February 26, 2024

Wednesday, February 28, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A major change today at Scripps.

O’Brian

The company named KATE O’BRIAN President of News. That’s a new job and will put the former ABC and Al Jazeera executive over all Scripps news operations, including Scripps’ local stations, Scripps News, and Court TV. She first joined the company in 2021 to oversee Newsy and Court TV. Many more details in the company’s news release.

Sean M.

This new role means the end of a ten year run for SEAN McLAUGHLIN as Senior Vice President of Local Media for Scripps. Sean posted this to social media. He’s a former news director in St. Louis, Tulsa (two stations) and Springfield, IL, and has also worked in Minneapolis and Austin, MN, where he worked as a weekend anchor and producer. Details on his Linkedin page.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

A busy week of ND changes.

FOUR ND openings, including ONE at a top THREE market network o-and-o.

FOUR new NDs to share, including TWO at Spanish language stations in top ten markets.

Those changes leave 35 stations on our list of openings, with no paid help wanted ads again this week.

But have an ad for a Talent Training workshop from our friends at Talent Dynamics. That’s just below, as well has ads from WMVision and Stephen Arnold Music.

ONE new GM and several articles of interest in Names in the News.

Read on and have a great week.

Talent Training Workshop

SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2024 – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
THE OMNI HOTEL-LAS COLINAS, IRVING TEXAS

We’re hosting a high energy, interactive workshop to help you or your team maximize storytelling impact and enhance viewer connection. Work with a team of experienced talent development experts to expand on-air performance and delivery, and off-air communication skills.

BONUS: All participants are given direct access to their workshop leaders for one month following the workshop for questions and support via email, texts, phone and video conferencing.

Great communication starts in the newsroom- let’s energize your team not newsroom leaders and invigorate the vision for your newscasts.

Maximum enrollment is 25. Lunch and snacks will be provided. Have a question about the event or would like to speak with our performance strategists on the agenda?

Email Gary Brown to set up a call and learn more.

Early bird registration: $495.00
After March 31st: $550.00

To Register: www.talentdynamics.com/dallas-workshop

 

Newly Named News Directors:

Several changes at Telemundo stations.

KXTX-TV, Dallas, TX…ROSSYRIS SILVA becomes VP of News here, leaving KSTS-TV in San Francisco/San Jose, where she was also VP/News.

SANDRA PEREZ is being promoted from Assistant ND to replaces Rossyris at KSTS.

It’s all detailed in this story from Media Moves.

Spessard

WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC…our Tuesday UPDATE told you TODD SPESSARD is headed to this Tegna owned NBC affiliate as its next news director. Details from the station website. Todd most recently was VP/News for Griffin Media, owner of CBS stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. But that’s not all! Check out his Linkedin page. He replaces CARRIE HOFMANN, promoted to GM for Tegna’s WLTX-TV in Columbia, SC.

Baxley

WNCT-TV, Greenville, SC…DAVID BAXLEY transfers within Nexstar to become the next news director for this CBS affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND for WIAT-TV in Birmingham, and previously was the ND for Nexstar’s WDHN-TV in Dothan, AL. But is background is much broader than that, including a stint as a chief meteorologist. At WNCT, he replaces BERNIE RITTER who’s off to WRIC-TV in Richmond as ND.

New News Director Openings:

Piacente

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL…we received several tips from reliable sources that MATT PIACENTE has left this FOX owned station. I reached out to Matt via Linkedin, WFLD’s GM, AND a FOX spokesperson without response from anyone. Matt’s been the ND here since April, 2016, following a two year run as ND for NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford. He spent 15 years at WMAQ-TV in Chicago and, I believe, worked at all the other Chicago stations.

McGruder

WZTV, Nashville TN…our reporting here is much better, directly from the source involved. After more than eleven years as ND for this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate, BRYAN McGRUDER will retire March 14th. He’s a former ND for WDAF-TV in Kansas City (ten years), WHBQ-TV in Memphis (two years) and WJCL/WGTS-TV in Savannah. He’s also worked in Huntsville and Columbia, MO.

Soash

WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA…BARI SOASH has left this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate after 5+ years as news director. She’s a former ND for the Gray station in Albany, GA, WALB-TV, and worked for other Gray stations in Toledo, and Charlotte. She began her career in Lansing.

Whitney

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…another Gray station with an opening, as WHITNEY ARGENBRIGHT has left after just over a year as news director. She’d been the Assistant ND for 2 1/2 years before her promotion. Whitney’s also worked in Albany, GA, and Hattiesburg, MS.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No paid ads again this week. If you want to highlight your news management opening to the most targeted audience available, let me know via email: rick@rickgevers.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WDCW-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/11/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 2/25/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 2/25/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/24/25)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 2/25/24)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 2/25/24)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 2/25/24)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 2/25/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 2/18/24)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 2/25/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, listed 2/25/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 1/7/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Names in the News:

Some quick hits:

CBS has created a new position of EP of Daily News AND is expanding its Eye on America franchise, naming JIM AXELROD as chief correspondent. More here.

The Wall Street Journal looks at what it calls the ‘challenging tenure’ of ABC News President KIM GODWIN.

THREE broadcasters, TWO of them network executives who are former local NDs have joined the Poynter National Advisory Board.

MATT LIPSIUS has been promoted to Assistant ND for WTVC-TV in Chattanooga. He’s worked here for eight years as a producer, executive producer, and assignment manager.

General Manager News and Notes:

CHRIS PRUITT, who’s been running Nexstar’s KIAH-TV in Houston, has been named GM of the company’s KRBK-TV (FOX) in Springfield. MO. He’ll also oversee KOLR-TV (CBS) which Nexstar operates for Mission Broadcasting.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 25, 2024:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37228
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WXIX-TV 635 W 7th. Cincinnati, OH 45944
KBLR-TV 450 Fremont St STE 310. Las Vegas, NV 89101 **
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WBRE/WYOU-TV, 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WTOC-TV 1511 Chatham Center Dr. Savannah, GA 31405
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KBJR-TV 246 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster Street, Dothan, AL 36303
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station


February 19, 2024

Tuesday, February 20, 2024:

Greetings:

Tegna fills its third open ND job in a month…and second in seven days…with the hire of a veteran newsman.

Spessard

TODD SPESSARD will start March 4th as ND for WCNC-TV (NBC) in Charlotte. Details in the station’s news release. Todd most recently was the Corporate VP of Content for Griffin Media which owns CBS stations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa. He’s been a news director in several other markets and has also worked in Kansas City and Grand Rapids, MI, where (full disclosure) he worked for me at WOOD-TV. Todd’s Linkedin page is pretty complete and tells the whole story.

He replaces CARRIE HOFMANN who left in September to become GM for sister Tegna station WLTX-TV (CBS) in Columbia, SC. Carrie was ND here for three years.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Apologies for the late post. A long flight to the West Coast on a Southwest flight without functioning WiFi is to blame.

What we make up this week in lack of ND changes (only ONE!) we more than make up for with a packed Names in the News section. Some good stories there so be sure to check it out.

That one change leaves 33 stations on our list of openings, with no paid help wanted ads this week.

But we do welcome back Heller Weather as an advertiser. Meteorologist TIM HELLER offers on-site coaching for your weather team…and has added virtual coaching. Worth considering if you don’t speak meteorologist. Check out Tim’s ad just below.

And our friends at Sciline have a full roster of interview and training options.

In addition to a packed Names in the News section, we have news of TWO new GMs. both returning to states where they have worked before. And ONE of them will be running THREE stations, TWO in top 20 markets.

Read on, and have a great week.


Newly Named News Directors:

Di Santo

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO…Wednesday’s UPDATE reported that LINDA KICAK DI SANTO was going up (down?) Speer Boulevard to be the next ND for this Tegna/NBC station. She’s spent the last 21 years at KDVR/KWGN-TV (FOX/CW), most recently as the Assistant ND. She’s replacing TIM RYAN who said January 31 that he was leaving to pursue other projects.

New News Director Openings:

To my knowledge, NO new openings this week.

SciLine has several expert interview opportunities over these next few weeks. With topics ranging from youth sports to invasive species, childcare costs to lead pipes, and veterinary staffing shortages to zoning and land use, SciLine has experts ready to help strengthen the science in local news stories.

Interview an expert:

Recent videos (free for download and use in your stories):

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No paid ads this week. If you want to highlight your news management opening to the most targeted audience available, let me know via email: rick@rickgevers.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WDCW-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/11/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 1/14/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, relisted 2/11/24)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 2/18/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (AM EP, listed 1/21/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 1/7/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Names in the News:

Zehnder

The man accused in the death of longtime KTVU-TV (Oakland, CA) News Director FRED ZEHNDER has been released from jail, placed on probation, and ordered to go to rehab. MICHAEL ALEXANDER WILLIAMS pleaded no contest in October to charges of felony vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. His pickup truck hit Zehnder in a crosswalk in 2021, killing the 87 year old Zehnder, who spent more than 20 years as ND for KTVU.

Kneeland

KVUE-TV in Austin, TX, has dedicated its newsroom to its former news director and VP of News, CAROLE KNEELAND. Carole died of breast cancer in 1998 but hopefully you are familiar with the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism which was created to teach many of the things she believed in. Hundreds of news people have gone through the training, including the current KVUE news director, TRAVIS SATTIEWHITE.

Boxx

Congratulations to old friend and longtime news director PERRY BOXX and his team at WPSD-TV in Paducah, KY. Lawyers for the station won a big open records case against Murray State University when the judge granted summary judgement. The station reported on the ruling here. Perry’s been ND here for six years: his long career is recapped on his Linkedin page.

O’Connell

Longtime ABC executive DEBRA O’CONNELL will head a new division, overseeing both ABC News and the owned station group. The New York Times has more. And this story from Variety points out that current ABC News president KIM GODWIN and stations group president CHAD MATTHEWS will report to O’Connell. Both Godwin and Matthews are former local news directors.

Linscheid

We have TWO new Assistant News Directors to share with you.

LEAH LINSCHEID, who’s been the morning anchor at WISC-TV in Madison, WI, will return to the station after her maternity leave as the Assistant ND. She’s worked for this CBS affiliate since 2014.

Williams

And at WSIL-TV in Carterville, IL, NATASHA WILLIAMS  joins as the Assistant ND and Anchor. She’s worked in a variety of markets and for the Black information Network.

More in this news release.

 

Finally, the future of industry newsletter TvNewsCheck is apparently up in the air. Monday it posted a story saying it would suspend publication of its newsletter and website, blaming money issues. TWO DAYS later, saying it had been inundated with calls and emails, it began offering TVN Plus, saying they would revive the publication IF it gained 1,500 subscribers…at $199/each. Stand by.

(Hmm…$199 per subscriber…and I have more than that…where’s my calculator?)

General Manager News and Notes:

Suarez

JOSE SUAREZ is on the move again, returning to Florida where he will oversee THREE Telemundo stations in Tampa, Orlando and Ft. Myers. He’s been running three Telemundo stations on the other side of the country…in Sacramento, Fresno, and Las Vegas. More on his new job here. Jose’s a former news director in several markets. Jose began his career in Miami as an intern. More on his extensive background here.

Salas

ANGIE SALAS returns to Nexstar and Illinois where she’ll be the next GM for Nexstar’s WCIA/WCIX-TV (CBS-My Network) in Champaign, IL. Since 2019, she’s been the sales manager for Scripps’ WRTV (ABC) in Indianapolis, but earlier in her career she was the sales manager for Nexstar’s WHBF-TV in Rock Island, IL.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 18, 2024:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WXIX-TV 635 W 7th. Cincinnati, OH 45944
KBLR-TV 450 Fremont St STE 310. Las Vegas, NV 89101 **
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WBRE/WYOU-TV, 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KBJR-TV 246 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station


February 11, 2024

Sunday, February 18, 2024:

Due to non-working WiFi on a (another) Southwest flight, we won’t be able to post this week’s edition until after midnight (or later) Eastern time.

Apologies.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A rare move across the street in Denver (and if you know where the stations are, it is literally across the street…from 100 E. Speer to 500 E. Speer.)

Di Santo

Making that move is LINDA KICAK DI SANTO who’s leaving Nexstar’s KDVR/KWGN-TV (FOX/CW) after almost 21 years to become the news director for Tegna’s KUSA-TV (NBC). She’s been the Assistant ND at KDVR and had earlier been the Managing Editor there . Her move leaves KDVR without a news director or Assistant ND. ND BRIAN GREGORY left in December to be a GM in Norfolk.

At KUSA, Linda replaces TIM RYAN. We told you two weeks ago that Tim would leave KUSA (after 30 years in two stints) to pursue other projects.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

For the THIRD consecutive week, there are THREE new openings and THREE new news directors to tell you about.

That leaves 34 stations on our list of openings, with ONE paid ad highlighting one of those openings.

And TWO seems to be the number of the day for the rest of the newsletter.

TWO obituaries.

TWO assistant news directors making news.

TWO items about former news directors who are still writing, though in different formats.

TWO items involving former GMs.

And while there is just ONE GM move, it involves someone who is going to the same market for the SECOND time.

I’m stretching now, so I’ll quit and wish you a great week.

Newly Named News Directors:

 Eric N.

WFMZ-TV, Allentown, PA…ERIC NAZARENUS will be the next ND for this locally owned independent which is in the Philadelphia market. Eric’s been the ND for WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the last year. GM ANDREW WYATT told the staff there. Eric replaces BRAD REINHART, who’s been the ND here since 1984 and will continue as the Assistant General Manager.

Long

WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…Tuesday’s UPDATE told you BAYLOR LONG is back as ND, after a 2 1/2 year detour to sister Hearst station WVTM-TV (NBC) in Birmingham as ND. Baylor was the AND here for 4 1/2 years and has also worked for Hearst stations in Baltimore, Cincinnati, and Winston-Salem. He replaces the retiring JIM PARSONS who worked here for 28 years, the last 7 1/2 as ND.

Gibson

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN…BRADY GIBSON has been promoted to news director for this Circle City Broadcasting owned CW affiliate. He’ll continue to report to VP/News AL CARL. This news release has more. Brady first joined WISH in 2017 and became the Assistant ND in 2019. He’s also worked for another Indianapolis station and in Evansville.

New News Director Openings:

Hyvonen

WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH…our second UPDATE Tuesday reported STEVE HYVONEN’s upcoming departure from this Gray TV owned FOX affiliate. Here’s part of Steve’s note to me: After 8.5 amazing years in Cincinnati, I will be leaving WXIX in the next few weeks. I can’t divulge my next stop just yet, but stay tuned! Steve’s also been an ND in Cleveland, Orlando, and Birmingham. More on his Linkedin page.

WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…our report above told you that BAYLOR LONG is returning to sister-Hearst station WTAE-TV (ABC) in Pittsburgh after 2 1/2 years as ND here.

WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA…you learned above that ERIC NAZARENUS is headed east to become ND for WFMZ-TV in Allentown, PA. Eric was ND here for just about a year and spent 23 years at WGAL-TV in Lancaster, the last 18 months as ND. WBRE (NBC) is owned by Nexstar, which provides services to Mission Broadcasting’s WYOU (CBS).

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Diredctor, WFXG-TV, Augusta, FA:

WFXG has an immediate opening for a News Director to lead a dedicated team in beautiful Augusta, GA.

WFXG produces 30 plus hours of local television news each week and embraces a screen-agnostic approach to coverage through our website WFXG.com, two mobile apps, live streaming video, and social media platforms.

The primary responsibility of the News Director is to oversee all aspects of our news operation and ensure all WFXG journalists are timely, accurate, and unbiased in their reporting on all platforms. We seek someone who shares an expectation of excellence and can demonstrate the ability to lead strong teams.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 3 years of Assistant News Director, Executive Producer experience of increasing responsibility or equivalent news room experience
  • Four-year degree in Journalism or other applicable discipline required
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Highly experienced with ENPS
  • Strong broadcast and AP style writing skills
  • Strong command of journalism ethics
  • Competency with Microsoft Office applications, newsroom software, social media, camera equipment, and editing systems

About Us:

  • We’re a dynamic and progressive family-owned business
  • Medical, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance, flexible spending account, 401(k), paid time off (vacation, personal, holidays), paid parental leave, employee assistance program.

Interested candidates can apply to:

Mark Kurtz at mkurtz@cbs19news.com

Lockwood Broadcast Group and WFXG provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Pre-employment drug test is required along with a background screen as allowed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

SciLine has several expert interview opportunities over these next few weeks. With topics ranging from youth sports to invasive species, childcare costs to lead pipes, and veterinary staffing shortages to zoning and land use, SciLine has experts ready to help strengthen the science in local news stories.

Interview an expert:

Recent videos (free for download and use in your stories):

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WDCW-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/11/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 1/14/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, relisted 2/11/24)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 1/21/24)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 1/21/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (AM EP, listed 1/21/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 1/7/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Obituaries:

Vance

MARGARET VANCE, widow of long ago ND BILL VANCE, died January 22nd at the age of 87. She suffered from Alzheimer’s. Our older readers will Margaret, who regularly attended (then) RTNDA conventions with Bill, who was an ND in Dallas, Detroit, Columbus, Providence and Baton Rouge. He died in 2005 from cancer at the age of 72. Thanks to MIKE CUTLER, who worked for Bill in Columbus, who provided more on Margaret’s life.

WILLIAM “DUD” LASTRAPES, Jr, who retired as news director of Lafayette, LA’s KLFY-TV in 1970, died last Wednesday at the age of 94. He later served 12 years as Mayor of Lafayette, where flags were flown at half staff in his honor.

Names in the News:

TWO Assistant News Directors at top 25 market stations are in the news.

NELSON GARCIA, who spent 18 years at KUSA-TV in Denver, starting as a reporter and finishing as the Assistant ND, is off to sister Tegna station KARE-TV in Minneapolis. He’ll be the AND there. The move gets Nelson and his wife closer to family there. KUSA aired this tribute.

And LISA CARR, who worked for KOVR-TV in Sacramento for almost 35 years in a variety of roles, will leave the station at the end of March, She’s been a producer, managing editor, executive producer, and assistant news director. ND PETE SAIERS shared this note with his staff.

TWO former news directors are also in the news.

STEVE COHEN, who long tenure in TV ended (at least for now) when Nexstar bought Steve’s KUSI-TV in San Diego and merged operations with its FOX station there, KSWB-TV, has a new book, It’s called 50 Years in A Newsroom: A Eulogy. You can find it on Amazon by clicking here. Steve’s long career included ND and GM jobs in major markets.

And longtime Des Moines news director DAVE BUSIEK is also writing, but on a shorter but more frequent basis by blogging on Substack, His latest offering looks at a former competitor in Des Moines, which is hiring (on a part-time basis) on-air talent who’d been out of TV for a while.

And we’ll continue the thread with items about TWO former GMs.

JOHN LANSING, who’s retiring as President of NPR in March, will join USC’s Annenburg Center as a Senior Fellow. Details here.

And HANK PRICE offers his thoughts on BYRON ALLEN. We told you last week that Allen was making a bid for Paramount. Hank recounts his memories of dealing with Allen when he was pitching his own syndicated shows. And he likes Allen’s belief in television.

General Manager News and Notes:

Rogala

Veteran GM RICK ROGALA is on the move again. He’s moving within Tegna, replacing the retiring JOHN CARDENAS at WBNS-TV (CBS) in Columbus, OH. It’s a return to Columbus for Rick, who earlier helmed WCMH-TV there. He’s currently GM for WATN/WLMT-TV in Memphis and has run stations in Tampa, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, MI, and Little Rock. He’s also worked in Dallas, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 11, 2024:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KUSA-TV, 500 E Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WXIX-TV 635 W 7th. Cincinnati, OH 45944
KBLR-TV 450 Fremont St STE 310. Las Vegas, NV 89101 **
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WBRE/WYOU-TV, 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (see ad above!)
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KBJR-TV 246 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station


February 4, 2024

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 UPDATE #2:

Greetings, again!

A longtime Ohio news director is on the move. But we won’t know where for a few weeks.

Hyvonen

STEVE HYVONEN is leaving WXIX-TV (Gray/FOX) in Cincinnati. He sent me this note after I inquired:

Hey buddy

Sure thing.. I was planning on giving you the scoop but word travels too damn fast!!

After 8.5 amazing years in Cincinnati, I will be leaving WXIX in the next few weeks. I can’t divulge my next stop just yet, but stay tuned!

I’ll try to give you the scoop on my next announcement very soon.

Steve

In addition to Cincinnati, Steve’s been a news director in Orlando, Cleveland, and Birmingham, and also worked at MSNBC. His complete work history is on his Linkedin page.

And one clarification from Sunday’s newsletter. We erred in our report on JOE SULLIVAN‘s move to KOBI-TV in Medford, OR. KOBI is an NBC station, not ABC as we told you. Apologies all around.

It’s shaping up to be another busy week, which we’ll chronicle sometime on Sunday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

As it so often does, Hearst has filled a news director opening from within. And we have a new and very timely Sciline session. It’s tomorrow and was just added.

 Long

BAYLOR LONG returns to WTAE-TV (ABC) in Pittsburgh as its next news director. He worked there as the assistant news director for 4 1/2 years before a promotion took him to Birmingham as the ND for Hearst’s WVTM-TV (NBC). More details in the news release. Baylor earlier worked for Hearst stations in Winston-Salem, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. He’ll replaces JIM PARSONS who is retiring after 7+ years as ND and 28 years at the station.

And we’ve added a timely new session (tomorrow) from our friends at Sciline. Check it out:

 

Media Briefing: Sports betting and gambling addiction

Wednesday, Feb. 7 (1-2 p.m. ET) on Zoom

Sports betting, which was largely illegal nationwide until a 2018 Supreme Court decision, is now allowed in most states, and billions of dollars are anticipated to be bet on this year’s Super Bowl alone. For some it’s entertainment, but for the many individuals who find it difficult to stop, the pervasive marketing and availability of sports gambling can be a ticket to financial and personal ruin. SciLine’s next media briefing will cover the current landscape of U.S. sports betting; the science of gambling addiction, including who is most at risk and impacts on physical and mental health; and evidence-based solutions to prevent problem gambling. Three panelists will make brief presentations and then take reporter questions on the record. SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate the briefing.

Panelists:

REGISTER NOW

FREE training opportunities:

Interview an expert:

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

We’ll see you this Sunday with our full edition.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Another really busy week, and once again we have THREE new openings and THREE new news directors to tell you about.

Our list of stations with openings grows to 32 with ONE of those stations advertising its opening with a Paid Help Wanted ad.

Hint: If you like golf, you may want to check it out.

The deadline for entering the RTDFNA Murrow awards is approaching. Details in an ad below.

Lots of GM news, with changes at Nexstar, Sinclair, and Telemundo stations. TWO of those changes involve former news directors, and a third involves a former news producer.

In Names in the News, a veteran CBS correspondent says his own high school discriminated against him when he returned to profile a teacher who played a key role in his life. We have a story examining whether BYRON ALLEN’s latest bid (to buy Paramount!) has a chance. A new scholarship at the University of Missouri will help a student pursuing investigative journalism, another former ND becomes an agent, and TWO former NDs…whose careers extended long past their ND exit dates…are retiring.

All this and more below. Have a Super week.


Newly Named News Directors:

Schaab

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO…this week’s THIRD UPDATE reported MORGAN SCHAAB was moving with Tegna to become Director of Content for this NBC affiliate. The staff memo has more. She’s the Director of Content for KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith, AR and previously was ND (five years) for WAND-TV in Decatur, IL. She replaces CAROL FOWLER who’s off to Tegna’s WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta in the same role. ART HOLLIDAY remains ND here, reporting to Morgan.

Grissom

WRGB-TV, Albany, NY…STONE GRISSOM will be the next news director for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. He’s a former ND in Elmira, NY, and also anchored at News 12 for ten years, His Linkedin page has much more on his career. At WRGB, Stone replaces PERNA ROBERSON who left way back in July after almost three years here. She’s now the Morning News Director for CBS’s WJZ-TV in Baltimore.

Sullivan

KOBI-TV, Medford, OR…JOE SULLIVAN moves almost across country to be ND here. He most recently spent nine years as ND for WXXV-TV in Gulfport, MS. (CRAIG SMULLIN moves from ND to EP for this NBC affiliate.) Joe’s cross county move took five days…and included Hazel, who Joe tells me will not go near his car now. Hazel is Joe’s German Shepherd. His fun travel story…with pictures…is here.

New News Director Openings:

Ryan

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO…the second of this week’s THREE UPDATES told you that TIM RYAN will be leaving this Tegna owned NBC affiliate later this year. Tim’s been in charge here for the last 4 1/2 years in his second stint at the station, interrupted by 2 1/2 years as ND for Tegna’s KVUE-TV in Austin, TX. In all, Tim’s worked here for 30 of his 40 years in our business.

KBLR-TV, Las Vegas, NV…Media Moves is reporting that MARIALCY CARRENO has left this Telemundo affiliate. She joined the station in 2018.More in the Media Moves story.

Rosen

WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA…this Lockwood Broadcast Group owned FOX affiliate is looking for a new news director. My records show MARK ROSEN has held this job for almost three years. Holder of the rare Augusta hat trick, Mark has also run newsrooms at TWO other Augusta stations, as well as Columbus, GA and Burlington, VT. Learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Diredctor, WFXG-TV, Augusta, FA:

WFXG has an immediate opening for a News Director to lead a dedicated team in beautiful Augusta, GA.

WFXG produces 30 plus hours of local television news each week and embraces a screen-agnostic approach to coverage through our website WFXG.com, two mobile apps, live streaming video, and social media platforms.

The primary responsibility of the News Director is to oversee all aspects of our news operation and ensure all WFXG journalists are timely, accurate, and unbiased in their reporting on all platforms. We seek someone who shares an expectation of excellence and can demonstrate the ability to lead strong teams.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 3 years of Assistant News Director, Executive Producer experience of increasing responsibility or equivalent news room experience
  • Four-year degree in Journalism or other applicable discipline required
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
  • Highly experienced with ENPS
  • Strong broadcast and AP style writing skills
  • Strong command of journalism ethics
  • Competency with Microsoft Office applications, newsroom software, social media, camera equipment, and editing systems

About Us:

  • We’re a dynamic and progressive family-owned business
  • Medical, dental, vision, prescription, and life insurance, flexible spending account, 401(k), paid time off (vacation, personal, holidays), paid parental leave, employee assistance program.

Interested candidates can apply to:

Mark Kurtz at mkurtz@cbs19news.com

Lockwood Broadcast Group and WFXG provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Pre-employment drug test is required along with a background screen as allowed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/21/24)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WACH-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 1/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 1/14/24)
WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 1/14/24)
KBOI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 1/14/24)
WGXA-TV, Macon, GA (listed 1/14/24)
KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX (listed 1/14/24)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
KTVO-TV, Kirksville, MO (also PM anchor, listed 1/14/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 1/21/24)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/14/24)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 1/14/24)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 1/21/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGNO-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, listed 1/28/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)
WRGB-TV, Albany, NY (listed 1/14/24)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (AM EP, listed 1/21/24)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 1/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (listed 1/14/24)
WRDW/WAGT-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 1/14/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (listed 1/28/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 1/7/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Names in the News:

Begnaud

CBS Mornings National Correspondent DAVID BEGNAUD (a longtime subscriber to this newsletter) went to his Catholic High School in Lafayette, LA, to do a profile on an important teacher in his life, but ran into discrimination, he says, because he is gay. Read this story from The Guardian for details, along with an op-ed Begnaud wrote for NOLA.com

Serial bidder (and owner of several local stations) BYRON ALLEN made a bid for Paramount this week, following unsuccessful bids for many other companies. The Hollywood Reporter looks at his chances for success.

Heflin

My alma mater, The University of Missouri, has announced a new scholarship for students pursuing investigative journalism. The Lance Heflin Multimedia Investigative Journalism Scholarship honors the late LANCE HEFLIN who had a remarkable career in both local and network news, as well as serving as EP for the America’s Most Wanted TV program. Full disclosure: Lance (and his late twin brother, VANCE) and I were at Missouri at the same time.

Former WLEX-TV (Lexington, KY) News Director BRIAN NEAL has joined Napoli Management Group as an agent.

Two former news directors whose careers continued after they stepped away from the ND job are retiring.

Ledbetter

STEWART LEDBETTER joined WPTZ-TV in Burlington, VT, in 1984 and spent time in the 90’s as the station’s news director. He’ll anchor his last program in two weeks. More on his career in this story from the WPTZ website.

And NEAL BARTON retired at the end of January after 20 years at Tyler, TX’s, KETK-TV. The station reported on his retirement but neglected to report on his pre-KETK career, much of it as a meteorologist in large markets. Houston blogger MIKE McGUFF covered that well, except he still says Neal was ND at KETK. He gave that up in 2016.

General Manager News and Notes:

The first of this week’s THREE UPDATES brought the surprising news that BILL DALLMAN is headed to Nexstar’s KREX/KGJT-TV as General Manager. Bill most recently was GM for KARE-TV (Tegna/NBC) in Minneapolis and is a former news director in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis (two stations), Denver, and Grand Rapids, MI. The move gets Bill and his wife ANGIE closer to their son who lives in Colorado.

Sinclair filled TWO GM jobs this week:

JENNFIER HANSEN moves to WBMA-TV (CBS) in Birmingham, AL. She’s been running Sinclair’s Richmond, VA, station, WRLH-TV. You’ll learn about her unusual background in the company’s announcement.

And AMY CALVERT, who started her TV career as a producer, has been named GM for KOKH/KOCB-TV in Oklahoma City. Amy most recently had served as GM for Scripps’ KJRH-TV in Tulsa.

Finally, changes at Telemundo, where JOSE CANCELA has been named President of the Station Group. He’d been GM for WKAQ-TV in Puerto Rico, where he’ll be replaced by former WTVJ-TV (Miami) News Director MIGDALIA FIGUEROA. She’s been GM for Telemundo’s Miami station since 2020. More details in this story from Media Moves.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 4, 2024:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KUSA-TV, 500 E Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WTAE-TV 400 Ardmore Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15221
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
KBLR-TV 450 Fremont St STE 310. Las Vegas, NV 89101 **
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WFXG-TV, 3933 Washington Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (see ad above!)
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KBJR-TV 246 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN 55802
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station