TALKERS News Notes
AURN Exec Honored with NAN Award. The CEO of American Urban Radio Networks parent company A Wonder Media Company, Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, received the President’s Award for her role in amplifying Black voices in media at the National Action Network’s 2025 Triumph Awards on October 6. at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall.
iHM Recognizes Five Years of The Black Effect Podcast Network. iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God are celebrating five years of The Black Effect Podcast Network – a podcast publisher dedicated to Black listeners. Charlamagne Tha God says, “Our mission has always been to build a dedicated platform where Black voices can thrive. We have accomplished that mission and more. The past five years have been extraordinary, and the future of the Black Effect excites us. We will keep inspiring, empowering and creating culture and opportunities for all.”
Saga to Present at Noble Capital Markets Conference. Saga Communications executives Christopher S. Forgy, president and CEO, and Samuel D. Bush, EVP, chief financial officer and treasurer, will presenting at today’s Noble Capital Markets’ Emerging Growth Virtual Equity Conference at 4:00 pm ET. The presentation will feature a fireside style Q&A session with Michael Kupinski, director of research and senior media & entertainment analyst at Noble Capital Markets.

Morning Drive with Casey & Elliott” after almost six years co-hosting the program with Sean Casey. WCBM announces that the program is being re-branded as “Casey & Company” and will feature newscaster Maggie Hunter, the “king of all traffic” Chuck Whitaker, sportscaster Gary Stein and executive producer Kristen Haegerich. Elliott originally joined the program as a part-time guest in 2015 before rising to co-host in 2019.
company’s four stations that includes sports talk KKSE-AM/FM. Clary most recently served with Salem Media Group as regional multimedia sales manager and takes over for Dave Fleck who left the company to start up his own company. Clary comments, “I am incredibly excited to join an organization with such a passionate fan base and an unparalleled portfolio of teams and venues. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the KSE family.”
These aren’t just bulletin boards. They’re extensions of your station, where listeners expect to be acknowledged and advertisers expect to see results.

but sources tell Reuters that it would likely be sometime after November. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz criticized Carr for comments he made on the Benny Johnson podcast about late night talk host Jimmy Kimmel’s joke that appeared to threaten ABC/Disney and promise FCC action against the company if it didn’t take action on its own. On his Premiere Networks distributed podcast, “The Verdict with Ted Cruz,” Cruz said of Carr’s comments, “I got to say that’s right out of ‘Goodfellas.’ That’s right out of a Mafioso coming into a bar going, ‘Nice bar you have here. It would be a shame if something happened to it.’” Carr recently said that’s not what he meant and stated, “We don’t want to see weaponization of government by any administration against any perspective – and that’s certainly not what we’re doing here.”
director, I have submitted my notice. I’m grateful to Connoisseur Media, a fantastic company that, at the time, owned WFMD, and to Frank Mitchell, who hired me and trained me, for the opportunity to be part of this legendary station, and to my close friend and mentor, Bob Miller. My passion for radio is strong, and I look forward to returning to the airwaves as soon as my time at WFMD comes to an end. I love the radio industry. Who knows where this journey will take me next, but I hope it will still be in this area. You will hear me on the air again one day, because my radio career is NOT over. I still have a month here, and I am looking forward to finishing my time here. Primarily working with the fantastic team that I get to work with every day.”
Beaumont region for over five decades known for his authenticity, passion, and a deep love for Beaumont and its people. Caldwell is now 89 yet he continues to wake up at 4:00 am to entertain and inform his long standing and loyal fan base. Chamber president Amy Lavoi says, “Al Caldwell is more than just a radio personality – he’s the voice of our community. Through decades of broadcasting and public service, Al has uplifted this city with his humor, insight, and compassion. We are honored to recognize him as our 2025 Man of the Year.” Caldwell comments, “This community has given me so much over the years and being recognized by the Chamber as ‘Man of the Year’ is truly humbling. I love telling stories, sharing laughs, connecting with listeners, and waking up before the sun to be part of their day.” The award will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting on October 7 at the Beaumont Civic Center.
licensed to Walton, New York – previously aired a country format and a news/talk format, respectively. Bold Gold Media Group president Vince Benedetto says, “We have a deep love and connection to the Catskill Mountains and Delaware County, and we are very much looking forward to bringing our programming to the wonderful community of Walton. For a long time, we have had the privilege serving the neighboring town of Hancock, and very much look forward to extending our local programming to include even more of the residents of Delaware County.”
several capacities over the past 20 years but was most recently with crosstown sports talker WIP-FM co-hosting with Ike Reese. Beasley Media Group Philadelphia Paul Blake says, “Jon Marks is a proven leader and a trusted voice in Philadelphia sports. His credibility, passion, and connection with our audience will be instrumental in driving The Fanatic’s continued growth and success in the market.” Marks comments, “I’m beyond excited for this opportunity. Philadelphia is the best sports city in the country, and the fans here are as passionate as they come. To be able to talk sports with them every day in this new time slot is an honor, and I can’t wait to bring that same energy and passion to middays on The Fanatic.”
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recently and brings nearly 25 years of experience into the market including recent operations and programming gigs in the Milwaukee and Rockford markets. Mays will oversee seven music brands as well as talk outlets WJOL-AM, Joliet; WKRS, Kenosha, Wisconsin and sports talk WLIP. Mays says, “It’s so exciting to be joining Connoisseur Chicagoland right now and getting to work with such a talented, passionate team that I’ve followed and admired for many years.”
the popularity of mobile devices for audio listening is the most dominant in urban communities. Within that audience segment, 40% of time is spent listening to audio on a mobile device, vs. 28% of time spent listening on an AM/FM radio receiver. The mobile device also holds a strong lead in suburban communities, with 36% of time spent listening on that device compared to 30% of time on a radio receiver. However, the radio receiver is strongest in rural communities where it matches the listening time of the mobile device, each receiving 34%.

our airwaves free from government influence. The First Amendment affords our stations – and all Americans – this fundamental right, and the mere perception that broadcasters acted because of undue pressure is a problem for our credibility and the trust we have built with our audiences.
Don’t let Halloween sneak-up on you. The only holiday Americans spend more for is Christmas. So – to seem more in-touch than your robotic and/or non-local audio competitors – plan something spook-tacular.
“FOX & Friends Weekend” with Rachel Campos-Duffy, Charlie Hurt and Griff Jenkins hosting live outside State Farm Stadium. Maria Bartiromo will anchor “Sunday Morning Futures” from the same location. “Saturday in America” host and co-host of “Outnumbered” Kayleigh McEnany and “FOX & Friends” co-host Lawrence Jones will present live special coverage of the memorial proceedings.
her SiriusXM podcast, former FOX News Channel star Megyn Kelly criticized FOX for, as she calls it, talking like he was theirs. “It’s really bothering me how FOX News is talking about Charlie, like he was theirs — he wasn’t. It’s a lie. Just stop.” Kelly accuses FOX of making Kirk persona non grata after the company fired Tucker Carlson because Kirk was supportive of Carlson. The story from Newsmax adds that “Kirk appeared to be completely absent from FOX News in 2023 after Carlson’s firing and early 2024 – though Kelly claimed the network would give him brief appearances to cover for their effective ban.” The Newsmax piece goes on to quote Kirk on the matter. “Since Tucker’s departure, I haven’t been on. And so we had to do an event without FOX. And that was a great thing, man, because sometimes desperation is the mother of innovation, right?”
Salem Radio Network announces that Megyn Kelly is hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show” today (9/17). This week, guest hosts have included Vice President JD Vance and Glenn Beck. It appears SRN will continue to present more high-profile talk media personalities as guest host of the show. Additionally, Salem Radio Network will provide live coverage of the Charlie Kirk Memorial Service from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona this Sunday, anchored by SRN’s White House correspondent Greg Clugston.
guest host because he specifically asked for the honor, so he can share his thoughts and remembrances on the passing of his personal friend. SRN adds, “We have received permission from Premiere Networks to allow Glenn to do this, even though he may be on a competing station in some radio markets. This is one of those rare times where competitors unite for the common good. We wanted our stations to know this special broadcast has been approved. It promises to be memorable radio.” SRN says other major stars will fill in during the coming days. Vice President JD Vance guest-hosted live from The White House on Monday and Tuesday’s show was hosted by Matt Walsh, Michael Knowles and Ben Shapiro.


exclusive sales rep for the Australian market. With this deal, Australian advertisers will be able to access Audacy’s titles as part of their audio campaigns. The partnership broadens the breadth of available content for LiSTNR audiences and increases the reach for clients, with access to a range of titles including “Office Ladies with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsley,” “Fly on the Wall with David Spade and Dana Carvey,” “Search Engine,” “The Moth” and dozens of podcasts from CBS Sports and CBS News & Entertainment.
Salem Media Group announces that to honor Salem Radio Network talk host Charlie Kirk, Vice President JD Vance is guest hosting “The Charlie Kirk Show” today (9/15) at 12:00 noon ET. This special broadcast live from The White House will air on the Salem Radio Network and will be simulcast on Salem News Channel. Vice President Vance tweeted on Sunday, “I will have the honor of hosting the Charlie Kirk Show. Please join me as I pay tribute to my friend.” Salem Radio Network VP/news & talk programming Tom Tradup says, “The Vice President and Second Lady Usha Vance flew to Phoenix to be with the Kirk family immediately following last Wednesday’s assassination, and they also flew Charlie’s coffin home from Utah on Air Force Two.”
Bruce DuMont