Minnesota Public Radio reports that Twin Cities PBS (KTCA/KTCI) has furloughed some employees after a federal grant wasn’t renewed.
The Cap Times reports that Wisconsin Public Radio is planning job cuts in the coming weeks.
The North Dakota Monitor reports that state legislators have provided a reduced amount of funding to Prairie Public after initially threatening to cut funding completely.
Numerous media organizations have reported on the potential impact of possible cuts to federal funding for public broadcasting:
- KARE-TV: MPR and TPT respond to federal funding cuts
- KARE-TV: Minnesota Public Radio seeks to raise $1 million in 5 days amid federal cuts
- KBJR-TV: Rural news stations like WTIP face largest losses if Congress cuts public media funding
- KGAN-TV: Iowa Public Radio, PBS brace for impact as executive order threatens crucial funding
- KHGI-TV: Nebraska arts and public media in jeopardy after federal funding cuts
- Nebraska Examiner: Trump seeks to end fed funding of public media; Nebraska Public Media says order ‘limits’ them
- Star Tribune: MPR and TPT brace for future after Trump seeks to end federal funding for PBS and NPR (gift link)
- WBAY-TV: PBS Wisconsin expressing concern after Trump administration order to cut federal funding to PBS, NPR
- WJFW-TV: WXPR Public Radio braces for federal funding cuts
- WHO-TV: Trump’s CPB cuts impact Iowa PBS and Iowa Public Radio
- WLUC-TV: White House Order sparks uncertainty at NPR, PBS stations in Upper Michigan
The Nebraska Rural Radio Association has named Steve White as farm director at its flagship station, KRVN/880 (Lexington). He will also contribute to the NRRA’s Rural Radio Network. “This team has a long history of serving farm and ranch families. I’m thrilled to join a station that’s part of the fabric of Nebraska, and I pledge to bring the same passion and trust we’ve worked hard to build together,” White said in a news release.
Big Radio has hired Josh Wescott as morning news anchor for WEKZ/1260 and WBGR-FM/93.7 (Monroe, Wis.), WFRL/1570 and WFPS/92.1 (Freeport, Ill.), and WQLF/102.1 (Lena-Freeport). Wescott was previously a radio news director in Madison and most recently worked for Dane County. “Online and social media disinformation is steadily driving people back to how they used to find out what’s happening, and Big Radio is well-positioned to meet this moment and lead the re-emergence of local radio news in this region and beyond,” Wescott said in a news release.
Eric Jurgensen, who used the on-air name Rick Jensen in his role as Magnum Media Group News Director, has died of a stroke at the age of 61. Jensen first started with the group in 1994 and had been actively broadcasting up until two weeks before his April 29 death. “He was technically savvy and known for being able to wire up equipment despite being born with a hand deformity. Eric spoke about connecting with Gary Burghoff (“Radar” from M*A*S*H) about navigating the same physical challenge,” according to a statement from Magnum Media. “One of his highlights was being invited by Willie Nelson after a concert to join him for a few rounds on his tour bus (just the two of them). With a twinkle in his eye, Eric made it clear when telling the story, that because he was a newsman, he limited himself to a single Jack & Coke on Willie’s bus.”
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association reports that Liz Boyd, the group’s longtime NCSA/PEP Coordinator, has died at 71. Boyd worked at WKOW/27.1 (Madison) prior to joining the WBA.
Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison) has been originating its newscasts from sister station WAOW/9.1 (Wausau) due to what WKOW describes as a “technical failure in the station’s control room.” The situation began about a week ago. WKOW and WAOW have been temporarily simulcasting morning and evening newscasts featuring anchors and reporters from both stations; this is in addition to the 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. newscasts that the stations began simulcasting last year.
Sinclair FOX affiliate WLUK/11.1 (Green Bay) is using a temporary studio as it builds a new set.
Reporter Jeremy Wall has joined Gray ABC affiliate WBAY-TV/2.1 (Green Bay). He previously worked at Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8.1 (La Crosse).
Meteorologist Keith Gibson announced plans to depart WBAY-TV for a new job.
Forum Communications ABC affiliate WDAY-TV/6.1 (Fargo) announced that meteorologist John Wheeler is retiring after 40 years with the station.
Meteorologist Danny Cassidy has departed Allen Media NBC affiliate KWWL/7.1 (Waterloo) for a new job in Arkansas.
Hearst ABC affiliate KETV/7.1 (Omaha) announced that assignment editor Jim Reding has retired after 32 years at the station.
Several stations walked away with honors as both Station of the Year and News Operation of the Year at the recent Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards, including Gray’s WMTV/15.1 (Madison), Gray’s WSAW/7.1 (Wausau), Good Karma’s WTMJ/620 (Milwaukee), Seehafer’s WOMT/1240 (Manitowoc), and Good Karma’s WBEV-FM/95.3 (Beaver Dam). The other News Operation of the Year winner was FOX O&O WITI/6.1 (Milwaukee). Other Station of the Year winners included Hearst’s WISN/12.1 (Milwaukee), the City of Monona’s WVMO-LP/98.7 (Monona), Woodward’s “95.9 Kiss FM” (WKSZ De Pere-Green Bay), and Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting’s WCOW-FM/97.1 (Sparta-La Crosse).
In case you missed it here:
- WRVM Expands to Minnesota with Duluth Purchase
- Connoisseur Media Buys Alpha, Owner of Dozens of Upper Midwest Stations
- FCC Monitor: WELY(AM) Back On Air; WBUP Returns to Full Power
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.