People
RadioInsight reports Cumulus Media promoted Derek Madden, who also serves as Minneapolis operations manager, from corporate Rock & Alternative programmer to vice president of mainstream Rock formats. Madden will continue his Minneapolis duties, which include programming “93X” (KXXR).
Good Karma’s WTMJ/620 (Milwaukee) announced that Sandy Maxx is moving to late mornings to co-host “WTMJ Now” with Steve Scaffidi from 9 to 12. Meanwhile Greg Matzek replaces Maxx as co-host of “Wisconsin’s Afternoon News.”
Kyle Fobe is joining Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WISC/3.1 (Madison) as news director.
Lance Veeser announced his departure from Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison) for a job outside of the industry. Veeser joined the station as sports director in 2013 and moved to news anchoring and reporting last year.
Chief Meteorologist John Zeigler recently announced his departure from WKOW, citing an opportunity to move his family closer to grandparents. His last day was July 13.
Meteorologist Dave Downey announced his departure from Tegna ABC affiliate WOI-DT/5 (Ames-Des Moines) for a job he describes as being “a little closer to the ocean.”
Reporter Nora J.S. Reichardt announced her departure from WOI-DT, with her next stop to be announced.
Journalist life announcement tweet thread time: tonight was my last broadcast with @weareiowa5news. My two years here have been the most formative of my life, and I’m extremely grateful for the team here and everyone I’ve met working on the hundreds of stories I’ve put on air pic.twitter.com/OKJXHTwo4Q
— Nora J.S. Reichardt 🏳️⚧️ (@Nora_JSR) July 7, 2023
Sports anchor Mary Rominger has departed Gray CBS/FOX affiliate KEYC/12 (Mankato) for a new job in Texas.
The Star Tribune reported on Minnetonka native Jo Ling Kent moving from NBC to CBS News.
An Iowa Public Radio reporter recently noted that two of his colleagues have moved on to new opportunities, while two other journalists are joining the network.
KCFI (Cedar Falls-Waterloo) reports that longtime radio host Dolly Fortier has died at the age of 86. The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier and KWWL-TV also have remembrances.
OnMilwaukee published a feature on Bob Reitman‘s memories of free-form radio station WZMF.
Stations and companies
RNN National Media Brands is buying Twin Cities-based iMedia Brands for $50 million. iMedia’s holdings include the ShopHQ network.
SagamoreHill of Minnesota’s KMYN-LD/32.6 (Duluth) has switched from Buzzr to Daystar. The station does not have any other channels other than a recently-added test pattern on channel 32.2.
The History Center of Olmsted County has opened an exhibit on the history of Gray NBC affiliate KTTC/10 (Rochester) as the station marks its 70th anniversary.
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Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.