Bill Spadea to Take Leave of “NJ 101.5” Show to Run for Governor
WKXW-FM, Trenton “New Jersey 101.5” morning drive host Bill Spadea is taking a leave of absence from his radio program, effective next week, to run for governor of New Jersey. Spadea announced he intended to
run for governor last summer, spurring an argument from potential fellow candidates that continuing his radio program amounted to an in-kind donation from station owner Townsquare Media that violated New Jersey campaign laws. New Jersey’s Election Law Enforcement board ruled Spadea could remain on air until he became a “legally qualified candidate.” NJ.com reports that Spadea will appear at a campaign breakfast next Thursday (1/30) to “celebrate his departure.” While Spadea is away, station political director Eric Scott will host the morning program. The New Jersey gubernatorial race has, so far, four Republicans and six Democrats vying for the office. Democrat Phil Murphy is leaving the office due to term limits.
“love notes” via the Audacy app’s voicemail feature beginning next month. In March, KYW Newsradio will feature “60 Voices” from the Philadelphia area, with quotes from local community organizers, business leaders, celebrities and hometown heroes, sharing why they love living in the Delaware Valley. Audacy SVP and market manager David Yadgaroff says, “Local radio is vital more than ever, and it’s a privilege to work at a media outlet so connected to this region. For generations, Philadelphians have turned to KYW for everything from breaking traffic updates to complex international headlines. When I walked in the door as an account executive in 1992, I was so excited to work at KYW Newsradio. That sense of pride has only grown and intensified. I’m in awe of our team and their impact on the community, and we’re excited to dedicate this year to those who have devoted their lives to reporting the facts.”
pm to 1:00 am slot. Additionally, the company says the show adds 25 new affiliate stations, including WMAL-AM/FM, Washington; KSEV-AM, Houston; and KKAT-AM, Salt Lake City. Valdés comments, “Thank you, Jesus! I’m super excited to be on all of these new stations in great cities, and welcome all of our new listeners to join our live late-night national town hall conversation and encourage them to call in on Open Phone across America.”
(distributed by Premiere Networks) which runs two hours per day, five days per week on stations across the nation, is one of the most innovative and well-received syndicated talk radio shows (as well as podcasts) to come down the pike in many years. It is described by Habeeb as follows: “There’s no debate or opinion. No 
politics. No news. Just stories that bring people together around common values, themes, and the founding principles and ideals of our nation. Stories that create a space for listeners to escape the news and noise of the day and be moved and informed. To listen and learn.” Habeeb’s talk show credentials are formidable. He co-founded Laura Ingraham’s national radio show in 2001, moved to Salem Media in 2008 as VP of content, and launched “Our American Stories” in 2016. He’s a University of Virginia Law School graduate, a Newsweek essayist, and lives in Oxford, Mississippi with his wife Valerie and daughter Reagan. He is currently ranked #11 on the TALKERS “Heavy Hundred” list of the 100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America. Harrison and Habeeb engage in an illuminating conversation about the importance of history and the power of storytelling. Don’t miss this! 
did editorials on WFAA-TV, Dallas for six years. Krok shared the following message via his social media: “It’s been an amazing 15-year run at the biggest news/talk station in America’s 4th largest market. We’ve gotten to know each other so well, and I can’t wait to share the airwaves again, doing what God made me to do – tell stories, react to life, and have fun together.” Krok tells TALKERS that he has a nice home studio where he fills in on network and local shows. He says he’s available for fill-in work and is ready to talk about his next opportunity. Reach him at: 
company as one Westwood One staffer called the exit a “surprise announcement” from him. DeLany is a Philadelphia native who, according to Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia, was one of two staffers who remained with WWDB-FM, Philadelphia when it made the format change from jazz to talk. The other staffer was Sid Mark, host of the long-running “Sounds of Sinatra” program. DeLany would retain his connection to the program and Sid Mark after it moved from WWDB to WPHT. His work in network radio began as a producer at the Mutual Broadcasting System and he eventually rose to VP of news & talk at Westwood One where he managed 30 network news correspondents, anchors, editors and producers at the Westwood One newsroom in Washington, DC.
president of the United States. The interview will take place tonight at 9:00 pm ET on FNC’s “Hannity.” The interview will focus on the executive orders Trump has signed thus far, his first 100 days in office, and news of the day.
Saturdays, and spotlights the latest news and political headlines and stories, with a special focus on the Trump administration’s policies and agenda. Ferguson says, 
revenue will be between $117 million and $119 million. Company CEO Bill Wilson adds, “As anticipated, our digital divisions had a very strong fourth quarter, as Townsquare Interactive returned to year-over-year revenue growth, and Digital Advertising net revenue accelerated to year-over-year growth rates in excess of +15%, helped by national digital advertising returning to revenue growth together with ongoing strength in our digital programmatic business. In total, we expect fourth quarter Digital revenue to increase approximately +11% year-over-year, and represent 52% of Townsquare’s net revenue in 2024, a true point of differentiation from others in local media, as we have evolved from a local broadcast radio company that was founded in 2010, to a Digital First Local Media Company with a world class team and a unique and differentiated strategy, assets, platforms and solutions.”
Gala and Fundraiser at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Monday, March 10. Mason, who formerly served as vice chair and chair of the BFoA, led CBS RADIO as president from 1995-2002 and as CEO from 2007-2015, among other career achievements. Mason says, “I am honored to receive this distinction from the Broadcasters Foundation. Broadcasting gave me a career that I love on the air and in the boardroom. There are many broadcasters across our country who feel the same way, but tragedy struck their lives, leaving them in need of help. That’s why I served on the Board of the Broadcasters Foundation and continue to support its charitable mission.” Current BFoA chair Scott Herman comments, “Dan is a passionate broadcaster and media visionary whose accomplishments helped define today’s broadcasting business. I worked with Dan for many years, at Westinghouse and CBS, and his leadership elevated our efforts and led us to outstanding success.”
York City Council” for the seat currently occupied by Joe Borelli. Term limits are forcing Borelli to leave the council in 2025. Borelli recently appeared on WABC, New York on Sid Rosenberg’s program and on WNYM, New York on Joe Piscopo’s program and spoke kindly about Morano. Morano adds, “I’m really considering running because Staten Island was a great place to grow up for me and I’d like to keep it that way for my son.” 
“Cousins, being on radio again, playing the best music, and connecting with listeners is as exciting for me now as it was in 1964,” said Morrow. “The magic of radio, the beauty of theater of the mind is unduplicated. I’m looking forward to the fun we’re going to have on radio stations across America!”
iHeartMedia announced today (1/17) that Joyce Wirthlin has been named market president for Salt Lake City, effective immediately. iHeartMedia Salt Lake City is home to six iconic stations featuring music, talk, and news formats on both broadcast and digital platforms. In her new role, Wirthlin will oversee all aspects of operations in Salt Lake City, including sales, promotions and programming. She will report to Nick Gnau, division president for iHeartMedia. “I am very excited to have Joyce leading this team in Salt Lake City. Since the day I started working with Joyce, I was impressed with her leadership, the culture she has built with her team and the deep knowledge of the market. I have no doubt that she will propel this team to the next level!” Gnau tells TALKERS. Wirthlin joined the company in 1998 as VP of Sales. Over the years, she advanced within the organization. Most recently she served as the SVP of sales, where she played a pivotal role shaping sales strategies, fostering team development and strengthening the company’s presence in the market. “I am deeply honored to be appointed market president of iHeartMedia Salt Lake City and grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this exceptional team,” said Wirthlin. “The people here are the core of our success. Together, we are eager to build upon our achievements and continue to shape the future of media in Salt Lake City.
Beasley Media Group announces the appointment of AJ Lurie as vice president and cluster manager of the company’s New Jersey-based radio properties. Lurie, who also works with Beasley’s Fort Myers radio stations, will lead a diverse portfolio of stations across New Jersey, including WDHA-FM, WMGQ-FM, WCTC-AM, WRAT-FM, WMTR-AM and WJRZ-FM. Prior to managing Beasley’s Fort Myers market, Lurie served as the director of local market integrated partnerships, where he played a key role in fostering strategic collaborations and increasing revenue opportunities across the company. 
Lurie also served as MM of Beasley’s Wilmington, Delaware radio property, WJBR-FM, and contributed to the sales development of Beasley Esports. He began his career as an account executive at Beasley’s Southwest Florida cluster. “AJ’s proven experience, ability to drive results and commitment to localism made him the perfect choice to lead our New Jersey cluster into the future,” said Beasley Media Group COO and EVP, Brian Beasley. “I look forward to working alongside the talented team in New Jersey to build on their success and continue delivering exceptional results for our listeners, advertisers, and communities,” said Lurie. “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Dan Finn, whose legacy of excellence has set a high bar for all of us.” He succeeds Dan Finn, who will officially retire from Beasley at the end of March 2025 after a distinguished career in broadcasting.
The “Inauguration: 2025” special is available to radio stations for download upon request. Stations may contact: 
The extended deadline is February 6, 2025, while the regular deadline, with no additional fee, is January 30, 2025. The Gracie Awards, presented by AWMF, has recognized programming and individual excellence by women across all media for five decades. A full list of the categories, including new categories for 2025 can be found HERE. The Gracie Awards Gala will be May 20 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire hotel and the Gracie Awards Luncheon will be held on June 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street, New York. The 2025 Gracie Awards entry eligibility air dates are from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. Entry details, including pricing and updated categories, can be viewed at 
Newsweek has added 660 AM The Answer (KSKY) in Dallas as an affiliate for its conservative syndicated program, “The Josh Hammer Show.” Hammer is Newsweek‘s senior editor-at-large. The one-hour weekly show, which began as a podcast, will air on the Salem station Saturdays at 7:00 pm.
The station debuts a new afternoon show, welcoming three-time NFL champion Ted Johnson as afternoon show co-host alongside Andy Hart and Nick “Fitzy” Stevens, who is expanding his role. The trio will be heard on weekdays from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET beginning January 21. 
Johnson will also co-host “WEEI Football Sunday’” with Christian Arcand, Meghan Ottolini, Chris Scheim, Tom E. Curran, Stevens, Hart and Jermaine Wiggins during the NFL season. Former afternoon show co-host Christian Arcand will host nights weekdays from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm ET.
“Ted not only hoisted the Vince Lombardi trophy three times as a Patriot, but he also played alongside new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel,” said Mike Thomas, SVP/MM, Audacy Boston. “After his playing days, Ted honed his broadcasting skills in Houston and back here in Boston. He has entertaining stories and valuable information that all Boston sports fans won’t want to miss. Fitzy has been an asset to the station and we’re excited to expand his role to ‘WEEI Afternoons’ with his knowledge as a die-hard Boston sports fan.”
The show, available on all podcast platforms and YouTube, offers an in-depth look at the untold truths behind success. Each episode features unfiltered conversations with top achievers from various fields, including guests such as Nikki Haley, Layne Norton, Dan Martell, and Will Guidara.
“Success doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s not a one-size-fits-all journey,” said Coleman. “Front Row Seat creates a space for listeners to hear the untold stories and the real, sometimes messy, path to becoming the best version of themselves. I have so much fun doing this show – it’s incredibly rewarding to dive deep into these conversations, and I can’t wait to share these incredible stories with our audience.”
Along with restructuring, WVON is ending months of speculation on who will be replacing veteran talk show host Perri Small who retired last November. WVON has tapped former politician Jesse Jackson, Jr to host its afternoon drive show. “The Jesse Jackson Jr Show” will air Monday through Thursday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. This is Jackson Jr’s first foray into broadcasting (with support via the syndication arm of Tavis Smiley‘s Smiley Audio Media). He previously served as a U.S. Representative of Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District from 1995 to 2012. WVON’s current afternoon host, Atiba Buchanan, has agreed to continue his involvement at the station and his new role will be announced shortly. 
WVON has chosen Cleopatra Draper to replace midday host Perri Small for its coveted midday slot. Draper has worked in various capacities at WVON since 2019 including as a fill-in host. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois Chicago and has a passion for getting young people involved socially and politically in community-building. Draper’s show will air weekdays from 9:00 am-12:00 noon. In addition, WVON’s long-time host Matt McGill will be expanding his show to air weekdays from 12:00 noon until 3:00 pm, while Lynn Richardson’s hourly financial show “The Millionaire’s Roundtable” is being moved to 5:00 am as a lead-in to WVON’s morning drive show, “The Rufus Williams’ Show.” This begins a new era of talk radio for Chicago’s Black talk powerhouse which has been among the national leaders of this format since 1986. “We feel our new lineup is optimal for the changes that are occurring in our country and globally,” said company CEO, Melody Spann Cooper. “To have an opportunity to provide a platform for someone as talented as Jesse Jr and to introduce the station to a new generation of thought leaders with Cleopatra, positions WVON to continue to shake things up in Chicago and beyond.” WVON-The Talk of Chicago has established itself as one of Chicago’s premier content providers. For 61 years, the station has been considered one of the most credible African American media institutions in the nation providing an interactive forum for its vast listening audience to discuss social, economic and political issues that impact the Black community locally and nationally. WVON is a subsidiary of Midway Broadcasting Corporation, whose properties also include WRLL Radio and VONtv.
One of talk radio’s most accomplished hosts and programmers, Van Harden has tapped into his long history as a Bible teacher to pen a powerful new book titled Jesus: The Prequel (Xulon Press, 2025). The book examines the question, “Did Jesus exist before He was born in Bethlehem?” “Absolutely!” says Harden, presenting the Biblical evidence of who Jesus was and what He was doing long before we were born and before He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. There is a listing of these things and an explanation of why any of this matters to anyone, especially the reader.
Van Harden is nationally known for his books, inventions and creative radio broadcasts. He recently retired from a 50-year broadcast career, 35 of which was as morning host and PD of heritage station WHO Radio, in Des Moines, where Ronald Reagan spent many of his early radio years. During his leadership, the station won 13 national Marconi Awards, five of which were awarded to him personally for his morning show. However, Harden tells TALKERS, “The most important thing to me has been my 40 years as a Bible teacher. I speak to many groups, secular and otherwise.” Harden insists on teaching right out of the Bible, which he calls our “Owner’s Manual.” He and his wife Becky live in his childhood home in Iowa. He has three grown children and eight grandchildren. To book an interview with Van Harden please click 
Longtime talk radio mainstay and TALKERS Heavy Hundred member, Jeff Katz is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Katz is the tremendously popular 3:00 – 6:00 pm host at Audacy’s WRVA, Richmond, VA where he has developed a national reputation within the broadcasting industry as a champion of public service and community outreach. 
In addition to being a compelling political commentator and dazzlingly entertaining personality, Katz – a former Philadelphia police officer – has worked tirelessly for years as a champion of law enforcement, the needy, and the disabled. A former recipient of the TALKERS “Humanitarian of the Year” award, Katz has received numerous honors over the years from public officials including the President of the United States, Director of the FBI, and Governor of Virginia. Just recently, VA Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed Katz to the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. Katz and Harrison discuss radio’s handling of the current water crisis afflicting central Virginia, which has been overshadowed, in terms of national attention, by the Southern California wildfire disaster, in addition to the importance of radio as an invaluable societal safety net. Don’t miss this. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click 
Brian Lawlor, president, Scripps Sports, has been named the recipient of the Broadcasters Foundation of America (BFOA) 2025 Golden Mic Award, to be presented at the annual black-tie fundraiser on Monday, March 10 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
The BFOA is the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in need from illness or tragedy…..
Veteran broadcaster Michelle Jerson‘s weekly one-hour travel/parenting program “Passport Mommy” has been added to WPHT,Philadelphia on Saturdays at 12:00 noon. The informational and entertaining show is distributed by Radio America.Stations interested can contact Jennifer Dedes at Radio America: jdedes@radioameria.com…..iHeartMedia announced (1/13) the latest podcast programming for iHeart Women’s Sports. Eight new shows will launch on the network in early 2025 featuring renowned female athletes like Ashlyn Harris, Mel Reid, Lexie Brown and more. The new expanded lineup further emphasizes iHeartMedia’s stated commitment to bringing equitable media coverage to women’s sports…..TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison is available to do interviews on talk shows across the nation to discuss the latest music video release by Gunhill Road (the perennial pop music ensemble in which he is a member) – an anthemic tribute to talk radio – which has been gathering tens of thousands of views and downloads around the globe. Harrison talks about the state of talk radio in 2025 and its continuing importance as a vital communications/cultural venue. Harrison can be reached via email at info@talkers.com. To view the video, please click