This is the first in a series of weekly recaps which will include items reported elsewhere and topics already covered here. Future updates may also include submitted updates on programming, personalities, and other broadcasting topics. Email your news tips to jonellis@northpine.com!
People
Meteorologist Rob Kupec is no longer appearing on-air at FOX affiliate KVRR (Fargo) after receiving the DFL endorsement to run for state Senate in Minnesota’s 4th District, which covers the Moorhead area. A news article on KVRR’s website quoted Chief Operating Officer Kathy Lau as saying, “While we don’t normally comment on personnel matters, since Rob has decided to run for political office, we have determined he can no longer appear on our newscasts.”
Two longtime Des Moines journalists are departing: KCCI/8 reported that Cynthia Fodor will leave on June 1 after 28 years at the station, which included roles as evening anchor and chief political reporter. Meanwhile, WHO-DT/13 reported that anchor Dan Winters will leave on May 15 after 18 years at the station.
Twin Cities PBS (KTCA/KTCI) recently announced the hiring of Lesley Goldman as Chief Content Officer and Lisa Washburn as Vice President/General Counsel.
Prairie Public recently hired Alicia Hegland-Thorpe as the co-host of its daily “Main Street” public affairs radio show and Katie David as a journalist focusing on the western half of North Dakota.
Wisconsin Public Radio promoted Lisa Nalbandian from southeast regional manager to the role of senior regional manager.
RadioInsight reported that Woodward’s “95.9 Kiss FM” (WKSZ De Pere-Green Bay) has added two people to its airstaff: Edgar Ybarra is the new midday host and music director, while Reed Petitpren is the new afternoon host and digital content creator. Ybarra is a market veteran who formerly worked for Cumulus. Petitpren worked at the former “Go 96.3” in the Twin Cities.
Newscast changes
Hubbard ABC affiliate WDIO/10 (Duluth) discontinued the 9 p.m. newscast on its DT2 MeTV channel, returning the network’s Hogan’s Heroes to the timeslot. The newscast had launched in summer 2020.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 will launch an hourlong 4 p.m. newscast on June 6. The newscast replaces Ellen Degeneres, who will be seen an hour earlier until her show ends.
Streaming updates
Tegna announced that it will roll out new over-the-top streaming apps and streaming channels in all of its markets, which include Minneapolis, Des Moines, and the Quad Cities. KARE 11 (Minneapolis) recently rebranded its Roku channel as KARE 11+ and features an automatic replay of the most recent newscast when the app is opened. KARE’s updated app has the same appearance as Tegna’s Atlanta station, which the news release listed as a pilot station for the new effort.
Bring Me The News and numerous other outlets reported that Sinclair Broadcast Group is planning to roll out streaming versions of its regional Bally Sports networks for $20/month, potentially offering baseball fans a cheaper way to stream their favorite team without having to subscribe to a more expensive channel package. Reports indicate the initial soft launch will include the Brewers and four other teams, but not the Twins.
Promotions
All Access notes that iHeartMedia’s KDWB/101.3 morphed into KDWBieber on Thursday, May 5, ahead of a Justin Bieber concert in Minneapolis on Friday. The station is giving out tickets to the sold-out concert at 50 past the hour. The promotion included updated imaging and the domain name KDWBieber.com.
Reported this week on NorthPine
WELY-FM/94.5 and WELY/1450 (Ely) will go silent on June 1 unless a buyer emerges before then. The current owner, the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, indicated in its news release that a previous deal fell through.
Several changes recently came to broadcast digital TV in Minneapolis, with FOX Weather added on 9.7, Antenna TV moving from 5.4 to 23.6, and getTV now on 5.4.
Gray TV is selling the former KABY-TV building in Aberdeen and moving its bureau reporter to a downtown office.