iHeartMedia’s KDWB/101.3 (Richfield-Minneapolis) announced that Vont Leak and Bailey Hess have joined “The Dave Ryan Show.” Jenny Luttenberger also continues on the morning show with 31-year veteran Dave Ryan. Leak joined KDWB last year on the evening shift. Hess, who is new to the station, grew up in the Twin Cities.
As first noted by RadioInsight, D-Wayne Taylor announced plans to depart “Red 94.5” (K233AN/94.5 and KBBK-HD2 Lincoln) to focus on his other businesses.
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) announced that Zoie Henry will be the new weekday morning live desk anchor.
Roseland Broadcasting announced that its WWMW-LD (RF9, Milwaukee) and WMWI-LD (RF17, Verona-Madison) are both now using virtual channel 16. With the Republican National Convention coming to Milwaukee in July, Roseland also announced that WWMW-LD will carry a new TV channel called Purple TV, which describes itself as a “channel about politics with a centrist and pro-compromise outlook.” Programming will launch in June and run through the November election.
This year’s RTDNA Murrow Award region 5 winners include Hearst’s KETV/7 (Omaha) for overall excellence, while best newscast winners included Gray’s KCRG-TV/9 (Cedar Rapids) and iHeartMedia’s WHO/1040 (Des Moines).
CBC announced plans to launch free-ad supported streaming TV channels for each of the 14 markets where it operates TV stations, including Manitoba.
Longtime Madison broadcaster Jim McCaw died Sunday, May 19, at the age of 61. For the past 11 years, McGaw had been the morning host on WOLX/94.9 (Baraboo-Madison), which writes “Jim had some health problems in the last few years, but never complained.” McGaw had previously worked at WISM and “Magic 98” (WMGN Madison) and had also worked as master control operator at WKOW/27 (Madison) since 2015.
Former longtime North Dakota broadcaster Dan Brannan has died at the age of 83. According to his obituary, Brannan got his start at at a Jamestown radio station when he was in high school and ultimately became general manager of KFYR/KYYY (Bismarck).
In case you missed it here:
- Alpha Media Drops Numerous Longtime Upper Midwest DJ’s
- Update: Sale of Southern Minnesota AM Station Withdrawn
- FCC Monitor: LPTV Rule Changes; Wis. LPFM Application Dismissed
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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.