Weigel’s new MeTV Toons network launches on June 25. The network’s website lists affiliates including WBME-CD/49.5 (Milwaukee), WKOW/27.3 (Madison), WAOW/9.3 (Wausau), WQOW/18.3 (Eau Claire), WXOW/19.3 (La Crosse), KWWL/7.6 (Waterloo), KDIT-CD/45.4 (Des Moines), KXLT/47.3 (Rochester), and KSFY-TV/13.6 (Sioux Falls). The site also lists channel 31.2 of future station WMEI (Shawano-Green Bay) as an affiliate.
Listeners note many Alpha Media stations in Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota are now carrying syndicated formats from WestwoodOne after last month’s job cuts. The syndicated formats have playlists that are similar to the stations’ previous locally-originated programming. However, some stations appear to have continued local automation.
Sydney Witte has joined Gray NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR/6 (Superior-Duluth) as morning co-anchor.
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) announced that Duke Carter has been hired as the station’s new weekend morning news anchor.
Following up on the earlier industry news about his hiring, Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8 (La Crosse) announced the arrival of meteorologist Art Jarrett.
News anchor Megan Conway announced that she is no longer with Standard Media ABC affiliate KLKN/8 (Lincoln).
Sports anchor Noah Manderfeld has departed Gray CBS affiliate WSAW/7 (Wausau).
Reporter Tyler Peters has announced plans to depart Gray NBC affiliate WMTV/15 (Madison) to return to his home city of Chicago.
Longtime morning co-host Kurt Van Auken has announced his departure from “Star 102.5” (KSTZ Des Moines).
The Star Tribune did a new profile of Lori Barghini and Julia Cobbs ahead of their June 27 retirement from “MyTalk 107” (KTMY Coon Rapids-St. Paul).
Good Karma Brands’ WBEV/1430 (Beaver Dam) announced that it will begin carrying UW Women’s Volleyball with the 2024-2025 season.
Barbara Gretsch, the former manager and co-owner of KASM/1150 (Albany, MN) has died at 89. Her obituary says Gretsch received her AA Degree in Radio Broadcasting at the Brown Institute School of Broadcasting and, besides KASM, worked at the Albany Enterprise and the Albany School District.
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association notes the passing of longtime engineer Mark Burg, who worked for more than 34 years at WLAX/25 (La Crosse). He was 66.
Broadcast Dialogue reports that longtime Winnipeg radio host Larry Updike has died shortly after receiving a colon cancer diagnosis. Updike’s resume included CITI-FM, CJKR-FM, CJOB, and CBW.
TV listings indicate the June 27 presidential debate, organized by CNN, will be simulcast on ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC. (NBC had been scheduled to air Olympic trials the night of the debate but announced, after this item was originally posted, that it will also air the debate.) CNN said the debate can be simulcast on other networks with credit to CNN. The only other scheduled presidential debate, on Sept. 10, will air on ABC.
In case you missed it here:
- Disappearing Towers and Taco Bell Receipts: Quirkiest FCC Filings
- FCC Monitor: Iowa AM Goes Silent; Milwaukee FM at Reduced Power
- Broadcast History: Pre-Deregulation AM-FM Pairs in Minnesota
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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.