People
Nexstar NBC affiliate WHO-TV/13 (Des Moines) announced that market veteran Elias Johnson is joining the station as part of a rotating team of four evening news anchors.
I’m coming home…
— Elias Johnson (@ejohnsonNEWS) June 17, 2022
After a year out on my own, the perfect opportunity presented itself. I’m a journalist, this is what I do. Couldn’t be more excited for my family to rejoin the team @WHO13news. https://t.co/qB0RYtFxRq#imBACK #TVNews pic.twitter.com/iuIZDMI45C
Sports anchor/reported Stephen Watson has departed Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee). The Journal Sentinel notes that he’d been with the station since 2014.
Today marks my final day working at @WISN12News. It’s been an incredible ride covering Wisconsin’s glory years in sports alongside great teammates and friends. I’ll cherish those opportunities and memories for life. pic.twitter.com/MIswqouBra
— Stephen Watson (@WISN_Watson) June 22, 2022
Wednesday was Kristen Vake‘s last day as evening anchor at Gray TV’s CBS3 (KBJR-DT2/6.2 Superior-Duluth). She had been with the station for six years.
Thanks to @BruceCiskie for having me on your @KDAL610 show this morning! I appreciate you! This begins a bittersweet day as I say goodbye to @CBS3Duluth after six years. I hope you’ll join me for my final newscasts tonight at 5, 6, and 10 p.m.! pic.twitter.com/og1w2IKBiv
— Kristen Vake (@KristenVake) June 22, 2022
Rick Gevers & Associates weekly update notes that Andy Bottger has been promoted to news director at Nexstar ABC affiliate KCAU/9 (Sioux City).
KSTP-TV reported on a radio fundraiser to end Alzheimer’s hosted by market legend Chuck Knapp:
Stations and companies
Twin Cities Public Television told viewers that both its KTCA and KTCI transmitters may be off the air during daytime hours on certain dates through mid-August for a guywire replacement project. KTCA and KTCI transmit from the KMSP/WFTC-TV tower, which is also home to ten major FM stations. Most or all of the FM stations maintain auxiliary transmitters at other locations.
Media coach Al Tompkins reported on Poynter.org that Standard Media CEO Deb McDermott took the unusual move of sending a memo to staffers at Tegna stations saying that Standard Media has no plans to make staff cuts. Broadcasting & Cable reports that two unions have filed petitions to deny the sale.
DTV notes from the road
A few observations from a recent roadtrip across South Dakota:
- KDLV (Mitchell) carries KDLT-NBC on 5.1, KDLT-FOX on 5.2, and KSFY-ABC on 13.1. Other KSFY/KDLT subchannels are not carried.
- KPRY (Pierre) carries KSFY-ABC on 4.1, KDLT-NBC on 46.1, and KDLT-FOX on 46.2. Other KSFY/KDLT subchannels are not carried.
- Former KTTW translators K14IO (Pierre) and K32DK (Watertown) carry KSFY’s full channel slate, while translators K27JH (Pierre) and K28OE (Watertown) carry KDLT’s full channel slate.
- In Rapid city, there are four channel 3.1’s (ABC) and four channel 7.1’s (FOX) originating on KOTA-TV (RF7), K15MY-D, K22OJ-D, and KEVN-LD (RF23). Channels 3.2 and 3.3 originate only from the KOTA-TV transmitter.