Rich Johnson – TALKERS magazine

New National News Program Debuts on September 21

By TALKERS | September 17, 2026September 17, 2026 by TALKERS

The new national news program, “America’s Morning News,” produced by AccuMinute and distributed by Talk Media Network, launches on September 21. AccuMinute says, “The weekday program delivers a fast-moving hour of news, business, sports, entertainment and useful information. For stations currently carrying “America in the Morning,” the timing is intentional. That program concludes September 18. ‘America’s Morning News’ begins the following Monday. A weekend edition is also planned. Current “America in the Morning” producer Jeff McKay is joining “America’s Morning News” in the same capacity. The program is anchored by Rich Johnson. Talk Media Network founder Josh Leng states, “Stations shouldn’t have to replace a decades-long show on a few weeks’ notice, said Talk Media Network founder Josh Leng. “We are providing a smooth transition, with a strong brand for both mornings and weekend airplay.

Industry News

TALKERS NEWS NOTES

By TALKERS | July 10, 2023July 10, 2023 by TALKERS

Las Vegas-based director of news content Rich Johnson departs USA Radio News. Johnson previously worked as an anchor/reporter for Fox Radio News; ABC News Radio; WTOP, Washington, and KIRO-FM, Seattle.

The Senate Commerce Committee will vote this Wednesday (7/12) at 10:00 am on the nomination of telecommunications attorney Anna Gomez as a new FCC commissioner, as well as re-nominations of Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr. Gomez is a senior advisor for international information and communications policy in the Bureau of Cyberspace & Digital Policy. She served for twelve years in various positions at the FCC, including deputy chief of the International Bureau and senior legal advisor to then-chair William E. Kennard. Before joining the Commission in 2015, Starks was senior counsel to the deputy attorney general at the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, Carr joined the agency as a staffer in 2012. He previously clerked for judge Dennis Shedd on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and worked as a lawyer in the private sector.

Five-year-old, Iowa-based RoadWorthy Drive Productions has been renamed TechMobility Productions. According to company chief executive officer – and a founding member of the Black Automotive Media Group – Ken Chester, “We changed the name to better reflect the actual content of our weekly programming. Our previous branding was confusing to both the radio industry and our listeners.” TechMobility Productions produces/distributes “The TechMobility Show”; “The TechMobility Minute”; and “TechMobility In Focus.” More than 50 stations nationwide carry the company’s programming.

Former Missouri state representative Ted Farnen’s “Columbia Today” (4:00 pm – 6:00 pm) will debut next Monday (7/17) on Cumulus Media Columbia, MO news/talk KFRU. Cumulus Columbia vice president/market manager Greg Renoe remarks, “We are excited to have Ted join our KFRU line-up in the afternoons. He brings experience and a local perspective that we believe will resonate well with the listeners of KFRU.” Program director Luke Swezy notes, “[Ted] brings a valuable and informed perspective on local issues that will strengthen our programming; Farnen notes, “For nearly 100 years, KFRU has been Columbia’s best source for news and entertainment. This will be a fun and informative show with a heavy concentration on local issues and guests. It will be a program to which everyone will be welcome, and it will complement the outstanding local programming KFRU already provides.”