KIRO-FM, Seattle Talk Host Dori Monson Passes at 61
Longtime Seattle talk radio personality Dori Monson died unexpectedly on Saturday (12/31) at a Seattle hospital after suffering a cardiac event on December 29. 
KIRO-FM, Seattle owner Bonneville International and the Monson family stated that Dori Monson had been dealing with health issues over the last few years. Bonneville says Monson hosted “the top-rated ‘Dori Monson Show’ airing 12:00 noon-3:00 pm on KIRO-FM. He was 61 years old and leaves behind a beloved wife and three adult children.” Monson attended the University of Washington and worked at KING-TV and KING Radio before joining KIRO in the early 1990s. Monson was a legendary talk radio presence in the Seattle market and will be sorely missed.
I’m also thankful for Premiere and our entire production team for their support – they’re simply the best and I couldn’t do it without them.” Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott comments, “Entering his 21st year as host of ‘Coast to Coast AM,’ George continues to engage millions of overnight listeners across the country with the passion and enthusiasm he had at the very beginning of our partnership. It takes a special talent to not only maintain an audience, but also grow it over the course of two decades. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate this milestone with George as we continue to deliver the best overnight talk radio program while providing unparalleled results for our partners.”
Basch has been with the station since joining in 2006 as a reporter, and Aaron started his career with WTOP in 2007. Basch comments, “After years of working as part of WTOP’s wonderful night crew, I am so lucky to get the opportunity to help Washingtonians wake up and get informed every weekday morning. The fact that I’m teaming up with John – a really nice guy whose work I’ve always admired – makes it even more exciting!” Aaron adds, “It’s truly surreal to now be anchoring weekday mornings for the station I grew up listening to. I look forward to spending more mornings with our listeners, bringing them the important news of the day and having some fun along the way.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler states, “Michelle and John bring years of experience and incredible news judgment to mornings. They are both so excited to bring their passion for news to morning drive. Our listeners are in good hands with John and Michelle.”
Carson’s program airs from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm on WTSN-FM, Dover; WTPL-FM, Hillsborough; WEMJ-FM, Laconia; as well as two HD2 signals. Newsmax says the network reaches a combined population of nearly a million listeners. Newsmax Radio CEO Lee Kinberg says, “I know firsthand the power of Binnie Media’s talk stations and we look forward to working with their great team and bringing Rob Carson to one of the most politically influential audiences in the country.” Binnie Media VP of programming Michael Czarnecki comments, “In the world of talk radio, we find so much of the same programming. We are thrilled at the addition of Rob Carson as this move, along with the recent addition of ‘America at Night’, and the rest of our dynamic lineup, make for a unique form of talk radio. Offering educated discussions and different perspectives on the topics of each day.” Carson’s program is now airing in 16 rated markets. In addition to the radio show and podcast, “Rob Carson’s What in the World,” a humorous review of the week’s news, airs every weekend on Newsmax TV.
Authorities found him unresponsive at his apartment on Thursday (12/29) and at this time the cause of death is unknown. Osterlind had been morning host at Audacy’s classic rock WKBU, New Orleans. While he worked in rock formats during his career, he’d also served at news/talk stations, including iHeartMedia’s WRNO-FM, New Orleans and then-Entercom’s WRKO, Boston.
Guaranty Media VP and general manager Gordy Rush states, “We are excited to add Moon Griffon to the ‘Talk 107.3’ weekday lineup and increase the amount of local programming. The Hayride calls Moon Griffon the state’s ‘most prominent talk host,’ and we think the timing is perfect with the upcoming elections in 2023.” Griffon’s addition to the lineup forces some changes with the “FOX News Rundown” moving to a 4:00 am start and FOX News Radio’s “The Brian Kilmeade Show” airing from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. WBRP morning host and program director Brian Haldane adds, “With Moon’s voice and opinions on Louisiana politics, it just makes sense for him to be on in the Capital City. This means we’ll be covering Louisiana for five straight hours from 6:00 am to 11:00 am every weekday morning.”
Additionally, the station will air “The Conners Commentary” feature at 12:03 pm, and 3:30 pm. Conners says, “The fabric of my journalistic soul still requires that I am fair, but now, I freely express my opinions. I am thrilled to join the ‘NewsTalkSTL’ family and be part of the city’s newest and fastest-growing radio station.” Conners anchored St. Louis television news broadcasts from 1975 to 2014 before making the move to radio. Station president of programming Jeff Allen says,
“This is the first, major change to our weekday line up since signing on a year and a half ago. That speaks to how significant we feel adding Larry is. Larry Conners is a strong, local, conservative voice that needs to be heard.”
Industry Mourns Jim Bohannon. Veteran talk radio host Jim Bohannon has died at age 78, at the Prisma Health Cottingham Hospice House in South Carolina after losing a hard fought battle with esophageal cancer. He was born January 7, 1944 in Corvallis, OR, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war, the family moved back to their home town to Lebanon, MO, where Jim grew up and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962. He attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, before joining the military. His service in the 
