Rick Gevers & Associates

October 4, 2026

Greetings:

Our always unofficial list of open news director jobs edges up to 29 this week with the addition of THREE new openings, with TWO jobs filled.

ONE of those new openings is in a top FIVE market with ONE of the filled jobs in a top 20 market.

Also, please check out BARRY NASH‘s column this week (click on the ad just below). He discusses the difficult task facing KNBC-TV in Los Angeles when its chopper crashed a few weeks ago. Good lessons to be learned if you ever find yourself in the position of reporting the sudden death(s) of staff. (I experienced that in 1988 when my evening co-anchor in Toledo died suddenly.)

It’s not easy.

Also this week:

• We have an obituary for a long ago CBS executive who later worked for Blair.
• The former CEO of Tegna has a new job, and, like his jobs before Tegna, is not in TV.
• Scripps has a new head of news.
• And Sinclair’s St. Louis station rebrands after losing its ABC affiliation.

Read on for more!

Newly Named News Directors:

Kay

KCRA/KQCA-TV, Sacramento, CA…KRISTIN KAY moves within Hearst and across the country to take the ND job at this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. She’s a California native who’s been the ND for Hearst’s WGAL-TV (NBC) in Lancaster/Harrisburg, PA, for the past three years. This news release details her extensive career history. At KCRA, she replaces DEREK SCHNELL who was promoted to VP/News for Hearst after 7+ years as news director here.

Madden

WQRF/WTVO-TV, Rockford, IL…JOHN MADDEN returns to Nexstar as ND here. He most recently was the AND for Scripps’ KERO-TV in Bakersfield before his job was eliminated last month. (John earlier worked for Nexstar in Grand Junction, CO). He replaces COVENTRY ADRIAN who is leaving after 4 1/2 years as ND. Nexstar owns WQRF, a FOX affiliate, and operates WTVO (ABC) which is owned by Mission Broadcasting.

New News Director Openings:

Gerrow

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA...after 46 years in news, all in Philadelphia, KATHY GERROW will retire as VP/ND of this CBS o-and-o when her contract expires in January. Here’s the staff memo from VP/GM KELLY FRANK. Kathy began her career at KYW, took a slight (well, 30 year) detour to WCAU-TV and then returned to KYW a little more than four years ago as news director.

WGAL-TV, Lancaster/Harrisburg, PA…as noted above, KRISTIN KAY is leaving this Hearst station to become ND for the company’s KCRA-TV in Sacramento. Both are NBC affiliates.

Church

WHSV-TV, Harrisonburg, Harrisonburg, VA…CHELSEA CHURCH is leaving this Gray Media owned operation. She joined the station after graduating from college in 2018, held a variety of positions before becoming news director last year. More details about Chelsea and her background in her still-online station biography.

Help Wanted Ads:

No ads this week, but if you have a news management opening, there’s no better place to advertise it. Email me for details: rick@rickgevers.com

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Morning AND, listing revised 9/27/26)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 9/13/26)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/9/26)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 10/4/26)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/7/26)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Digital EP, relisted 9/13/26)
WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA (Digital EP, listed 9/27/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/13/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/9/26)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/13/26)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 9/13/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (relisted 9/27/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (listed 8/16/26)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Digital EP, relisted 10/4/26)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/13/26)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital EP, listed 8/30/26)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 9/13/26)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/13/26)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/20/26)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (listed 9/13/26)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/30/26)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/13/26)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (AM EP, listed 9/13/26)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (Senior EP, listed 9/13/26)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 7/26/26)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/7/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, relisted 9/13/26)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/13/26)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/26/26)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/13/26)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 9/7/26)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 9/27/26)
KWES-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX (listed 9/13/26)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (Digital Content EP, listed 10/4/26)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 9/13/26)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 8/30/26)

Other News Management Openings:

Listed 9/27/26:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (Story Desk Manager)
KING-TV, Seattle, TX (Story Desk Manager)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (Executive Reporter)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (Story Desk Manager)
WOI/KCWI-TV, Des Moines, IA (Story Desk Manager)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (Digital Media Manager-Newsroom)

Relisted 9/20/26:

KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX (Mgr. of Coverage and Content)

Listed 9/13/26:

KLBK-TV, Lubbock, TX (Digital Media Director)

Listed 8/16/26:

WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (Executive Reporter)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Executive Reporter)

Relisted 8/9/26:

Arizona PBS, Phoenix, AZ (Dir. of News & Public Affairs)

Listed 8/9/26:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (Digital Media Director)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Executive Reporter)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Executive Reporter)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Multi-Media Managing Editor)

Listed 8/2/26:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Story Desk Manager)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Story Desk Manager)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Director of Multiplatform Content)

Obituary:

Rosenfield

Former CBS executive JAMES ROSENFIELD died September 26th at the age of 97. He began with CBS in 1965 in sales and rose through the ranks during some of the network’s good years. After leaving CBS in 1985, he became Chairman and CEO of John Blair Communications, the rep firm before later starting his own consulting firm. More details in this obituary from The Hollywood Reporter.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

McGarvy

You learned in our Monday UPDATE that Scripps named SEAN McGARVY as its Head of News. Details in this news release. Sean’s been the senior director of digital news operations, and earlier was senior director of local news strategy. He’s also been the ND for Scripps’ WEWS-TV (ABC) in Cleveland and worked in Denver (two stations), Indianapolis, Washington, Des Moines, and Columbia, MO. Sean replaces JEFF KIERNAN who is retiring.

KDNL-TV, the former ABC affiliate in St. Louis, is rebranding as STL30 (its channel number) in a move the headline on this news release says is reinforcing its commitment to the community. Sarcasm alert: they might have more of a commitment to the community if, say, the station produced and aired local news which it has not done in years.

General Manager News and Notes:

Steib

MICHAEL STEIB, who had not worked in television before becoming President and CEO of Tegna, has a new job, also not in television. He’ll be the President and CEO of Angi, described here as a leading digital home services marketplace.The company began as Angie’s List. Fun fact: earlier offices for the company were just a few blocks from our world headquarters here in Indianapolis.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 4, 2026:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these m have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
KGO-TV 900 Front St. San Francisco, CA 94111
WJBK-TV 16550 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Miami, FL, 33178-2301 **
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95820-5299
KTNV-TV 3355 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WZZM-TV 645 3 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544
KOKH/KOCB-TV 1228 E. Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WGNO-TV 1 Galleria Blvd, Suite 850 Metairie LA 70001
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E. McKinley Ave., Fresno CA 93727
KOLD-TV 7831 N. Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KCEN-TV 215 N. 3rd Street Temple, TX 76501
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25301
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KNDU-TV 3312 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
WMAZ-TV 1314 Gray Highway, Macon, GA 31211
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
WQOW-TV 5545 State Highway 93, Eau Claire, WI 54701
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, LA 71201
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Drive. Sioux City, IA 51108
KNBN-TV 510 North Cambell Suite 8. Rapid City, SD 57701
WHSV-TV 50 North Main Street Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

September 27, 2026

Monday, September 28, 2026 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A big promotion at Scripps, and we’re fixing an editing error in the email version of last night’s full newsletter.

McGarvy

Congratulations to SEAN McGARVY, who’s been named Head of News for Scripps. More details in the news release. He’s been the senior director of digital news operations, and earlier was senior director of local news strategy. He’s also been the news director for Scripps’ WEWS-TV (ABC) in Cleveland and worked in Denver (two stations), Indianapolis, Washington, Des Moines, and Columbia, MO. His Linkedin profile has more. In this new role, Sean replaces the retiring JEFF KIERNAN.

Buckley

In last night’s emailed edition, we promised…and failed to provide…the link to the memo from Scripps’s Regional VP JOE POSS on the change at WTMJ-TV (NBC) in Milwaukee. Here’s that memo announcing that editorial director (similar to assistant ND) NICOLE BUCKLEY has been promoted to ND there. She’s an eleven year veteran of the station who’s held several different jobs. Learn more about Nicole and her background in her station profile. Nicole replaces TIM VETSCHER who stepped down earlier this year.

We’ll see you Sunday with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

THREE new news directors, TWO new openings and the count of open ND jobs (please, no wagering) drops to 27.

We told you about TWO of those new NDs in a Tuesday UPDATE.

• Thanks for those of you who provided details about the passing of former ND and GM MIKE CREW. Details below.
• We also have an obit for a former Philadelphia ND who seems to have had a heckuva career spanning newspapers, local news, AND network.
• Several news management jobs have been filled.
• A longtime Scripps GM gets a promotion.
• And HANK PRICE has a nominee for the broadcaster with the toughest job in America.

All that and more as you read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Williams

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO…JESSIE WILLIAMS joins this ABC affiliate as ND. She’ll also supervise NDs at Scripps stations in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. Here’s the memo from Regional VP KATHLEEN CHOAL. Jessie is currently Senior Director of News for Scripps’ KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas. At KMGH, she replaces MEGAN (JURGEMEYER) McRAE who left way back in February.

Buckley

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI…in another Scripps move you learned about in our Tuesday UPDATE, NICOLE BUCKLEY has been promoted from Editorial Director to ND for this NBC affiliate. (I’m told that editorial director is similar to Assistant ND.) New this edition: the staff memo from Regional VP JOE POSS. More on Nicole from her station bio. She replaces TIM VETSCHER who is stepping down after 5+ years as ND.

Beard

KOKI/KTUL-TV, Tulsa, OK…LEISHA BEARD achieved her goal of working closer to home (Joplin, MO) as she is now the news director for this Sinclair owned duopoly. When Leisha left her job as ND for KTXL-TV (FOX/Nexstar) in Sacramento last month after 2+ years there, we told you she wanted to be closer to family. And now she is. She’s also been an ND in Harrisburg, PA, and worked for 17 years in Joplin, 12 as ND.

New News Director Openings:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV…this ABC affiliate is looking for a Senior Director of News to replace JESSIE WILLIAMS. If her name sounds familiar, that’s because we reported a few paragraphs above that she’s headed to Denver as ND for KMGH-TV. She’ll also supervise NDs at Scripps stations in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction.

Dodd

KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA…LAWTON DODD has left this Gray Media owned NBC affiliate after just seven months as news director. He’s also had short stints as an ND in Peoria, and Eugene, OR, but spent 22 years as ND for Hearst’s KSBW-TV in Monterey, CA. His entire career, with jobs both in TV and out of the newsroom, is explained in his Linkedin page.

Help Wanted Ads:

No ads this week, but if you have a news management opening, there’s no better place to advertise it. Email me for details: rick@rickgevers.com

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Morning AND, listing revised 9/27/26)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 9/13/26)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/9/26)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/7/26)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Digital EP, relisted 9/13/26)
WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA (Digital EP, listed 9/27/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/13/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/9/26)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/13/26)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 9/13/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (relisted 9/27/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (listed 8/16/26)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Digital EP, listed 7/26/26)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Multiplatform EP, listing revised 7/19/26)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/13/26)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital EP, listed 8/30/26)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 9/13/26)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/13/26)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/20/26)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (listed 9/13/26)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/30/26)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/13/26)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (AM EP, listed 9/13/26)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (Senior EP, listed 9/13/26)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 7/26/26)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/7/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, relisted 9/13/26)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/13/26)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/26/26)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/13/26)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 9/7/26)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 9/27/26)
KWES-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX (listed 9/13/26)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 9/13/26)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 8/30/26)

Other News Management Openings:

Listed 9/27/26:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (Story Desk Manager)
KING-TV, Seattle, TX (Story Desk Manager)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (Executive Reporter)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (Story Desk Manager)
WOI/KCWI-TV, Des Moines, IA (Story Desk Manager)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (Digital Media Manager-Newsroom)

Relisted 9/20/26:

KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX (Mgr. of Coverage and Content)

Listed 9/13/26:

KLBK-TV, Lubbock, TX (Digital Media Director)

Listed 8/16/26:

WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (Executive Reporter)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Executive Reporter)

Relisted 8/9/26:

Arizona PBS, Phoenix, AZ (Dir. of News & Public Affairs)

Listed 8/9/26:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (Digital Media Director)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Executive Reporter)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Executive Reporter)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Multi-Media Managing Editor)

Listed 8/2/26:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Story Desk Manager)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Story Desk Manager)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Director of Multiplatform Content)

Listed 7/26/26:

E. W. Scripps, remote in any state where Scripps operates (SVP of News)

Obituaries:

Crew

Former GM and ND MIKE CREW died last month after a long illness. Thanks for those of you who responded to my request for details last week. A loyal reader talked with Mike’s widow and sent me these details. Mike was GM for News 24 in Houston from 2000-2003, a joint venture of Time Warner and Belo. He also held news director jobs in Orlando, Syracuse, Jacksonville, FL, and worked in several large markets.

Warwick

NED WARWICK, a one-time ND for Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV (ABC), died Monday, September 14, at the age of 81. This obituary from The Philadelphia Inquirer details a very interesting career. In addition to working for WPVI, he served as news director for WTVD-TV in Raleigh/Durham, worked for several Philadelphia newspapers, and spent five years as ABC’s director of news operations for Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

At Univision’s WGBO-TV in Chicago, CHRISTIAN VALTER RODRÍGUEZ has been promoted to executive producer. He’d been a producer there.

RUSSELL HAYTHORN has been promoted from executive reporter to Assistant ND at KMGH-TV in Denver.

CHRIS FORD has joined Cox Media’s WFTV (ABC) in Orlando as EP of Special Projects. He’s a former ND in Rochester, NY, and has held a number of other jobs in many markets around the country.

You think your job is tough. (It probably is!) But HANK PRICE thinks he’s found someone with the toughest job in America. Here’s his column.

General Manager News and Notes:

ANITA HELT has been promoted to Vice President of Local Media for Scripps, overseeing stations in Arizona, Texas, California, Colorado, Utah, Idaho and Montana. She first joined the company in 2011 as GM for KNXV-TV (ABC) in Phoenix. She’d earlier been a GM for KXTV in Sacramento and had worked as VP Marketing and Programming for KPNX-TV in Phoenix.

In her post above, Anita tells us that JOHN COOK will replace her as regional GM for stations in Phoenix, Tucson, Corpus Christi, and Waco, TX.

And in San Diego, MARIANGELA PRETTO has been promoted to KBNT-TV, the Entravision owned Univision affiliate there.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 27, 2026:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these m have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KGO-TV 900 Front St. San Francisco, CA 94111
WJBK-TV 16550 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Miami, FL, 33178-2301 **
KCRA-TV 3 Television Circle, Sacramento, CA 95814
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95820-5299
KTNV-TV 3355 S Valley View Blvd, Las Vegas, NV, 89102
WZZM-TV 645 3 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544
KOKH/KOCB-TV 1228 E. Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WGNO-TV 1 Galleria Blvd, Suite 850 Metairie LA 70001
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E. McKinley Ave., Fresno CA 93727
KOLD-TV 7831 N. Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KCEN-TV 215 N. 3rd Street Temple, TX 76501
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25301
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KNDU-TV 3312 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
WMAZ-TV 1314 Gray Highway, Macon, GA 31211
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
WQOW-TV 5545 State Highway 93, Eau Claire, WI 54701
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, LA 71201
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Drive. Sioux City, IA 51108
KNBN-TV 510 North Cambell Suite 8. Rapid City, SD 57701
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

September 20, 2026

Tuesday, September 22, 2026 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Scripps fills two open ND positions, and we have a make good for an editing error we made over the weekend.

Williams

JESSIE WILLIAMS moves to Colorado where she’ll be the regional ND for three Scripps stations. She’ll be the ND for KMGH-TV (ABC) in Denver and will supervise NDs at Scripps stations KOAA/KKTV in Colorado Springs-Pueblo, and KKCO-TV in Grand Junction. Here’s the email from Regional VP KATHLEEN CHOAL. Jessie is currently the Senior Director of News for Scripps’ KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas. She earlier was ND for the company’s WSYM-TV in Lansing and an EP for WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee. She replaces MEGAN (JURGEMEYER) McRAE who left way back in February.

Buckley

And speaking of WTMJ-TV (NBC) in Milwaukee, editorial director (similar to assistant news director) NICOLE BUCKLEY has been promoted to news director there. She’s an eleven year veteran of the station who’s held several different jobs. Learn more about Nicole and her background in her station profile. Nicole replaces TIM VETSCHER. We told you earlier this month that he was stepping away after 5+ years as ND. His note to staff explained why he was leaving.

Finally, apologies to our friend BARRY NASH. Due to an editing error in only our emailed version (probably shouldn’t be writing the newsletter when the Colts are coughing one up on Sunday Night Football) I failed to include the link to his column on the lessons learned…both personal and professional…when your house burns down. Click on the image below for his column. It’s worth your time.

Barring further updates, we’ll be back Sunday with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Obviously the big news of the week was the tragic crash of KNBC-TV‘s helicopter, killing the pilot and a reporter on board, and a passerby on the ground. Reporter ELIANA MORENO and pilot GEORGE MARCINIW died. Both worked for Angel City Air, a helicopter provider.

Here’s a link to the station’s website and its continuing coverage page, with many stories.

In addition, these items of interest on the crash.

• KTLA-TV in Los Angeles recaps other news helicopter crashes.
• TVNewscheck has an interesting history of news choppers in what it calls the epicenter of such coverage.
• The Desk says the FAA issued a bulletin just a week ago about possible engine issues with the Airbus AS350.
• And the spokesman for the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation offered these thoughts.

Our sympathy to everyone involved.

To our normal business, with just ONE new news director to report and NO new openings. Thus, our list of open ND positions drops to 28.

• We have an obituary for a long ago Arkansas anchor and ND.
• A longtime Houston news man is retiring after 42 years at his station.
• A Florida man (couldn’t resist) is moving across the state for a new job.
• And a changing of interim NDs in Washington with names you probably know.

Also, I am told that former news director MIKE CREW has passed, but am unable to confirm or find any details on his passing. If any readers can provide more information I’ll share it next week.

Have a great week.

Newly Named News Director:

WWAY-TV, Wilmington, NC…ANDREW BANAS leaves New York State for North Carolina and the news director job at this Morris Multimedia owned ABC/CBS/CW operation. He’s been the Assistant ND for WROC-TV (Nexstar/CBS) in Rochester, NY. He replaces MARCY CUEVAS who left earlier this summer after six years as ND (and 12 at the station) for a PR job with Cape Fear Community College.

New News Director Openings:

I’m not aware of any new openings this week. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.

Help Wanted Ads:

No ads this week, but if you have a news management opening, there’s no better place to advertise it. Email me for details: rick@rickgevers.com

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/20/26)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 9/13/26)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/9/26)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/7/26)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Digital EP, relisted 9/13/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/13/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/9/26)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/13/26)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 9/13/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (listed 8/2/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (Special Projects Producer, listed 8/2/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (listed 8/16/26)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Digital EP, listed 7/26/26)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Multiplatform EP, listing revised 7/19/26)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/13/26)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital EP, listed 8/30/26)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 9/13/26)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/13/26)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 9/20/26)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (listed 9/13/26)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/30/26)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/13/26)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (AM EP, listed 9/13/26)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (Senior EP, listed 9/13/26)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 7/26/26)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/7/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, relisted 9/13/26)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/13/26)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/26/26)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/13/26)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 9/7/26)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 7/26/26)
KWES-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX (listed 9/13/26)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 9/13/26)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 8/30/26)

Other News Management Openings:

Relisted 9/20/26:

KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX (Mgr. of Coverage and Content)

Listed 9/13/26:

KLBK-TV, Lubbock, TX (Digital Media Director)

Listed 8/16/26:

WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (Executive Reporter)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Executive Reporter)

Relisted 8/9/26:

Arizona PBS, Phoenix, AZ (Dir. of News & Public Affairs)

Listed 8/9/26:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (Digital Media Director)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Executive Reporter)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Executive Reporter)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Multi-Media Managing Editor)

Listed 8/2/26:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Story Desk Manager)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (Story Desk Manager)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Story Desk Manager)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Director of Multiplatform Content)

Listed 7/2t/26:

E. W. Scripps, remote in any state where Scripps operates (SVP of News)

Obituary:

Gaddy

KAYE BANES GADDY, a long ago news director and anchor for KPOM-TV in Ft. Smith, AR, died last Sunday. She was 87 years old. She worked in a number of Texas markets, including KTVT-TV in Dallas where she anchored and midday and evening news, according to this obituary. She had many other jobs outside of television after leaving the newsroom.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Bishop

After 47 years in our business, 42 of them at one station, BILL BISHOP is retiring. He’s been the managing editor for Tegna’s KHOU-TV (CBS) in Houston in the latest of a wide variety of jobs there. The station honored him here.

MARTIN GONZALEZ moved across Florida to fill one of the vacant EP openings at WINK-TV (CBS) in Ft. Myers. He had been working at WPTV in West Palm Beach where he worked with WINK Chief of News and Content Strategy KATHY REYNOLDS when she was the Executive ND there. One more EP has been hired and will be announced later.

And a changing of the guard…or at least the interim news director job…at Nexstar’s WDCW/WDVM-TV, branded as DC NEWS NOW in Washington,. Former Orlando, Raleigh, Tulsa, and Little Rock ND ED TRAUSCHKE has been filling in there for the last nine months. He’s returning to retirement and is being replaced in the interim role by STEVE ACKERMANN, (on the left in the picture below) the latest in a series of interim jobs for Steve, who posted this on Linkedin.

General Manager News and Notes:

Diener

Tuesday’s UPDATE brought first word that SCOTT DIENER is coming out of retirement to become GM for KOMU-TV (NBC) in Columbia. That’s owned by the University of Missouri and where Scott began his career.. Scott retired last summer after nine years as ND for KMOV-TV (CBS) in St. Louis, the last of his many jobs during his career. He’s just the FOURTH GM in the last 52 years for the station.

NJPBS, now operated by Montclair State University, filled SIX key positions, including GM and ND, as it prepares to launch programming on October 1. Details about the hires…and the operation…in this news release.

Gray Media has upped RONNA (CORRENTE) STEBER to Chief Revenue Officer. Ronna has held several upper management jobs for Gray and also served as GM for several of the company’s stations.

TIM MALONEY, a 20 year veteran of the station, has been promoted to GM and Director of Sales for Gray’s WBKO-TV in Bowling Green, KY.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 20, 2026:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these m have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KGO-TV 900 Front St. San Francisco, CA 94111
WJBK-TV 16550 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075
KMGH-TV 2323 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80203 (Regional ND for CO)
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Miami, FL, 33178-2301 **
KCRA-TV 3 Television Circle, Sacramento, CA 95814
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95820-5299
WTMJ-TV 20 E Capitol Dr Milwaukee, WI 53212 (internal candidates only)
WZZM-TV 645 3 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544
KOKH/KOCB-TV 1228 E. Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WGNO-TV 1 Galleria Blvd, Suite 850 Metairie LA 70001
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E. McKinley Ave., Fresno CA 93727
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74129
KOLD-TV 7831 N. Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KCEN-TV 215 N. 3rd Street Temple, TX 76501
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25301
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KNDU-TV 3312 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
WMAZ-TV 1314 Gray Highway, Macon, GA 31211
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
WQOW-TV 5545 State Highway 93, Eau Claire, WI 54701
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, LA 71201
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KNBN-TV 510 North Cambell Suite 8. Rapid City, SD 57701
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

September 13, 2026

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A veteran news director comes out of retirement to take the GM job at the station where he began his career.

Diener

SCOTT DIENER has been named General Manager for KOMU-TV (NBC) in Columbia, MO, the University of Missouri owned NBC affiliate. Most of you probably know that’s where journalism school students produce multiple newscasts a day (with, obviously, faculty and staff supervision). Scott, of course, is a Missouri alum.

More details about Scott, his new job, and his career history in this news release.

Scott most recently was the ND for Gray’s KMOV-TV in St. Louis, a job from which he ‘retired’ in the summer of 2025. That was his seventh ND job across a career which included ND stops in several large markets, including Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco and Phoenix. The full story is in his Linkedin page.

Remarkably, Scott becomes just the fourth GM at KOMU in more than 50 years, following TOM GRAY (1974-1998), MARTY SIDDALL (1999-2017) and MATT GARRETT, who is retiring after nine years on the job.

You can send a note of congratulations to Scott via an email here.

We’ll be back next Sunday barring any other updates.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

TWO new news directors were named this, with both leaving current jobs, meaning we have TWO new openings.

Our count of open ND jobs remains at 29.

Check out our paid ad for a management job in a beautiful place to live. That’s below.

Also this week:

We have an obituary for the son of a longtime Hearst executive who many of our, uh, seasoned readers will remember.

Scripps is making more changes with GM’s running multiple stations, and eliminating more than two dozen jobs.

And we have several articles of interest:

• The NY Times reviews the ‘new’ 60 Minutes which debuted tonight/
• RTDNA says TV news employment declines again.
• How four different companies are using very different tactics to battle changes in the business.
• A Houston station becomes the latest to change its late news format.
• Tips on how to change your content and improve your news marketing since breaking news is, in the author’s opinion, just a commodity.
• Is CBS moving away from branding its o-and-o stations as CBS News (Location)?

Have a great week.

Newly Named News Directors:

Talley

WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA…a move within Tegna sends ASHLEY TALLEY to The Big Easy. Ashley is currently the news director for Tegna’s WZZM-TV (ABC) in Grand Rapids, MI, one of several jobs she’s held within Tegna. Her Linkedin page tells all. Ashley replaces NICOLE (WAIVERS) EVERAGE. We told you in July that Nicole was leaving this CBS affiliate after 3+ years as ND.

Shill

WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, WI…KRISTEN SHILL crosses the street to become the next news director for this Gray Media owned NBC affiliate. She’s worked at now-owned-by-Allen-Media’s WQOW-TV for almost 14 years, starting as an audio operator and video editor, and the last 7+ as news director. At WEAU, she replaces RUDY MURIETTA who left the station late last month after less than a year as news director.

New News Director Openings:

While not a new opening, please note that Scripps has reclassified the opening at its Denver station, KMGH-TV (ABC). It is now a Regional News Director position for all the Scripps Colorado stations (Denver, Colorado Springs, and Grand Junction).

WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids, MI…you learned above that ASHLEY TALLEY is moving within Tegna to become ND for WWL-TV in New Orleans. Ashley was at the ABC affiliate for about a year.

WQOW-TV, Eau Claire, WI...and if you were paying attention, you also learned above that KRISTEN SHILL is crossing the street, leaving this Allen Media station (after 7+ years as ND) to become ND for WEAU-TV, the NBC affiliate owned by Gray.

Help Wanted Ad:

Assistant News Director, KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO:

KRDO13 is looking for an ambitious news leader to help drive coverage at the #1 station in Colorado Springs. This is a chance to make a real impact in a high-performing newsroom where local, live news, great people and winning still matter.

You’ll be at the center of the action each day, setting the tone and pushing beyond the obvious to set us apart. We want a leader who isn’t afraid to take chances, think bigger and be EXTRA when it comes to great journalism.

This is a hands-on leadership role for a true people person who knows how to coach and develop journalists at every level. And you won’t do it alone. You’ll have a talented management team at your side, ready to help you win the day.

KRDO13 is part of News-Press & Gazette, a rare family-owned media company that values stability, people and local journalism.

This is a high-profile opportunity to lead a winning newsroom in one of the country’s most desirable places to live.

Click here to apply!

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/26)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 9/13/26)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/9/26)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/7/26, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Digital EP, relisted 9/13/26)
WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/13/26)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 8/30/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/9/26)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 9/13/26)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 9/13/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (listed 8/2/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (Special Projects Producer, listed 8/2/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (listed 8/16/26)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Digital EP, listed 7/26/26)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Multiplatform EP, listing revised 7/19/26)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/13/26)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital EP, listed 8/30/26)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 9/13/26)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/13/26)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/12/26)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (listed 9/13/26)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/30/26)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/13/26)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (AM EP, listed 9/13/26)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (Senior EP, listed 9/13/26)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 7/26/26)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 9/7/26)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 7/19/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, relisted 9/13/26)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 9/13/26)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/26/26)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 9/13/26)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 9/7/26)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 7/26/26)
KWES-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX (listed 9/13/26)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 9/13/26)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 8/30/26)

Other News Management Openings:

Listed 9/13/26:

KLBK-TV, Lubbock, TX (Digital Media Director)

Listed 8/16/26:

WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (Executive Reporter)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Executive Reporter)

Relisted 8/9/26:

Arizona PBS, Phoenix, AZ (Dir. of News & Public Affairs)

Listed 8/9/26:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (Digital Media Director)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Executive Reporter)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Executive Reporter)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Multi-Media Managing Editor)

Listed 8/2/26:

WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Story Desk Manager)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (Story Desk Manager)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Story Desk Manager)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Director of Multiplatform Content)

Listed 7/2t/26:

E. W. Scripps, remote in any state where Scripps operates (SVP of News)

Listed 7/12/26:

KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX (Manager of Coverage and Content)

Obituary:

J. Young

JONATHAN YOUNG, son of longtime Hearst executive FRED YOUNG, died suddenly last month. He was 61 years old and is survived by his wife and two children. Jonathan was an attorney for Neighborhood Legal Services in Pittsburgh, which mourned his passing here. Many of our older readers will remember Fred, who retired in 2008 as Senior VP/News for Hearst, after 46 years with the company. More on Fred’s career here. You can send a kind note to Fred here.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

No ‘names in the news’ per se this week, but I found several articles that I hope you will find interesting.

The New York Times reviews tonight’s 59th season premiere of 60 Minutes.

RTDNA reports that employment in local TV news continues to decline.

TVNewscheck analyzes four different companies and their very different approaches to the future of local TV.

Houston media blogger MIKE McGUFF takes a long look at what KPRC-TV(Graham Media/NBC) is doing to differentiate its 10:00 PM broadcast.

TVNewscheck columnist TODD WISEMAN says ‘breaking news’ is a commodity and that stations need to improve both content and marketing that content.

And old friend KIRK VARNER (who clearly watches a lot of TV for a guy who is retired) found something which makes him wonder if CBS is getting away from its policy of branding its o-and-o’s as CBS News (Location).

General Manager News and Notes:

More changes at Scripps this week, which resulted in the elimination of 27 jobs in what the company calls ‘local market and sales leadership’ positions.

The company is dividing its stations into 11 regions which will have GMs overseeing between 2-4 stations. The company’s news release names those regions and ten of the 11 GMs (one TBA). And here’s more on the changes from thedesk.net

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 13, 2026:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these m have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KGO-TV 900 Front St. San Francisco, CA 94111
WJBK-TV 16550 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075
KMGH-TV 2323 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80203 (Regional ND for CO)
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Miami, FL, 33178-2301 **
KCRA-TV 3 Television Circle, Sacramento, CA 95814
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95820-5299
WTMJ-TV 20 E Capitol Dr Milwaukee, WI 53212 (internal candidates only)
WZZM-TV 645 3 Mile Rd NW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49544
KOKH/KOCB-TV 1228 E. Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WGNO-TV 1 Galleria Blvd, Suite 850 Metairie LA 70001
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E. McKinley Ave., Fresno CA 93727
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74129
KOLD-TV 7831 N. Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KCEN-TV 215 N. 3rd Street Temple, TX 76501
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25301
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KNDU-TV 3312 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
WMAZ-TV 1314 Gray Highway, Macon, GA 31211
WWAY-TV 1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC 28451
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
WQOW-TV 5545 State Highway 93, Eau Claire, WI 54701
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, LA 71201
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KNBN-TV 510 North Cambell Suite 8. Rapid City, SD 57701
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station