TALKERS News Notes
Remote News Service Continues Growth. 
Remote News Service (RNS), a boutique news network providing hyper local, and custom news and traffic remotely, has added four new affiliates. These include station clusters in Wisconsin in both Prairie du Chien and Viroqua, and in Michigan two more markets, Soo and Sault Ste. Marie. Gabe Buch, OM/PD at Robinson Media’s WQPC, Prairie du Chien tells TALKERS, “Remote News has a been a life saver! Very easy to work with and they went the extra step to make our news local. The transition to Remote News was very easy and the anchor we chose is easy to work with and sounds great.” Michael SanAngelo, OM for Sovereign Communications adds, “Our company is on the Canadian border, and we’ve struggled for years to find the right person to collect, write and deliver solid local and regional news on our seven-radio station group. In just two weeks with Remote News Service, our news content has been night and day better and exactly what we have always wanted.” RNS owner Lesley Lotto tells TALKERS, “I’m floored once again at the tremendous growth! 54% this year so far. But this is not about me, it’s our amazing team who continues to attract new clients due to their dedication and hard work. I’m beyond proud.” To learn more about RNS, click here.
The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network Launches “Normally” Podcast. 
Premiere Networks announces the addition of “Normally” hosted by Karol Markowicz and Mary Katharine Ham to The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network, effective today (9/24). Markowicz is a New York Post and FOX News columnist, author, and host of “The Karol Markowicz Show” podcast. 
Ham is a prominent journalist, FOX News contributor, speaker, author, and co-host of the news podcast “Getting Hammered.” The “Normally” podcast will feature Markowicz and Ham as they discuss the latest happenings in news, politics, and pop culture from the perspective of two “normal moms.” 
The duo will help listeners navigate the headlines that matter most to American families and understand how they affect them. Known for being funny and a bit irreverent, yet serious and thoughtful about important issues, Markowicz and Ham have one purpose in mind: to keep the audience informed without wearing them out.
Salem Radio Network and the Salem News Channel Will Simulcast CBS News VP Debate. Beginning at 9:00 pm ET on Tuesday (10/1), Salem will simulcast the 90-minute debate between U.S. Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz that will be moderated by “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan, host of “Face the Nation.” Immediately prior to the simulcast, SRN and SNC will broadcast a two-hour Salem “Pre-Debate Special” beginning at 7:00 pm ET. Salem’s Larry Elder will host the program and will be joined by SRN’s Mike Gallagher, Dr. Sebastion Gorka, Dennis Prager, and Tony Perkins. Phil Boyce, SVP for Spoken Word at Salem Media Group, tells TALKERS, “Who better to host our Pre-Debate coverage than Larry Elder who ran for Governor of California and then for President. He’s been in that chair before, so he knows what to say. Stations who sign up for coverage are in for a treat!” Interested stations in the East Coast and Central regions can contact Jim Bligh at jbligh@srnradio.com or 212-419-4663. On the West Coast or in the Midwest region (North Dakota to Texas) contact Kelli DeShan at kdeshan@srnradio.com or 972-707-6882.
Phoenix Suns Ring of Honor member and legendary radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy has passed away peacefully at the age of 91. The longest tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, McCoy was widely known as the “dean of NBA broadcasters” for his years of service and unique broadcasting style. He served 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” calling his first game on September 27, 1972 and his last on May 11, 2023. McCoy’s unforgettable calls of the most memorable moments in Suns history, including three trips to the NBA Finals, and his trademark phrases from “Shazam!” to “Zing Go the Strings” to “Heartbreak Hotel” have cemented his legacy throughout Arizona and the NBA. His distinctive voice, vivid descriptions and deep knowledge of the game created a unique style that remained a staple for more than five decades. McCoy will long be known as the Voice of the Phoenix Suns. His many contributions to basketball and sports broadcasting were recognized when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The first play-by-play announcer inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and a 2009 inductee into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, McCoy earned the team’s highest honor when he became the 15th person inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2017. Funeral services are pending.
Audacy has added “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” to its lineup on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Philadelphia. Failla’s nationally syndicated political show will be heard weekdays from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET beginning October 7. “FOX Across America with Jimmy Failla” features guests from across the political spectrum for lively discussions on the day’s leading headlines. David Yadgaroff, senior vice president and market manager, Audacy Philadelphia tells TALKERS, ““Jimmy’s coverage of today’s top stories brings a refreshing lightness to the political polarization in America, uniting listeners from all parties with laughter,” adding, “Talk radio has proved to be a reliable news source for listeners, so we’re proud to add this renowned program to our airwaves as the anticipation builds for the 2024 presidential election.” TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Failla says, “As a former taxi cab driver, I am thrilled to join a station that’s built the same strong relationships with its listeners as I built with my passengers,” adding, “I can’t wait to take this ride!” In addition to his radio program, which is heard on 150 stations nationwide, Failla hosts the television show “FOX News Saturday Night,” where he uses his experience as a stand-up comedian to add humor to the biggest stories of the week. He is the New York Times bestselling author of the FOX News book Cancel Culture Dictionary and began writing for the network in 2016. Failla is replacing Cumulus / Westwood One syndicated star (and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member) Mark Levin at night on WPHT.
The images accompanying the music will be a dynamic montage of individual radio talk hosts in the process of doing their shows. The group invites talk show hosts from around the country – local and syndicated – to contribute video clips of themselves in action on the mic. The clips need not be longer than one minute and show the face of the host on air in the studio (even if it is a home studio) and, if possible, show the station or program logo in the frame. Obviously, the group cannot guarantee inclusion in the final product, but every effort will be made to do so. Gunhill Road video producer (and TALKERS VP/associate publisher) Matthew B. Harrison states, “The members of Gunhill Road are so grateful for the attention and airplay they have received over the past five years from talk radio that they want to give something special back to the industry and its medium.” Interested hosts should send their video clips to 
Crowley has had a long and illustrious career in New York talk radio. He has served as vice president/general manager of the Salem Media Group New York – WNYM 970 AM The Answer and WMCA 570 AM The Mission – since 2013. Prior to that, he held key management positions for 18 years as sales manager and VP/GM at WOR, New York. In an internal memo issued to Salem management and corporate staff (9/17), company senior VP East region Jeff Reisman states, “Jerry has been an integral part of our team since 2013, leading both WMCA and WNYM with visionary guidance and unwavering dedication. His remarkable leadership and unique skills have strengthened Salem’s presence in the New York market. Throughout his tenure, Jerry has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to blend his gifts and expertise, fostering a positive impact on our NY staff, our [WMCA] ministry partners, and our local advertising clients. His commitment to excellence and his innovative approach has set a high standard for all of us.” Reisman concludes, “There is only one Jerry Crowley, and we are deeply grateful for his 11 years of hard work and dedication. While we will certainly miss his presence and leadership, we wish him all the best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.” 
Effective immediately (9/18), Christine Escobar re-joins the company as market president for Austin. Rosie Perez steps into the role of market president for San Antonio. 
Additionally, George Flora has been elevated to senior vice president of sales for Dallas-Fort Worth. 
As market presidents, Perez will oversee the operations of all seven iHeartMedia San Antonio stations and Escobar will oversee the operations for all five iHeartMedia Austin stations. As SVP of sales, Flora will be responsible for driving client success, leading the sales management team, working closely with sellers and growing revenue in the Dallas – Fort Worth region. All three leaders will report to Amy Leimbach, region president for iHeartMedia Dallas-Austin-San Antonio. “Rosie, Christine and George are incredibly talented and are the right choice to lead their teams in the Dallas-Austin-San Antonio Region,” said Leimbach. “They each have a strong track record and a unique set of skills that fit their respective markets, with the ability to build and cultivate winning teams.”
Haley, who as a former GOP candidate has played an important role in the ongoing presidential race, will also offer her opinions on the campaigns of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Throughout the hour Haley will also have open dialogues with an array of guests and callers, featuring conversations about the challenges facing Americans of varying perspectives and backgrounds. Haley tells TALKERS, “The American people are smart. They’re sick of distractions in DC and noise from the mainstream media. They want to know what the issues are and how the solutions will impact them. I’m excited to partner with SiriusXM on a show that breaks down the policies and empowers them with the facts.” As part of the multi-platform agreement, video of the program will be available on the SiriusXM app, and the show can be found across major podcast platforms following its premiere on SiriusXM.
As millions of voters across Los Angeles County decide how to cast their ballots in the pivotal race for district attorney, Audacy’s KNX News 97.1 FM and the Los Angeles Times are joining forces to present a live debate between incumbent George Gascón and challenger Nathan Hochman on October 8 at 5:00 pm PT. Sources at Audacy Los Angeles tell TALKERS, “With criminal justice top of mind for voters across Southern California, the KNX News/L.A. Times debate will dig into the key issues impacting safety, equity, and quality of life for the residents of America’s most populous county ahead of the November 5 election. The one-hour, commercial-free debate will air on KNX News (97.1 FM & 1070 AM) with live video available on the digital and social platforms of KNX News and the Los Angeles Times. KNX News anchor Mike Simpson and chief correspondent Charles Feldman will moderate the debate. Panelists will include L.A. Times reporters James Queally and Brittny Mejia and KNX News reporter Emily Valdez. Media interested in attending should contact Alex Silverman at 
In her new role, Murray will lead WJCT’s early childhood education team, overseeing an expanded program of family engagement workshops at six early learning centers and three Head Start sites throughout the academic year. She also manages long-standing initiatives such as the annual children’s writers contest, the Jax PBS KIDS Club, WJCT’s Parenting Minutes, and more. Murray will also manage WJCT Public Media’s relationships with local and national partners and stakeholders, develop new programs and services, and serve as an early childhood education resource for the Northeast Florida community – all with the goal of expanding WJCT Public Media’s impact in this essential service area. Murray has an extensive background in the field and has worked with WJCT Public Media as a consultant over the past two years – while also consulting for the WNET Group in New York, the Fred Rogers Company, and public media stations throughout Florida.
At a time when interviews with the former president are a common talk media occurrence, Root tells TALKERS the interview was significant for several reasons. “First, while I’ve done 16 interviews with President Trump (even he admits this might be the all-time media record), he was always my guest on the phone… this was my first exclusive, face-to-face, one-on-one TV interview. Second, this might have been the last interview he did before Sunday’s assassination attempt. I’m so proud I opened and closed the interview by telling him, ‘My fans and I pray for you every day. We appreciate everything you’ve done for us and this country. Thank you and God bless you.’ And third, when President Trump said a certain slide about illegal immigration saved his life… I corrected him and said, ‘God saved your life. And he continues to protect you – because I believe you are the chosen one – chosen by God to save this country, and economy, and secure this border, and make America great again.’” Root concludes, “I’m so proud I said all of that considering what happened the next day that could have changed the future of this country. He needed to know how much he is loved and appreciated by the American people.”
Audacy news/talker WPHT, Philadelphia’s recently launched live series of public meeting events titled “Politics & Pints” kicked into high gear this past Thursday (9/12) evening as popular station midday personality Dom Giordano hosted an evening with Trump Organization EVP, Donald Trump, Jr before a sold-out crowd of 500 listeners, sponsors, and local officials at the Scottish Rite Auditorium in Collingswood, NJ. The conversation covered the election, the state of the union, and Trump Jr’s worldview. Giordano (pictured above left) tells TALKERS, “Don Trump Jr (r) took us inside big Trump moments like the family coming down the escalator in 2016 and his call with his father after he was shot. He did this while doing a dead-on Trump impression and speaking fluent Czech.” Giordano adds, “He was very personable and quite intelligent.” 
A cash bar for soft drinks, beer and wine was available for purchase in the lobby of the Scottish Rite Auditorium. Ticket prices ranged from $500, which included a VIP pre-event meet and greet, a copy of Letters to Trump and a commemorative Politics & Pints tumbler, to $195 for reserved seating that included a copy of Letters to Trump by former President Donald Trump. Special handicap seating was also available.
“Our industry is going to take a while to reset itself, like the newspaper industry,” he said, estimating that this “reset” would come in 10 years, or not at all. “This might be the new normal.” Pictured above: Adell (l) with radio historian and videographer Art Vuolo (r). Vuolo tells TALKERS, “He invited me to video in studio the launch of Super Station 910 the first week of September a year ago as he re-branded WFDF-AM 910 as news/talk. He wanted to go after WJR, but with mostly syndicated programming from Premiere Networks. Interestingly 910 now with 50 kw is the third biggest AM signal in Michigan!” For more info, see the entire Detroit Free Press article here. 
Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. (MIW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of female leadership in radio broadcasting, and the National Association of Broadcasters Leadership Foundation (NABLF), name Rachel Haggerty as the 2024 MIW NABLF Launch Program mentee. Started in 2023, Launch is a partnership between MIW and the NAB Leadership Foundation dedicated to supporting and guiding women in radio who are relatively new to the industry. 
The first of its kind, this program fosters the development and curation of talent. Haggerty graduated from Seton Hall University in 2019, where she was actively involved with WSOU-FM, serving as assistant technical operations director and later as student manager. After graduation, she completed the National Association of Broadcasters Technology Apprenticeship Program, interning with iHeartMedia’s New York City radio stations. She then worked locally and with a national support team at iHeartMedia before becoming the assistant chief engineer at WABC-AM. Since 2023, she has returned to iHeartMedia New York, working with Premiere Networks on nationally syndicated talk shows. Rachel is also an active member of the Society of Broadcast Engineers and holds a Certificate in Broadcast Radio Engineering.
Harrison addressed the issue of artificial intelligence’s impact on talk show hosts as well as society in general presenting a mixed forecast of both good and bad news. To watch the video in its entirety please click here 
The live, one-hour program will air weekday mornings from 5:00 am – 6:00 am beginning September 16 and will be hosted by talk radio host and public speaker Nick Craig of the Carolina Journal. 
The early morning show will focus on state-wide news, politics, and business stories that impact the lives of the residents of Charlotte and all of North Carolina utilizing the formidable resources of the Carolina Journal. Additionally, local traffic, sports, and weather reports from the well-established WBT News Team will be featured prominently in every show. “I am beyond excited about the incredible opportunity to work with the John Locke Foundation/Carolina Journal and the iconic WBT radio,” Craig tells TALKERS. “Bringing talk radio to a new generation is not just a personal passion of mine but a vital step in shaping the future of political discourse. I am eager to embark on this journey to elevate the level of political conversation for years to come.” Donna King, editor-in-chief of the Carolina Journal adds, “This powerful partnership will take the public conversation to a new level in North Carolina. Carolina Journal and WBT each have a long history of pioneering journalism, offering North Carolinians fact-based news and analysis that matters. Whether in politics, investigative stories, or public policy, the combined resources of our organizations ensure up-to-the-minute coverage and context that listeners truly cannot get anywhere else.” WBT PD Mike Schaefer tells TALKERS, “This new show is the next evolution of WBT’s already amazing live and local lineup, and it will deliver the news, information and analysis that our listeners have come to expect from us as they start the day.”
He purchased his own station – WTON, Staunton, VA after serving the Charlottesville market for years as morning host of WCHV. Now he has put his morning talk show into syndication through Talk Media Network. It has already been cleared on WZXI in Lancaster, KY and WTTB on Florida’s ‘Treasure Coast’ (as well as his own WTON in Central Virginia). Joe tells TALKERS, “This is such an honor to work with people like Josh Leng and Willis Damalt at TMN. We’re up every morning to help the new listeners get their day started just like we have been for over 20 years!” He adds, “Just like that ‘other’ guy named Thomas [Jefferson] from Charlottesville, my show promises free speech and independence and I hope that it too spreads across America.” For information about “Joe Thomas in-the-morning,” contact Willis Damalt at TMN. 917-603-7148 or 
Audacy Podcasts is entering a strategic partnership with acclaimed storytelling nonprofit “The Moth” to handle sales and distribution for the organization’s award-winning podcast, including video, social and sponsorships for live events. To date, “The Moth” podcasts have been brought to listeners in partnership with PRX. PRX will continue to represent The Moth on public radio, which includes continued distribution of “The Moth Radio Hour” to more than 560 stations nationwide. “The Moth” podcast feed will move to Audacy on January 1, 2025, and be accessible on the Audacy app and everywhere podcasts are available. “The Moth” will continue its release schedule with new and encore episodes of “The Moth Radio Hour” on Tuesdays and original episodes of “The Moth Podcast” on Fridays. For over 27 years, “The Moth” has been an instrumental force in the modern storytelling movement, presenting over 60,000 true, personal stories to standing-room-only crowds at events and through storytelling workshops worldwide. Since 2008, these stories have reached tens of millions of listeners each year through “The Moth Radio Hour” and “The Moth Podcast.” Sarah Haberman, executive director of “The Moth” tells TALKERS, “As a nonprofit organization, the opportunity to broaden our reach with Audacy perfectly aligns with our mission of building a more connected world through the art of true personal storytelling. We’re thrilled to partner with their talented team to ensure these vital stories are amplified and heard by more listeners – and help brands connect with our community meaningfully through our audio programming, 600+ live events yearly, 1.3MM+ social media followers, and our digital extensions.”
Cumulus Media announces that Detroit news/talk station WJR AM 760 will air NFL football on Monday and Thursday nights through a new agreement with Westwood One. WJR AM 760 will provide exclusive and comprehensive coverage of the 2024-2025 NFL season, broadcasting Monday and Thursday night regular season football games on the station and in a simulcast on Cumulus Media’s WDVD-FM HD2. WJR AM 760 coverage will also include the NFL Playoffs, beginning with the wild card round and ending with the Super Bowl. Coming up on WJR AM 760’s NFL coverage is the Buffalo Bills match-up against the Miami Dolphins in Miami tonight (9/12) at 7:30pm. Ann Thomas, PD of WJR AM 760, tells TALKERS, “WJR is thrilled to partner with Westwood One to bring Monday and Thursday night NFL football to Michigan residents.”
Pictured above are the on-air celebrities and athletes who participated at the Siwanoy Country Club in Bronxville, NY. For more information about the BFoA, please click here 
Across the nation, talk media hosts from radio, television, cable, podcasting, and YouTube channels were literally working overtime immediately before, during, and after the historic ABC News presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia. TALKERS received reports from across the talk industry that, unlike so many events of this nature that prove disappointing, this debate delivered an edge-of-the-seat, non-stop drama that evoked comparisons to an emotional sporting event like a 12 round heavyweight championship bout during the golden age of boxing. Legendary WPHT, Philadelphia midday host Dom Giordano was in attendance reporting for his station as well as hundreds of others across America that tapped into his swing state perspective on an ad hoc basis. 
Giordano tells TALKERS, “Being in the Spin Room was like being in the middle of multiple simultaneous rugby scrums while trying to discuss the most sensitive issues for our country.” During post-debate coverage, lead election anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum announced that FOX News Media sent letters to both the Harris and Trump campaigns around 7:30 pm before last night’s debate requesting the opportunity to host an additional debate in October. Here’s an excerpt from the letter:
Fox Weather Names Former Weather Channel Exec Jason Hermes as VP/Ad Sales and Partnerships. FOX Weather, FOX News Media’s free ad-supported streaming television “FAST” weather service, has hired Jason Hermes as vice president of advertising sales and partnerships, announced Trey Gargano, EVP of FOX News Media advertising sales. Hermes, who was most recently the VP of content marketing sales at The Weather Channel, began his new role yesterday (9/10) reporting to Dan Realson, SVP, FOX News digital sales. Gargano said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jason to the FOX Weather team as we’re certain his decades of experience in developing and executing innovative strategies will help drive monetization and operations across our growing weather platform.” Hermes tells TALKERS, “In just three years, FOX Weather has become the fastest growing weather service in the country, and I am excited to work with the team to help drive further innovations and brand expansions.” FOX Weather is a 24/7 free ad-supported television service (FAST) operated by FOX News Media.
Dickey Broadcasting Company (DBC) appoints Andy Roth as director of programming for DBC’s heritage sports-talk radio station, Sports Radio 680/93.7FM The Fan, Atlanta. A 30-year radio veteran, Roth takes the reigns of the region’s oldest sports radio station – home of the Atlanta Braves, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, and the Official Sports Talk Station of the Georgia Bulldogs. Prior to joining Atlanta-based DBC, Andy had been the sole brand manager for 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland since it signed on in 2011.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andy Roth to the Dickey Broadcasting Company family,” says David Dickey, president of DBC. “His extensive experience and strategic acumen will be instrumental in driving our programming and content-creation strategies forward to provide Atlantans and the region’s sports fans with the best shows, insight, and analysis. We are very confident that Andy’s experience and leadership will help us achieve new levels of consumption and listener engagement for our listeners, our team partners, and our great sponsors.”
One More Debate Story Out of Philly. We must share this with you. Last night’s spectacular was a bonanza of activity for Audacy’s swing state news/talk giant WPHT (as is this entire election). The station is the home of Walter M Sterling’s idiosyncratic “Sterling Every Damn Night” 9:00 pm – 12:00 midnight. Sterling (a.k.a. Walter Sabo) aired the entire debate followed by probing analysis from a male entertainer, “Donald Trunk,” in addition to “Steven a baker and bakery owner,” “Thea Landen, a smutty book author,” “Celena Ballerina a senior in college” and the station’s real midday host Dom Giordano. For one hour, they discussed how crappy their food and electrical bills are as well as how confusing the debaters were. A caller thanked Thea for her nightly smutty book readings stating, “She reminds me of my wife.”
as well as streaming on the WGMD app, and TalkOfDelmarva.com. That will be accompanied by a real-time, interactive blogging event at RealNewsTalk.com. FOX News Media will present live coverage surrounding the debate with special programming available across all of FOX News Media’s key platforms, including FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Digital, FOX News Audio and FOX Nation. Cumulus media/Westwood One host Dan Bongino will host a special live edition of his podcast on Rumble preceding and during the debate beginning at 8:00 pm ET.