Industry News

Jeff Katz Receives Congressional Tribute

WRVA, Richmond afternoon drive talk host Jeff Katz was honored on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday (9/2) imgby Congressman John McGuire of Virginia’s Fifth District. McGuire saluted Jeff for his prior police service, for serving as a law enforcement peer support counselor for more than three decades and for creating the Lieutenant Jan McTernan Blue Friday Award 10 years ago. The award is bestowed publicly on a Central Virginia law enforcement officer during an on-air segment on the last Friday of each month. See a video of the tribute here.

Industry News

KRMG, Tulsa Names Hill & Berg PM Drive Hosts

Zoellner Media Group’s news/talk KRMG, Tulsa announces that April Hill and Steve Berg are the new hosts of the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm show. KRMG program director Levi May says, “April and Steve are two of the strongest voices on our news team and bringing them together for the afternoon is a natural fit. They know Tulsa, they know news, and most importantly, they know how to connect with our listeners. We’re excited about what they’ll bring to the afternoon and to KRMG.” Hill states, “I’m incredibly excited and honored to be stepping into the role of host of the KRMG imgAfternoon News. KRMG has such a strong connection with our community, and I am thrilled to be able to spend my afternoons telling stories and interacting with listeners. I’m looking forward to working more with this team and sharing some laughs along the way.”  Berg adds, “I’m honored, excited, and humbled all at the same time about the new show. I grew up in Tulsa listening to John Erling on KRMG, interned at the station when I was in college, and ultimately wound up working here. KRMG is kind of in my DNA, so to have my name attached to a KRMG show is almost surreal and very flattering.  I’m eager to begin this new phase at the station.”

Industry News

Salem Chicago Celebrates 3rd Annual Shaunfest

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Salem Media Chicago is celebrating the success of the third annual “Shaunfest” – a live remote broadcast of WIND-AM, Chicago’s afternoon drive Shaun Thompson program that drew about 1,400 attendees. Salem Chicago market manager Marcus Brown tells TALKERS the live event has grown steadily, attracting about 1,000 fans two years ago and about 1,200 last year. Brown says, “The live broadcast culminated with a tribute to two special members of the AM 560 family who passed away over the last year – Charlie Kirk (who grew up listening to the station before becoming a host with Salem) and Rich Gervasio (a caller “Rich from Indian Head Park” who became a fixture on the show), followed by a live performance of the national anthem. It was a powerful moment that capped off the broadcast.” Brown adds, “In addition to the nearly 1,400 attendees, we also had a dozen local sponsors who had lines of listeners at their booths for hours. Truly an incredible event that underscores the power of local radio in an era where these types of things are becoming rare.”

Job Opportunity

WBT, Charlotte Seeks News Anchor

107.9 FM WBT, Charlotte’s News Talk is looking for the next great multimedia journalist to join the WBT News Team as a Full-Time News Anchor. If you’re a compelling storyteller on air and on the page, have the ability to deliver the facts beyond the headline, and imgunderstand that there is a critical difference between news reporting and simple dictation, we’d love to hear from you.  What will set you apart? Journalistic objectivity, understanding what makes a news story relatable, the flexibility to cover breaking news whenever it happens and, most importantly, to be a great teammate and collaborator, working with the entire WBTeam of hosts, anchors, reporters, and producers for the benefit of the Charlotte listeners.  If this sounds like you, please upload your resume, air checks and writing samples here.

Industry News

WBAL-AM, Baltimore Cuts Local Staff

On Thursday afternoon (8/27), Hearst revealed changes to its program schedule that include the exit of midday talk host T.J. imgSmith and afternoon host Angelette Aviles. Numerous reports, including from the blog DCRTV, indicate that several employees in the news department have been let go, as well. The talk shows are being replaced by Premiere Networks’ “The Glenn Beck Show” from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon and “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show” from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. “The Sports Lounge” is now airing in the 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm slot, followed by the “WBAL News Now” from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Industry News

Rare 1977 Interview with Dolly Parton Conducted by Michael Harrison Uncovered in TALKERS Archives

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Dolly Parton‘s recent death at 80 (8/25) marked an irreplaceable loss for the world of music and popular culture.  Her legacy as a songwriter, performer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist stands in a rarified class of its own.  TALKERS founder Michael Harrison experienced what he describes as the “pleasure and honor” of meeting Dolly Parton one time… but their encounter played a historic role in a pivotal turn in her career.  Harrison recalls, “It was almost 50 years ago.  I was the managing editor of the industry trade publication Radio & Records and an influencer in the world of Album Oriented Rock radio as a personality on AOR giant KMET, Los Angeles.  At the time, Dolly was the undisputed queen of country music… but she had not yet crossed over to the broader world of pop, let alone rock.”

In early 1977, RCA Records released a new country-ISH album by Parton titled New Harvest First Gathering with the hope of expanding her media footprint from exclusively country to pop and even rock radio without damaging her established base. In a promotional effort to achieve that goal, RCA recruited Harrison to interview her about her life, career, and the new album, track by track, and sent it out to hundreds of rock and pop stations. Harrison states, “She was absolutely fantastic!” Needless to say, the strategy was successful, and the promotional interview, pressed on 33 1/3 vinyl, got tons of airplay on scores of stations that never would have even thought about playing Dolly Parton. It set the stage for the title track of her next album titled “Here You Come Again,” released later in 1977, to become her first crossover hit.

Harrison recalls, “I had recorded several promotional interview albums for record companies at that time with rock artists such as George Harrison to accompany the hoopla surrounding the release of their new albums without them having to do hundreds of live interviews across the nation. But the idea of doing this kind of thing with an established country music figure as Dolly Parton outside that format was somewhat daunting to say the least. Regardless, all’s well that ends well. My interview with Dolly was well-received by even some of the most ardent rockers on the FM dial.”

To listen to this historic interview, please click here.

Industry News

Jason Goff Joins Hubbard’s 312 Sports

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Windy City sports media personality Jason Goff is joining Hubbard’s digital platform 312 Sports. Goff is pictured above (second from the left) along with Cody Delmendo (left), Dan Bernstein (second from right), and Matt Abbatacola(right) at Double Clutch Brewing in Evanston during the 312 Sports Year One Anniversary Party. Hubbard says Goff will launch a new podcast, “Jason Goff: Unscripted,” followed by a twice-weekly national football show with a partner to be announced. Goff started his media career producing the “Boers & Bernstein” show on WSCR, Chicago. John Goforth is general manager of Hubbard’s Gamut Podcast Network and he says, “This is a memorable stretch in sports media, nationally and here at home, and a lot of good people are figuring out what comes next. There’s no joy in that. But it has clarified something: audiences follow people, not call letters. Jason’s talent, his experience and his roots in this city make him a natural fit for what we’re building. He had his pick of what to do next and he chose to build it here, with us, in the city that made him.”

Industry News

KNSS, Wichita’s Ted Woodward Named to KAB Hall of Fame

KNSS, Wichita talk host Ted Woodward is named a 2026 inductee into the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Audacy summarizes Woodward’s media career, stating, “Woodward is a imgdeeply rooted community fixture who has worked across nearly every local media outlet. He spent five years as a sportswriter for The Wichita Eagle before joining KNSS Radio in 1995. There, he co-hosted “Steve and Ted in the Morning” alongside fellow Hall of Famer Steve McIntosh for 28 years, where they won a Marconi Award for Outstanding Talent in 2017. Fans also know him as “Ted, the Sports Head,” a familiar voice on KFH Radio (KNSS-FM) for more than three decades.” Woodward and his fellow 2026 inductees will be honored at the KAB Hall of Fame Dinner on October 18 at the Wichita Marriott.

Industry News

Rob Carson Reveals Cancer Diagnosis

Newsmax Radio talk host Rob Carson recently revealed to his listeners that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. He tells imgTALKERS, “Last week, I announced I have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I was going to wait until my treatment was finished, but I told my audience I needed them in this fight. I also told them I’m using my reach to educate, inspire and pray for them. We can turn the good of an audience inward on those who are suffering. I have a treatment plan, and I’m positive and motivated. I have helped many on the airwaves with cancer, now I face that fight.”

Industry News

Kemp Broadcasting to Launch Las Vegas Market FM Talker

Kemp Broadcasting and Digital Outdoor is launching a new talk station in the Las Vegas market on KVGO-FM, Overton, Nevada – currently a classic hip hop outlet. On September 1, the station flip to talk as “106.9 FM The Right Talk for Vegas” featuring Premiere Networks’ Glenn Beck and “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton imgShow,” Salem Media’s Hugh Hewitt, Westwood One’s Mark Levin, Radio America’s “The Dana Show,” Talk Media Network’s Dr. Daliah Wachs, and Red Apple Media Networks’ “The Other Side of Midnight” with Walter Sterling. Kemp EVP Marty Basch says, “Kemp Broadcasting is excited to bring something different and compelling to the Las Vegas radio market. 106.9 FM KVGQ combines an outstanding lineup of nationally recognized talk personalities and local voices with the strength and reach of FM radio. We believe Las Vegas listeners deserve a talk station of this caliber.” Kemp adds, “The new station complements 670 AM KMZQ, Kemp’s local talk outlet, which has served the market for nearly a decade. Together, the two stations give the company a talk franchise spanning both national and hometown programming – and give Southern Nevada advertisers a broader platform for reaching engaged, habitual listeners.”

Industry News

Westwood One Launches New Morning Drive Bongino Program

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is launching a new syndicated talk program for mornings on September 21 titled, “The Bongino Report AM with Dan Bongino.” WWO says, “‘The Bongino Report AM’ is the essential way to start the day, delivering a fast-paced imgblend of breaking news, insightful commentary, and sharp analysis of the issues driving the national conversation.” The one-hour program is delivered Monday-Friday at 5:00 am ET. Westwood One president Collin Jones adds, “What’s better than Dan Bongino in the morning and afternoon? Twice a day with Dan Bongino coverage! On the heels of launching ‘The Bongino Report FM,’ we’re thrilled to now offer listeners Dan Bongino in the morning with The Bongino Report AM.” Westwood One says this program will be “comprised of edits from his podcast and other fresh content.”

Industry News

Former KNX, Los Angeles Reporter Rob Archer Joins “95.5 WSB”

Cox Media Group’s news/talk WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta “95.5 WSB” is bringing radio news pro Rob Archer aboard as anchor/reporter. Archer, formerly with Audacy all-news KNX, Los Angeles, begins his new role in September. He posted the following to his blog Archer’s Line: “I’ve written before about how I imgthought my time at KNX would be the capper of my on-air career — that I’d retire from there, as so many other great broadcast journalists had. But it was not to be. I got caught in the churn of staff reductions in June 2025. I stayed busy over the next year. I focused on Archer’s Line and co-hosted podcasts with Jack Messenger and my KNX colleague Charles Feldman. I started a voiceover business and anchored for Remote News Service, providing local newscasts for small- and medium-market stations across the country. I applied for as many radio jobs as I could. But given the state of an industry that was letting far more people go than it was taking on, I didn’t have a lot of hope. But life, like Loki, loves messing with your plans. I awoke one morning to a message about an opportunity — and I grabbed it. I have accepted an anchor/reporter position at 95.5 WSB Atlanta. I’ll be working with my old KNX boss, Ken Charles, beginning next month. See his post to Archer’s Line here.

Industry News

Mike Gallagher Broadcasting from South Carolina for Today’s Runoff Election

Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher is originating his daily program from WRHI, Rock Hill, South Carolina for today’s U.S. Senate GOP runoff election between Senator Darline Graham and U.S. Rep. Ralph Norman. Salem Media points out imgthat a final Trafalgar Group poll – released early this morning – shows South Carolina’s Republican Senate runoff in a virtual dead heat with Senator Graham with 47.9% support and U.S. Rep. Norman at 47.8%, with 4.4% undecided. Gallagher’s guests will include Norman and Trafalgar Group founder Robert Cahaly. SRN says Graham was invited “multiple times to appear on ‘The Mike Gallagher Show’ in recent days but neither she nor her staff responded to those invitations.”

Industry News

Beasley Back in Compliance with NASDAQ Listing Qualifications

Beasley Broadcast Group files a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission notifying the agency that Beasley received written notice from the Listing Qualifications Department of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC confirming that the company has imgregained compliance with the Minimum Stockholders’ Equity Requirement for continued listing on The Nasdaq Capital Market and that the matter is now closed. Beasley continues, “As previously disclosed in the company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 14, 2026, the company received written notice from Nasdaq on April 13, 2026 indicating that the company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(b)(1), which requires companies listed on The Nasdaq Capital Market to maintain a minimum of $2,500,000 in stockholders’ equity.” The company’s common stock continues to be listed and traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “BBGI.”

Industry News

New York City Talk Host Bill Ayres Dies at 85

New York radio host Bill Ayres died on August 22 at the age of 85. Ayres was a Catholic priest whose love for broadcasting led him imginto the radio business. He first went on the air on WGSM, Long Island but is best known for his weekend talk show on WPLJ, New York. He was friendly with singer Harry Chapin with whom he founded World Hunger Year that later became WhyHunger and led to a series of Hungerthon broadcasts. Ayres left the priesthood in 1979 and married his wife Jeannine.

Industry News

Michael Cohen’s WABC Trump Interview Gets Buzz on YouTube and Social Media

The 38-minute interview between former Trump Organization attorney and “fixer” Michael Cohen and President Donald Trump imggenerated a lot of buzz on YouTube and social media as the complete interview aired on Cohen’s WABC program at 5:00 pm on Sunday (8/23). Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for lying to congress and failing to report millions in income and testified against Trump in congress and in court. You can hear the complete interview here.

Industry News

Hubbard Names Moore to Succeed Oxley in DC

Hubbard | Media That Connects CEO Ginny Hubbard announces that former head of international for Wondery Declan Moore will take over leadership of its Washington, DC operations – including WTOP, Federal News Network and the 2060 Digital – when Joel imgOxley retires at year’s end. Moore says, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on the extraordinary legacy Joel Oxley has created here in Washington. WTOP, Federal News Network and 2060 Digital are exceptional brands with deep connections to the communities they serve throughout the National Capital Region. I’m energized by the opportunity to work with the talented teams here to build on those strengths and help these businesses continue to evolve and grow. I’m also enormously excited to join Ginny [Hubbard] and the Hubbard leadership team, whose commitment to impartial, trusted journalism, strong local brands and long-term thinking really resonated with me throughout this process.”

Industry News

Craig Karmazin Announces Rebrand of Company to Good Karma Sports

Gone is the corporate name Good Karma Brands as the company unveils its new name Good Karma Sports. Founder and CEO Craig Karmazin says, “For nearly 30 years, we’ve built our imgbusiness around sports, expanding our capabilities and relationships while staying deeply connected to the local markets we serve. The business we’ve built gives brands a unique and customizable point of entry into the sports ecosystem, bringing together audiences, content, partnerships, talent and experiences around the teams, sports and moments that matter to them. At the same time, our expertise allows us to create value for sports partners in increasingly broad ways. That’s what Good Karma Sports represents, and there is tremendous opportunity ahead for our league, team, publisher, and advertising partners.”

Industry News

Morning Host Bill Keeler Exits WIBX-AM, Utica

Morning drive host Bill Keeler’s show at Townsquare Media’s news/talk WIBX-AM, Utica, New York has been cancelled. Last Thursday (8/20) Keeler posted the following to social media: “I was informed today, following my program, that the morning show on imgWIBX has been cancelled by corporate. As a result, my last day with Townsquare Media was today, although I was told I could apply for other positions that might be available with the company outside the market. Based on what I’ve seen happening throughout the radio industry nationwide, I knew a day like this could eventually come, although I certainly didn’t expect it to happen today. I’m extremely thankful for the nearly 13 years I’ve spent at the Marcy studios, and especially grateful for the people I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. These are some of the most talented people in the industry, and many of them have become very close friends.” WIBX has not announced its longterm plans for the morning drive program.

Industry News

Salem Media Goes Private as Acquisition by WaterStone Consummated

Salem Media completes its acquisition by The Christian Community Foundation, Inc. which does business as WaterStone. Salem Media now a private company. WaterStone acquired all outstanding shares of Salem Media common stock for $1.00 per share, representing approximately a 250% premium over Salem’s trading price prior to the announcement of the transaction. The companies say, “The partnership brings together two organizations imgwith a shared commitment to Christian ministry and faithful stewardship. As a private company, Salem will continue operating its radio, digital, streaming, podcasting, television and publishing platforms while working with WaterStone to pursue new opportunities for investment and growth.” Salem CEO David Santrella adds, “This is an exciting day for Salem and the beginning of an important new chapter for our company. Salem enters this partnership with strong momentum, an extraordinary portfolio of talent and brands, and more ways than ever to reach audiences across the country. With WaterStone alongside us, we are positioned to invest for the future while remaining firmly committed to the mission that has guided this company from the very beginning.”

Industry News

Michael Cohen Interviews Trump for WABC Radio Show

Michael Cohen – President Donald Trump’s former attorney and “fixer” – interviewed the president for his radio show on WABC, New York that will air in its entirety on his Sunday program that airs from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Cohen – who was sentenced to three years in prison for lying to congress and failing to report millions in imgincome testified against Trump in congress and in court. But Cohen says he’s spoken with Trump several times over the past year and the president agreed to do the interview.  WABC says, “The coming-together of these two political heavyweights comes at a particularly intriguing time. Cohen and Trump have been publicly at odds for years, making this unexpected sit-down impossible to ignore. Whatever the answer, Cohen interviewing Trump is sure to generate attention and plenty of questions about what happened to one of the most complicated relationships in modern politics.”

Industry News

Giordano: Back-to-School Days Offer Talk Hosts Annual Opportunity to Address the Dumbing Down of America

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Longtime WPHT, Philadelphia midday personality Dom Giordano tells TALKERS that the “dumbing down of America” is one of the most pressing topics on the minds of Americans “still able to engage in critical thinking.” The man dubbed “the Dean of Philadelphia Talk Radio” says, “Wherever I go, one of the concerns I hear expressed most consistently by listeners, voters, parents, consumers and citizens, from all ends of the political spectrum, is how worried and even angry they are about the dismal state of American education, not to mention public discourse in the nation’s media.” Giordano, a former schoolteacher, who hosts the weekly podcast “Old School, New School, Next School,” is one of talk media’s most outspoken experts on education and advocates for it being addressed “before we are no longer capable of operating a reasonably functional democracy in America.” On the podcast, now in its second year, Giordano interviews experts and offers insights about a wide variety of topics from school choice to parental rights, including screen time, social media, and fundamental educational values such as the importance of history and civics. Giordano encourages talk hosts to take advantage of the hook provided by back-to-school season to address this topic and, as he puts it, “make America smart again.”  To listen to Giordano’s podcast, please click here.

Industry News

Sandy Beach Dies at 86

Buffalo radio legend Sandy Beach has died at the age of 86. Beach spent much of his career in the Buffalo market, including the last 23 years at WBEN-AM, Buffalo. Beach joined WKBW, Buffalo in 1968 when it was a Top 40 station. He worked in a number of markets during his 60-year career, including Hartford, imgDallas, San Francisco, and Milwaukee. Former Audacy Buffalo general manager Tim Wenger posted his thoughts about Beach’s passing and wrote: “When I was asked about programming WBEN ‘back in the day’ and what I would do first, I quickly said I would go to Milwaukee and bring Sandy Beach back to Buffalo and talk radio, where he belongs. I got the job, I got Sandy, and I never looked back. Sandy quickly became an institution on WBEN and a co-worker so many cherished and loved off the microphone and respected for his unrivaled wit, intelligence, logic and even sometimes caustic sense of humor on the air. The most-asked question I get when I encounter WBEN listeners is, hands-down, ‘How is Sandy Beach?’ Susan and I had the privilege of continuing our close friendship with Sandy and I can assure you that his humor, personality and wit was with him until his brief illness took hold.”

Industry News

Oxley to Receive NAB’s National Radio Award

The National Association of Broadcasters will present the 2026 NAB National Radio Award to Hubbard Radio Washington DC president and general manager Joel Oxley during the 2026 NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner on October 20 at the Edison imgBallroom in New York City. NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt states, “NAB is honored to recognize Joel Oxley for his extraordinary leadership and lasting contributions to the radio industry. For more than three decades at WTOP and Federal News Network, and over 15 years at Hubbard Radio, Joel has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to local journalism, innovation and public service. Under his leadership, WTOP has become one of the nation’s premier news operations, setting the standard for excellence in local broadcasting while serving the Washington, DC community with trusted journalism. His integrity, vision and dedication have left an enduring mark on our industry, making him a most deserving recipient of this year’s National Radio Award.”