Allen Media has made job cuts at three Wisconsin ABC affiliates and reformatted their newscasts to include segments produced by the company’s station in Madison. While exact numbers have not been released, numerous journalists disappeared from the airwaves and websites of WQOW/18.1 (Eau Claire), WXOW/19.1 (La Crosse), and WAOW/9.1 (Wausau) early this week. Longtime WAOW anchor Melissa Langbehn confirmed she was among those affected.
The stations continue their own morning, 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts with mid-show segments simulcast from WKOW/27.1 (Madison). TV listings indicate WAOW has also replaced its 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. newscasts with a simulcast of a new statewide newscast from WKOW under the name “Wisconsin News Now.”
WXOW acknowledged the changes Wednesday in a newscast segment and social media post, saying there’s been some “noticeable changes to our team, and just so you now for those of us who are here, we are doing our best.”
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12.1 (Milwaukee) announced the hiring of Shawn Oswald as its next general manger. Oswald is moving from Hearst ABC affiliate KETV/7.1 (Omaha).
Scripps NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV/4.1 (Milwaukee) promoted Adriana Mendez to morning co-anchor.
Sierra Naess has joined Hubbard ABC affiliate WDIO-DT/10.1 (Duluth) as morning anchor.
Gray NBC affiliate KWQC/6.1 (Davenport) has promoted Kate Kopatich to 10 p.m. co-anchor.
Gray ABC affiliate WBAY/2.1 (Green Bay) has hired Victoria Frazier as weekend morning anchor/reporter and Taylor Ziebell as reporter.
Skyler Blaine has joined Lakeland PBS (KAWE Bemidji/KAWB Brainerd) as multimedia journalist for the Brainerd Lakes area.
Meteorologist Alexis Clemons has departed Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison) for a new job in Connecticut.
Civic Media’s WRJN/1400 (Racine) announced the hiring of Dan Markus as midday host following the recent departure of Cindy Huber.
Longtime WIZM/1410 (La Crosse) morning host Mike Hayes has died of pancreatic cancer months after leaving the air. His obituary notes that when he applied for the job in 1986, Hayes bought a billboard promoting himself, saying that he “hustling for his future boss’ attention.” Hayes was 70.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced that their broadcast TV games in the Green Bay market will be moving this season to Weigel’s new MeTV affiliate, WMEI/31.1 (Shawano). The team will retain its previous TV affiliates elsewhere in Wisconsin.
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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.