“SportsTalk 790” Unveils “The Morning Drive with Dan & Cole”
iHeartMedia sports talk KBME-AM, Houston “SportsTalk 790” announces its new morning show that will debut on Monday. “The Morning Drive with Dan & Cole” is hosted by Houston natives
Dan Mathews and Cole Thompson. Thompson has been with KBME for the past year producing “The A-Team” on the station and hosting, “The Night Cap.” Mathews began his career covering Houston sports and worked in Atlanta at Audacy’s WZGC-FM and Dickey Broadcasting’s WCNN-AM. Station program director Chris Gordy states, “We’re thrilled to add Cole to mornings, alongside Dan. Both guys eat, sleep and breathe all things Houston sports, and bring a passion and enthusiasm to kick off each morning right.”
former Milwaukee County attorney, and former Republican legislative staffer Todd Allbaugh are no longer airing. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Allbaugh announced his exit via social media and said the reason was budgetary – for “the long-term financial viability of the company.” Allbaugh noted that he was told of the change before his did his final show, adding, “They did not have to give me a last show. It was immensely appreciated.” 
president and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “Bill’s dogged dedication to uncovering the story and deep understanding of national issues make him an excellent fit to cover the complex world of Congress.” Since joining FOX News Media in 2021, Melugin has been at the forefront of reporting on all angles of immigration, spending roughly half of his tenure reporting onsite from the United States’ southern border from 2021 through 2024.
connect with listeners, deliver compelling talk content, and handle breaking news and severe weather with credibility, confidence, and energy. As part of our award-winning team, you’ll shape the conversation every day by interviewing newsmakers, reacting to breaking stories, and engaging directly with the audience on-air and online. 
pioneers. Audacy St. Louis SVP and market manager Becky Domyan states, “For 100 years, KMOX has kept St. Louis informed and connected, a legacy we are incredibly proud of. We now honor the pioneers who helped build this station. They are the definitive voices and leaders who became synonymous with KMOX and defined a century of service. We look forward to building on their foundation and continuing to serve as the home for news St. Louisans rely on for the next hundred years.” Pioneers include former KMOX general manager Robert Hyland, sports broadcaster Bob Costas, former station hosts Jack Carney, Rex Davis, Bob Hardy, Anne Keefe, John McCormick and Jim White, former St. Louis Cardinals play-by-play announcers Jack Buck, Harry Caray and France Laux, and former St. Louis Blues play-by-play announcer Dan Kelly.
and two of its sister music-formatted outlets to a local operator – Zoellner Media Group, led by Dr. Robert Zoellner. Potter tells the Tulsa World that his exit came as a surprise. He says he was called into a meeting with Dr. Zoellner. “Our paths hadn’t crossed yet in his ownership. Shook his hand, sat down. He said, ‘We’re not renewing your contract.’ They handed me a check, and security showed me out of the building.” Prior to joining KRMG, Potter served in Dallas with WBAP-AM in several capacities, including news director.
announces new affiliate stations that include WOR, New York; KNEW, San Francisco; WTAM, Cleveland; WOAI, San Antonio; WSJS, Greensboro; WSTP, Charlotte; KKXT, Corpus Christ; WHLO, Akron; KYQQ, Abilene; KIXW, Riverside; and WOND, Atlantic City. “Our American Stories” is now heard on 480 stations nationwide.
shows. NPR’s “NPR News Now” and “Up First” rank #1 and #2, respectively, and Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” remains ranked #3, more than a month after his slaying on September 10. Other talk radio-related podcasts of note include Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” climbs one place to #12; iHeartRadio’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” falls two places to #18; and Cumulus Podcast Network’s “The Mark Levin Show” rises four places to #34. 
position the cluster for continued success and growth. They include the promotion of Grant McHill to program director for “NewsRadio 101.1 FM KXL.” McHill has been serving as KXL’s news director. McHill says, “As someone who has worked at KXL for a decade, I appreciate and understand the station’s importance to the community and its potential for growth in Portland and beyond. I am thrilled, honored, and thankful for this opportunity. A huge thank you to Jeff Warshaw, Keith Dakin, Mark Handwerger, and Ross MacLeod for their confidence in me.”
market manager Jeff Miller says in a memo to staff, “Since arriving in Cleveland almost three years ago, Chase has concentrated on our brands, our execution and our team with hopes of building on the great foundation that was already in place. His relentless focus on being the best, along with consistent coaching and leadership, has led to significant growth for individuals and our four stations. Please join me in congratulating Chase on his well-deserved elevation to VP of programming for Cleveland. Chase will continue to focus on the overall programming performance for all four of our brands as we head into 2026 and beyond.”
“Our American Stories” founder and host Lee Habeeb was tapped by the White House to tell the story of John Adams and his defense of the Redcoats in the trial the Boston Massacre. This is part of the White House’s America 250 “Story of America” series that’s being created in partnership with Hillsdale College and the US Department of Education. 
KWAM, Memphis, is offering stations a three-hour holiday special titled, “A Starnes Country Christmas.” Starnes tells TALKERS that the show will include live musical performances, special holiday guests, and Christmas trivia featuring celebrity panelists. You can get more information about carrying this complimentary program by emailing Todd Starnes at: 
formats. The program is available in three versions: three-hour, one-hour, 25-minutes and 30-minutes and are hosted by radio personality Larry O’Connor, morning drive host at WMAL-FM, Washington, DC. It features stories of America’s military heroes, the families who serve by their side, and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. Listeners will hear their emotional stories fighting for our freedoms, how they sustained their injuries, and the welcoming homes Fisher House provides for them and their loved ones while they endure their painful and painstaking recoveries. This year’s program features a special focus on the incredibly inspiring victories our wounded warriors enjoy on the field of competitive, adaptive sports. Fisher House supports the Wounded Warrior Games and the lnvictus Games as a vital part of the physical, emotional, and mental healing process for our wounded veterans. For more information on this radio special, available cash and barter free, contact Larry O’Connor at 562-665-9537 or 
Lochridge entered the business in the sales department and by 1970 became the general manager of WRIF, Detroit. He was promoted by ABC to general manager for WPLJ, New York in 1973. He would serve at KAUM, Houston before returning to New York to serve with ABC Radio Networks. He later joined NBC’s The Source. In 1988 he and his wife purchased a small station in Wickenburg, Arizona.
Columbia. The stations are in small markets and include: KAAN-AM/FM, Bethany; KWIX-FM, Cairo; KKWK-FM and KMRN-AM, Cameron; KIRK-FM, Macon; KTCM-FM, Madison; KRES-FM and KWIX-AM, Moberly; KJEL-FM and KBNN-AM, Lebanon; and KFBD-FM, KOZQ-FM, KJPW-AM, and KIIK-AM in Waynesville. Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeffrey Warshaw says, “These Missouri markets did not fit into our long-term plans. We are pleased to have found a trusted buyer in Miles Carter and his family-oriented company.” Carter comments, “We have wanted to expand for a while and when the opportunity came, we were eager to talk with Connoisseur. As we look toward the new markets, our mission remains the same: bring trustworthy local news, agriculture coverage, and community-focused storytelling to areas that need a stronger voice. Expansion isn’t about getting bigger, it’s about serving more people with the kind of reliable, hometown broadcasting Carter Media was built on.”
people here at KNX all around me are real. And they are people who live and work in this community. Brian Douglas and Sioux-Z Jessup, our traffic team, Sabina – they care about people driving in from places like Santa Clarita. Or when you hear sirens on the westside or Monrovia, we here at KNX are curious too! And we can joke about the differences between LA and Orange County and how Irvine is always topping the list somewhere because we are here with you in this community. We know Southern California. It has been my privilege to be part of this community and to tell you stories about things that matter, as well as things that just might brighten your day. We’ve had so much fun. It has been my absolute pleasure to meet some of you, along the way… So, I hope that you will continue to listen to KNX and enjoy my partner here and support him, Mike Simpson, and the new owner of my chair as the morning co-host, that is Margaret Carrero, we wish her well.” With Carrero’s move to mornings, Alex Silverman joins the afternoon lineup, alternating shifts with Brian Douglas. 
social media that she has exited the Beasley sports talk station. “4.5 years ago I started my journey at 97.5 The Fanatic. Today was my final day. While this was unexpected I was able to come out of college and work my dream job. Not many people get to do that. I love my morning show fam (chat too fam bam). I’m always wishing nothing but the best for everyone who works there. I’m not going anywhere with my Flyers/ESPN+ jobs. I LOVE radio. That I will miss. Go birds and thank you all for supporting me live out my dream. It did come true. How lucky am I??”
Elizabeth Mayer states, “In our continued focus on YouTube and watchable podcasts, this edition of the Podcast Download reveals YouTube at an all-time high for consumption. Regardless of tenure or heavy usage, YouTube remains in the top spot, which speaks to podcast consumers seeking out watchable podcasts. 12% of weekly podcast consumers use Smart TVs where video components are intuitive and easy to access to listen to podcasts.” Signal Hill Insights president and CEO Paul Riismandel adds, “Audio is still key. While we see yet another bump in the preference to use YouTube for podcasts, we don’t see notable change in the number of weekly podcast consumers who are only watching their podcasts. This segment remains a tiny minority – just 8% in this report.” 
For most of my life, the sound of an AM signal has been my constant companion. Long before I ever spoke into a microphone professionally, I was the kid hiding under the covers with a transistor radio, slowly turning the dial, discovering voices, ideas, communities, and worlds far beyond my bedroom. AM radio didn’t just shape my career – it shaped who I am.
In an industry built on speed – breaking news, live liners, commercial deadlines – “pause” can feel like a luxury radio can’t afford. But Kevin Cashman’s The Pause Principle: Step Back to Lead Forward (Wiley) argues the opposite: pausing isn’t weakness, it’s a competitive advantage. For local radio leaders, the message couldn’t be timelier.
by the FCC and is expected to close early next year. Connoisseur Media says the sale is “another step in the company’s efforts to concentrate on markets where it can execute its successful playbook. It is one element in the strategic plan for the markets acquired in Connoisseur Media’s acquisition of Alpha Media that took place in September.” Connoisseur Media founder and CEO Jeff Warshaw says, “Bakersfield was a market that did not fit into the long-term plans we have for Connoisseur. We looked for a local operator that we felt could devote the time and energy that Bakersfield deserves. We are confident that we have found that in Frequency and the Hill family operation.”