As reported above, the blockbuster news story about President Joe Biden’s announcement yesterday (7/21) to not seek reelection took over news/talk media platforms across the board prompting many radio stations to preempt regularly-scheduled weekend programs in favor of either live and local coverage and/or tapping into expanded news network reporting. Stations find that listeners are interested in hearing what their favorite local hosts have to say about such stories of great magnitude as well as having the opportunity to call in and vent. Kyle Bailey, PD of News Radio 93-9 FM and 1240 KQEN, Roseburg, OR tells TALKERS, “We aired about 2.5 hours of coverage from FOX News Radio with whom we are affiliated yesterday (7/21). I got a text alert while I was in the building. Interesting to hear about history taking place. I wonder how many news/talk radio stations missed this special coverage opportunity altogether because the staff wasn’t paying attention from home, or no one was scheduled to check on things? If we want to remain relevant, the industry needs to be more proactive.” Other top stories of discussion over the weekend include a continuing analysis of the former President Donald Trump assassination attempt, the aftermath of the RNC, the GOP nomination of U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance for VP, the migrant crisis and inflation according to the ongoing research of TALKERS magazine.
