People
Citing an internal email, BringMeTheNews reported that longtime Twin Cities morning host Tom Barnard is joining Hubbard Radio after his departure from Cumulus’ KQRS/92.5 (Golden Valley-Minneapolis). The report says Barnard will host a weekday show that will stream from 7 to 10 a.m. and also be made available as a podcast. Barnard has also hosting a midday podcast for several years.
Meanwhile, Steve Gorman has taken Barnard’s spot on the “KQ Morning Show.” Tony Lee, Candice Wheeler, and Brian Zepp remain on the show. Gorman was a founding member of the Black Crowes and has also done national radio, including the syndicated “Steve Gorman Rocks” that airs on KQ from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. The station told the Star Tribune that it’s not yet known if it will continue running the syndicated show.
Tegna announced that respected reporter Boyd Huppert of NBC affiliate KARE/11 (Minneapolis) will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Radio Television Digital News Foundation during the 2023 First Amendment Awards in March. Huppert has won dozens of national and regional awards, many for his series “Land of 10,000 Stories,” and serves as Tegna’s chief storytelling coach
Hearst ABC affiliate WISN-TV/12 (Milwaukee) announced that Kristin Pierce will take over as 5 p.m. co-anchor and will also continue to co-anchor the 4 p.m. newscast.
Andy Fales has departed Nexstar NBC affiliate WHO-DT/13 (Des Moines) after eight years on “Today in Iowa.” He’s replaced on the weekday morning anchor desk by Justin Surrency, who moves from weekends, while Zach Fisher takes the weekend morning anchor chair.
KFOR reports that longtime Nebraska broadcaster Richard Chapin died Jan. 5 at the age of 99. Chapin started with KFOR in 1953 and managed KFOR/KFRX owner Stuart Investment Company as it added stations in Grand Island, Salina, KS, Springfield, MO, and Oelwein, IA. He later formed Chapin Investments, which owned KSYZ/107.7 (Grand Island) until 1999. Chapin also served as chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters and the Radio Advertising Bureau, as well as president of the Nebraska Broadcasters Association.
The Star Tribune published a remembrance of Barbara Walters through the eyes of Minnesota journalists.
Stations
Gray ABC affiliate KCRG-TV/9 (Cedar Rapids) debuted a remodeled studio on Jan. 10. The set features a larger weather lab, which can be seen through translucent windows behind the main anchor desk, giving room for more meteorologists during severe weather coverage. It also includes adjustable lighting colors, an interview set, and a monitor array used for weather forecasts and reporter pieces.
Gray NBC affiliate KTIV/4 (Sioux City) announced the promotion of Matt Breen to managing editor and Brandon Martin to assignment editor/producer. Breen will continue to co-anchor the 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
The former “Thunder Country 95.7” (WDMO Baldwin, WI) has rebranded as “St. Croix Country” (WSCM) following its sale to Civic Media. The format shifted to Classic Country and includes CBS News updates. WSCM delivers a strong signal to River Falls and New Richmond, an area that is under the umbrella of Twin Cities stations and within the official Minneapolis market. The facility that was activated a decade ago after being moved from Durand.
CBC Manitoba has launched a new segment called “This Week in Brandon.” The province’s second-largest city has not had a broadcast TV news outlet since the closure of CKX-TV in 2009.
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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.