Alexandria-based “KOOL TV,” which had aired on Selective TV’s K21GN-D/21.1 and streamed online, has shut down. The channel had offered a weeknight newscast hosted by veteran broadcaster Mark Anthony and a lineup of syndicated programming. In a note on its website, the station says, “Thank you viewers and advertisers. It has been an honor bringing local TV to Greater Minnesota. We are now signing off…Goodbye Friends!”
A much-belated note that hourly USA Radio Network newscasts ended in mid-June, according to an InsideRadio report. The decades-old service had primarily run on stations in unrated markets and had several dozen Upper Midwest affiliates.
Coverage of the Olympics will pre-empt daytime newscasts and syndicated programming on NBC affiliates. Weekend morning programming will also be pre-empted. Stations’ weekday morning, 5, and 6 p.m. newscasts will not be affected, but listings indicate some 10 p.m. newscasts will air a half-hour later.
Meteorologist Dan Breeden has retired from Allen Media ABC affiliate WXOW/19 (La Crosse) after 38 years with the station. The station reports that Breeden originated weathercasting on WXOW, replacing segments that had been produced in Madison.
Aaliyah Demry has joined Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10 (Rochester) as morning reporter.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that evening anchor Patrick Paolantonio is leaving Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12.
Meteorologist Ken Slama has announced plans to depart Coastal FOX affiliate KQDS-TV/21 (Duluth).
As noted by RadioInsight, Kris Valentine and Chelsea Lee have launched an afternoon show on Leighton Enterprises’ Country stations in St. Cloud (“Wild Country 99”), Grand Forks (97 KYCK), and Fergus Falls (“KJ96.5”).
The Mid-West Farm Report has announced the hiring of Ben Jarboe as a reporter.
Wisconsin Public Radio introduced Jason Heilman as the Milwaukee-based afternoon host of the new WPR Music network, heard in the city on WHAD/90.7 (Delafield).
Prairie Public has announced that the frequency change of its Beach translator from 91.9 to 91.5, previously noted here in FCC Monitor reports, will take place on July 31.
Iowa Public Radio notes that KUNI/90.9 (Cedar Falls) will be at reduced power or off the air completely at times over the net several weeks due to tower work.
Curtis Beckmann, former news director at WCCO/830 (Minneapolis) and owner/operator of Radio City Network News, has died at the age of 82. His obituary notes that he also served as president of the RTNDA during his tenure at WCCO.
In case you missed it here:
- Wausau Station Flips Back to Rock as “The Beast”
- Longtime North Dakota Christian Radio Stations to Shut Down
- FCC Monitor: UP FM Off Air; Sale of 3 Black Hills FM’s Closes
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.