Scripps News announced will cut more than 200 jobs and shut down its broadcast network on Nov. 15. The network currently airs on digital subchannels in most markets. It will continue to stream online with a more limited staff.
Chicago Sports Network (CHSN) says on its “how to watch” page that it will launch on over-the-air signals in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Milwaukee, and Sioux City, among other cities. KMEG is listed as the Sioux City affiliate while callsigns are not listed for the other markets.
Christian broadcaster WVCY-TV/30.1 (Milwaukee) has upgraded its broadcast signal to HD.
Hubbard ABC affiliate KSTP-TV/5.1 (St. Paul) has promoted meteorologist Chris Reece from weekends to weekday evenings.
Charles Hart has joined Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9.1 (Cedar Rapids) as midday co-anchor.
Gray NBC affiliate KTIV/4.1 (Sioux City) announced that morning anchor Taylor Deckert has been promoted community impact reporter and Katie Copple has been promoted from weekend evenings to weekday morning anchor.
RadioInsight reports that Alpha Media’s KAUS/1480 (Austin) is now airing the syndicated “Podcast Radio” in several timeslots, a change which displaces syndicated Talk programming.
The Minnesota Vikings announced that they have signed a seven-year extension with iHeartMedia, with games continuing on “The Fan” (KFXN-FM/100.3) and KTLK/1130.
David Dein has moved from afternoons to mornings at Northwestern Media’s “Life 101.9” (KNWS-FM Waterloo-Cedar Rapids).
“The North 103.3” (WDSE-FM Duluth) has dropped “Democracy Now,” which had aired at 9 a.m., stating in a Facebook post that the move is due to the station’s “focus on music programming.” WDSE-FM has also added “Lake Superior Radio Theater Presents” on Saturdays at 9 p.m., bringing an existing radio theater experience to the airwaves.
Weekly NPR program “Thistle & Shamrock” has ended after host Fiona Ritchie retired following 41 years hosting the program. Public Radio Fan says the show’s affiliates had included WNMU-FM/90.1 (Marquette), KNOW-HD2 (Minneapolis-St. Paul), KIOS/91.5 (Omaha), WXPR/91.7 (Rhinelander), and KWIT/90.3 (Sioux City).
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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.