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From Radio Insight: After dropping the Frank Ski Show at the end of July, Howard University Adult R&B 96.3 WHUR Washington DC will debut ?The Nina Brown and Joe Clair Afternoon Show? on Tuesday, September 3 at 3:00pm. Brown had been co-hosting Ski’s syndicated show. She began her career in 2005 at WVEE Atlanta as an intern before quickly rising to producer of the Ski led ?Frank and Wanda Morning Show? until its end in 2011. She followed Ski as producer of his show at 96.3 WHUR-FM Washington DC from 2013-15 and back at WVEE from 2018-20. After serving as Ski?s executive assistant and Brand Manager of Frank Ski Global, she then became co-host his morning show at ?Kiss 104.1? WALR-FM Atlanta in 2021 until exiting last August and on his afternoon show from its launch at WHUR in August 2020 through its move to syndication in August 2022. WHUR dropped the show at the end of July. Brown separately worked at WXIA-TV Atlanta in 2011. Clair hosted mornings on Audacy Hip Hop 95.5 WPGC from 2015 until exiting in June 2021. He previously spent time at WHUR co-hosting afternoons with Frank Ski and has also been heard as part of the syndicated Russ Parr Morning Show and time at WQHT New York, WVEE Atlanta, and SiriusXM’s Foxxhole. Clair is also a stand-up comedian, actor, and television host including hosting BET’s “Rap City” from 1994 to 1999. WHUR Senior Director of Programming Al Payne said, “Joe and Nina epitomize the next chapter in WHUR?s unwavering commitment to serving the DMV community. Joe Clair, a cultural icon from his days on BET?s ‘Rap City’ to his acclaimed stand-up comedy and now his show on Fox5, teams up with Nina Brown?s broadcasting talent, charisma, and passion. Together, they bring the perfect mix for radio success.” more

From Radio Insight: Rapper, hype-man, TV personality, mixer and longtime New York radio host Isaac ‘Fatman Scoop’ Freeman III passed away on Friday at the age of 53 after collapsing while performing in Hamden CT. Scoop spent twelve years at Hip Hop “Hot 97” WQHT New York from 1995 until 2007 hosting overnights for a decade before moving to middays. He departed on his own to turn the MySpace and podcast sex/relationship advice show he hosted with his then-wife Shanda into a short-lived MTV show. He also co-hosted the syndicated mixshow “Full Throttle Radio” and recently began hosting a Saturday afternoon show for Audacy Classic Hip Hop “94.7 The Block” WXBK. I posted this pic last month, the last time I saw @fatmanscoop. Sad that I?m posting it again for this reason. He just started hosting his new weekend show on @947TheBlock a few weeks ago. We are losing too many of our #HipHop legends too soon more

From Radio Insight: Emmis Corporation resumed operating 98.7 WEPN-FM New York tonight following the expiration of their 12+ year LMA of the station to ESPN Inc. and later Good Karma Brands. With the end of the LMA, Emmis launched Hot AC “TJ 98.7 – The Pop Up Radio Station” powered by Radio.cloud automation. The station is promoting it will be commercial-free through Labor Day Weekend followed by “Something Special” coming Tuesday morning. At cut-off from ESPN Radio, the station joined Walk The Moon “Shut Up And Dance” in progress followed by Rachel Platten “Fight Song”, Christina Aguilera “Beautiful”, and OneRepublic “Counting Stars”. This story will be updated with more details as they become available more

From Radio Insight: Waterloo Media is making multiple programming changes in Austin. AAA “Austin City Limits Radio” has moved off of 97.1 K246BD Austin and is now exclusively streaming and on 93.3 KGSR-HD2 Cedar Park. The move marks the end of of the availability of the AAA brand on analog radio after 34 years starting as 107.1 KGSR in 1991 before moving to 93.3 in 2009, taking on the “Austin City Limits Radio” name in September 2018, and moving to the 97.1 translator in March 2019. The move off of 97.1 allows Spanish CHR “Latino 93.3” to move from KGSR to the translator. That brand is promoting wider variety following its frequency change. 93.3 KGSR has flipped to Rhythmic Throwbacks “Vibe 93.3“. The flip resurrects the branding heard on 102.7 K274AX Austin/KLZT-HD2 Bastrop from May 2021 until January 2022. There’s no website yet for the station, which can be heard on what was Latino’s stream. The move brings Rhythmic Throwbacks back to Austin following Audacy’s flip of “Hot 95.9” K240EL/KKMJ-HD3 to Red Dirt Country in May. “Latino 93.3” ranked thirteenth in the Austin market with a 2.9 share in the July 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings dropping from a 3.4 in June. “Austin City Limits Radio” rose from a 0.8 to 1.1 last month, but well behind University of Texas’ 98.9 KUTX as it slid 4.8 to 4.0. more

From Radio Online: After nearly a century on the air, KONO-AM (860), a San Antonio Oldies outlet known for its unique local flavor, has gone silent in favor of Bloomberg News, reports Alicia Neaves at KENS 5. KONO's origins date back to 1927 when Eugene Roth founded the station on the second floor of his auto garage in San More...

From Radio Insight: On June 17, consultant Gary Berkowitz posted this on Facebook and got a lot of attention: ?Everybody talks about doing this, and now it’s going to happen. The return of classic Top 40! For my radio friends. This is a remote opportunity. Classic Hits playing ?70s-?80s (a few ?60s and ?90s too). We are looking for middays (think Ron Lundy type) and nights (Big Ron O?Brien, Banana Joe types). Shifts are 4 hours M-F and an occasional weekend.* ?This station is designed to have classic Top 40 jocks. Station uses Zetta, so you’ll be able to do breaks over the intros. Jingles & reverb too. It worked then and we think it will work now. Are you ready to join us? Do you get Top 40 delivery? Prior Top 40 experience required. Scoped airchecks and resume to onairjobs2@gmail.com.? Radio station job postings don?t always produce a ton of usable responses these days. Berkowitz?s Facebook post alone got more than 150 responses, many of them from applicants. (There was likely a larger contingent not willing to announce their intent on social media.)* On July 2, Berkowitz posted a picture with former WPRO-FM Providence, R.I., morning man Giovanni and JAM Creative Productions? Jonathan Wolfert asking, ?Wouldn?t you like to know what we were talking about?? On August 21, Berkowitz posted again:* ?Classic Top 40 is back in N-E-P-A on Times-Shamrock?s WQFM . Welcome to the New 92 Mix-FM: the Best Variety of the 70s, 80s & 90s. Rick Shockley, mornings. Logan, middays. Jack Diamond, afternoons. Giovanni, nights. John Ray, music. My dream team is on the air. Jingles from JAM Creative Productions. Voiceover: Earl Mann and Jen Sweeney. Check it out!? (Mann is also the voice of Canada?s CKHD, profiled earlier this year, for channeling the ?80s in a similar way.) The WQFM launch is a feel-good that veteran radio people needed now, coming on the heels of both the loss of WCBS-AM New York, and the previous day?s announcement that Beasley?s Classic Rock WBOS Boston was swapping frequencies, moving onto the translators of Bloomberg Radio?s local programming. It wasn?t the only good news this week. CINA Radio Group kept Classic Hits (although a newer version) on its newly purchased CKWW Windsor, Ont., and brought it back to CKOC Hamilton, Ont.,with some local airstaff in each case. 92 Mix-FM arrives in a market of anomalies, including the lack of a single major-group-owned Classic Hits powerhouse. The biggest Classic Hits station is the top-five WWRR (The River), nominally Classic Rock, but really closer to Classic Hits in the original ?Classic Rock, but deeper and poppier? sense of the term. WGMF (Gem 99/100)is pulling a 2.6 with a Classic Hits format heavier on the ?70s than most current stations. WQFM?s own sister, WEZX (Rock 107), is No. 2 in the market with Classic Rock, sometimes a stopper when it comes to launching Classic Hits next door. All of those stations compete with the 45-year-plus heritage of Top 40 WKRZ, both the market leader and one of the few CHRs in any size market that is. It?s been a long time since you could hear Boston or Eddie Money on WKRZ, but they stayed there a decade longer than any other Mainstream Top 40. In Northeast Pa., the ?because new music sucks? factor might not be quite as great as one might expect these days. By the time I became really familiar with WKRZ, it had moved beyond the ?hot-rockin?, flamethrowin?? feel of ?80s CHR and become something more full-service, which it remains. To some extent, that station in the early ?80s was WTLQ (Q102), programmed by the aforementioned ?Banana Joe? Montione and similar to KKBQ (93Q) Houston?s distinctive music mix, heavy on reaction records and oddball oldies. The new Mix very much has the feel of hot-rockin?, flamethrowing ?80s Top 40 ? not just ?80s jingles but jocks interacting with jingles at the top of the hour. I heard Logan, based at WINK Fort Myers, on day 1, and it was very much a reminder that today?s heavily voice-tracked radio can still flow the way it used to, as opposed to the ?random content from nowhere? that I often encounter. The jingles are to the tune of ?92-PRO-FM,? the station where Berkowitz came to prominence, as well as Giovanni. Like most Classic Hits outlets, the new Mix has a significant ?90s component, but it also goes back to ?Stand by Me? and ?Respect.? There?s also a ?60s at 6 hour (which I haven?t heard yet, but which according to Mediabase, included ?She?s Not There? and ?Help Me Rhonda?), a ?70s at 7 (?Joy to the World,? ?Ramblin? Man,? ?Message in a Bottle?), and ?80s at 8 (?Caught Up in You,? ?The Safety Dance,? ?Nothin? But a Good Time?). NEPA?s existing Classic Hits outlets have different presentations. The River was jockless in the midday/early afternoon stretch I heard, and uses song tags. Gem had a more heritage/full-service feel. Both, however, had jingles. Both are covering different ground musically ? Gem plays a lot of the ?70s that were once on Oldies? ?safe list,? but haven?t been for a while. But to listen to the three stations in succession was still to keep hearing songs I?d just heard.* Most of Logan?s Day 1 breaks were, as you?d expect, ?here we are,? but energetically delivered in a way that ROR readers will appreciate. Stations are better about local geography these days. Mix, by necessity, had a lot of promos directing various towns to the correct one of its three frequencies. Gem had those, too. I counted four stations in River?s legal ID. None of the Classic Hits stations is a true full-market signal, although that?s subjective when even the bigger stations need simulcasts to reach the market edges. Here?s 92 Mix FM just before noon on its first day: Green Day, ?When I Come Around? Paula Abdul, ?Straight Up? Twisted Sister, ?We?re Not Gonna Take It? (noon :00 ID) Daryl Hall & John Oates, ?Out of Touch? Billy Joel, ?You May Be Right? Aerosmith, ?Love in an Elevator? Fleetwood Mac, ?Gypsy? Blondie, ?One Way or Another? Matchbox Twenty, ?Unwell? Billy Idol, ?Mony Mony? Journey, ?Any Way You Want It? Rolling Stones, ?Start Me Up? Goo Goo Dolls, ?Name? Madonna, ?Papa Don?t Preach? Matthew Wilder, ?Break My Stride? Prince, ?Let?s Go Crazy? (1:00 p.m. song) Gem middayer Fran Pantuso was more conversational with a lot of the sense of place that I look for in my out-of-market radio listening. There?s a station event coming up at the Stony Mountain Family Campground and another at the Hazleton Area Children?s Festival. There?s also the Sunday morning ?Polka Connection? from 9-11 a.m., which may occasion a Fresh Listen of its own at some point. Here?s Gem 99 & 100 at 2 p.m: Lipps Inc., ?Funkytown? Aerosmith, ?Dream On? John Cafferty & Beaver Brown Band, ?On the Dark Side? America, ?Sister Golden Hair? Gap Band, ?You Dropped a Bomb on Me? Police, ?Every Breath You Take? Loggins & Messina, ?Your Mama Don?t Dance? Prince, ?Little Red Corvette? Don McLean, ?American Pie? Genesis, ?Misunderstanding? Doobie Brothers, ?Black Water? Mr. Mister, ?Kyrie? ? the same song played on WQFM a few minutes later Foreigner, ?Hot Blooded? Van Halen, ?Jump? The River is a flagship station of Bold Gold Radio, one of several admired small-market chains in the region. One of the things that stood out, besides the ?Classic Hits in the ?90s/early-?00s sense of the term? mix was a strong local advertising presence. The studio sponsorship was the Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino Resort (where the studio is actually located), not 1-800-INJURY. There were numerous ads for local home repair of the sort lost to ValPak in most markets. There was also the ad for Roberts Automotive Towing that ended with ?they don?t want your fingers; they just want your tows.? Here?s the River just before 3:30 p.m.: Big Country, ?In a Big Country? Romantics, ?What I Like About You? Bad Company, ?Feel Like Makin? Love? Uncle Kracker f/Dobie Gray, ?Drift Away? U2, ?I Still Haven?t Found What I?m Looking For? ? heard a few songs later on Mix Elton John, ?Philadelphia Freedom? Steve Winwood, ?Back in the High Life Again? Doobie Brothers, ?Long Train Runnin?? Billy Idol, ?Mony Mony? Led Zeppelin, ?D?yer Maker? Bon Jovi, ?You Give Love a Bad Name? Guess Who, ?No Time? Eurythmics, ?Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)? Bruce Springsteen, ?Dancing in the Dark? Lynyrd Skynyrd, ?Gimme Three Steps? Jeff Healey Band, ?Angel Eyes? more

From Radio Insight: The all-Taylor Swift stunting at Cromwell Media’s W263BG Owensboro/WXCM-HD3 Whitesville KY has come to an end as “Taylor 100.5” gave way to CHR “100.5 The Party” at noon today. Positioning as “Owensboro’s Hit Music Station”, the new format succeeds Classic Hip Hop ?100.5 The Vibe? creating a local format competitor to Midwest Communications’ “Hot 96” WSTO Owensboro, which focuses on the nearby Evansville IN market. The first songs heard on the new brand were Justin Timberlake “Selfish”, Chappell Roan “Good Luck Babe”, Khalid “Talk”, Camilla Cabello ft. Drake “Hot Uptown”, and Billie Eilish “Birds of a Feather”. more

From Radio Online: Bonneville Seattle Media Group, Washington State University (WSU) Athletics and Learfield's Cougar Sports Radio Network have announced a multi-year contract extension that will keep KTTH-AM (770) as the home for Cougar football and men's basketball games. The extended agreement More...

From Radio Insight: Stephens Media Group is converting its LMA of AC “Sunny 106.9” KEDG Alexandria LA from Flinn Broadcasting Corporation into an acquisition. Stephens inherited the LMA of KEDG as part of its 2019 purchase of 37 stations from Mapleton Communications. It will now pay $332,000 to acquire the license and 5.48 acres of real estate hosting the tower. Some of the LMA payments will be credited towards the purchase. KEDG will officially join a Stephens cluster in Alexandria that includes Country “LA 103.5” KLAA-FM Tioga, Christian AC “104.3 The Bridge” KEZP Bunkie, and Classic Country “105.5 K-Buck” KBKK Ball. more

From Radio Insight: Wes Styles will be departing his roles as Operations Manager and Program Director for Neuhoff Media’s three stations in Bloomington IL ahead of the cluster’s sale to Woodward Community Media. Styles, who also hosts mornings on “Rock 96.7” WIHN Normal, is the only current local on-air talent in the cluster. He told listeners today that he has accepted a new position out of state and will be departing in mid-September. Styles joined Neuhoff Bloomington where he also oversees Variety Hits “97.9 Bob-FM” WBBE Heyworth and Hot AC “Now 100.7” WWHX Normal in February 2019. He previously has held programming roles at Community Broadcasters Fort Walton Beach FL, Rock 92.7 WQLZ/AAA 97.7 WLCE Springfield IL, Rock “Q103.9/103.5” WQBK/WQBJ Albany NY, “Rock 105” WXQR New Bern NC, and “Rock 104” WWIZ Youngstown OH. more

From Radio Insight: Costa-Eagle Radio Ventures transferes 1490 WCCM/103.7 W279DH Haverhill MA to Jose Villafane’s Costa Media Boston for $1.25 million. The buyer has been operating WCCM via LMA since August 2021 first as Spanish CHR “Latin X 103.7” and since January as “Exitos 103.7“. Translator SalesBible Broadcasting Network trades 89.9 K210EB Clovis NM to Grace Community Church of Amarillo for 90.5 K213EW San Angelo TX. Jennifer Vraa purchases 99.1 K256AR Ruidoso NM from the Museum of the Horse for $1. K256AR rebroadcasts Country “W105” KWMW Maljamar. more

From Radio Insight: The move of “ESPN New York” from 98.7 WEPN-FM to 880 WHSQ New York will see the end of the 9pm-12am show “ESPN New York Tonight” hosted by Larry Hardesty and Gordon Damer as both will exit the station. Afternoon host Michael Kay addressed the exits on air today noting they were collateral damage from the move of the station from 98.7 to 880. The duo had been paired together in the 9pn-12am slot Monday through Thursday and each hosted separate weekend dayparts. Hardesty has been with “ESPN New York” since its launch in 2001 with time as their New York Jets beat reporter and sideline reporter during their game broadcasts. He has also been a reporter and anchor for News 12 New Jersey and Air America Radio and spent eighteen years as Sports Director for Inner City Broadcasting’s 1190 WLIB and 107.5 WBLS New York from 1982 to 2001. Damer was also one of the original team members at the brand when it launched in 2001 and returned in 2017. He also was a Sports anchor for News 880 WCBS where he also hosted New York Yankees pre and post-game shows and has hosted shows for YES Network and MLB.com. more

From Radio Online: Cox Media Group CHR WBLI (106.1 BLI) in Long Island, NY, has unveiled a new lineup. Production Manager Victoria 'Tory' Onorato assumes middays from 10am-3pm. She replaces Al Levine, who exited in June due to company layoffs. Most recently, Onorato handled afternoons follwoing Kiana Singh's move to crosstown More...

From Radio Online: Spanish Broadcasting System reported a 9% increase in net revenue from continuing operations, totaling $38.5 million compared to $35.4 million in 2023. Operating income from continuing operations surged 66% to $9 million, up from $5.4 million. Total operating expenses from continuing More...

From Radio Insight: Stingray has pulled the plug on the Conversation Radio/Variety Hits “93.5 Today Radio” brand on CFXJ-FM Toronto and is currently in stunt mode teasing the launch of the company’s “New Country” brand. Among the imaging heard includes sweepers stating, “Tuesday morning when you wake up, Toronto will have a new home in the country”, ?Tuesday morning we?re opening the big barn doors to the future of Toronto Radio?, and ?Tuesday Morning, the big city gets a little more country?. Stingray currently owns nineteen stations with the “New Country” brand across Canada. Among the songs heard in our sampling include Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, Cole Swindell “She Had Me At Heads Carolina”, Garth Brooks “Friends In Low Places”, Jade Eagleson “She Don’t Know”, and Florida Georgia Line “Cruise”. A flip to Country would place CFXJ-FM in competition with three stations rimshotting Toronto from different directions. Evanov’s “Hot Country 88.5” CKDX-FM Newmarket covers northern portions of the market and Durham Radio’s duo of “KX94.7” CHKX-FM Hamilton-Burlington covers areas south and west and “KX 96” 95.9 CJKX-FM Ajax covers Toronto’s eastern suburbs. CFXJ-FM covers the city of Toronto and adjoining towns. The former “Today Radio” brand launched in February 2022 and signed off at 10am today. A farewell message on the station’s site says, “To our 93.5 Today Radio family* over the past couple of years we’ve had so much fun getting to know you. You’ve shared your wild and crazy stories, your hilarious adventures and misadventures, and your real life goose bump moments. We’ve shared big laughs and choked back a few tears together. We couldn’t have done this without you. We’re embarking on a new adventure starting Tuesday September 3rd. Of course you’re welcome to join us. But if this is goodbye for now, then we’d like to say a heartfelt THANKS. All the best, Your friends at 93.5 Today Radio.” more

From Radio Online: The Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) has revealed its 2024 award recipients, recognizing eight distinguished broadcasters who have made significant contributions to the industry. These individuals will be honored at the upcoming KAB Convention, scheduled for October 20-21 in More...

From Radio Insight: Eastlan Ratings has released its July monthlies for Bend OR, Billings MT, Charleston WV, Elkhart IN, Florence/Muscle Shoals AL, Greenville/New Bern/Jacksonville NC, Hot Springs AR, Johnson City/Kingsport/Bristol, Kalispell MT, La Salle/Peru IL, Laurel/Hattiesburg MS, Raleigh/Durham NC, San Luis Obispo CA, Santa Rosa CA, South Bend IN Twin Falls ID, and Waco TX. more

From Radio Insight: The Kansas Association of Broadcasters (KAB) will induct four new members into the Kansas Broadcasting Hall of Fame, as well as honor four other outstanding broadcasters. Inductees will be honored at the 2024 award ceremony at the KAB Convention, Oct. 20-21, in Wichita.*Background on the criteria for these awards, including past recipients, can be found on our website at www.kab.net. The KAB is a statewide trade association serving a membership 259 full power broadcast stations. KAB HALL OF FAMEBen Bauman, HoltonA lifelong Kansan, Ben grew up on a farm near Bern in northeast Kansas. Throughout his broadcasting career, he remained true to his rural roots, living near Holton. Ben began his career in 1982 as a student part-timer at KTWU, the PBS station licensed to Washburn University. In 1983, he added a weekend radio news job at 580 WIBW. After completing his communications degree in 1985, he joined WIBW AM-FM and their newly added Kansas Information Network. For much of the next two decades, Ben served as the primary morning anchor for the local flagship and statewide network, including 10 years as News Director. In 2006, Ben transitioned to television, serving as evening anchor for KTKA (KAB Medium Market Station of the Year in 2008), KTMJ-Fox 43, and later KSNT after the stations merged. In addition to broadcasting, Ben served as Communications Director for Governor Bill Graves’ administration, Public Relations Manager for St. Francis Hospital, Public Affairs Director for the Kansas Adjutant General, and Talent Development Coordinator at Advisors Excel. Ben has received numerous KAB and AP Broadcast awards. He was selected as a fellow with the RIAS Berlin Commission German-American Journalist Exchange in 1999. He covered the Kansas National Guard delegation visit to Armenia in 2005 and was embedded with a unit from Fort Riley during combat training at Fort Irwin, CA. He is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Kansas. Ben still satisfies his passion for broadcasting through his voiceover and audio production business, BBSideMedia, and is the ?voice? of The Voice of Agriculture-Kansas Farm Bureau and other clients. Ben and his wife, Marj, have three children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. Greg Sharpe, Lincoln, NEGreg Sharpe has been the Voice of the Huskers since 2008. A two-time Kansas Sportscaster of the Year winner, Greg served as the Voice of the Wildcats for his alma mater, Kansas State, from 1996-2002 and is forever linked to one of the greatest periods in college football history, with the Wildcats posting 59 wins during his six seasons. Long before he took over as Voice of the Wildcats, Greg was well known as a talented sports anchor for WIBW TV in Topeka for 22 years and hosted 580 Sports Talk for many years. Paul Heskett, ColbyPaul Heskett has spent his 40-year career in Kansas, beginning at KAYS, KFNF, and KIOL before finding his home at KXXX in northwest Kansas nearly four decades ago. His iconic “Bop Shop Saturday” show has become a staple, known for his unique style, high energy, crazy humor, and unparalleled connection with listeners. In 2011, Paul received the KAB Sonny Slater Award for Service to Community and Station. He has also won numerous KAB awards for ?Bop Shop Saturday.? Paul is deeply involved in his community as a member of the Jaycees, a board member of the Wild West Historical Foundation, and a participant on multiple local boards promoting civic engagement and historical preservation. His dedication extends to supporting veterans through the VFW Auxiliary, Run for the Wall, and his work with Kansas Honor Flight. Paul has also emceed many events, including the Kansas Governor’s Hunt. Kyle Bauer, Clay CenterKyle Bauer has been one of the owners of Taylor Communications (KCLY and KFRM) since 1994. In 2024, he purchased 10 stations from Rocking M in Colby, Goodland, Liberal, and Dodge City. He serves as the General Manager of KFRM, its National Sales Representative, and is also the co-host of the popular show ?Plain Talk.? Kyle is a native of Clay Center, where he grew up in a farm family. He graduated from Kansas State University and has worked as a farmer, business operator, and commercial real estate owner. Kyle has served on the KAB Board of Directors and the National Association of Farm Broadcasters Board of Directors. He has twice been awarded the National Agri-Marketing Association’s R.C. Ferguson Award and the President’s Award. Additionally, Kyle has been a valuable associate and advisor to the KAB, including participating in trips to Washington, D.C., on behalf of the organization. Under Kyle?s leadership, KCLY and KFRM have earned numerous accolades, including seven consecutive KAB Small Market Station of the Year awards for KCLY and a total of 11 Station of the Year titles. Kyle is also well-known for his community involvement. He is a Rotary Club member and Past President, Past President of the Pawnee Mental Health Foundation Board, and has served on the Clay Center Board of Zoning Appeals and the Planning Commission. He has contributed to numerous community projects, including advocacy and improvements. MIKE OATMAN AWARD FOR BROADCAST SALES EXCELLENCEPenny Coy, KGGF Radio Group, CoffeyvillePenny Coy has been an Account Executive with the KGGF Radio Group’s four stations for five years, bringing over 40 years of advertising sales experience. Penny has consistently been the top salesperson at KGGF Radio Group, a testament to her dedication and expertise. Her approach with clients embodies professionalism, fostering lasting relationships that not only retain advertisers but often increase their engagement with the stations. Penny is instrumental in guiding the sales team, cultivating new business opportunities, and sharing her knowledge. Beyond her outstanding sales achievements, Penny serves as a mentor to the staff, particularly to newcomers. Penny’s commitment extends beyond the studio walls, as she actively engages with and contributes to her community through volunteering and leadership roles, earning widespread respect and admiration. RISING STAR TV AWARDHannah King, KAKE, WichitaHannah King joined KAKE News in September 2021 as a general assignment reporter and MMJ, quickly climbing the ranks to earn a seat at the anchor desk. She has anchored both weekday mornings and weekends at KAKE for the last several years. Outside of her time on the desk, Hannah has been a passionate and fearless leader in assisting with unsolved crime investigations in KAKEland. From cold cases to missing persons and homicide investigations, Hannah has found her calling in telling the stories of those whose names and stories haven’t been heard in decades, with the hope that answers and justice will follow. Her efforts have contributed to cases being solved and arrests being made in unsolved Kansas crimes. Before making her mark in Wichita, Kansas, Hannah worked for ABC affiliates in Central Texas and West Tennessee. She is a graduate of Campbell University in North Carolina. Hannah is married to a professional baseball player, and together they share a one-year-old daughter. RISING STAR RADIO AWARDBrandon Napier, Ad Astra Radio, HutchinsonBrandon Napier is the Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Ad Astra Radio, and an invaluable asset to the team. He has played a key role in integrating all of Ad Astra’s new stations over the past few years and in upgrading and updating the associated technology. Known as the ultimate team player and a jack of all trades, Brandon is relentless in his efforts to improve operations. Before joining Ad Astra, Brandon worked for 14 years at Verizon. In early 2022, he decided to leave the corporate world behind to work for a family business and was eager to return to local broadcasting. Two important people who have heavily influenced Brandon in the radio industry are his father, Vernon Napier, who passed away in 2014, and his brother, Aaron Napier, who is Ad Astra’s Vice President and Chief Programming Officer. Vernon worked at KLEY KWME for around 25 years, and Brandon helped with many tasks there, including running the board for KU, the Royals, and the Wichita Wranglers, as well as handling traffic for the stations for many years. At the age of 14, Brandon often covered for his dad with news and operations when he was on vacation. Brandon credits Aaron with inspiring him to return to broadcasting. Brandon met his wife, Danielle, at Campus High School in 2005, and they later married in 2008. Together, they have a son and a daughter. SONNY SLATER AWARD FOR SERVICE TO STATION AND COMMUNITYDave Grant, KAKE, WichitaDave Grant is the Assistant News Director at KAKE in Wichita and a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Journalism. While at KU, Dave also worked at WREN in Topeka, as well as KJHK and Sunflower Cablevision in Lawrence. His next stop was KAYS AM & TV in Hays. After 14 months in Hays, Dave moved to Wichita, where he?s spent nearly 40 years working first at KWCH and then transitioning to KAKE. Throughout his career, Dave has served as News Director, Executive Producer, and currently, Assistant News Director at KAKE. In his role, he helps guide younger staff members in developing their daily assignments and oversees KAKE’s internship program, fostering the next generation of newsroom talent. Dave is known for always lending a helping hand in station operations, stepping in wherever needed without hesitation. In 2023, Dave was inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Emmy Silver Circle. Throughout his career, he has been honored with numerous accolades, including five Heartland Regional Emmy awards. Dave is also a pillar in his community, taking on leadership roles such as Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, serving on the board of directors for the YMCA of Greater Wichita, and acting as President of both the Valley Center Swim Club and the Wichita Heights Booster Club. Additionally, he has been a youth sports coach and a USA Swimming official. Dave and his wife, Rachael, have also served as host parents for foreign exchange students. more

From Radio Online: Skyview Networks is expanding its partnership with Playfly Sports Properties, the multimedia rightsholder of Penn State University, Virginia Tech and University of Southern California (USC). Beginning this football season, Skyview Networks will be the audio distribution, inventory More...

From Radio Insight: Following the announcement that Ally Ali will pull double-duty as morning co-host and afternoon host at Cox Media Group CHR 106.1 WBLI Patchogue NY, the station has unveiled the remainder of its newly revamped lineup. Production Manager Victoria ‘Tory’ Onorato will take over middays from 10am to 3pm. She had most recently been filling-in afternoons since Kiana Singh?s move to overnights at iHeartMedia?s ?Z100? WHTZ New York in May. Onorato started at WBLI as an intern in 2016 and joined Cox Long Island full-time in 2018 spending time in promotions, production, as a board-op, and has spent time in multiple dayparts. She fills the midday slot that had been held by Al Levine until his exit in Cox’s June layoffs. Cat Sodano has been named evening host at WBLI. Sodano has been serving as a traffic reporter and weekend/fill-in host at the station since 2022. Sodano shared, “Growing up, 10-year-old Catherine would call into this very station absolutely begging the on-air personalities for *NSYNC tickets (obvi), going to every single Summer Jam concert at Jones Beach. From interning here, to now, it?s been a ride! And we?re just getting started! Not everyone gets to live their dream, and I am whole heartedly grateful for this opportunity hopefully, I will bring you, our incredible listeners, the same joy, and excitement I experienced.” Syke & Ally Ali remain in mornings. more

From Radio Online: WLND-FM (98.1 The Lake) in Chattanooga will rebrand as "Olivia 98.1, Chattanooga's Gold Medal Station" from August 30 to September 3. The new name will honor hometown weightlifter Olivia Reeves, who won the first gold medal for the U.S. in 24 years in this sport at the Paris Olympics. Olivia 98.1 will More...

From Radio Online: Wright Media Group has released the following "Memo To Radio": "We have often heard it said over the years that radio personalities are the mortar holding the bricks in place at a radio station, concerning the overall product. This analogy directly implies that personalities are merely facilitators for More...

From Radio Insight: SiriusXM has announced it is opening a new technology facility in Dublin, Ireland. The Dublin facility will serves as a “center of excellence” for SiriusXM’s Product and Technology teams focusing on software development, automotive and consumer electronics technology and engineering, AdTech data science and analytics. The center, supported by the Irish government through IDA Ireland, will develop and implement scalable software deliveries for SiriusXM?s streaming and in-vehicle audio entertainment platforms. SiriusXM Chief Product and Technology Officer Joe Inzerillo said, “SiriusXM has a history of being on the cutting-edge of technology, and as we further expand and enhance our product, we are thrilled to tap into all of the incredible technology talent based here in Ireland. We look forward to introducing our service to a new group of technologists here in Dublin who are eager to build and create sophisticated adtech, software that moves people, and more.? Ireland Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke said, “I congratulate SiriusXM on their expansion. Our team had the pleasure of meeting the SiriusXM management team recently, and I am pleased that they are opening a new Technology Centre of Excellence in Dublin and availing of the wealth of professional talent available here.? Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland added, ?SiriusXM?s decision to establish a new Technology Centre of Excellence in Dublin highlights Ireland?s attractiveness as a destination for global expansion. This investment is a testament to Ireland?s pro enterprise economy and to the specialised and skilled workforce that we have in Dublin and across the country. I?d like to wish SiriusXM every success in their expansion into Ireland.?? ?SiriusXM fosters a people-first culture of doing what we love and loving what we do,? said Faye Tylee, Chief People and Culture Officer at SiriusXM. ?We provide some of the best audio entertainment programming and technology in the world by hiring creative and skilled professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit, and we are thrilled to add some of Ireland?s top tech talent to our growing and diverse team.? more

From Radio Insight: Iowa Public Radio has launched AAA “Studio One” on 88.9 KKSO (formerly KICJ) Mitchellville and 94.1 K231DI Des Moines. The station is now positioning as “Iowa’s Alternative Music Station” under Program Director Al Schares launching at midnight with Vampire Weekend’s “Hinterland”. Studio One also is heard in nights and overnights weekdays and afternoons on weekends on IPR’s network of FM Public News/Talk stations across the state. KICJ had been part of IPR’s Classical network, while the organization acquired K231DI earlier this year for $100,000. more

From Radio Insight: Cox Media Group Rock 99.5 KISS-FM San Antonio has promoted Chris Sifuentes to Assistant Director of Branding & Programming. Sifuentes has been with Cox San Antonio since starting as an intern in 2000 and has spent time in every daypart and as Imaging Director for KISS. He also is Executive Producer of The Billy Madison Show. He said, “I?m so grateful for this opportunity to assist with programming leadership at CMG San Antonio. The trajectory of my career has never looked so promising. Thank you to Chris Eagan, David Abel, Rob Roberts, and Joe Calgaro for their belief in me, as well as for all of the invaluable guidance and support.? Cox San Antonio Director of Rock Branding & Programming Joe Calgaro commented, “Chris brings all of the necessary tools to his new role. He?s been so successful because he combines a passion and commitment to KISS with his diverse skillset and strong work ethic. There are few things as gratifying as watching a member of our team set goals for themselves?and then put in the work to achieve those goals. This is a well-deserved and well-earned promotion for Chris.? more

From Radio Online: Edward Mitchell Robinson, a longtime radio broadcaster and actor, died on August 9 at the age of 81. Born on June 18, 1943, in Dumont, NJ, Robinson's life was marked by a deep passion for radio, television and film. Robinson's broadcasting journey took him to Statesville, NC, where he hosted a popular teen More...

From Radio Online: Cox Media Group in San Antonio elevates Chris Sifuentes to Assistant Director of Branding andamp; Programming for KISS (99.5 KISS-FM). He joined CMG in 2000 as an intern in the promotions andamp; marketing department. During his 24 years at CMG, Sifuentes has been a full-time air talent in just about every daypart. He's More...

From Radio Insight: Cox Media Group has flipped Oldies 860 KONO San Antonio to Business News “Business Radio 860“. While we await more information from Cox on their programming plans, KONO has been noted airing Bloomberg Radio programming all day today. The move marks the end of the revamped 1960s/70s Oldies format that relaunched on KONO in January 2017. The station had been trending up in the Nielsen Audio ratings 1.4 – 1.9 – 2.1 over the past three months while flanking market-leading sister Classic Hits 101.1 KONO-FM. KONO was one of the heritage Top 40 stations in San Antonio through the 1960s through early 1980s. It would flip to Oldies in 1988 adding a simulcast on move-in 101.1 KONO-FM in February 1991 that would last until the AM started a three-year run with CBS Sports Radio in 2014. more

From Radio Online: Nina Brown has left the Compass Media Networks syndicated "Frank Ski Show with Nina Brown" after serving as producer and co-host. The show surrently has over 20 affiliates. Brown was named co-host in February, 2021. Her career includes both radio and television, where she was an air talent at NBC's WXIA-TV, More...