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Zoller Co-Host Pastor Rod Hughey Dies at 54

By TALKERS | March 28, 2024March 29, 2024 by TALKERS

Martha Zoller, host of “The Martha Zoller Show” on Jacobs Media’s WDUN-AM/FM, Gainesville, Georgia tells TALKERS magazine that her co-host Pastor Rod Hughey passed away after a brief illness on Wednesday (3/27). Hughey began hosting and filling in on WDUN in 2020. Zoller comments, “I met Rod through the organized protest in Gainesville during the George Floyd era. He put together law enforcement, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and community members to have open dialogue and to make sure something like George Floyd never happened in our area. I knew I had to talk to him after that.” In addition to his radio work, Hughey was pastor of the Atlanta Community Church, Gainesville campus and had been an active member of the community, serving as a chaplain for the Gainesville Police Department. He is survived by his wife, Vel, and children. Pictured above are (clockwise from top left): Zoller, Bill Maine, Hughey, and Senator Raphael Warnock.

Yesterday’s (3/27) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 28, 2024March 28, 2024 by TALKERS

The aftermath of the deadly Baltimore bridge destruction; the presidential race and speculation about the RFK Jr factor; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Israel-Hamas war and the UN’s accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza; the U.S. migrant crisis; NBC’s hiring-then-firing of former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel; Trump’s fund-raising Bible sales; and former U.S. senator and VP nominee Joe Lieberman dies at 82 were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (3/26) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 27, 2024 by TALKERS

The deadly Baltimore ship-bridge collision; the Supreme Court hears arguments on a national ban on the abortion drug mifepristone; NBC fires former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel after one week; the Trump Media firm deal; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; RFK Jr chooses Nicole Shanahan as VP; the U.S. migrant crisis and the Appeals Court’s block on Texas’ SB 4 law; and the Federal Trade Commission investigates TikTok were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 26, 2024 by TALKERS

Former President Donald Trump gets bond reduction from an Appeals Court; the aftermath of the deadly ISIS attack on Moscow; Israel rebuffs UN Security Council’s Gaza ceasefire vote; the presidential race; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on a Texas court’s suspension of the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill; the U.S. and U.K. sanctions against China over alleged Chinese government-backed cyberattacks; Florida bans social media for children under 14; and Sean “Diddy” Combs the subject of a Homeland Security investigation into human trafficking were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

By TALKERS | March 25, 2024 by TALKERS

The ISIS attack on a Russian concert hall kills more than 130 and Vladimir Putin’s implicating Ukraine in the attack; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and today’s bond deadline; the presidential race; the legislation to fund the government for the rest of the fiscal year and Republicans critical of House Speaker Mike Johnson; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war and the U.S. plan for hostage exchanges; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on a Texas court’s suspension of the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill; the violence and chaos in Haiti; and the Justice Department’s anti-trust case against Apple were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Round Four of February PPMs Released

By TALKERS | March 22, 2024 by TALKERS

The fourth of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Austin, Raleigh, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Nashville, Providence, Norfolk, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Greensboro, Memphis, and Hartford. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In Austin, Waterloo Media’s news/talk KLBJ-AM drops six-tenths to finish with a 5.1 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #5, while Audacy’s news/talk KJCE-AM rises two-tenths for a 0.3 share and stays ranked #28. In Raleigh, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WTKK-FM rises half a share to finish with an 8.0 share that lifts it to the #3 rank, while Curtis Media’s news/talk WPTF loses two-tenths for a 0.8 share finish good for the #19 rank. In Nashville, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WWTN-FM tacks on three-tenths to wrap the survey with a 5.7 share and inches up to the #5 rank, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WLAC is steady with a 2.1 share but moves up one spot to the #17 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of March 18 – 22

By TALKERS | March 22, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race and this week’s primary election races combined as the most-talked-about story in news/talk media, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was former President Donald Trump’s legal battles including his need to raise funds for a bond in the E. Jean Carroll case, followed by the Trump legal team’s efforts to disqualify Fulton County DA Fani Willis at #3. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Yesterday’s (3/20) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 21, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and his bond problem; the economy, including the record high financial markets and the Fed keeps interest rates on hold; the Israel-Hamas war and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Egypt for ceasefire talks; the $1.2 trillion funding package to keep the federal government operating; the U.S. migrant crisis; California passes Proposition 1 to tackle homelessness; the U.S. conducts tests on hypersonic missiles; the clashes between violent gangs and civilians in Haiti were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Round Two of February PPMs Released

By TALKERS | March 20, 2024 by TALKERS

The second of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February 2024 PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including Washington, Boston, Miami, Seattle, Detroit, Phoenix, Minneapolis, San Diego, Tampa, Denver, Baltimore, and St. Louis. The survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways for this group of markets. In Washington, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WMAL-FM is steady at a 4.5 share (6+, weekly AQH share) and remains ranked #7, while Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news WTOP-FM, sheds seven-tenths for a 7.6 share but stays ranked #2 in the market. In Boston, iHeartMedia’s news/talk WRKO adds four-tenths to finish with a 3.2 share that lifts it to the #13 rank, while sister all-news WBZ-FM rises three-tenths for a 4.9 share but remains ranked #6. In Detroit, Cumulus Media’s news/talk WJR tacks on four-tenths to finish the survey with a 2.5 share and moves up to the #14 rank, while Audacy’s all-news WWJ loses three-tenths, wrapping the survey with a 5.3 share and falling one spot to the #9 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Yesterday’s (3/19) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 20, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race and Tuesday’s primary elections; the legal back-and-forth over Texas’ migrant apprehension law; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and his efforts to post bond in the E. Jean Carroll judgement; Congressional leaders announce deal to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; federal law enforcement’s warning about cyberattacks on U.S. water systems; Alabama legislators pass anti-DEI policy; and the lawlessness in Haiti were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Round One of February PPMs Released

By TALKERS | March 19, 2024 by TALKERS

The first of four rounds of ratings data from Nielsen Audio’s February PPM survey has been released for 12 markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Nassau-Suffolk (Long Island), Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Jose, and Middlesex-Somerset-Union (New Jersey). The February survey covered February 1 – 28. Today, TALKERS magazine managing editor Mike Kinosian presents his Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets. In New York, Red Apple Media’s news/talk WABC adds three-tenths to finish the survey with a 3.8 share (6+, weekly AQH share) but remains ranked #11, while iHeartMedia’s news/talk WOR loses one-tenth for a 1.6 share finish and falls to the #20 rank. In Chicago, Nexstar Media Group’s news/talk WGN tacks on four-tenths to finish with a 3.5 share that lifts it to the #8 rank, while Cumulus Media’s news/talk WLS-AM adds two-tenths for a 2.0 share finish and remains ranked #18. Audacy’s crosstown all-news WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM fell eight-tenths to a 5.4 share but only regressed one spot to the #3 rank. See Mike Kinosian’s complete Ratings Takeaways from this group of markets here.

Yesterday’s (3/18) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 19, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race and today’s primary elections; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and bond problem; the U.S. migrant crisis and the Supreme Court’s blocking of Texas’ border policy allowing state officials to detain suspected illegals; the Fani Willis disqualification case; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the Supreme Court hears arguments over government efforts to combat social media disinformation; the Don Lemon–Elon Musk interview; and the lawlessness in Haiti were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

By TALKERS | March 18, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race and Tuesday’s primary elections; the Russia-Ukraine war and Vladimir Putin wins Russia’s “election”; the Israel-Hamas war and U.S.-Israel relations; the U.S. migrant crisis; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Supreme Court to hear arguments on the government’s efforts to thwart social media disinformation; the anti-TikTok legislation; and the violence in Haiti were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

The Presidential Race is Top News/Talk Media Story for Week of March 11 – 15

By TALKERS | March 15, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race was the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers Ten^TM. At #2 this week was former President Donald Trump’s legal battles, followed by the House-passed bill to force ByteDance to sell TikTok or the app becomes illegal in the U.S. at #3. The Talkers Ten^TM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result on ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Yesterday’s (3/13) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 14, 2024 by TALKERS

A Georgia judge dismisses six charges in the 41-count indictment of former President Donald Trump in the election interference case; the presidential election; the House votes to ban TikTok in the U.S. unless it is separated from Chinese parent company ByteDance; the U.S. migrant crisis; the Israel-Hamas war; the China-Russia-Iran naval exercises in Gulf of Oman; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the problems facing airplane manufacturer Boeing were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (3/12) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 13, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race and RFK Jr’s considering Aaron Rodgers or Jesse Ventura as VP; the U.S. House to vote on a ban on TikTok; the U.S. migrant crisis; special counsel Robert Hur’s testimony in President Joe Biden’s classified documents case; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; Republican U.S. Rep. Ken Buck to exit House next week; the Israel-Hamas war; the Russia-Ukraine war and the Pentagon to give Ukraine $300 million in weapons; and the unrest in Haiti as gangs control Port-au-Prince were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Yesterday’s (3/11) Top News/Talk Media Stories

By TALKERS | March 12, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race; the U.S. House considers a ban on TikTok; the U.S. migrant crisis; special counsel Robert Hur to testify in President Joe Biden’s classified documents case; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the Biden administration submits a $7.3 trillion budget; the Israel-Hamas war and Biden’s warning to Israel about invading Rafah; the numerous staff changes at the Republican National Committee; and the controversial photo editing by Kate Middleton were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

By TALKERS | March 11, 2024 by TALKERS

The presidential race; President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address and Senator Katie Britt’s rebuttal; former President Donald Trump’s legal battles and the Fani Willis disqualification case; the U.S. migrant crisis; Pope Francis takes heat for implying Ukraine should negotiate end to Russian hostilities; the Israel-Hamas war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza; the unrest in Haiti as gangs take over Port-au-Prince; and Sunday night’s Oscar awards ceremony were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.