A GoFundMe fundraiser is nearing its $210,000 goal to help Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, a radio veteran who used the on-air name Kelly Foxx. Prosecutors say the Hoffmans were shot by the same man who later fatally shot Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, in a series of politically-motivated attacks. RadioInsight reports that Yvette Hoffman worked at WLOL/99.5 (Minneapolis), KSOL/107.7 (San Mateo-San Francisco), and “Star 102.5” (KSTZ Des Moines). Yvette Hoffman currently works as Fernbrook Elementary in Maple Grove, where the PTO established the GoFundMe.
Tegna announced that its stations will begin offering streaming TV newscasts in the 7 to 9 a.m. timeslot, when its stations are carrying the network morning shows on their broadcast signals. Some of the new newscasts will begin this summer while others will debut in the fall. The newscasts will be available on the station’s apps and websites as well as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Tegna’s stations in the Upper Midwest include KARE/11 (Minneapolis), WQAD/8 (Moline-Quad Cities), and WOI-DT/5 (Ames-Des Moines). In Minneapolis, all of the other major TV newsrooms already continue newscasts after 7 a.m., with newscasts on FOX O&O KMSP/9 and Hubbard Independent outlet “45TV” (KSTC-TV/5.2) running both on-air and online and CBS O&O WCCO-TV/4 streaming news on its CBS News Minnesota. (This post has been updated to include WCCO-TV, sorry for the initial omission!)
Gray Media’s stations in Mankato and Rochester announced plans to launch a new brand called “North Star Sports & Entertainment Network” on July 1. The service will air on KMNF-LD/7.3 (Mankato) and KXLT/47.2 (Rochester) and will carry the Minnesota Twins, St. Paul Saints, and other programming. With the launch, 365BLK will move from KMNF-LD3 to a new channel 12.6 on KEYC (Mankato). In Rochester, Gray’s KTTC/10 and KXLT/47 will make a number of changes: MeTV will move from 47.2 to 10.3, H&I will move from 10.3 to 47.3, and MeTV Toons will move from 47.3 to 10.7. Also, Court TV and Grit will swap channels, with Grit moving to 10.4 and Court TV moving to 47.6.
Weigel Broadcasting announced plans to launch WEST, Western Entertainment Series Television, this fall. The network will feature some of the best-known classic Western series such as “Gunsmoke” and “Bonanza,” which already air on Weigel’s MeTV. It will compete with Scripps’ Grit network and Free TV Networks Outlaw network.
Multiple industry outlets report that FOX is promoting Glenn Berk from general manager at WITI/6 (Milwaukee) to GM at WFLD/32 (Chicago). Mim Davey, currently GM at KMSP/9 (Minneapolis), will add oversight of WITI as a regional GM.
Anchor/reporter Pauline Le has departed CBS O&O WCCO-TV/4 (Minneapolis).
Jake Eichstaedt has joined Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27 (Madison) as morning and midday co-anchor. The 11 a.m. broadcast, “Wisconsin News Now,” also airs on Allen’s stations in Eau Claire, La Crosse, and Wausau.
Sports anchor/reporter Anderley Penwell has departed Gray NBC affiliate WMTV/15 (Madison).
Meanwhile, Audrey Marr has joined WMTV as sports anchor/reporter.
Meteorologist Camille Dinka has joined Gray ABC affiliate KCRG/9 (Cedar Rapids).
North Dakota’s BEK TV announced that it will add a simulcast of Scott Hennen‘s longtime radio show in the 10 a.m. hour.
Minnesota Public Radio‘s Board of Trustees has elected Sarah Karon and Dr. Brian Harrison to the board.
Nielsen announced that, for the first monthly period, the share of streaming surpassed the combined total of broadcast and cable in May 2025. Streaming’s share rose six percentage points over the year to 44.8% while broadcast and cable fell by more than six points to 44.2%.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Olivia Trusty as an FCC commissioner, restoring the minimum three votes needed for a quorum.
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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.