Coastal TV has appointed Thomas Baker as general manager of newly-acquired FOX affiliates KVRR/15.1 (Fargo) and KQDS-TV/21.1 (Duluth). Fisher previously led the company’s stations in Mississippi and also has sales experience at stations in Las Vegas, Denver, and Tucson. As noted in this week’s FCC Monitor report, Coastal closed on its purchase of the stations on April 5.
Longtime sports reporter Lance Allan announced that he is being let go after 28 years at Scripps NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4 (Milwaukee).
Redrick Terry has departed the anchor desk at Gray NBC affiliate KWQC/6 (Davenport) for a new job with the Rock Island Community Schools.
Tegna NBC affiliate KARE 11 (Minneapolis) has announced the hiring of Audrey Russo as a multiskilled journalist.
Lindsay Herber has announced that she is joining Gray ABC affiliate WBAY-TV/2 (Green Bay) as a news and sports reporter.
Audacy’s “1250 AM The Fan” (WSSP Milwaukee) has announced plans to add “Wisconsin Sports Today,” hosted by Steve “Sparky” Fifer, from 2 to 5 p.m. beginning April 15.
Bill Dean, longtime morning host at KWLM/1340 (Willmar), announced plans to retire at the end of the month. He’s been with the station since 1973.
Alpha Media’s KLIN/1400 (Lincoln) announced that Doug Fitzgerald is now hosting the 5 p.m. hour, labelled “Drive Time Nebraska.” KLIN is rebroadcast on K257GN/99.3.
Rebel Sjeklocha is returning to the Nebraska Rural Radio Association to expand the Rural Radio Network‘s coverage of rodeo. Sjeklocha will relaunch the “Breaking the Barrier” podcast with a new season launching April 16 and will also produce a new weekly Nebraska Rodeo Update for the network.
Hubbard’s KAAL-TV (Austin-Rochester) has switched channel 6.2 from ThisTV to Start TV.
Streaming service Frndly TV announced that Scripps Independent outlet WACY/32 (Appleton-Green Bay) will be added to the service’s platform in the Green Bay market. WACY is one of a half-dozen Independent or CW stations being added around the country.
First-place winners for best newscast at the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association’s Eric Sevareid Awards included:
- WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee), Large Market Television Morning and Evening Newscasts
- WDAY-TV/6 (Fargo), Medium Market Television Evening Newscast
- WBAY-TV/2 (Green Bay), Medium Market Television Morning Newscast
- KBJR/6 (Superior), Small Market Television Evening Newscast
- WEAU/13 (Eau Claire), Small Market Television Morning Newscast
- CCX Media/Northwest Community Television, Cable Newscast
- WCCO/830 (Minneapolis), Large Market Radio Morning Newscast
- Minnesota Public Radio, Large Market Radio Evening Newscast
- KLIN/1400 (Lincoln), Medium Market Radio Morning and Evening Newscasts
- KORN/1490 (Mitchell), Small Market Radio Morning Newscast
- KCCR/1240 (Pierre), Small Market Radio Evening Newscast
- WRST/90.3 (Oshkosh), Student Radio Evening Newscast
- University of Nebraska – Omaha, Student Television Evening Newscast
- Minnesota State University Moorhead, Student Television Morning Newscast
At the Michigan Association of Broadcasters’ Broadcast Excellence Awards, WLUC/6 (Marquette) was named a Commercial Television Station of the Year.
Program note: You may have noticed a sudden surge in the number of new posts on this website in the past week. This is not due to any effort to increase the number of posts, but rather due to a sudden burst of new developments after a relatively quiet year in the broadcasting industry with few station sales and format changes. Now, there are still more items in the works than those that have already been posted. Your reporter enjoys keeping everyone informed but hopes for a return to a slightly slower pace!
In case you missed it here:
- WPR To Change Every Station’s Format, Bring Classical to Milwaukee
- Station-By-Station Look at Upcoming WPR Format Changes
- A Closer Look at How WPR Changes Affect Hosts, Programs
- Northfield, Minn., Radio Station To Be Sold to News Director
- “B102.9” Adds Signals Expanding Coverage in Baraboo Area
- Magnum Adding Another Signal In La Crosse
- Townsquare Sells Southern Minn. AM Station to Non-Profit Group
- South Dakota AM Station, FM Translator Sold
- FCC Monitor: Duluth, Fargo TV Sale Closes; Two New LPFM’s OK’d
News tips? Press releases? If you don’t see yours here, I probably didn’t receive it! Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!
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.