The most discussed stories yesterday (12/3) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
According to a report in The Athletic by Andrew Marchand, former WFAN, New York personality Craig
Carton is finalizing a deal to return to the station in afternoon drive. This comes several months after Carton exited FS1 where he hosted a couple of different versions of a morning show that, from a ratings standpoint, never took off the way FS1 execs had hoped. Carton’s return will reportedly bump current afternoon team Evan Roberts and Tiki Barber to middays which would force the station to cut ties with current midday hosts Brandon Tierney and Sal Licata. As for Carton’s co-host, Marchand is reporting that overnight host Chris McMonigle is the leading candidate for that role.
By Doug Henry
Artist
Turnwright Gallery
Hanover, New Hampshire
My introduction to Rush Limbaugh begins in the fall of 1992. I began listening to Rush’s radio show after seeing him campaigning on stage with George H.W. Bush during the 1992 fall presidential election. Bill Clinton would win the election and so would begin the greatest, media political rivalry ever between Rush Limbaugh and Bill Clinton. Rush’s middle America authentic voice was cutting through the mainstream media noise of the day from a generationally unique perspective. He was the perfect counterculture combatant to Bill Clinton’s political philosophy. Being a baby boomer myself and two years younger than Rush, I was immediately hooked on the EIB radio network!
As a professional illustrator, my career in 1996 was about to cross paths with Rush Limbaugh at my mailbox. A neighbor had just received his monthly Limbaugh Letter, and this would be my first opportunity to actually see and thumb through the newsletter. Noticing the magazine used illustration, I jotted down the address and fired off a promotional package of my art to the art director. Within a week, I received a call from the art director, and I got my very first illustration assignment for the Limbaugh Letter. Throughout 1997, I would receive many more illustration assignments. My very first cover painting for the newsletter, the May issue, “If I Were a Liberal,” would impress and really captivate Rush. So much so that he took to the airwaves not once but twice declaring: “You’re going to want to get this cover blown up and framed, I predict.” And “It’s just fabulous, you’re going to want to subscribe to the newsletter just to see this cover.”
What a thrill for me! Over the course of the next seven years, I would create 70 cover paintings of Rush, often having him doing hilarious things to his Democrat party nemesis. The February 1998 issue would have Rush crashing through a spotted owl’s forest habitat in an SUV. This cover would earn me the title, “Official Limbaugh Letter Cover Illustrator.” Another favorite was the March 1998 issue with Rush, scissors in hand cutting down a spider web holding up a spider with a head that looked eerily like Bill Clinton. This cover prompted Rush to send a complimentary email to the art director saying “A totally awesome cover… one of the best in our history…well done!!!” All in caps I might add! Every month that followed would be one fun assignment after the other. It was beyond cool working on the next Limbaugh Letter cover while listening to Rush on the radio. In 2001, I got to accompany the Limbaugh Letter art director to a Manhattan photo shoot where I finally got to meet the man himself. What a memory! Finally, working for Rush, “America’s Real Anchorman,” was both an honor and a privilege. What a fun ride it was… to have contributed in a very small way, my part… in the “Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.” Isaac Newton wrote, “If I see farther, it’s because I’m standing on the shoulders of giants.” We stand on your shoulders, Rush, and America thanks you. Mega Dittos Rush Limbaugh, Mega Dittos!
Turnwright Gallery is an online platform that features the art of Doug Henry and his catalog of Limbaugh Letter cover paintings. The art collection is comprised of 70 hand-painted newsletter illustrations of America’s legendary, king of talk radio, Rush Limbaugh. The paintings were created between the years 1997 and 2004. For more information please click here https://www.turnwrightgallery.com/turnwright-gallery
FOX News Media promotes Aishah Hasnie to anchor and White House correspondent. FOX News Media
president and executive editor Jay Wallace adds that Hasnie will anchor her own solo signature program on Saturday afternoons from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET, effective January 10. Wallace says, “Aishah’s knowledge of Washington makes her a perfect addition to our stellar White House team of correspondents, and we are confident she will excel in the anchor chair as well.” Hasnie joined FOX News Channel in 2019.
FOX Sports Radio’s Rob Parker – co-host of “The Odd Couple with Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington,”
MLB Network analyst, and founder/editor of MLBbro.com – is a finalist for the 2026 National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame Sportswriter (Living category). Winners will be notified the first week of January, and the awards will be presented during the NSMA’s 66th Awards Weekend & National Convention, June 28-29, at Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina. Parker says, “It’s an absolute honor to be considered with so many journalism heavyweights.”
Legendary New York Mets first baseman (1986 World Series champs) and current member of its TV broadcasting team, Keith Hernandez (right) is pictured co-hosting a Thanksgiving morning special on WFAN, New York with his buddy Richard Neer (left). Neer has been a WFAN mainstay for decades and is occasionally heard on the storied station for special events such as this one. The broadcast emanated from Neer’s home studio on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina where he and longtime friend Hernandez are neighbors.
The most discussed stories yesterday (12/2) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Red Apple Media is expanding on Long Island. The company is filing to acquire WLID-AM, Patchogue, and
FM translators W239CY, Patchogue at 95.9 and W296EK, Brentwood at 107.1 for $500,000 from Cantico Nuevo Ministry. The addition of the three signals will improve news/talk WABC’s coverage in Suffolk County. Red Apple Media will assume operation of the signals under a Local Marketing Agreement.
Last month, Audacy announced the launch of the Detroit Sports Network – a syndication of sports talk radio
from its WXYT-FM, Detroit 97.1 The Ticket – and its deal with Townsquare Media to air the format on Townsquare stations in Michigan. Now, Townsquare is flipping WFGR-FM, Grand Rapids from classic hits to sports talk as “Sports Radio 98.7.” Townsquare Media COO Erik Hellum says, “Townsquare Media is excited to bring such high-caliber, Michigan-focused sports programming to West Michigan. This is a big win for listeners who want strong, local sports conversation without having to rely on national networks.”
The most discussed stories yesterday (12/1) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Bob Fisher is returning to Connoisseur Media’s Mason City, Iowa stations – including news KGLO-AM – as news & sports director, effective immediately. KIMT-TV reports that Fisher will host “The KGLO Morning
Program” from 6:00 am to 9:00 am daily. Connoisseur Media says that local news and sports updates will begin being heard on all of the Mason City stations during morning and afternoon drive times. Fisher comments, “It’s great to be back to help re-establish KGLO as ‘Your Hometown News Station in North-Central Iowa’ as well as to continue to provide vital local information to our listeners. With their recent purchase of the radio stations, Connoisseur Media has shown a commitment to serving north-central Iowans with quality, local-based information.” Market manager Dalena Barz adds, “We are absolutely thrilled to have Bob back with Connoisseur Media in Mason City. He has been a well-respected voice in our community for over 30 years. He’s always been an integral part of our radio family, and we sincerely say, Welcome back, Bob!” See the KIMT-TV story here.
“The Money Pit Radio Show” will air its final broadcast the weekend of December 27–28, according to Sue
Kraeutler – wife of program founder and host Tom Kraeutler. Tom Kraeutler passed away on February 2 of this year, but the show continued with longtime co-host Leslie Segrete hosting the program. The show was produced by Money Pit Media and Squeaky Door Productions. Sue Kraeutler says, “I want to thank our loyal affiliates and sponsors for believing in us going back to when we first started some 25 years ago. This wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s time that we closed the Squeaky Door.” “The Money Pit Radio Show” aired on hundreds of radio stations across the U.S.
Journalist Dan Shelley is officially stepping down as president and CEO of the Radio Television Digital
News Association and he penned a great good-bye letter that’s available on the RTDNA site. You can read it here. It’s worth a read as he tells a funny story from his first job as an anchor and reporter at KTTS-AM/FM, Springfield, Missouri, plus a number of interesting tidbits from his long career.
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Sports talk host Keith McPherson has left his full-time role as evening host on Audacy’s WFAN, New York after four years in the role. He posted a video to social media earlier this week explaining that he may still do some fill-in at the station but he’s leaving for personal reasons. He
says, “I’d like to break some news before anybody else can break my news. I’m officially done as the nighttime host at WFAN. It has been four calendar years, Friday was my last nighttime show as the full-time nighttime host. Before anybody else can hijack the story and say I was fired or my contract was up, I wasn’t fired, I’m not quitting, my contract is not up, I’m shifting… I’m making a personal change that was necessary for myself and my family. I just took my son to school, just saw my wife leave for work and got a minute to sit here before the day gets rolling… but breaking news this Monday going into Thanksgiving, I am no longer the full-time nighttime host on WFAN.” In November of 2021, McPherson took over the evening show from longtime WFAN personality Steve Somers.
The most discussed stories yesterday (11/25) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
As the holiday season gets underway, Red Apple Media’s WABC, New York has been giving away turkeys to families in need. On Saturday (11/22), WABC Radio was handing out turkeys to families in need at the Police Athletic League’s (PAL) Harlem Center. The station says that by the end of the holiday season, WABC Radio will have given away a total of 10,000 turkeys through community-minded organizations, including PAL and the New York Police and Firefighters Departments. Pictured above are members of the WABC staff and others aboard the WABC Radio trolley as they distributed turkeys.
The most discussed stories yesterday (11/24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
John O’Brien – one half of the morning drive team of “Bax & O’Brien” (with Mike Baxendale) that dominated the Springfield market for 27 years on Saga Communications’ WAQY-FM “Rock 102” – died on Sunday (11/24) after a long battle with cancer. “Bax & O’Brien” ruled the morning drive ratings battle in the market for most of the duo’s time working together hosting the talk-intensive daypart. O’Brien exited the station several years ago and moved to Florida in semi-retirement. Baxendale continues successfully hosting the morning show on WAQY with co-host Steve Nagle. Recently, O’Brien had been hosting a one-hour program called “OB Negative” on iHeartMedia’s WHYN-AM, Springfield with morning news anchor John Baibak. Pictured above in an undated photo is O’Brien (right) with Baxendale (left).
The most discussed stories over the weekend on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Bonneville International is launching the Bonneville Sports Network to leverage the power of the company’s sports brands for advertisers who wish to buy nationally across markets or fully own
their local market. Bonneville says, “The platform brings together Arizona Sports, Seattle Sports, Denver Sports, Sactown Sports, and KSL Sports in Salt Lake City, delivering more than 63 hours of live sports programming every day across audio, video, digital, and social channels.” Bonneville president and CEO Tanya Vea adds, “Bonneville Sports Network gives advertisers both flexibility and scale. Our network reaches fans wherever and whenever they engage with sports, across every platform. Advertisers can now leverage that strength in a way that aligns with their goals, whether they’re pursuing national reach or meaningful local impact.”
iHeartMedia sports talk KBME-AM, Houston “SportsTalk 790” announces its new morning show that will debut on Monday. “The Morning Drive with Dan & Cole” is hosted by Houston natives
Dan Mathews and Cole Thompson. Thompson has been with KBME for the past year producing “The A-Team” on the station and hosting, “The Night Cap.” Mathews began his career covering Houston sports and worked in Atlanta at Audacy’s WZGC-FM and Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN-AM. Station program director Chris Gordy states, “We’re thrilled to add Cole to mornings, alongside Dan. Both guys eat, sleep and breathe all things Houston sports, and bring a passion and enthusiasm to kick off each morning right.”
Wisconsin media company Civic Media has canceled two of the talk radio programs that aired across its network of progressive news/talk stations. Program hosted by Margaret Daun, a
former Milwaukee County attorney, and former Republican legislative staffer Todd Allbaugh are no longer airing. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Allbaugh announced his exit via social media and said the reason was budgetary – for “the long-term financial viability of the company.” Allbaugh noted that he was told of the change before his did his final show, adding, “They did not have to give me a last show. It was immensely appreciated.” See the Journal-Sentinel story here.
FOX News Media promotes Bill Melugin to congressional correspondent. FOX News Media
president and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “Bill’s dogged dedication to uncovering the story and deep understanding of national issues make him an excellent fit to cover the complex world of Congress.” Since joining FOX News Media in 2021, Melugin has been at the forefront of reporting on all angles of immigration, spending roughly half of his tenure reporting onsite from the United States’ southern border from 2021 through 2024.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (11/17-21) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
People
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
Morning drive host Dan Potter is out at news/talk KRMG-FM, Tulsa after 17 years with the station and 13 years as morning drive personality. Cox Media Group recently sold the station
and two of its sister music-formatted outlets to a local operator – Zoellner Media Group, led by Dr. Robert Zoellner. Potter tells the Tulsa World that his exit came as a surprise. He says he was called into a meeting with Dr. Zoellner. “Our paths hadn’t crossed yet in his ownership. Shook his hand, sat down. He said, ‘We’re not renewing your contract.’ They handed me a check, and security showed me out of the building.” Prior to joining KRMG, Potter served in Dallas with WBAP-AM in several capacities, including news director.
Triton Digital publishes its U.S. Podcast Ranker for the month of October – ranked by weekly average downloads for participating shows – and there is no movement among the top five
shows. NPR’s “NPR News Now” and “Up First” rank #1 and #2, respectively, and Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” remains ranked #3, more than a month after his slaying on September 10. Other talk radio-related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” climbs one place to #12; iHeartRadio’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” falls two places to #18; and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” rises four places to #34. See the complete ranker here.
The most discussed stories yesterday (11/19) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS research:
Connoisseur Media announces a series of strategic promotions and new appointments across its Portland radio properties it says are designed to strengthen programming leadership and to
position the cluster for continued success and growth. They include the promotion of Grant McHill to program director for “NewsRadio 101.1 FM KXL.” McHill has been serving as KXL’s news director. McHill says, “As someone who has worked at KXL for a decade, I appreciate and understand the station’s importance to the community and its potential for growth in Portland and beyond. I am thrilled, honored, and thankful for this opportunity. A huge thank you to Jeff Warshaw, Keith Dakin, Mark Handwerger, and Ross MacLeod for their confidence in me.”
Audacy announces the promotion of Chase Daniels to vice president of programming for the station group that includes sports talk WKRK-FM “92.3 The Fan.” Audacy Cleveland SVP and
market manager Jeff Miller says in a memo to staff, “Since arriving in Cleveland almost three years ago, Chase has concentrated on our brands, our execution and our team with hopes of building on the great foundation that was already in place. His relentless focus on being the best, along with consistent coaching and leadership, has led to significant growth for individuals and our four stations. Please join me in congratulating Chase on his well-deserved elevation to VP of programming for Cleveland. Chase will continue to focus on the overall programming performance for all four of our brands as we head into 2026 and beyond.”
“Our American Stories” founder and host Lee Habeeb was tapped by the White House to tell the story of John Adams and his defense of the Redcoats in the trial the Boston Massacre. This is part of the White House’s America 250 “Story of America” series that’s being created in partnership with Hillsdale College and the US Department of Education. You can see the story that Habeeb wrote here.
Todd Starnes, nationally syndicated talk radio host, best-selling author, and owner of news/talk
KWAM, Memphis, is offering stations a three-hour holiday special titled, “A Starnes Country Christmas.” Starnes tells TALKERS that the show will include live musical performances, special holiday guests, and Christmas trivia featuring celebrity panelists. You can get more information about carrying this complimentary program by emailing Todd Starnes at: todd@starnesmediagroup.com or calling 917-331-9866.