TALKERS News Notes
Compass Media Begins 18th Season of NFL Coverage. Compass Media Networks announces its 18th season covering the NFL continues this season with a slate of broadcasts of Sunday NFL Doubleheaders, coast-to-coast coverage of the Dallas Cowboys, and exclusive audio coverage of the Las Vegas Raiders. Compass general manager and VP of sports Robert Blum says, “This upcoming season is packed with incredible and compelling games, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our affiliates.”
Westwood One Begins 40th Consecutive Season of NFL Coverage. Cumulus Media’s Westwood One – the official network audio broadcast partner of the NFL – announces its 2026 NFL season programming lineup as it celebrates its 40th consecutive season presenting audio game coverage. Westwood One will broadcast Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, Thursday Night Football, eight International Games, late-season Saturday games, and more.
Steve Gruber’s “One Nation” Hits #6 on Billboard Chart. Michigan Talk Network host Steve Gruber and his band The Freedom Project reached notable heights on the Billboard Digital Song Sales chart this summer. The song peaked at #6 during the week of July 11. See the video for the song here.
WURD Sets November 20 for Founders Day Gala. Urban talk WURD, Philadelphia announces that it will celebrate “the life and legacy of its founder, Walter P. Lomax Jr., M.D., and the extraordinary contributions of Black Philadelphians” at its 2026 Founder’s Day Gala on November 20 at the Barnes Foundation.
anniversary by celebrating 250 remarkable Philadelphians whose lives and legacies have shaped the city, the nation, and our history. The event features a live panel discussion moderated by station personality Solomon Jones that includes: Michael Coard, host of Radio Courtroom, attorney, and founder of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition; Karen Warrington, award-winning news director and arts advocate; Dr. Anthony Monteiro, scholar and founder of The Saturday Free School for Philosophy and Black Liberation; and Rev. Carolyn Cavaness, pastor of Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church.
District race today (5/12) from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The forum featuring candidates State Rep. Chris Rabb, Dr. Ala Stanford and State Sen. Sharif Street is being moderated by WURD Radio hosts Dr. James Peterson, Joann Bell and Solomon Jones. on Tuesday, May 12, from 5–6 p.m. during a special edition of Evening WURDs. The station will also host a live remote Election Night Special on Tuesday, May 19, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm from Honeysuckle on Broad St. 
launch of Freedom Journeys, a new multimedia storytelling initiative celebrating pivotal figures in Philadelphia’s past and present. Freedom Journeys, created in partnership with Renee Chenault Fattah and Love Now Media, will highlight 250 iconic Black Philadelphians — living and deceased — whose lives and work have helped shape the city. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Founder’s Day will be a wonderful evening in a beautiful setting — where we will celebrate my father’s life and legacy, have great food, amazing live music and soul-filling affirmations of our culture. But we also aren’t going to shy away from what’s happening in this country. WURD has never done that, and this year’s Freedom Journeys is both celebration and resistance.”
host city for FIFA World Cup 2026. “Ready, Set, Grow” happens on September 5 at the Barnes Foundation. Through the end of 2025 and into 2026, WURD will feature on-air programming, live panel discussions, and multimedia storytelling to provide entrepreneurs and neighborhood business corridors with the tools they need to thrive. WURD president and CEO Sara M. Lomax says, “Ready, Set, Grow is crafted specifically for small business owners and entrepreneurs from across the region who are seeking strategies to leverage the historic momentum of America’s 250th anniversary. We are convening a panel of the experts and decision-makers who are best positioned to share how the small business community can make the most of this moment.” Ready, Set Grow’s panel discussion will feature executives from business and tourism organizations.
Santos, and one other employee. According to a memo to staff from WURD CEO and president Sara Lomax wrote praising those affected for their “meaningful contributions to our station, our community, and our city. This decision was not made lightly. As an independent media radio station, it is imperative that we maintain our ability to give Black Philadelphia a voice and a place to make their voices heard.” She also wrote, “I’m very confident we will survive and thrive. “It’s time like this that outlets like WURD are needed more than ever. We want to be around for another 22 years and another 22 after that.”