Rick Gevers & Associates

July 10, 2022

Friday, July 15, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A new news director in a top 15 market, and more details about the passing of legendary Missouri broadcaster and educator KENT COLLINS in this update.

Oliphant

KENNAN OLIPHANT has been promoted to news director at Scripps’ WXYZ-TV (ABC) in Detroit. He’s been the interim ND since JEFF KIERNAN left to become GM for the company’s KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas in June. Kennan joined the station as Assistant ND almost two years ago. WXYZ GM MIKE MURRI shared the news with the staff via this email which details Kennan’s background, as does his Linkedin page.

Collins

And we have more on the passing of longtime Missouri School of Journalism faculty member…and two time KOMU-TV News Director…KENT COLLINS. Kent died Wednesday after a five month fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 74.

KOMU aired this story on its 6:00 PM newscast last night, which includes interviews with Kent, while the University owned Columbia Missourian (a daily, general circulation newspaper), has this nicely detailed story.

As we reported yesterday, Kent did not want a funeral, but the family plans a celebration of life later this year.

One more personal note. Thanks to the dozens of you who sent a kind note about the loss of my good friend, and many of the notes contained an anecdote about Kent, all, of course, positive. And the outpouring of positive comments on social media were amazing. Would that we all could leave such a great legacy.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Thursday, July 14, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Kent Collins 1948-2022

I’ve very sorry to report the death of a longtime journalist and educator who helped mold the careers of thousands of journalists, not only in this country, but around the world.

KENT COLLINS, who spent almost 40 years on the faculty of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, died this morning after a five month battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 74. He was diagnosed in February and began the first of two chemotherapy regimens in March. He was hospitalized for the last week or so.

His oldest son JUSTIN posted this heartfelt remembrance to Facebook about an hour ago.

Kent served as broadcast department chair from 2000 until his retirement in 2018. He twice served as news director for the University’s NBC affiliate, KOMU-TV. He also consulted news organizations in many foreign countries.

But he continued working part-time, coordinating recruiting visits from broadcast companies who came to campus everything spring and hired most of the graduating seniors, which gave him great pleasure.

Kent’s journalism school biography details some of his background. He’s a 1970 graduate of the journalism school, and had also worked at stations in Quincy, IL, Denver, and New Orleans.

And Dean DAVID KURPIUS sent this note to faculty this morning.

I know that many of you did not know Kent, but when you look around your newsroom (or remember past colleagues), you will almost certainly find people who valued his counsel and learned from him.

If you will allow me a personal note, Kent has been one of my closest friends and confidants for more than 40 years. My wife and I had lunch with Kent and Bee in early May, and I returned two weeks ago. His condition had deteriorated during that time. But even so, our discussion at that last lunch centered around his true loves (after family): news, journalism, Missouri, and baseball.

We went to St. Louis Cardinals games every year, and a few of you reading this joined us on those trips.

Kent will be cremated. At his request, there will be no funeral, but the family plans a memorial celebration of life later this year.

Until then, please join me in sending our prayer and thoughts to Bee, sons Justin and Jeremy, his daughter Summer, the rest of his family, friends and colleagues.

With sad regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, July 12, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

  Aslam

Late Monday afternoon, WABC-TV in New York posted a story on its website detailing the passing of its news director, REHAN ASLAM. He died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer.

Here’s the story.

Our sympathy to his family, co-workers, and friends.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, July 11, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Another news director change at a CBS owned station.

Gerrow

KATHY GERROW was just announced as the next Vice Presdient and News Director for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. It’s a return to KYW for Kathy, who spent 13 years (1983-1996) as a producer there before crossing the street to become an EP for NBC’s WCAU-TV. She was promoted to Assistant ND there about ten years ago.

More in this news release.

Wilson

Kathy replaces JOHN WILSON, who’s been the ND here since late 2017 and has worked at the station for almost 20 years.

John joined the station in 2003 as an EP, was promoted to assistant news director in 2010, and ascended to the top job in November, 2017. He began his career as a reporter, as you’ll learn in his station bio.

We’ll have all the week’s changes in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

A holiday shortened week leaves just ONE ND change, but the top story of the week is a sad one from New York.

REHAN ASLAM, the news director for WABC-TV in New York, died yesterday after fighting brain cancer. He was diagnosed shortly after taking the WABC job in April, 2021. He’d previously been the ND for ABCs’ KTRK-TV in Houston.

I’ve not been able to find any details on the WABC website (or anywhere else) other than Facebook posts. Here’s an example:

I’ll update my website when I find a more detailed story.

On to our normal business:

Just ONE newly named news director this week, and NO new openings.

Our list of open jobs has 35 openings on it.

ONE of those 35 openings is advertised in one of THREE Paid Help Wanted ads.

Our only general manager item this week is the pending retirement of a longtime Knoxville GM.

In Names in the News, Nexstar hires internally to being a training program for news producers, and there’s a new Assistant ND in Minneapolis.

Those stories and more as you read on.

Newly Named News Director:

Slate

KBZK/KXLF-TV, Butte/Bozeman, MT…JUDY SLATE has been named news director for these Scripps’ owned ABC stations. It’s a return to KBZK for Judy, who spent seven years there as a reporter, producer, and anchor. More details in this story from the station website. She replaces REBECCA GAYLORD who left the stations earlier this year after three years as news director.

New News Director Openings:

To my knowledge, no new openings this week.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:

Sometimes you have to hit pause and take a beat to get it right.

That’s what we did.

Now, we have a *NEW* General Manager in place – and we are ready to hit play!

#NexstarNation has an immediate opening for an experienced NEWS DIRECTOR in Salt Lake City – Market #29. The right candidate will lead a team of committed journalists, collaborate to create market strategy, and impact not only the station, but also the community. We believe in local, local, local.

Salt Lake City is one of the fastest growing DMAs in the United States. The state boasts the youngest population in the country. Living in Salt Lake City means easy access to world class hiking, climbing, bike trails and some of the best ski resorts in the world.

It’s an incredible time to be a News Director. Why not do it with the nation’s largest TV ownership group, in a city full of opportunities, in a company with endless opportunities?

Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL:

WINK News-Southwest Florida’s news leader has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer. We are looking for a newsroom leader. The right candidate will lead with integrity, have sound judgement, high journalistic and newsgathering standards. Script reading for editorial approval an extremely important attribute. They must foster a collaborative environment that respects each individual and role. Must have strong organizational abilities and is capable of working and managing others in a fast paced newsroom. 5 years of experience in a television newsroom preferred.

Southwest Florida is often praised as being one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world with miles of white-sand beaches and a dynamic community. Broadcast Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are a drug-free and smoke-free environment.

Send resume to: Rich.garcia@winknews.com

Executive Producer of Digital Content, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL:

WINK-TV News – Fort Myers/Naples has a unique opening for an Executive Producer of Digital Content.

Ready to take your broadcast experience to the digital level?

The Executive Producer of Digital Content will oversee our day-to-day content digital news content. You will oversee and work with a team of digital producers and digital director to drive the content on all of our platforms, this includes the WINK news website, apps, push alerts, and social media.

The right candidate will have some of the following qualities:

• Identifying local news stories and producing them for our various digital platforms
  Lead the digital team in breaking news, emergency situations and severe weather coverage digitally.
  Display strong organizational skills.
  Edit content and copy edit spelling and grammar.
  Maintain and update online publishing tools and refine workflow processes as needed
  Coach digital and news teams to “think digitally” when crafting content on a daily basis.
  Meet with other platform leaders to form a synergistic relationship in content sharing
  Establish goals and drive digital strategy forward.
  Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills:

• Familiarity with the AP print writing style
  Knowledge of web scripting practices is recommended but not required
  Working knowledge of video production and post production techniques and software
  Familiarity with live streaming products and software
  Being familiar with various social platform details
  Attention to detail pertaining to spelling and grammar
  Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic newsroom

Experience:

Management experience in a television newsroom of 3 years or more required

Click here to apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 7/10/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 7/10/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 7/10/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 7/3/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (AM EP, listed 7/10/22)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 7/10/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (MSP EP, listed 7/10/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/3/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 7/10/22)
KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City (Overnight EP, listed 7/3/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/10/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (2 openings, listed 7/10/22) (See TWO ads above!)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (listed 6/26/22)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (listed 6/26/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **

SUPERVISING PRODUCER:

KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 7/10/22:

WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (Director of Digital Content)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (Digital News Manager)

Listed 7/3/22:

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 6/26/22:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 6/12/22:

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/30/22:

WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/15/22:

Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)

Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 5/15/22:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)

Obituaries:

We reported on the death of WABC-TV ND REHAN ASLAM above.

Names in the News:

Hicks

Nexstar reached into its ranks to fill a new position, Director of News Training. KELLY HICKS, currently the morning EP for WDAF-TV (FOX) in Kansas City, will implement a training program for newscast producers. She’s worked at WDAF for six years, and has also produced for several other Kansas City stations, and in Sacramento, Indianapolis, Cedar Rapids and Columbia, MO.

Sukhram

Hubbard’s KSTP/KSTC-TV (ABC/independent) in Minneapolis has promoted DAREN SUKHRAM has been promoted to Assistant News Director. He’s currently the managing editor for the stations, and has worked there since 2014. He also spent four years working at Hubbard’s KAAL-TV in Austin, MN. Daren’s worked for another Twin Cities station and in Cedar Rapids, and Mason City, IA.

Quick hits:

Longtime Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER is slowing down a bit, giving up his daily column but will still maintain his website. Feder explains his change of pace (after 42 years!) in this column.

General Manager News and Notes:

Davis

Longtime Knoxville General Manager NEAL DAVIS has announced his retirement effective August 5th. He’s currently GM for Lockwood’s WTNZ/WKNX-TV (Fox/Independent) but earlier in his career ran WBXX-TV (CW) in Knoxville. In between he served as general manager for KAKE-TV (ABC) in Wichita. More from TVNewsCheck.com.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 10, 2022:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT/KTVA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WXYZ-TV 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (see ad above!)
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHAM-TV 4225 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt Street Rochester, NY 14610
KAGS-TV 2800 South Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77802
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston, SC 29414
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WJBF-TV 1336 Augusta W Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

July 3, 2022

Greetings:

As promised, we have a lot of news in this week’s edition, which I had hoped to get to you earlier…but it takes time!

We have FOUR new news director openings, THREE in top 30 markets. And FOUR newly named news directors, NONE in top 50 markets.

We told you in an UPDATE that one of those large market NDs was headed to a new role at her station. We now WHAT that role will be which is detailed below.

All told, there are now 36 openings on our list.

ONE of those openings is advertised in our only Paid Help Wanted ad.

Speaking of advertisers, we welcome BARRY NASH & COMPANY. Many of you know Barry and members of his team, who can help you with coaching in a variety of situations. Please click on the ad below and set up an appointment to see them at the upcoming NABJ/NAHJ conference in Las Vegas.

We have TWO new GMs this week, one whose appointment created one of those large market ND openings.

New jobs for TWO former news directors, and we’ll give you a link to a Wall Street Journal article about a large station group owner who may be nearing a deal to buy the CW. That…and more…in Names in the News.

Please read on and stay safe this holiday!

Newly Named News Directors:

Settle

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY… this Tegna owned NBC affiliate has hired JEREMY SETTLE as ND. Details in this post from the website. Jeremy most recently was ND for Altice’s News 12 New Jersey for the last three years of the nine years he worked there. He’s a former ND in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton and for a cable operation in Washington, DC. Jeremy replaces JEFF WOODARD whose return as ND was short-lived: just two months before family reasons caused him to step down.

Duff

KGMB/KHNL/KFVE-TV, Honolulu, HI…this Gray triopoly (NBC-CBS-Telemundo) has hired SCOTT DUFF from sister station WSFA-TV (NBC) in Montgomery, AL. Scott’s been ND there for almost 16 years. He sent me this note reflecting on the past and the future. It includes GM MARK BUNTING’s note. He replaces SCOTT HUMMER who followed his former GM, RICK BLANGIARDI, to City Hall as Director of Communications for now Mayor Blandgiardi. Read on to learn about Duff’s replacement in Montgomery.

Wencl

KAPP/KVEW-TV, Yakima/Kennewick, WA…ERIN WENCL makes a big move from Texas to Washington state to become ND for this Morgan Murphy owned duopoly (both ABC stations) She’s been the ND for KAGS-TV in Bryan-College Station, TX for the past three years and has also worked in Fargo and Laredo. Erin replaces MATT VAN SLYKE who left last November for a PR job after three years as ND.

Wingard

WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL…those of you preparing your resumes to fill this opening can stand down. Longtime employee DESMOND WINGARD is the new ND. He’s been the Assistant News Director and has worked at the station for 23 years. GM MARK BUNTING sent this note to the staff. As you learned above, he’s replacing SCOTT DUFF who’s off to Hawaii as ND for the Gray triopoly there.

New News Director Openings:

Passman

KTVT, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…the first of TWO Thursday updates told you that LAURIE PASSMAN was moving to a new role at this CBS o-and-o. NEW THIS EDITION: the staff memo from GM RAQUEL AMPARO explaining what that is. Here’s Laurie’s memo to the staff explaining why she needed a change. She’s been the ND here for four years, has worked there for seven, and also logged time in Phoenix and Albuquerque.

Kiernan

WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI…Thursday’s second update reported that JEFF KIERNAN gets his first GM job at KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas. It’s a move within Scripps: Jeff’s been ND at WXYZ (ABC) for 18 months and earlier was ND for Scripps’ WTMJ-TV (NBC) in Milwaukee. It was his second time as ND at WTMJ, though you wouldn’t know it by this news release, which omits both his earlier WTMJ tenure and THREE ND jobs at CBS owned stations in Chicago, Boston and Minneapolis. He replaces CHRIS WAY who, along with ND NANCY BAUER, left on the same day a few weeks ago.

Reed

KGTV, San Diego, CA…we told you Friday in our THIRD update of the week that TODD REED’s tenure as news director for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate had come to an end after just four months. Before San Diego, Todd had spent 2 1/2 years as ND for Nexstar’s KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. You can learn more about his background by going to his Linkedin page.

Dale

WCSC-TV, Charleston, SC…congratulations to JENNIFER DALE who advances within Gray, not to a new ND job, but to a new role as VP/Recruiting for Gray. More in this email from Gray SVP-Local Media SANDY BRELAND. Jennifer has been ND for this Gray/CBS affiliate for the past 4 1/2 years. She’s also been an ND in Johnson City, TN, and has worked in Mobile, Myrtle Beach and Columbus, GA.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:

Join the country’s largest television ownership group in Buffalo, New York (DMA #52). #NexstarNation has an immediate opening for a strategic and experienced News Director to lead our award-winning team at WIVB (CBS)/WNLO (CW) and wivb.com.

Our brand is LOCAL and we live it every day, producing more than 64 hours of local news weekly. We are home to the market’s “certified most accurate weather” and showcase the most comprehensive sports coverage. WIVB is the official broadcast home of the Buffalo Bills. The station is also the official broadcast station of the University of Buffalo Athletics. Digitally, we lead the market in social engagement and are recognized as the top news source.

Buffalo is a great news town, but it’s also a great place to live. From the ever-growing Waterfront development, the changing seasons, wine country, and pro sports (with passionate fans like you’ve never seen before) and the flavorful food, it’s pretty tough to beat the unique, local feel!

Click here to apply today, and find out why it’s a great time to be a part of Nexstar.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 7/3/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/3/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City (Overnight EP, listed 7/3/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 5/22/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (listed 6/26/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 7/3/22)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (listed 6/26/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **
SUPERVISING PRODUCER:

KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 7/3/22:

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 6/26/22:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 6/12/22:

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/30/22:

WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/15/22:

Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)

Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 5/15/22:

KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ: (Assignment Desk Manager)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)

Obituaries:

Always pleased when there are no obituaries to report.

Names in the News:

Wilson

In Milwaukee, JIM WILSON returns to his roots as he’s become Chief Photographer for Scripps’ WTMJ-TV (NBC). Jim spent 30 years across town at WITI-TV (once again owned by FOX). He started there as a photographer and rose to VP/News Director, a job he held for three years until two months ago. More in this staff memo from WTMJ ND TIM VETSCHER.

Elledge

We told you last edition that SCOTT ELLEDGE was leaving Nexstar’s WJBF-TV in Augusta, GA, for a new job. Scott was ND there for 13 years, survived the end of a JOA/SSA, and continued on as ND for WJBF. Now…a new challenge as he outlined in this detailed note to me which covers his background and his new job as VP/Director of Development for Bahakel.

Carter

KNXV-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Phoenix has promoted KIANEY CARTER to its vacant assignment manager position. She’s been the coordinating producer for the morning newscast for the past 2+ years and previously worked as a producer for almost seven years. Kianey’s also worked as a producer in Raleigh and Fresno.

Quick hits:

KTXL-TV (Nexstar/FOX) in Sacramento has promoted KRYSTAL OBLINGER to executive producer. She’s also worked in Savannah, GA.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nexstar is close to a deal to acquire the CW network. It’s owns the largest number of CW affiliate, but one does wonder what happens to CW stations in markets where Nexstar owns other stations?

General Manager News and Notes:

You learned above that JEFF KIERNAN will be the next GM at Scripps’ KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas from his job as ND for the company’s WXYZ-TV (ABC) in Detroit.

Moses

BRAD MOSES returns home as he’s been named General Manager for Gray’s WTVG-TV (ABC) in Toledo. He once worked there as operation manager and director of creative services. (Earlier, we worked together at WTOL-TV in Toledo). Brad went on to be a GM in a number of stations as you’ll learn in this news release.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 3, 2022:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT/KTVA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WXYZ-TV 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207 (see ad above!)
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHAM-TV 4225 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt Street Rochester, NY 14610
KAGS-TV 2800 South Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77802
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston, SC 29414
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WJBF-TV 1336 Augusta W Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

June 26, 2022

Friday, July 1, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Well, THAT didn’t last long.

  Reed

TODD REED, who just joined Scripps’ KGTV (ABC) in San Diego as news director about four months ago, has already left the station. Staff was apparently told yesterday.

Todd joined the station earlier this year after spending 2 1/2 years as ND for Nexstar’s KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. His Linkedin page (which does not list his time in San Diego under experience) has more on his background.

See you this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Thursday, June 20, 2022 UPDATE #2:

A veteran news director gets his first GM job!

Kiernan

JEFF KIERNAN moves within Scripps to become general manager for the company’s ABC station in Las Vegas, KTNV. He’s currently the ND for Scripps’ Detroit operation, WXYZ/WMYD-TV (ABC-independent). Complete details in this Scripps news release.

Of note: somehow the release fails to mention Jeff’s long run as ND of CBS o-and-o’s in Chicago, Boston, and Minneapolis, or that Jeff had TWICE been the ND for WTMJ-TV (NBC) in Milwaukee, once before Scripps owned it.

He replaces CHRIS WAY who left the station…along with ND NANCY BAUER…on the same day a few weeks ago. Ironically, Chris had replaced Jeff’s longtime friend and former boss in Milwaukee, JIM PRATHER.

We all know it’s a small world in our business.

Our full edition this weekend…which I teased will be full of news…just got fuller!

Finally apologies to LAURIE PASSMAN whose first name I misspelled in today’s earlier UPDATE in reporting her new role at KTVT-TV (CBS) in Dallas.

Barring another big story, we’ll see you this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Thursday, June 30, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A top five market news director makes the difficult decision to step down, but she’s not going anywhere.

Passman

LAURIE PASSMAN, who’s been VP/News for CBS owned KTVT-TV in Dallas for the last four years, is moving to a new…and yet to be revealed…role at the station, She sent this very detailed and personal note to her staff, detailing the things life has thrown at her in the past few months that led her to this decision. It’s a lot.

Her new role will be announced soon.

She first joined KTVT as Assistant ND in 2015 and moved up to ND in 2018.

Laurie’s also worked in Phoenix, and Albuquerque where she was ND for KOB-TV. More details in her KTVT bio online.

Sunday’s (or Monday’s if the holiday interferes) newsletter will be full of other ND news.

That’s called a tease. Remember, I started as a producer. 🙂

Stay safe this holiday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

More than 1,400 people attended this week’s IRE conference in Denver. Always great to see such a growing broadcast presence at my favorite conference.

And while I was away, a handful of new ND openings, including TWO new ones in Rochester, NY which joined TWO previous openings in nearby Buffalo.

In all, FOUR stations have ND openings this week, while, to my knowledge, NO new news directors were hired. That leaves 34 stations on our list of open ND jobs.

ONE of those 34 openings is advertising that job in our only paid help wanted ad this week.

NO obituaries (that’s good) and TWO new GMs are covered below.

And in Names in the News, new jobs for TWO former Seattle news directors. Plus…a veteran marketing executive moves to a Minneapolis station, several organizations filed petitions with the FCC to try and block the Standard American-Tegna deal, and we have a news item from north of the border.

EXPERTS ON CAMERA – A FREE SCIENTIST-BOOKING SERVICE

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, regularly tees up articulate scientific experts from universities across the country for windows of media availability. Reporters can sign up to book 15-min, broadcast-quality Zoom interviews and use the resulting clips in segments and stories.

June 30: Inflation (Dr. Martha Olney, UC Berkeley)

July 14: Monarch butterflies under threat (Dr. Karen Oberhauser, University of Wisconsin)

July 26: Racial inequities in pregnancy-related death (Dr. Rachel Hardeman, University of Minnesota)

Sign up to get notified about new experts as they’re added to the calendar.

Check out SciLine’s other free services for reporters.

Follow @RealSciLine on Twitter.

Newly Named News Directors:

To my knowledge, NO open news director jobs were filled this week.

If you know otherwise, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

New News Director Openings:

Rodriguez

KTTV, Los Angeles, CA…as we reported in Friday’s UPDATE, ERICA HILL-RODRIGUEZ is leaving this FOX owned station where she’s been VP/News. NEW THIS EDITION: Here’s the memo she sent the staff. She’s been the ND here for a little more than 2 1/2 years, and spent 6 1/2 years as the ND for KCPQ-TV in Seattle. Erica’s also worked in Chicago and Boise, ID.

Romero

WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY…in the first of TWO new ND openings in the market, SERENA ROMERO has left this Sinclair operated ABC affiliate for personal reasons. She’s been the ND here for about a year, and came from Sinclair’s Syracuse operation where she was Assistant ND. WHAM is owned by Deerfield Media but operated by Sinclair which owns the FOX station in Rochester.

Koles

WROC-TV, Rochester, NY…and the second Rochester news director opening is at this Nexstar owned CBS station. STEVE KOLES will be leaving after about three years as news director here. Steve’s also held news director jobs in Columbus, OH and Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, MI. He’s also worked in Providence, Tulsa, Baltimore, and Norfolk.

Elledge

WJBF-TV, Augusta, GA…this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate has posted an opening for news director to replace SCOTT ELLEDGE, who has been the ND here for a long time. I’m told he has a new job…and will report it to you when I can.

And check out the paid help wanted ad for the ND opening at WIVB-TV in Buffalo. That’s just below.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:

Join the country’s largest television ownership group in Buffalo, New York (DMA #52). #NexstarNation has an immediate opening for a strategic and experienced News Director to lead our award-winning team at WIVB (CBS)/WNLO (CW) and wivb.com.

Our brand is LOCAL and we live it every day, producing more than 64 hours of local news weekly. We are home to the market’s “certified most accurate weather” and showcase the most comprehensive sports coverage. WIVB is the official broadcast home of the Buffalo Bills. The station is also the official broadcast station of the University of Buffalo Athletics. Digitally, we lead the market in social engagement and are recognized as the top news source.

Buffalo is a great news town, but it’s also a great place to live. From the ever-growing Waterfront development, the changing seasons, wine country, and pro sports (with passionate fans like you’ve never seen before) and the flavorful food, it’s pretty tough to beat the unique, local feel!

Click here to apply today, and find out why it’s a great time to be a part of Nexstar.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 5/22/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (listed 6/26/22)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (listed 6/26/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **

SUPERVISING PRODUCER:

KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/26/22:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 6/12/22:

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/30/22:

WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/15/22:

Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)

Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 5/15/22:

KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ: (Assignment Desk Manager)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)

Obituaries:

Always pleased when there are no obituaries to report.

Names in the News:

TWO former Seattle news directors have new jobs.

Swenson

One time KIRO-TV news director HELEN SWENSON is the new Chief Content Director for Accu-Weather. According to this news release, she started there earlier this month. Helen most recently had been VP/Content for Spectrum’s NY1 in New York. In addition to KIRO, Helen was a news director in West Palm Beach, a GM in Birmingham, an SVP for The Weather Channel and a consultant for Magid.

Kaczaraba

And former KCPQ-TV and NWCN ND BILL KACZARABA has moved to radio, at least for now. He posted this on Linkedin:

Thrilled to be part of the team at KIRO News Radio in Seattle. I’ll be anchoring the early morning news and news gathering for the rest of the morning until the end of summer. Then, we’ll see!

Good luck, Bill.

Thomas

Veteran marketing executive JIM THOMAS has a new job as (deep breath) Director of Marketing, Brand and Audience Engagement for Tegna’s KARE-TV (NBC) in Minneapolis. GM BILL DALLMAN shared the news release. Jim’s owned his own company most recently, but has worked in Denver, Milwaukee, and Grand Rapids, MI (among other stops) and also worked for Magid.

Quick hits:

Broadcasting and Cable takes an in-depth look at the always interesting Miami market, when Spanish language stations are number in several newscasts.

Several challenges to the Standard American-Tegna deal, with petitions filed with the FCC by several unions and also by Graham Media.

Finally, Canada’s CRTC will allow publicly funded CBC to reduce programming which many fear will impact over the air newscasts.

General Manager News and Notes:

ROBERT CROTEAU, an 18 year veteran of the market, has been promoted to GM for Sinclair’s WRGB-WCWN-TV in Albany, NY. He’s been director of sales there and previously worked in Boston and Champaign, IL.

And QUINN PACINI gets the GM job at Scripps’ KZBK/KXLF-TV in Bozeman and Butte, MT. He’s been working for Learfield Sports Properties, partnering with Montana State University.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 26, 2022:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207 (see ad above!)
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KGMB/KHNL-TV 420 Waiakamilo Rd. Suite 205, Honolulu, HI, 96817
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHAM-TV 4225 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt Street Rochester, NY 14610
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WJBF-TV 1336 Augusta W Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

June 19, 2022

Friday, June 24, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Hello from Denver and the always interesting and valuable IRE conference.

We have another major market news director opening today.

Rodriguez

ERICA HILL RODRIGUEZ has announced that she is leaving FOX’s KTTV in Los Angeles, where she’s been VP/News since late 2019. Earlier, Erica spent 6 1/2 years as news director for KCPQ-TV (FOX) in Seattle, where she worked for 12 years in her second stint there. She’s also spent time in Chicago and Boise.

Erica’s Linkedin page has much more on her background.

We’ll see you Sunday with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

I hope to see many of you at the IRE conference in Denver later this week.

(Check the forecast if you’re attending…highs are forecast in the mid-90’s Thursday and Friday.)

To our normal business…TWO top 25 markets are among those with news director changes this week.

THREE stations welcome new News Directors while TWO have vacancies in the ND office, leaving 30 stations on our list of open ND jobs.

We welcome a new advertiser this week, SciLine. It’s a free service that provides experts from Universities for interviews on scientific topics. Check out its ad just below.

And RTDNA is advertising its upcoming conference, which is, by the way, here in Indianapolis, making it easy for me to continue my streak of attending every RTNDA conference since 1979. Despite what you may have heard, I am NOT buying you dinner while you are here. 🙂

Also this week, one new GM at a network owned station in California, an unusual email from the CEO of Standard Media, sent to employees at Tegna, a company it’s trying to acquire. Also…we recap the big news involving longtime talent search leader TALENT DYNAMICS and we’ll tell you about a new EP in Los Angeles.

EXPERTS ON CAMERA – A FREE SCIENTIST-BOOKING SERVICE

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, regularly tees up articulate scientific experts from universities across the country for windows of media availability. Reporters can sign up to book 15-min, broadcast-quality Zoom interviews and use the resulting clips in segments and stories.

June 22: Ticks and how to avoid them (Dr. Jean Tsao, Michigan State University)

June 23: Water safety and drowning risk (Dr. Linda Quan, Seattle Children’s Hospital)

June 30: Inflation (Dr. Martha Olney, UC Berkeley)

July 14: Monarch butterflies under threat (Dr. Karen Oberhauser, University of Wisconsin)

July 26: Racial inequities in pregnancy-related death (Dr. Rachel Hardeman, University of Minnesota)

Sign up to get notified about new experts as they’re added to the calendar.

Check out SciLine’s other free services for reporters.

Follow @RealSciLine on Twitter.

Newly Named News Directors:

Parker

News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NJ…you learned in Tuesday’s UDPATE that TEISHA PARKER will be the next ND for this Altice USA owned 24 hour cable operation. She’s currently the the Assistant ND for Tegna’s WTIC-TV (FOX) in Hartford. More in the note from SVP/GM JACQUES NATZ. At News 12, she replaces JEREMY SETTLE who is leaving after nine years, the last three as news director.

Boone

WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL…RICK BOONE is being promoted within Nexstar to become ND for this CBS affiliate. He’s been the news director for KARD-KTVE-TV in Monroe, LA (more below) and has worked in a variety of large markets. Rick is replacing PAUL CARON who transferred to another Nexstar station, WBTW-TV in Myrtle Beach, after three years.

Bottger

KCAU-TV, Sioux City, IA…congratulations to ANDY BOTTGER who’s been upped ND at this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND there for 5 1/2 of his ten years as the station. Andy replaces DAN DELGADO who left in May to become ND for KXXV/KRHD-TV, ABC affiliates serving Waco, Bryan and Temple, TX.

New News Director Openings:

Rosetti

WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN…Tuesday’s second UPDATE told you that JEFF ROSETTI has left this Tegna owned NBC affiliate after 3+ years as ND. He worked here for eleven years, first joining as Assistant ND in 2011. More in this short note from GM MICHAEL BROUDER. Before WTHR, Jeff worked at CNN and in Washington, Tampa, Raleigh, and Jacksonville, FL.

KARD//KTVE-TV, Monroe, LA…you learned above that RICK BOONE is moving to sister Nexstar operation WHNT-TV (CBS) in Huntsville, AL. He’s been ND here for about 18 months. (Nexstar owns KARD and operates KTVE for…everyone join in…Mission Broadcasting.)

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

There are no paid help ads this week. Email me for details about how you can get your management opening in front of the most targeted audience available.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, relisted 4/17/22)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 4/24/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 4/24/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 5/22/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **

SUPERVISING PRODUCER:

KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 6/12/22:

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/30/22:

WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/15/22:

Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)

Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 5/15/22:

KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ: (Assignment Desk Manager)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)

Relisted 4/17/22:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Obituaries:

Harris

KING HARRIS, who served as both the news director and anchor for KEYT-TV in Santa Barbara, CA, for many years, died Tuesday night. He was 75. His former station remembered him with this on-air story. King also worked at KCOY-TV in San Luis Obispo as a producer and was a radio news director and taught journalism. The Santa Barbara Independent has more in a nice tribute.

Williams

Sorry to report the passing of longtime WPVI-TV (Philadelphia-ABC owned) producer and executive producer RICK WILLIAMS (not to be confused with the WPVI anchor of the same name). Rick retired in 2021 after 40 years at the station and lost a battle to esophageal cancer Thursday. Veteran WPVI anchor JIM GARDNER reported Williams’ death in this story.

Lucy

A 41 veteran of St. Louis’ KMOV-TV (Gray owned/CBS), DON LUCY, died unexpectedly this week. He was 63 years old and worked as a director for the morning news, which honored him with this story. Don was the longest tenured employee at KMOV, joining one year after his father (who started there four days after the station went on the air) retired. He also worked as a TD for Bally Sports, working Cardinals and Blues games.

Names in the News:

In an unusual move during an acquisition, DEB McDERMOTT, Standard Media CEO, sent a note to Tegna employees saying the company has no intention of cutting staff. Poynter’s AL TOMPKINS has more in an in-depth look worth your time. (I’m guessing I won’t be the only person saving this story.)

We told you Friday that former Meredith executives PATRICK McCREERY and GARY BROWN have formed Glass City Talent and are acquiring Talent Dynamics. Longtime TD principal SANDRA CONNELL will continue as President of the company, with Brown serving as CEO and McCreery leading business development and serving as an advisor. Lots more information in the news release.

Negron

Finally, WILLIAM NEGRON has been promoted to executive producer for Univision’s KMEX-TV in Los Angeles. He’s been the senior producer there, and formerly worked for KVEA-TV in Los Angeles and for television stations in both Houston and his native Puerto Rico.

General Manager News and Notes:

Crawford

MELINDA “MISSY” CRAWFORD is moving up within NBC to become GM for the company’s San Diego operations, KNSD-TV (NBC) and KUAN-TV (Telemundo). She’s spent the last ten years as the VP/Marketing for WNBC-TV in New York. She’s a California native who worked at KGO-TV (ABC owned) in San Francisco for 15 years. She replaces TODD MOHKTARI who was promoted to GM for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 19, 2022:

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

WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Avenue Buffalo, NY 14202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KGMB/KHNL-TV 420 Waiakamilo Rd. Suite 205, Honolulu, HI, 96817
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station