Charlotte’s WBT AM/FM, Radio One, and The Carolina Journal partner to present “The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT”
Radio One and News Talk 1110/99.3 WBT, along with the Carolina Journal, have entered a partnership to present “The Carolina Journal News Hour on WBT” on the heritage news/talk station in Charlotte.
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.”
For the fifth year in a row, popular WRVA, Richmond, VA afternoon drive host Jeff Katz’s program on the Audacy-owned heritage station has been proclaimed the market’s “Favorite Afternoon Radio Show” in the Richmond Times-Dispatch Readers Choice Poll.
Katz tells TALKERS, “It’s a great feeling for myself and I’m delighted that this outstanding station continues to be recognized – however, it also makes me very proud to see so many of my advertisers win in their categories,” adding, “As you and I realize, a big chunk of my job is to let listeners know about them. It’s very rewarding to see their success and I’m grateful that so many only do advertising with me. It’s humbling.” Katz is a past recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award for his years of stellar community service from supporting the police to raising money and awareness for charitable causes and championing the well-being of disabled children and their caregivers.
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.
Dylan Douglas to Host New Gen Z Political Program Exclusively for SiriusXM’s Progress Channel. 
The annual Grassroots Radio Conference 2024 
WABC CEO/owner John Catsimatidis was joined by a wide array of friends and stars from the worlds of radio, television, politics, and entertainment this past Friday evening (9/6) at his annual charity gala celebrating his 76th birthday. The event took place at Cipriani, the swank hotspot on 42nd Street near Grand Central Station. Joining the billionaire mogul of the broadcasting, grocery, and energy industries, were WABC figures including “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez. This year’s event benefited the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, the New York City Police Athletic League, and St. Francis Feed the Hungry. The event drew more than 600 attendees, including politicians, celebrities, and WABC Radio clients. The evening included performances by Tony Orlando and Dawn, Andy Kim, and more. Pictured at the party (left to right): Vinnie Medugno, Joe Piscopo, Tony Orlando, Margo Catsimatidis, Cousin Brucie Morrow, and John Catsimatidis. For more extensive coverage of the spectacular event, check out the New York Post’s Page Six by 
iHeartMedia Tulsa has expanded the reach of 1300 The Patriot (KAKC-AM), “Oklahoma’s home for Real Talk,” to additional platforms. The station is now simulcasting to its new home on 93.5 FM and 106.1 HD2, in addition to its current frequency at 1300 AM and streaming on iHeartRadio. “‘The Patriot’ has become a trusted voice in Oklahoma, and this expansion is a testament to its success,” says JC Lowe, area president for iHeartMedia Tulsa. “By broadening our reach to FM and HD, we’re ensuring that even more listeners can engage with the high-quality talk and news content that ‘The Patriot’ delivers every day.” JJ Ryan, SVP/programming iHeart Media Tulsa adds, “The expansion to FM and HD radio allows our audience to enjoy ‘The Patriot’ on whichever platform they prefer — whether that’s on AM, FM, HD radio, or digitally through iHeartRadio. Regional news director and PD Brian Gann has done an outstanding job in transforming KAKC-AM into a trusted source for both local and national news. We’re proud to continue offering top-tier programming from national personalities including Michael DelGiorno, Glenn Beck, and Clay Travis & Buck Sexton.”
Canceled (WOKV-FM, Jacksonville) Talk Radio Host Returns With Political Podcast “Mark Kaye Saves the Republic!”Radio talk show host and Newsmax TV personality Mark Kaye tells TALKERS that he’s launching an entertaining new political podcast, “Mark Kaye Saves the Republic!”
The new daily podcast and livestream promises to deliver fun and informative takes on breaking news and political headlines. Mark approaches the show with his trademark high energy and quick wit to create what he describes as “a cool atmosphere for all his loyal listeners affectionately called Kayetriots.” Kaye states, “I am beyond excited to create entertaining and informative daily content again. Since I was canceled [by WOKV-FM, Jacksonville], my audience has been struggling to find real news and true conservative values on the radio or anywhere else. This is not just another news podcast. It’s an online world where patriotic Americans come together to get the daily information and inspiration they need to keep fighting for this great country. My listeners and I are going to save the republic and we’re going to have a lot of fun doing it!” The show kicks off this week with live coverage from the Presidential Debate in Philadelphia. “Mark Kaye Saves The Republic!” is produced by Kayetriot Media.
Heidi Harris Inducted Into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame. After 26 years in radio including stints at KXNT and KDWN in Las Vegas, veteran talk show host Heidi Harris was inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Hall of Fame this past weekend (9/7). Harris tells TALKERS, “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Nevada Broadcasters Association, which works tirelessly on behalf of the broadcasting community, and awards generous scholarships every year to the next generation of broadcasters.” Harris continues to be a trailblazer presenting “The Heidi Harris Show” as an online streaming and video podcast production.
Connoisseur Media tells TALKERS about a variety of significant changes for its Western Connecticut news/talk powerhouse, WICC 600 AM, Bridgeport – changes inspired by the closing of Audacy’s WCBS 880 in adjacent New York City. 
WICC is now “The Voice of Connecticut” expanding its reach by simulcasting on 95.9 FM, previously home to classic rock formatted “The Fox.” This strategic move is designed to strengthen WICC’s position as Fairfield County’s premier source for news, talk, and information. A pivotal part of this transformation is WICC’s new affiliation with CBS News, which will provide national news coverage at the top of every hour. Station officials tell TALKERS, this partnership reinforces WICC’s role as the region’s trusted news source, delivering timely and credible information to the communities it serves. “This rebranding and expansion to 95.9 FM represents a pivotal moment for WICC,” stated Keith Dakin, VP of Programming for Connoisseur Media. “The talent on our team, coupled with our new affiliation with CBS News, will allow us to meet the demand for news and talk programming in Southern Connecticut. We’re excited about this next phase and looking forward to serving a much wider geography and bigger audience.” But, as the saying goes, that’s not all. A new local daytime show from 12:00 noon-2:00 pm ET will be added beginning September 30th hosted by Brigitte Quinn who was the creator, host, and managing editor of “Newsline” on WCBS 880. She was the station’s first female morning-drive anchor and later anchored mornings on 1010 WINS. Quinn’s TV career includes roles at MSNBC, NBC News at Sunrise, and Fox News Channel. Quinn remarks, “Ever since my family and I moved back to beautiful Connecticut, I’ve become a faithful WICC listener. I’m delighted to be joining such a great news/talk radio station, ‘The Voice of Connecticut.’” Quinn’s addition brings WICC’s entire daytime lineup local as she joins talk hosts Melissa Sheketoff 5:00 am -10:00 am, Lisa Wexler 10:00 am-12:00 noon and Paul Pacelli from 2:00 pm-6:00 pm. New additions to weekend programming also include Emmy nominee Chef Plum, Mike Cerulli of WTNH, New Haven, and Dave Ruden of the Ruden Report covering local high school sports. The station plans to continue evolving in this direction with one more critical news reporter position to fill. “We invite Fairfield County listeners to tune in to ‘The Voice of Connecticut,’” says Kristin Okesson, SVP of Connoisseur Media Connecticut. 
“Our affiliation with CBS News paired with these exciting changes in programming reinforces our commitment to deliver modern, engaging content and we’re confident that our audiences will appreciate the new ‘voice’ they hear. I’m especially proud that our daytime shows are hosted by four incredibly talented hosts – three of them in particular are outstanding women in their own right.” WICC can be streamed at 
iHeartMedia announced today (9/6) that Jill Strada has been named Senior Vice President of Programming for Atlanta, effective immediately. iHeartMedia Atlanta has six radio stations in the market comprised of talk, news, and music formats. Estrada will be responsible for oversight of all the Atlanta stations. She will report to market president Spencer Bynes who tells TALKERS, “We are thrilled to welcome Jill Strada to the iHeart Atlanta team. Jill has a remarkable talent for launching, developing, and elevating brands in fiercely competitive markets. Her proven track record of success and unwavering dedication to excellence make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team.” Strada joins the Atlanta market from Cox Media Group Miami, where she most recently served as director of operations.
Longtime talk media host, commentator and director of the 
WABC, New York/Red Apple Media owner/CEO John Catsimatidis continues to add intriguing live elements to the lineup of his radio station and leverage them into product for his growing syndication platform, Red Apple Audio Networks. The latest such addition to the station and network is unapologetically controversial political strategist Roger Stone. Since the 1970s, Stone has worked on the campaigns of Republican politicians, including Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Jack Kemp, Bob Dole, and most recently, Donald Trump. Stone’s show is heard on WABC, Sunday afternoons from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET. The first two hours focus on national and world news and are available to radio stations across the nation via the Red Apple Audio Network. The third hour is specific to WABC and issues focused on the New York area. In making the announcement about his new association with Stone, Catsimatidis tells TALKERS, “His insightful commentary on the political landscape and what’s ahead for America will be of tremendous value to our listeners in New York, around the country, and around the world.” Stone adds, “John has done a great job bringing in big names from politics, business, and entertainment and I’m looking forward to enjoying being on the radio, sharing my perceptions about what’s going on in Washington and the world, and connecting with listeners across America.”