The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that more than a dozen jobs have been eliminated at Scripps NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4 (Milwaukee) amid a second round of major cuts at Scripps this year. Numerous national media sources, including Rick Gevers, report that the company announced the elimination of 431 jobs in an internal memo. The company also plans to create 100 new reporting and “community connection” roles.
Mindy Ratner has announced plans to retire from Minnesota Public Radio and its national service, Classical 24, after 43 years as Classical music host and producer. MPR says her tenure is the longest of any woman at the network. Her 55-year career also included work at Wisconsin Public Radio and stations in Cincinnati and Philadelphia.
Sarah Ashworth has been promoted to Executive General Manager of PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio, marking the first time the two state-owned networks have been overseen by the same person. Ashworth has been Director of Radio since 2023 and will officially transition to the new role Nov. 29.
Wisconsin Public Radio has announced the launch of a new Saturday evening show, “The River Flows with Ava Kuredjian,” beginning Nov. 7. The 5 to 9 p.m. program will feature “world, folk, classical music and more.” The show replaces “The Road to Higher Ground” after the retirement of Dr. Jonathan Øverby earlier this year.
Erick Martinez has joined “89Q” (WCLQ/89.5 Wausau) as morning co-host and assistant program director.
Ryan Gibbons has joined “Lazer 103.3” (KAZR Pella-Des Moines) as morning host.
Business host Bill Zortman is retiring from his longtime mid-morning show at KELO/1320 (Sioux Falls).
Steve Pulaski has departed Townsquare Media’s “Y105” (KLYV/105.3 Dubuque) for a new job in broadcasting.
Longtime Rapid City TV journalist Jack Caudle has announced plans to depart Gray’s KOTA Territory News (KOTA-TV/3 and KEVN-LD/7), where he currently anchors the 5:30 and 6 p.m. newscasts. Caudle has been with KEVN since 1983.
Phil McIlrath has joined Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8 (La Crosse) as morning and noon anchor following the departure of Alexandra Carter. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Heyn has been promoted from weekend anchor to weeknight co-anchor.
Emily Jordan has joined Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27 (Madison) as weekend evening anchor and multi-media journalist.
Meteorologist Hunter Donahoe has announced plans to depart Allen Media CBS affiliate KIMT/3 (Mason City-Rochester) to make a career change.
The Des Moines Register reports that market veteran Jackie Schmillen has joined WHO-DT/13 (Des Moines) as a contributor.
WHO-DT/13 (Des Moines) reported on the resumption of broadcasts at KCOB/1280 (Newton), KCOB-FM/95.9 (Newton), and “Energy 106.7” (KRTI Grinnell-Newton).
Civic Media’s WELY-FM/94.5 (Ely) launched its new format playing the “80s, 90s, and More” on Oct. 22, with Oldies continuing on WELY/1450 and K280AT/103.9. The station also supplied this photo of its awesome new studio!
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.
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