May 26, 2025
Greetings:
It’s been our practice the last few years to salute the winner of the Indianapolis 500, and why stop now?
Congratulations to Spaniard ALEX PALOU who’s won five of the first six IndyCar races this year.
Alex Palou practicing on Friday, May 23, 2025 (photo by Rick Gevers)
He’s won FIVE races and we have FIVE news director changes.
That’s THREE news directors and TWO new openings, resulting in 36 stations with an ND opening.
ONE of those ND openings is featured in a paid help wanted ad.
The RTDNA convention is nearing and the registration fee will increase nest week. Check out the ad below for more details.
Late today I received an email from the daughters of the late news director KEN KURTZ with more details about his passing AND a memorial service next month. That’s below.
There’s a new station manager in Ft. Myers. We have details on stories involving TWO current and former CBS executives, the Regional Murrow awards winners are announced, and more!
RTDNA25 isn’t just another conference; it’s where journalism’s future takes shape.
Join us June 11–13 at the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans for a one-of-a-kind experience built around:
- Hands-on workshops — no panels, no lectures.
- Small-group breakouts that spark connection and new ideas
- Real conversations with industry leaders with newsroom leaders and changemakers
Every session is interactive. Every topic is practical. You’ll leave with tools you can use, a stronger network, and a renewed sense of purpose.
We’ll tackle critical topics like:
- Mental health and newsroom burnout
- Leading Gen Z journalists
- AI and journalism ethics
- Building trust and collaboration in teams
Check out the full schedule — including pre-conference workshops and breakout sessions — and start planning your experience! You’ll walk away with more than insights; you’ll leave with an improved leadership toolkit, an expanded support network and a renewed purpose in your work.
But act soon! Registration rates increase one last time after June 4. Lock in your spot at the best possible rate.
Newly Named News Directors:
King
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY…JAFFA KING gets her first news director job at this Tegna owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the staff note from General Manager LISA COLUMBIA. Jaffa’s been the Assistant ND at Gray’s KVVU-TV (FOX) in Las Vegas for the last 14 months, and has also worked in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego and Palm Desert. At WHAS, she replaces KEITH HATTEN who left in December after just five months as ND.
Lightfoot
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN…also getting his first ND position is KEVIN LIGHTFOOT. He moves to this Gray owned NBC affiliate after 3+ years as the Assistant News Director at WCBS-TV in New York, a job he left in December. Here’s the news release. Kevin’s career has taken him to Houston, Orlando (three times!) and Jackson, MS (twice). In Memphis, Kevin is replacing MARK LITTLE who moved up the Gray food chain to become GM at KWQC-TV in the Quad Cities.
Reynolds
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL…KATHY REYNOLDS moves across the state to become the Director of Media Content and News for this CBS affiliate. It’s owned by Ft. Myers Broadcasting Company. Kathy most recently was the ND for Scripps’ WPTV in West Palm Beach. She left that job in March after almost three years. Her complete career history is here. She replaces RICH GARCIA who left the station earlier this month after three years as ND and 18 years at the station.
New News Director Openings:
Nogy
KARE-TV, Minneapolis, MN…32 years after she started at this NBC affiliate now owned by Tegna, STACEY NOGY will leave in September. She’s been the ND here for the last seven years of her tenure, and held many other jobs before her promotion. The staff memo from GM DOUG WEIDER also includes a note from Stacey.You can see a list of those jobs on Stacey’s LinkedIn page. She’s also worked in San Diego.
Radske
WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, WI…this is an NBC affiliate owned by Gray Media and is now looking for a news director. My records show that veteran ND JOE RADSKE had been the ND there for the last three years. I’ve reached out to Joe to learn more and will update when I hear from him. Until then, learn more about his background here.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
Director of News and Multiplatform Content, WGN-TV, Chicago, IL:
WGN-TV, Chicago’s most iconic news brand, is seeking a Director of News and Multiplatform Content to lead our newsroom. This is a rare opportunity to shape impactful journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital, and social media in one of America’s largest and most dynamic media markets.
We’re looking for a visionary leader to drive our 24/7 multiplatform content strategy—someone who thrives on innovation, collaboration, and audience growth. You’ll oversee all aspects of news production and content development across linear TV, OTT/CTV, WGN’s digital properties, and social media. From live breaking news to original streaming content, your leadership will influence how Chicago stays informed—anytime, anywhere.
If you’re passionate about journalism, audience engagement, and building the future of news, this is your moment. Join Chicago’s Own WGN and lead where legacy meets transformation.
Apply now by clicking here:
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 4/6/25)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 5/4/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 4/20/25)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 5/18/25)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 5/11/25)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 4/13/25)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 5/26/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/27/25)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 4/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, listing revised 4/6/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, relisted 4/20/25)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/26/25)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 4/6/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 4/6/25)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, listed 5/26/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (relisted 4/20/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, relisted 4/20/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 4/6/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listing revised 4/27/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 4/6/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, relisted 4/20/25)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, listed 5/11/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 4/6/25)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 4/20/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 5/4/25)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 5/26/25)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (Digital EP, listed 4/27/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/6/25)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 4/27/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 5/18/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (relisted 4/20/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (relisted 4/20/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 4/20/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, relisted 5/11/25)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 5/4/25:
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Executive Reporter)
Listed 4/20/25:
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 4/20/25:
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter)
Relisted 3/23/25:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)
Names in the News (and other stuff):
McMahon
You probably already read this week about the departure of WENDY McMAHON as President and CEO of CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. It is, of course, the latest change in what seems to be constant upheaval at CBS. Here’s the memo Wendy sent to employees announcing her departure in which she said it was clear that she and the company do not agree on ‘the path forward’.
Meanwhile, a former president of the CBS TV stations is apparently in line for a big payday. The New York Post reports that PETER DUNN is going to receive about $10 millions dollars in a settlement relating to his dismissal in 2021.
RTDNA announced the regional Murrow award winners last week. The complete list is here.
Second generation broadcaster ANDREW ALTENBERN joins KCCI-TV (Hearst/CBS) as the assistant ND. More here. Many of our older readers might remember his father JOHN, a former ND at KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids who later worked as a consultant.
Ball
Former KTLA-TV (Los Angeles) news director JASON BALL is launching a new podcast. It’s called Life After News – a podcast about journalists who are navigating what comes next. It’s part platform, part community, and part conversation starter for people who’ve spent their careers telling other people’s stories and are now asking, what’s mine? You can find it here.
General Manager News and Notes:
CHARLIE SLAIGHT assumes additional duties as station manager at WFXT-TV (FOX) in Ft. Myers, FL. He’s been the sales director for this Scripps station.
Our List of Open News Director Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Monday, May 26, 2025:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017
WGN-TV 2501 West Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618 (See ad above!)
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
WMUR-TV 100 South Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101 (Boston)
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy. Minneapolis, MN 55427
WFTV 490 E. South St., Orlando, FL 32801
KMOV-TV 77 Progress Parkway; Maryland Heights, MO 63043
KSAT-TV 1408 N St. Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfeild Drive W. Palm Beach FL 33407
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
KTHV-TV 720 Izard Street Little Rock, AR 72201
WHIO-TV 1611 South Main Street Dayton, OH 45409
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WDHN-TV 5274 AL-52, Webb, AL 36376
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KAIT-TV P.O. Box 790, Jonesboro, AR 72403
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902 (Content Manager)
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
**: Spanish language station