Morning co-anchor Mark Charter has departed Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27.1 (Madison) for a job at the American Heart Association. His departure comes a month after former co-anchor Rebecca Ribley left WKOW for a job with UW Health. WKOW has promoted Dana Fulton, who had been the morning meteorologist, to morning anchor and executive producer.
Gray NBC affiliate WOWT/6.1 (Omaha) announced that Brian Mastre will be promoted to evening co-anchor when longtime anchor John Knicely retires in March.
Rick Gevers’ Weekly Newsletter reports that Briana Cook is leaving her role as news director at Hubbard ABC affiliate KAAL/6.1 (Austin-Rochester) for a communications job with the state of Minnesota.
News Channel Nebraska promoted Michael Shively to vice president of news and content.
Gray ABC affiliate KCRG/9.1 (Cedar Rapids) has converted its 4:30 p.m. half-hour from a standard newscast to “First Alert Weather Now.” The program features multiple meteorologists presenting deeper weather coverage as well as national weather-related news.
WUWM/89.7 (Milwaukee) is piloting a new pop culture celebrity quiz program, “Go Fact Yourself,” which is produced by the LAist (KPCC Pasadena-Los Angeles). The show will air on WUWM Saturdays at 11 a.m. through June 28. It temporarily displaces WUWM’s Saturday broadcast of NPR’s “It’s Been A Minute,” which continues to air Sundays at 6 p.m.
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association announced that Dennis & Kathi Brown, Dale Johnson, Mike McKnight, and Dave Wingert will be entered into the NBA Hall of Fame at this year’s convention.
Twin Cities morning radio legend Tom Barnard is slated to make an appearance on The Power Trip morning show on “The Fan” (KFXN-FM/100.3 Minneapolis) and its “Initials Game” on Friday, Feb. 21.
In case you missed it here:
- Civic Media to Buy First Station Outside Wisconsin: WELY
- FCC Approves WCCO’s Move from Longtime Transmitter Site
- FCC Monitor: Objection to WDAY(AM) Sale Denied; KPVL Sale Filed
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.