Longtime Twin Cities radio broadcaster Leighton Peck has died at the age of 65. According to a RAMP profile when Peck retired in 2020, he worked in St. Cloud and Nebraska before joining KDWB for three years, followed by a nearly three-decade run at KS95 (KSTP-FM/94.5). His obituary says Peck enjoyed numerous hobbies in retirement including classic cars, old tractors, relaxing outdoors, leather working, and flight simulation. He is survived by his wife Melinda and two children.
News anchor John Knicely has announced plans to retire from Gray NBC affiliate WOWT/6.1 (Omaha) on March 12. Knicely has spent 40 his 50 years in TV at WOWT.
Sports anchor Scott Saville has announced plans to retire on March 21 after 29 years at Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9.1 (Cedar Rapids). Saville is known for his creative sports feature reporting but has also stepped in to offer serious news coverage during tornado and flood emergencies.
Brad Edwards has departed Tegna ABC affiliate WOI-DT/5.1 (Ames-Des Moines), where he had been chief meteorologist for 28 years. Edwards told the Des Moines Register that it is “kind of a retirement” but that he may be open to other opportunities in the future.
Hubbard ABC affiliate KSTP-TV/5.1 (St. Paul) has named Michael Garber as its new news director. The news was announced on LinkedIn by outgoing ND Kirk Varner, who is retiring.
Allen Jones has joined Jill Mikkelson on the morning shift at Northwestern Media’s “Life 97-3” (KDNW/WJRF Duluth).
Chad Taylor announced that his role at Cumulus Media in Des Moines has been eliminated. RadioInsight reports that Taylor had been director of programming and operations the group, along with hosting mornings on KJJY/92.5 (Ankeny-Des Moines) and a shift on a California station.
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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.