Nexstar NBC affiliate WHO-DT/13 (Des Moines) announced that its 9 p.m. newscast, which currently airs on Sinclair FOX affiliate KDSM/17 (Des Moines), will become a streaming-only program effective Jan. 1. Program listings for KDSM continue to show a newscast in the timeslot with the updated title “KDSM News” beginning Jan. 1; details are not yet known. KDSM had aired a 9 p.m. newscast from Sinclair CBS/FOX affiliate KGAN (Cedar Rapids) before outsourcing the timeslot to WHO-DT more than a decade ago.
Anchor/reporter Zach Fisher has announced his departure from WHO-DT for a new job in Kansas City.
Nexstar CBS affiliate KELO-TV/11 (Sioux Falls) announced that longtime news director Beth Jensen has retired. Jensen, the daughter of print journalists, started with KELO-TV in 1996 and worked as a reporter and executive producer before taking leadership of the newsroom 18 years ago.
Photojournalist Tom Zurawski has retired after a 35-year career, with the last 14 at Gray CBS affiliate WSAW/7 (Wausau).
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) reported that longtime assignment desk manager Andy Cieciwa has died at 51. Cieciwa worked at NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4 for 15 years before joining WISN-TV in 2013.
Reporter Se Kwon is departing FOX O&O KMSP/9 (Minneapolis) for a new job at the FOX station in Chicago.
Anchor/producer/reporter Katie Phernetton has announced plans to leave Allen Media ABC affiliate WQOW/18 (Eau Claire).
iHeartMedia Conservative Talker WISN/1130 (Milwaukee) announced plans to move current 9 to 11 a.m. host Benjamin Yount to the 6 to 9 a.m. timeslot after Jay Weber‘s retirement from daily broadcasting. The station is hiring Jason Goch to take over Yount’s shift.
Christian network VCY.tv, based at WVCY-TV/30.1 (Milwaukee), announced that it is now being seen on channel 26.9 of WZEO-LD (La Crosse) and channel 34.9 of WRJT-LD (Wausau). Both stations are owned by My Central Valley, LLC. WVCY-TV has also long been relayed on W26EE-D (Wittenberg).
Gray Media announced it has renewed all of its NBC affiliations, which include WMTV/15 (Madison), WEAU/13 (Eau Claire), WLUC/6 (Marquette), KBJR/6 (Superior-Duluth), KVLY/11 (Fargo), KMNF-LD/7 (Mankato), KTTC/10 (Rochester), KDLT/46 (Sioux Falls), WOWT/6 (Omaha), KSNB/4 (York-Lincoln), KNOP/2 (North Platte), KYOU/15.2 (Ottumwa), and KWQC/6 (Davenport).
The HD3 signal of KMWA/96.3 (Edina-Minneapolis) has switched from K-LOVE to K-LOVE Eras, which plays Classic Contemporary Christian, mostly from the 1990s and 2000s.
KVRR-TV reported on the future of “Ken’s FM” (KNNZ/89.1 Hawley-Fargo) following the death of station founder and operator Ken Bartz earlier this year. KVRR reported that KNNZ is currently off the air but continues to stream online, with hopes of transferring the license to another organization. KNNZ is officially licensed to Pioneer Public Broadcasting Company; the station’s most recent ownership report, from 2023, lists a three-member board including Bartz, Anna Adrover, and Chris Sanger. (The organization is unrelated to the western Minnesota public TV station also called Pioneer.)
Civic Media announced the hiring of Chuck Sullivan as regional market manager based in Eau Claire and Philip J. Jimenez as regional director of sales and digital sales manager.
The Heart of Wisconsin Radio Broadcaster Reunion is set for Friday, Jan. 9, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Stone Toad Bar and Grill, 119 Oneida St., Menasha, Wis. The event is billed as a relaxed social atmosphere for conversation, reminiscing, and storytelling for broadcasters, TV staff, media professionals, friends, and fans from across the region. “I have been part of station-specific reunions before, but this one feels special because it brings together not only former co-workers but also longtime competitors,” said co-event coordinator Vicki Johnson. “Many of our radio friends are no longer with us, and this gathering gives us a chance to honor their memory, reflect on the past, and create new moments together.” Organizer Patrick Martin Lopeman, who has more than 50 years of radio experience, added: “I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact Central Wisconsin broadcasters have had on the industry as a whole.” The snow date is Jan. 23.
Following the announcement that WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha) will sign off at the end of the year, the Appleton Post-Crescent, WLUK, and WBAY have reported on the station’s history.
As this post publishes on the day after Christmas, it’s noteworthy that the vast majority of AM/FM radio stations that have been spinning All-Christmas tunes since November have gone back to their regular formats. It’s a perplexing move as many people continue to celebrate Christmas after the official date, forcing them to turn to other platforms to continue hearing holiday music at the height of the season.
In case you missed it here:
- Two More National Christian Networks Sign On in Des Moines
- FCC Monitor: LPTV Rule Changes; LPTV Stations Seek Major Moves
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