Allen Media has pared back news simulcasting on its Wisconsin TV stations. Since late last year, WAOW/9.1 (Wausau), WQOW/18.1 (Eau Claire), and WXOW/19.1 (La Crosse) had been simulcasting mid-show segments of national news from WKOW/27.1 (Madison) during their morning, 5, 6, and 10 p.m. newscasts. The practice has now ended, with local anchors now presenting the entire newscasts. The stations continue to simulcast full half-hour newscasts at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Gray Media announced that Shannon Booth is being promoted to general manager at WOWT (Omaha), leaving her GM role at KOLN/KGIN (Lincoln/Grand Island), KSNB (York-Hastings-Lincoln), and KNOP/KIIT-CD/KNPL-LD (North Platte). Meanwhile, Jacque Harms will move from the GM’s office at the Gray stations in Colorado Springs to replace Booth. Harms started her career KNOP.
Sinclair Broadcast Group hired John Hannon as the general manager of KPTM/KXVO (Omaha), KFXL-TV (Lincoln), and KHGI/KWNB (Kearney/Hayes Center).
Michael Baldwin announced that he is joining Gray NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR (Superior-Duluth) as news director. He replaces Paul Brown, who is now educational and program producer at PBS North (WDSE Duluth).
The Pioneer Press and other outlets report that meteorologist Wren Clair is joining Tegna NBC affiliate KARE 11 (Minneapolis). She had previously worked at Hubbard ABC affiliate KSTP-TV/5.1 (St. Paul).
Meteorologist Hannah Messier has departed Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9.1 (Cedar Rapids).
Tegna announced that WQAD (Moline-Quad Cities) and WOI-TV/KCWI (Ames-Des Moines) will carry 18 Indiana Fever games featuring former Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark.
Benztown announced that the Todd-N-Tyler morning show is being added on Leighton Enterprises’ “Rock 95” (KGFK/1590 East Grand Forks and K239BG/95.7 Grand Forks).
KSCJ/1360 (Sioux City) announced that longtime host Mark Hahn has died. KTIV-TV reports that Hahn first came to Sioux City in 1980, where he became well-known as morning co-host at “KG95” (KGLI). He moved to KSCJ in 2009.
Upper Midwest radio veteran Tom Peterson has died at the age of 83. Peterson was born in Ashland, Wis., and his obituary notes that he worked at stations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan and Illinois. He retired from WGN/720 (Chicago) as news director in 2006.
In case you missed it here:
- Nebraska Public Media Signs On New Columbus FM Station
- Sinclair Buying Stations It Already Operates in Cedar Rapids, Omaha
- FCC Monitor: Des Moines School Station to Go Off Air, Be Sold
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 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.