The Telefarm towers in Shoreview, Minn.

Weekly Log: Numerous People Moves, Tower Updates, Quad Cities Dispute

Posted on by Jon Ellis

Radio People

Wisconsin Public Radio reported the death of Al Ross, who had hosted the western regional program “Spectrum West” and provided Eau Claire-based morning news and arts updates. Ross, 73, had worked in commercial radio in Michigan, Florida and Wisconsin for nearly four decades before joining WPR in 2008.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association reported that longtime broadcast engineer Tom Smith has died at the age of 73 after a six-year battle with cancer. He began in Fond du Lac and spent most of his career at Wisconsin Public Television’s WHA-TV/21 (Madison).

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Mark Belling has signed a new contract with iHeartMedia Conservative Talker WISN/1130 that will allow him to work just one week a month from January through April.

Shawn Kiser is returning to KFIZ/1450 (Fond du Lac) as its morning host and brand manager and will also serve as vice president and general manager for the Mountain Dog Media group of stations. Kiser previously worked at the station from 1995 to 2004. In mornings, he replaces retiring host Jerry St. John.

Meanwhile, All Access reported that Mountain Dog Media’s “107.1 The Bull” (WFON Fond du Lac) has hired Trace “Moose” Moustakas as its morning host.

RadioInsight reported that Dewayne ‘D-Wayne’ Taylor is joining NRG Media’s “Red 94.5” (K233AN/KBBK-HD2 Lincoln) as morning host and program director. Taylor had previously hosted afternoons at Alpha Media’s KFRX/106.3 (Lincoln).

KRUE/92.1 (Waseca-Owatonna) noted that program director and on-air personality Ben Merritt has departed the station.

TV People

Meteorologist Chris Reece announced that he’s joining Hubbard ABC affiliate KSTP-TV/5 (St. Paul). The Star Tribune’s report on Reece joked that he “may be a little too excited about Minnesota winters.” Reece, originally from Texas, currently works at Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WISC/3 (Madison).

Gray NBC affiliate KWQC/6 (Davenport) announced that Redrick Terry has been promoted to co-anchor of the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts. Terry, who was born and raised in Rock Island, previously anchored mornings and will continue to host the “Insight” and “Real Conversations” programs.

Gray NBC affiliate WLUC/6 (Marquette) announced that Vinny La Via has been promoted to anchor/producer of the 11 p.m. newscast. Current 11 p.m. anchor Cody Boyer will move to the 5 p.m. newscast as co-anchor/producer. Meanwhile, Jerry Tudor has been promoted from chief videographer to senior reporter.

Alexis Beckett has joined Gray NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR/6 (Superior-Duluth) as sports anchor and reporter.

Gray ABC affiliate WBAY/2 (Green Bay) recently welcomed Bo Fogal as a meteorologist, covering weekends and some weekday daytime newscasts. Fogal was previously at KBJR.

Stations

An undated post on KSTP-TV‘s website notes that tower work is underway at the Telefarm tower site in Shoreview used by KSTP and several other major network affiliates. The post said KSTP is at reduced power and the stations may be off the air at times during October. As noted in a previous FCC Monitor report, sister station KSTC-TV recently informed the FCC that it was operating from its new antenna at the site.

Gray NBC affiliate WOWT/6 (Omaha) reported Oct. 21 that demolition of the tower at its former longtime building was nearly complete. WOWT moved into a new facility in August. The station itself no longer transmitted from the tower, but a few FM signals’ moves from the tower have been reported here in FCC Monitor reports.

TVNewsCheck profiled new Lilly Broadcasting CBS affiliate WZMQ/19.2 (Marquette), which began airing locally-originated newscasts on Oct. 3. The station became the Upper Peninsula’s CBS affiliate last winter and announced plans for its new downtown facility in June.

Mission Broadcasting FOX affiliate KLJB/18 (Davenport), which is actually operated by Nexstar, has been off DirecTV since Oct. 21 due to a retransmission consent dispute. The disagreement affects two dozen other Mission Broadcasting stations outside the Upper Midwest. KLJB is operated alongside Nexstar CBS affiliate WHBF and CW affiliate KGCW, neither of which is affected.

Media consultant Hank Price has an interesting take on NBC‘s recent discussion of giving about the last hour of prime time (9 p.m. Central) for affiliate control. Price presents the possibility that networks, which are already sending many scripted shows to their own streaming services instead of affiliates, could eventually give up prime time completely but continue to provide live news and sports. Such a move could lead to prime time programming being distributed by ownership groups, who Price notes have already been ramping up production efforts.

News tips? Press releases? Please send them to [email protected]!

Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.