August 8, 2022
But I’m thrilled about starting work in Madison soon as a state government reporter for NPR member station Wisconsin Public Radio @WPR. https://t.co/tKjPyL1tGK
RadioInsight reports that Kyle Matthews is departing NRG Media’s “Froggy 98” (KFGE/98.1 Milford-Lincoln) for a job in Boise.
Todd Mitchell will be the new morning host at iHeartMedia’s KFYR/550 (Bismarck), moving from afternoons, RadioInsight reports.
North Dakota State University announced that Rob Hipp is the new “Voice of the Bison” and will also be sports director of Radio FM Media’s “Bison 1660” (KQWB West Fargo).
Rob Hipp has been named “Voice of the Bison” for @NDSUfootball and @NDSUmbb on the radio this season. Hipp will also be the new sports director at @Bison1660. Welcome, Rob! 🤘 https://t.co/wBwZxPhpSe
— NDSU Athletics (@NDSUathletics) August 5, 2022
The Forum reported that longtime Fargo radio and TV personality Doug Hamilton died Aug. 5 of complications of acute myeloid leukemia. Hamilton had worked at KXJB/4, KTHI/11, KFGO/790, Minnesota Public Radio, and Prairie Public Broadcasting.
Stations
FOX owned-and-operated KMSP (Minneapolis) has added Weigel’s Story Television on channel 9.8, along with a simulcast of “FOX 9+” (WFTC/9.2) on channel 9.10. The new channels originate on KMSP’s RF channel 9 transmitter, which also carries 9.4, 9.5, 9.6, and 9.9; channels 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.7 originate on WFTC’s RF channel 29 transmitter.
Meanwhile, a recent KMSP recruiting video was featured in a TVNewsCheck article.
DX-midAMerica noted that Weigel’s WMLW (Milwaukee) has added MeTV+ on channel 49.5.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Scripps‘ efforts to promote broadcast TV viewership through TheFreeTVProject.org and associated promotions. Scripps owns ION and several national subchannel networks, as well as stations in cities including Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Omaha.
The Grand Forks Herald reports that iHeartMedia has secured a new four-year contract for the rights to air University of North Dakota sports after competing with Leighton Enterprises for the deal. UND games will be split between three iHeart stations.
Awards
National winners of the RTDNA’s Edward R. Murrow Award include:
KMSP (Minneapolis), “Minnesota (Un)Told,” Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Boyd Huppert, KARE (Minneapolis), Excellence in Writing
KARE, “Pregnant & Shackled,” Hard News
WCCO/830 (Minneapolis), for breaking news coverage of the Daunte Wright shooting, protests, and trial
“WCCO Drivetime News,” Best Newscast
News tips? Press releases? Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!