People
Longtime political reporter Mike Mulcahy is retiring from Minnesota Public Radio. Mulcahy spoke about his 38-year career in a discussion this week. He started with the network as a Rochester bureau reporter, covering the Hormel strike in the 1980s, and soon moved into his well-known role at the capitol.
Milwaukee radio veteran Shaun “Ridder” Ridderbush has returned to the airwaves on Magnum Media’s “92.1 VTY Country” (WVTY Racine) and “92.5 Buzz Country” (WMBZ West Bend). “I’m excited to be back on the air connecting with people,” Ridder said in a news release. “The great people of the Milwaukee area are my life. My life is here, and I never want to leave. So, this fit feels sooo good.” Ridder’s show airs from 8 a.m. to noon on WVTY, serving the southern part of the market, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on WMBZ, serving the northern part.
Muzzy Broadcasting has named Lou Kastler the vice president and market manager for its stations in central Wisconsin: “B104.9” (WCWB Marathon-Wausau), WSPT/97.9 (Stevens Point-Wausau), and WPCN/1010 (Stevens Point). Kastler has worked in on-air and management positions in several markets, including Des Moines, Omaha, and Rochester, and has also worked in marketing and business development. “Rick [Muzzy] and I have formed a great relationship over the years and are aligned on key objectives to keep locally owned radio a relevant part of daily life. I’m excited to be joining a veteran team as we evolve our brands, product diversity and content,” Kastler said in a news release. He begins his new job Oct. 30.
Freddie Bell has been promoted to CEO and general manager of KMOJ/89.9 (Minneapolis). Bell also hosts mornings and a nationally-syndicated show and is a member of the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8.1 (La Crosse) announced two additions to the anchor team: evening co-anchor Emily Brown and chief meteorologist Greg Barnhart.
Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison) announced the hiring of Dana Fulton as morning meteorologist. Fulton previously worked at another station in the market.
Gray NBC/CBS affiliate KVLY-TV/KXJB-LD (Fargo) announced the hiring of Russ Thomas as chief meteorologist. He will begin in mid-October.
As noted by Rick Gevers’ newsletter, my former colleague Alexandra Buie has been promoted to news director at Hubbard ABC affiliate WDIO/10.1 (Duluth). Buie started at the station as a photographer and became a producer before being promoted to assistant news director last year.
InsideRadio reports that Demitre Ellis (no relation) has been promoted to program director and morning host at “Hawk Rock 100.5” (KDHK Decorah) following Pete Wennes’ departure from the radio business.
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association notes the passing of Gina Sherwood, who had co-hosted mornings at “B107.3” (KBBK Lincoln) up until two years ago. She was 61.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association reports that longtime broadcaster Charles Albon “Chuck” Morkri has died at age 92. Morkri worked in the Richland Center and Madison markets for 28 years and continued voiceover work well into his 80s.
Stations and companies
Having departed Audacy’s WCCO/830, the Minnesota Timberwolves announced they are moving to the iHeartRadio app and “KFAN 100.3” (KFXN-FM) for the 2023-2024 season. All games will be carried on a new iHeartRadio Timberwolves channel and an unannounced number will air in KFAN, which (as an AM station) was the team’s original radio home. The station will also air some Minnesota Lynx games. Learfield Media will continue to distribute the game broadcasts to affiliates across the Upper Midwest, and Alan Horton will continue as play-by-play announcer.
Meanwhile, Civic Media announced that it is adding the Milwaukee Bucks on six stations: WRJN/1400 (Racine), WRCE/1450 (Richland Center), WFHR/1320 (Wisconsin Rapids), WISS/1100 (Berlin-Oshkosh), WLAK/1260 (Amery), and WCQM/98.3 (Park Falls). The first four AM stations also have FM translators.
New Gray TV station WSLN/19.1 (Freeport-Rockford) has signed on, reaching southern Wisconsin. The full-power station, obtained as part of an auction last year, broadcasts on RF channel 9 and shows up as virtual channel 19. The station is co-owned with CBS affiliate WIFR-LD/23.1 (Rockford) and carries Stateline CW on 19.1, Circle on 19.2, and Antenna TV on 19.3.
After less than a year in business, streaming platform Level News has announced plans to shut down at the end of the month. The service features NewsNation and three channels of C-SPAN bundled with several channels that stream freely elsewhere. In a note to customers, the service’s operators say they were “unable to attain a sufficient number of subscribers or attract adequate financial support.”
Non-commercial Classic Rock outlet KRPR/89.9 (Rochester) noted that some of its equipment may have been damaged in a recent storm.
In case you missed it here:
- Bridge News Buys Minneapolis Low-Power TV Station
- Winnipeg’s “Peggy” Indicates Changes Are Coming
- FCC Monitor: New NW Minn. FM Signs On; Wis. AM Station Returns
News tips? Press releases? If you don’t see yours here, I probably didn’t receive it! Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!
Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.