People
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association noted the passing of Donald Rabbitt, whose radio holdings once included stations in Dubuque and Fond du Lac. Services are being held Nov. 11.
Rick Givers’ weekly newsletter reported that Sara Gray, news director at Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WISC/3 (Madison), is leaving the station by the end of the year.
Baihly Warfield is now co-anchoring the 6 p.m. newscast on Hubbard ABC affiliate WDIO/10 (Duluth), marking the first time in nearly 40 years that the station has used dual anchors at 6:00. Warfield had co-anchored the 10 p.m. broadcast prior to the September launch of magazine show “The Lift” at 4:30, which she anchors.
This past week’s midterm elections featured several candidates with ties to Upper Midwest broadcasting:
- In Iowa’s Second District, incumbent Rep. Ashley Hinson (R) defeated state Sen. Liz Mathis (D) to win re-election. Both had worked at KCRG-TV/9 (Cedar Rapids).
- In the Quad Cities area, Eric Sorenson (D) defeated Esther Joy King (R) for Illinois’ 17th District seat in the U.S. House. Sorenson previously worked as a meteorologist at WQAD/8 (Moline) and WREX/13 (Rockford).
- In Nebraska’s First District, incumbent Rep. Mike Flood (R) held off a challenge from state Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks (D). Flood heads Flood Communications, which owns the “NewsChannel Nebraska” network of rural low-power TV stations, Telemundo Nebraska, and a number of radio stations.
Stations
Continuing to track this year’s All-Christmas flips, “Cash 95.9” (WWWI-FM Pillager-Brainerd) is a first-time flipper this year. It’s among at least 11 Upper Midwest stations that have switched to the seasonal format as of the morning of Nov. 11.
Saga’s WNAX/570 (Yankton) celebrated its 100th anniversary with an open house on Nov. 9 that was covered by KTIV/4 (Sioux City).
Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9 (Cedar Rapids) moved to a temporary news set Wednesday, Nov. 9 as it constructs a new set that is expected to debut in early 2023.
Deadline reported that NBC’s Peacock streaming service will add live streaming of local NBC affiliates in 210 markets nationwide starting Nov. 30 as part of its $10/month subscription. The practice will be similar to the streaming of CBS affiliates to subscribers of the Paramount+ service at the same pricepoint. (Streams of ABC and FOX affiliates through the networks’ apps are only available to people who subscribe to a cable or satellite service. All of the networks are also available through services such as Hulu Live TV and YouTube TV, which are seven times as expensive but include other channels.)
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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.