AMC Partners Rice Lake’s WAQE-FM/97.7 (Barron-Rice Lake) has dropped its longtime “Star 97.7” slogan in favor of “The Lake.” The May 15 change comes with an updated Adult Contemporary playlist and a pending power increase. Ryan Quinn continues in mornings.
Denny Long, longtime host at WCCO/830 (Minneapolis), is retiring. According to a SAG-AFRRA member profile, Long first started with WCCO as music director in 1971. In recent years he’s hosted weekend lifestyle programming and worked on commercial production.
NBC affiliate KARE/11 (Minneapolis) has promoted John Zeigler to chief meteorologist, following the recent retirement of Belinda Jensen.
Minnesota Public Radio News has hired Ben Cathey as its new chief meteorologist. Cathey will replace Paul Huttner, who retired earlier this spring.
Anchor/reporter Duke Carter is departing Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee).
Nebraska Public Media has announced major changes to its weekend schedule beginning June 20. Eleven new shows will join the schedule, displacing other shows. Musically, the network will no longer carry Jazz on Saturday evenings, replacing it with “American Routes” and an earlier start to overnight Classical music.
Destiny has departed “Z102.9” (KZIA Cedar Rapids).
In case you missed it here:
- Ongoing List: CBS Radio Affiliates Switch to New Networks
- ABC Radio Returns to Twin Cities As CBS Radio Shuts Down
- Neb. Public Media Reveals Partial Plans for Omaha FM Signal
- FM Allotments in Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin To Be Auctioned
- FCC/CRTC Monitor: Two Minn. Radio Stations Back to Full Power
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