Report: FCC Scrutiny of KCBS Forced Changes in News Coverage
A report in the Los Angeles Times details KCBS-AM, San Francisco’s brush with the FCC in the aftermath of its reporting the movements of ICE agents in the Bay Area. The LA Times’ Byron Tau writes, “KCBS radio reported on immigration agents in unmarked vehicles, drawing conservative backlash and a federal investigation from FCC Chairman Brendan
Carr. Facing regulatory scrutiny, the San Francisco Bay Area station demoted well-regarded journalists and sharply curtailed its political coverage for months. As pressure has eased, KCBS has gradually resumed more ambitious reporting, reflecting tensions between regulatory oversight and editorial independence.” Carr accused the station of failing to operate in the public interest and threatened an investigation. This was enough for Audacy management to back off its reporting. Tau writes, “KCBS demoted a well-liked anchor and dialed back on political programming, people said. For months, reporters were dissuaded from pursuing political or controversial topics and instead encouraged to focus on human interest stories, according to the current and former staffers.” The piece notes that anchor Bret Burkhart, the one to first present the ICE actions on the radio, was demoted. He eventually left the station for another position. See the Los Angeles Times story here.
Mason says, “Ramon is the perfect embodiment of what The Zone stands for – local sports passion, credibility, and connection. His instincts, stories, and relatability make our mornings stronger and our sports brand more authentic.” Foster comments, “I am thrilled to announce the extension of my media career with ‘104.5 The Zone’ for the foreseeable future. Engaging in lively discussions about sports, life, and pop culture with our passionate listeners each morning has been instrumental in my seamless transition from the NFL. The Zone’s impressive reach in Nashville, its surrounding areas, and nationwide through digital platforms is truly unparalleled. I eagerly anticipate continuing to grow alongside our fans, the station, and Nashville and surrounding cities for many years to come. I appreciate everyone who’s supported me, my wife and kids, Zone Family, and our listening audience I run into often while out in the community. Thank you again!”
Trump’s historic Executive Order on artificial intelligence promotes America’s leadership in AI and advances our nation’s economic and national security interests. It does so by targeting excessive state regulations that would not only hold America back but insert ideological bias into AI models. President Trump’s decisive action also ensures a policy framework that protects children, prevents online censorship, respects copyrights, and safeguards communities. The FCC welcomes President’s Trump’s direction that the agency initiate a proceeding to determine whether to adopt a Federal reporting and disclosure standard for AI models that preempts conflicting State laws.”
transitioned by Audacy and Cumulus Media from Infinity Sports Network to Westwood One Sports at the end of December. That move was announced in October with the companies saying that beginning December 29, Westwood One will assume programming and distribution for the majority of the lineup of syndicated sports programming and Audacy will continue to produce BetMGM Network programs. Gelb says, “It’s sad to see CBS Sports Radio/Infinity Sports Network closing its doors as we once knew it, but grateful for the memories and excited to see what the next chapter in my sports talk journey brings.”
station featured a strong anti-communist tone. Station general manager Mike Sena says the reason for the change is financial. “Like our beautiful city, Radio Mambí, its audience and the media industry are evolving rapidly, which presents financial challenges for many in the market.” The station is continuing to broadcast, airing archived programming, music, and Spanish-language broadcasts of the NBA’s Miami Heat and MLB’s Miami Marlins. The Miami Herald says staffers that have lost their jobs include Jorge Luis Sánchez Grass, José Luis Nápoles, José Carlucho, Lilliet Rodríguez and Lucy Pereda. 
At the very first CES in 1967, audio cassettes were disrupting 8-track tapes. Back to the future: Artificial Intelligence now threatens to disrupt almost everything.
launched his career in the late 1970s in Denver. He would go on to work at WPLP-AM, Tampa before moving to KLIF, Dallas where he was on air from 1986 to 1997. Dallas talk radio host Mark Davis posted the following to X: “A giant loss in the talk radio family. My friend David Gold, a trailblazer in our format, a conservative warrior without peer, and the north star of the art form on KLIF when I arrived back in my native Texas in 1994. David has passed at 75. Rest in peace, my brother.”
Fallen Patriots charity through her Holiday Designs Store that sells her hand-crafted art. Children of Fallen Patriots is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing college and trade school scholarships, educational assistance, and career support to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. She says, “The generous support of my listeners and their purchases from my Holiday Store have provided crucial support for this wonderful organization dedicated to helping military families in need.”
The Problem Is No Longer Spotting a Joke. The Problem Is Spotting Reality
first handed out in 1971, are among the most prestigious in journalism. In 2025, about 5,000 entries were submitted in the professional and student categories, also making it one of the most competitive.” To be eligible, work must have been published between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025. This year, RTDNA is offering an Early Bird Discount for entries submitted by 5:00 pm ET on Tuesday, January 20. The final entry deadline is 5:00 pm ET Thursday, February 19. Entrants can find 
“Glenn’s combination of experience, authenticity and professionalism will immediately strengthen our afternoon reporting and bring a recognizable, trusted voice to our evening anchoring. We’re excited to welcome Glenn and see the impact he will have on our newsroom and the Chicago audience.” Marshall says, “Chicago made me. I listened to WBBM Newsradio as a kid and dreamed of one day being part of the voices that inform this city. Now I get to continue telling the stories that matter to the neighborhoods I know and love. I am proud to join the team and shine a light on the issues and victories that shape our communities every day. Thanks to Craig Schwalb, Kevin Cassidy and everyone at Audacy for this opportunity.”
Mel Robbins Podcast,” “SmartLess” and “Up First,” from NPR. Representing a mix of news, advice and celebrity interviews, they were drawn from a shortlist of 25 programs the Globes had previously deemed eligible. The nominations avoided politics or controversy by passing on popular podcasts from the shortlist, such as conservative-leaning programs ‘The Megyn Kelly Show,’ ‘The Tucker Carlson Show,’ ‘The Ben Shapiro Show,’ Candace Owen’s ‘Candace’ and, most notably, ‘The Joe Rogan Experience,’ which topped Spotify, Apple and YouTube’s list of weekly podcast charts this year. The left-leaning ‘Pod Save America’ also was snubbed, as were popular true crime podcasts like ‘Morbid’ and ‘Rotten Mango.’” Kennedy notes in his report that Ben Shapiro lobbied hard for his show. “Shapiro had launched an all-out Golden Globes publicity campaign for his decade-old podcast, on which he’s spoken with the likes of U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the past year. In addition to making the rounds with industry publications, Shapiro also secured massive billboard space in New York City’s Times Square.” 
2) Marketers and media agencies significantly overestimate audience shares to Pandora/Spotify and massively underestimate AM/FM radio audiences; and 3) Interestingly, as older demographics flock to podcasts, the median age of the podcast audience ages sharply from 29 in 2017 to 39. The study notes that “in 2017, podcasts’ daily reach was greatest among 18-24s. Eight years later, podcasts’ daily reach has surged, especially in older demographics. The older the age group, the greater the growth in the podcast daily audience. Today, podcasts’ greatest reach centers on 25-44s, with significant growth among 45-64s.” 
and how Fisher House plays a role in their journey. Fisher House Foundation provides a home away from home for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers. Fisher Houses provide temporary free lodging so families can be close to their loved ones during medical care. Fisher House says, “This informational talk show will leave listeners feeling inspired during the entire Holiday Week, sharing stories of amazing service members, veterans, and their families. Your audience will hear stories of heroic service members injured in combat or during training exercises as well as veterans who need long-term medical care over the course of their lives. Whether it’s a complicated birth of a child or a devastating head injury from a motorcycle accident, Fisher House is there for the spouses, parents, and children of America’s service members every step of the way. For more information on this radio special, contact Larry O’Connor at 562-665-9537 or 
News people I coach reckon that my epitaph will read: “Consequence, not Process.”
across documentary, entertainment, news, sports, and corporate audio.” NYFestivals EVP Rose Anderson adds, “The robust world of audio storytelling today is fully represented in the 2026 edition of the Grand Jury. From audiobooks to podcasts and video podcasts, from investigative journalism to live events, and from mystery to social justice, this year’s men and women of the jury volunteer their time and lend their expertise.” 
New York. Bold Gold says WDLA-AM will “broadcast Catskills News Talk, the Voice of Sullivan and the Catskills, a news and talk format featuring ‘Ciliberto & Friends’ with radio legend Paul Ciliberto.” Bold Gold Media NY region general manager Dawn Ciorciari states, “There is something truly special about turning the lights back on for a local radio station. We are beyond excited to bring local radio back to life for the people of Walton and Delaware County; to once again give this community a local voice, a source of connection, and radio stations they can call their own.” 
Christmas Kids,” a Georgia holiday tradition dedicated to fulfilling the Christmas wishes of children in foster care. Clark Howard says, “I am so excited for our 35th year of Clark’s Christmas Kids. I could have never imagined that our generous WSB listeners would take care of over 300,000 children in foster care donating $50 million plus in toys and cash since 1991.”
My introduction to Rush Limbaugh begins in the fall of 1992. I began listening to Rush’s radio show after seeing him campaigning on stage with George H.W. Bush during the 1992 fall presidential election. Bill Clinton would win the election and so would begin the greatest, media political rivalry ever between Rush Limbaugh and Bill Clinton. Rush’s middle America authentic voice was cutting through the mainstream media noise of the day from a generationally unique perspective. He was the perfect counterculture combatant to Bill Clinton’s political philosophy. Being a baby boomer myself and two years younger than Rush, I was immediately hooked on the EIB radio network!
MLB Network analyst, and founder/editor of MLBbro.com – is a finalist for the 2026 National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame Sportswriter (Living category). Winners will be notified the first week of January, and the awards will be presented during the NSMA’s 66th Awards Weekend & National Convention, June 28-29, at Grandover Resort & Spa in Greensboro, North Carolina. Parker says, “It’s an absolute honor to be considered with so many journalism heavyweights.”
purchase up to $185 million in aggregate principal amount of the Existing Notes for up to $111 million in cash and the right to subscribe to purchase up to $60.6 million in aggregate principal amount of newly issued 10.500% First Lien Senior Secured Notes due 2030. As of 5:00 pm ET yesterday (12/1), Urban One received from Eligible Holders valid and unwithdrawn tenders and related Consents, as reported by D.F. King & Co., Inc., representing approximately $450 million in aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes, or approximately 92.2% of the aggregate principal amount of Existing Notes outstanding. 
position to chief financial officer for iHeartMedia, effective January 1, 2026. At that time his salary will rise from $925,000 to $1.2 million and his bonus target increases to 150% of his base salary and his annual long-term incentive grant will have a target grant date fair value of $1.5 million. McGuinness’ employment contract runs through June 30 of 2030. McGuinness reports to former chief financial officer and current president and chief operating officer Rich Bressler.
the company through the end of 2027. As part of the new contract, Sanchez moves to the 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm daypart on news/talk “101.5 FM K-Dawn Las Vegas” airing on KMXB-HD3/K286CS. Sanchez states, “I’m excited to continue to be part of a great media brand like Audacy and I’m very excited to go back home to evenings where it all started for me. This move allows me to continue to grow our Gen-X audience while focusing on continued content creation for our fast-growing social media platforms and new stand-alone videocasts.”