The Forum of Fargo reports that Ken Bartz, founder and operator of “Ken’s FM” (KNNZ/89.1 Hawley-Fargo), has died at the age of 73. Bartz was a longtime radio engineer and signed on KNNZ in 2012 to carry an Alternative format featuring local music. The future of “Ken’s FM” is unclear; the Forum reports its studio is in the basement of Bartz’s home. KNNZ has been heard with open carrier and its Facebook page posted a photo of a test pattern last week. Bartz described the founding and philosophy of the station at its sign-on:
Del Nygard, former owner of KXPO/1340 (Grafton, ND), has died at 91. His obituary says Nygard started working at the radio station in 1958 and worked his way up the ranks to become owner, adding KXPO-FM/100.9 (now KAUJ) in 1984. He sold the stations in 1998.
Tom Steward, who worked in Twin Cities TV news and other media roles, has died at 72. His obituary says Steward worked as a reporter at WCCO-TV/4 and KSTP-TV/5 in the 1980s and 1990s and covered the fall of the Berlin Wall. He more recently worked in politics and reported for the Center of the American Experiment. One of his sons, Jack Steward, posted a remembrance YouTube:
Byron Barnett, a longtime TV reporter in Boston, has died at 69. Barnett worked at KSTP-TV/5 (St. Paul) prior to joining WHDH/7 (Boston) in 1983 and reported live from Cape Canaveral when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986.
A benefit is planned for Saturday, Aug. 9, for longtime Wisconsin journalist and friend Julie Moravchik, who is battling Stage 2 HER2+ breast cancer. Julie has had to step away from her current role as news director at Gray ABC affiliate WBAY/2 (Green Bay) while she undergoes treatment. The Aug. 9 event at Northern Pines Golf & Event Center in Iron River, Wis., starts with a golf scramble from 11 to 1 followed by food, music, dancing, a silent auction, and a wine pull from 1 to 5. More information is available here.
Kelly Meyer, morning host at WHBL/1330 (Sheboygan), has been off the air since July 23 while battling thyroid cancer.
Brooklyn Heyn has joined Morgan Murphy Media CBS affiliate WKBT/8 (La Crosse) as weekend anchor/reporter.
Alex Huddleston has joined Nexstar ABC affiliate KCAU/9 (Sioux City) as weekend sports anchor/reporter.
Sports anchor/reporter Karley Marotta is departing Allen Media ABC affiliate WKOW/27 (Madison).
Sinclair FOX affiliate WLUK/11 (Green Bay) has debuted a new set.
Meanwhile, Tegna ABC affiliate WQAD/8 (Moline-Quad Cities) has moved to an alternate studio while it rebuilds its news set.
Minnesota Public Radio’s “The Current” (KCMP/89.3 Northfield-Minneapolis) announced the hiring of Amber Hoback as music director.
PBS Wisconsin announced that it will stop running “The Lawrence Welk Show” after its Aug. 9 airing. The announcement did not give a reason for the decision. Reruns of the traditional musical show have been a staple of public television since its original run on commercial TV ended in 1982.
Radio World profiled award-winning low-power FM station WVMO-LP/98.7 (Monona, Wis.).
In case you missed it here:
- Civic Media Brings Oldies Back to Green Bay, Dropping Talk
- FCC Finds Disputed Entity Doesn’t Exist, Grants Wis. LPFM Stations
- FCC Monitor: New Wis. FM Station Signs On; Several Sales Close
News tips? Press releases? If you don’t see yours here, I probably didn’t receive it! Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!