Top News/Talk Media Stories This Past Week (May 11-15)
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (5/11-15) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
- Trump in China
- Iran War / Strait of Hormuz
- Gas Prices / Inflation Spikes
- Redistricting
- Warsh Confirmed as Fed Chair
- Patel Testimony / Hegseth Testimony
- Abortion Pill Order
- Reflecting Pool & Ballroom Controversies
- UK Election Results – Keir Starmer Challenged
- Hantavirus
People
- Donald Trump
- Xi Jinping
- Marco Rubio
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Kevin Warsh / Jerome Powell
- Kash Patel
- Pete Hegseth
- Mike Johnson
- Hakeem Jeffries
- Keir Starmer
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
These are scary times. People on all sides of the mic are on the front lines. Not just “them,” otherwise referred to as the audience. We try to fool ourselves into thinking that society and civilization are relatively “safe.” However, simply being alive and stepping outside in the morning, turning on the computer, or checking the annoyingly smart phone, puts us smack dab in the middle of a war. Literally and figuratively. But like so much else in this modern era, this war lacks foundation.
broadcasting is at its best when it informs, connects and serves the community. Our goal is to provide timely, relevant information that keeps the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene metropolitan area well informed, whether it’s breaking news, traffic slowdowns, severe weather or the stories shaping our region each day.” Nelson adds, “After more than 25 years in Spokane broadcasting, I’ve seen how important live and local news is when people need it most. News Radio KBNW is built to be present at the start and end of every weekday, delivering reliable information people can depend on, along with engaging and entertaining talk programs the rest of the broadcast day.” The two say the news staff will consist of Steve Wilke, Joe Paisley, Erich Ebel and Scott Carlon. Talk programs will include: Dave Ramsey, Mike Gallagaher, Lars Larson, and Armstrong & Getty. 
dcast and an extension of The Breakfast Club’s popular “Front Page News” radio segment. Black Effect says host Mimi Brown expands her on-air coverage of the most-talked-about news stories each weekday into easily digestible 10-to-12-minute episodes that will give listeners more of the headline-making details they crave.
Jason Reddick’s The Complete Guide to AI Side Hustles is aimed at beginners trying to build passive income. But read it through a broadcaster’s lens and it suggests a blueprint for how radio talent and podcasters can leverage AI to expand their influence, diversify revenue, and stay indispensable in a media economy that rewards relevance and speed.
a is reporting a net loss of $2.4 million for the quarter compared to the net loss of $1.6 million it reported in Q1 of 2025. Saga paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on March 20, 2026. The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend was approximately $1.6 million. With payment of this most recent declaration Saga will have paid over $145 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012.
the Monday through Friday program “cuts through the noise of the standard 24-hour sports cycle” in which “Taylor delivers 5-10 minutes of sharp insight, authentic commentary, and cultural depth, offering perspective on the headlines that matter most. The show is built on the philosophy that ‘nobody breaks down the game like a woman who actually knows it.’” Taylor adds, “I wanted to create something fast, focused, and always authentic. Sports fans are busy, but they want the context behind the conversation. With ‘The Daily Play,’ I’m giving them what it means and what to watch next – in just a few minutes. Joining Urban One allows me to talk directly to a loyal, engaged audience across the country. I’m excited to get back to my radio roots!”
advertisers are currently buying audio programmatically, up two times from 2022 (41%); 2) The most used programmatic audio demand-side platforms are Google Display & Video 360, The Trade Desk, and Amazon DSP; 3) Among publishers, the most utilized supply-side platforms for digital audio ads are Google Ad Manager, distantly followed by Amazon Publisher Services, Open X, and PubMatic; 4) Among those who purchase podcasts, Google DV360, The Trade Desk, and Amazon’s DSP are the most utilized demand-side platforms; and 5) Recent announcements from Amazon Ads indicate a major expansion of over-the-air AM/FM radio and audio advertising capabilities within the Amazon Demand Side Platform. Regarding that last point, the study notes that those moves “focus on bridging the gap between traditional broadcast AM/FM radio and digital, programmatic buying, allowing advertisers to use Amazon’s first-party signals for targeting and measurement.” 
local journalism across the state.” GBH president Susan Goldberg tells the paper the proposed merger of GBH, NEPM, and Cape and Islands radio station CAI will form “one of the largest and most trusted statewide public media newsroom networks in the Commonwealth.” Goldberg adds, “In a media landscape that is constantly changing, and particularly in the 
wake of federal defunding of public media, we are finding new ways to be as impactful as possible for the communities we serve. Simply put, we are stronger together.” Goldberg tells the Globe they have no plans to reduce staff and are planning to invest in new roles. The story adds, “According to the proposal. NEPM will continue to operate as the primary public media provider in Western Massachusetts, maintaining its studios in Springfield and at the University of Massachusetts. Its brand and programming – including local news, music, and educational shows – will remain in place.”
May the Fourth be with you today, as DJs and talk hosts are bumping with Star Wars music. And with Mother’s Day looming, 
KFYO’s morning show. In 2021, ‘The Chad Hasty Show’ moved to late afternoons, where he continued informing and entertaining audiences across the region. Whether cutting through the news of the day or interviewing some of the most prominent political figures in the state and country, Chad always delivered an engaging and thought-provoking show for his loyal listeners.” Townsquare Media Lubbock market president Dan Endom adds, “We are stunned and heartbroken by the sudden passing of our beloved KFYO family member, Chad Hasty. Chad was not only a brilliant on-air host, but an even better friend. Our deepest condolences go out to [his wife] Jennifer and his baby girl, Ava. It’s hard to imagine not seeing his welcoming presence roaming the halls of Townsquare Media Lubbock.” 
University on Long Island. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The selection of ‘Cats’ as keynoter is in keeping with one of the major themes of this year’s edition of the iconic industry event – radio, talk media, and entrepreneurism. John Catsimatidis is presently setting the greatest example of entrepreneurism at work in giving an injection of much needed energy, focus and life to the medium of radio.” Harrison will serve as facilitator of the presentation in a Q&A / interview style format – a role he has played before with the dynamic billionaire media, grocery, and energy mogul.
Catsimatidis will be joined by more than 60 speakers comprised of legendary industry figures as well as fresh faces and rising stars. A detailed agenda including speakers and schedule – a “who’s who” of industry luminaries – will be posted in TALKERS this coming Tuesday (4/28). See the link below for the names of all speakers booked to date.
Harrison continues, “This important conference will illuminate the forward path of the expanding talk media universe, including all aspects of digital communications from AI and podcasting to streaming networks. As has been its tradition, this latest TALKERS conference will approach the onrushing future of the talk business from a radio perspective. This crucial gathering will cover the new undeniable realities of the radio business for those who not only want to survive but thrive as well. It will be about opportunities, networking, and entrepreneurism for individuals in talent, programming, sales, marketing, and management who are serious about staying in the game.”
To quote a radio friend, “Some talk show hosts think the news of the day only exists to serve up interesting fodder for their shows.” Many media practitioners, whose jobs encompass letting their audiences know about the pain and suffering of “others,” feel personally exempt from experiencing a connection to the talking points of poverty, ignorance, violence, and injustice that they eagerly collect (and even welcome) as fresh “content” for their platforms. It’s all just “material” to them.