Rick Gevers & Associates

April 13, 2025

Thursday, April 17, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

MORE changes at Graham Media Group, and a news director turned general managers moves up one step at Gray Media.

Neves

First, the good news. DANA NEVES has been named Senior Managing VP for Gray Media. For the last seven years, Dana’s been the GM for Gray’s (formerly Meredith’s) WFSB-TV (CBS) in Hartford and had been the news director there for 12 years. Here’s the news release on her new duties, in which she essentially fills the void left by the recent departure of MATT JACQUINT. We told you two weeks ago that Matt had left the company.

Also today, TWO news director changes today at Graham Media.

Orellana

MARIO ORELLANA is out as news director for Graham’s KSAT-TV (ABC) in San Antonio. According to an email response from GMG’s VP/News SEAN McLAUGHLIN, Mario is moving to a corporate recruiting role ‘for a while’. Mario’s been the news director here since early 2023 and first joined the station in 1996 as an intern and worked his way up to assistant ND in 2019.

Flannigan

And SCOTT FLANNIGAN has left GMG’s Roanoke, VA, station, WSLS-TV (NBC), after just over two years as news director. His Linkedin page details his other ND stops. I’ve reached out to him to learn his future plans and will report those when he responds.  Scott responded late this afternoon: He resigned last week and has a great new opportunity in Texas which we’ll share when he shares it with us.

It’s been a busy week, so we’ll have a full newsletter this Sunday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, April 15, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

ONE UPDATE, many items in headline form…all more detailed this weekend!

Antonio

JOHN ANTONIO returns to WABC-TV in New York as VP/News. John worked there for eight years before leaving in 2012 for CNN. More in this news release. John’s also worked in Boston. At WABC, he replaces SCOTT MATTHEWS. Scott was ND here for 2 1/2 years and left in March to become Senior VP of News Gathering for the soon-to-be-split-off-from-NBC-News MSNBC.

GERALDO LOPEZ has left CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston after 2 1/2 years there. He’s a former ND in Norfolk and has lots of other stops.

Little

Congratulation to MARK LITTLE, who’s being promoted to GM for Gray’s KWQC-TV in the Quad Cities. He’s been the ND for WMC-TV in Memphis.

Ailsworth

While that opens up a Memphis ND job, another was filled by the promotion of CHRISTINA AILSWORTH to news director at WATN/WLMT-TV. She’s been the Content Brand Manager since 2022 when she joined this Tegna owned ABC station from WMC-TV in Memphis where she was a producer.

Shelley

Finally, DAN SHELLEY has announced his retirement at the end of the year from RTDNA. He’s joined the organization in 2017 as executive director and later became President and CEO. He’ll be replaced by RTDNA Executive Director TARA PUCKEY.

We’ll have more on all these stories (and I assume many others!) in our full report this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

FIVE new news directors in this week’s edition, with just ONE new opening.

One of those news directors will also be a station manger, one of two such arrangements announced this week.

Those changes drop our list of stations with ND openings to 36.

Sorry to share an obituary of an old friend, former news director KEN KURTZ who died this week at the age of 95. He remained an active journalist long after he left his last ND posting. Details in the obituary below.

No GM changes this week, but several items in Names in the News:

BOB PAPPER is stepping down as the longtime director of the RTDNA salary survey, and we’ll share his thoughts on the challenges facing media during the current political climate.

Other stories: Another big group owner is telling stations they have to run what many consider an advocacy piece. A newswoman returns home to be Assistant ND at a station in her hometown, and we have more (entertaining) details about a court case we first shared with you last week.

All that…and more…below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Wood

KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…LEONA WOOD joins this Scripps/FOX affiliate as both Station Manager/Senior Director of News. Leona left KSL-TV (NBC) in Salt Lake last November after eight years. STACEY ROBERTS, who had been the ND, moves to a new role as Broadcast Director.

Leona’s one of two news managers promoted at Scripps stations. At WXYZ-TV in Detroit, TIM KOCHENDERER was also promoted to station manager. He’ll continue as Senior Director of News, a job he’s held since last August. Tim’s worked at WXYZ since 2002. This news release covers both moves.

Horn

WOAI/KABB-TV, San Antonio, TX…we told you last week that GLEN HORN was leaving WDHN-TV in Dothan, AL, for a new job, and now we can tell you it’s at this Sinclair owned NBC/FOX duopoly. Glen was ND in Dothan for four years and has been an ND in Buffalo and Wichita. His other stops are detailed here. Glen replaces MICHELE GERMANO who left last August after not quite three years as news director.

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…THOM BREWER gets his first news director job at this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate where he’s been the Assistant ND since 2020. He’s worked at three other Roanoke establishments, starting at WDBJ-TV as a photographer and moving his way up to Senior Producer during a 24 year career there. He also worked at CBN and WSLS-TV.

WPTA-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN…IAN HOOVER is also being promoted from Assistant ND to News Director, in his case at this Gray Media owned ABC (and, on a digital sub channel) NBC affiliate. Here’s the memo from the GM. He replaces TOM POWELL who’s taken a reporter job at sister Gray stations KPHO/KTVK-TV in Phoenix after three years as ND here. Tom had anchored at WPTA before his promotion.

McConico

KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN…veteran news director MATT McCONICO will be the next news director for this FOX affiliate. Matt last made these pages in February when we shared his recovery from a battle with lymphoma. It’s a return to a Duluth ND chair for Matt, who earlier spent two years as ND for KBJR-TV. His linkedin page has more. I believe he replaces STEVE GOODSPEED as news director here: Steve left last summer.

New News Director Opening:

Brackens

KSWO-TV, Lawton, OK…SHARIKA BRACKENS is leaving this Gray Media owned ABC affiliate after 16 years, the last five as news director. She’s off to Nexstar’s WREG-TV (CBS) in Memphis where she will be the Assistant News Director. Sharika started at KSWO as an intern, worked her way up the ranks to assistant ND before her promotion to the top job in May 2020.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No ads this week. If you need help filling a news management opening, there is no more targeted audience than ours. Email me for details.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 4/6/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 4/13/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 4/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, listing revised 4/6/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 4/6/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 4/6/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 4/6/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 4/6/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 4/6/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/6/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 4/6/25:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Digital Director)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Digital Director)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (Digital Director)

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Obituary:

Kurtz

KEN KURTZ died Monday at the age of 95. Ken was an ND in Lexington and Ft. Wayne and worked in several other markets. He spent many years as ND for WKYT-TV (CBS) in Lexington, which remembered him here. The picture comes from one of our ‘geezer’ lunches in Indianapolis in 2019 and, up until a few months ago, I would regularly hear from him with a comment or question about an item in the newsletter.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Papper

BOB PAPPER is stepping down after 30 years of conducting the RTDNA salary survey. He was honored at a reception last week at the annual Broadcast Educator’s Association convention in Las Vegas. At the end of the reception, Bob took a few minutes to discuss what he sees as the challenges facing news media in the current political climate. He kindly gave us permission to share them with you…and this quick read is worth a few minutes of your time. Bob taught at several universities after a long career in newsrooms.

ELAINE EMERSON returns home to Boise as the Assistant News Director for Tegna’s KTVB-TV. She’s been the Director of Content at Gray’s KVVU-TV (FOX) in Las Vegas, where news director TOM BELL sent this note to the staff.

Nexstar has apparently issued a ‘must-run’ story for its stations. And it’s not what many would consider a news story but an advocacy piece. Details in this report from The Desk.

Finally, many of you apparently enjoyed last week’s story about KMOV-TV (St. Louis) news director SCOTT DIENER, cleared in a suit filed by a former employee. who claimed intentional infliction of emotional distress because he changed her schedule. That story was from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and was fairly brief and to the point. THIS story…is from St. Louis Magazine, is more elaborate and discusses a newsroom staple. Donuts!

General Manager News and Notes:

No GM or upper management moves this week, to the best of my knowledge.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 13, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfeild Drive W. Palm Beach FL 33407
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WDHN-TV 5274 AL-52, Webb, AL 36376
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902 (Content Manager
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

April 6, 2025

Greetings:

Greetings from Las Vegas and the annual NAB/BEA conventions. Hope our paths cross if you are here.

There’s a bunch of new NDs this week…not sure how to count them since one hire is going to oversee THREE newsrooms in TWO different states. One of those new hires is a former Chicago ND who’s been at his new job since December.

And there are TWO new openings, including one in market number one.

My always unofficial number shows there are 37 stations with ND openings.

If you are at NAB, please visit our advertisers, Trint, Octopus, AccuWeather and WMV. Speaking of advertisers, Sciline is back with a free crash course to improve your science coverage. That’s all below.

Ever change an employee’s schedule? Of course you have. So you’ll be happy to know that a St. Louis jury found for a news director who was sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress. That’s in Names in the News, along with several other news management changes.

And speaking of changes, several in our GM section as well.

Newly Named News Directors:

Jones

WKMG-TV, Orlando. FL…AUTUMN JONES moves across Florida to be the next ND for this Graham Media owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the ND for WFTX-TV (Scripps/Fox) in Ft. Myers but earlier worked at WFTV in Orlando. It’s a reunion with Graham’s VP/News SEAN McLAUGHLIN: they worked together when Sean was VP/News at Scripps. Autumn replaces ALLISON McGINLEY who left after ten years for a job at her alma mater, the University of Central Florida.

Miller

KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK…ANDY MILLER returns to a newsroom as VP of Digital Content for this Griffin owned CBS affiliate. And he’ll succeed CHUCK MAULDEN when Chuck retires as VP of Content later this year. Andy will also oversee Griffin’s KOTV in Tulsa. He spent six years as a regional ND for Nexstar and many years as ND for WCIA-TV (in two stints) in Champaign, IL. He sent this note about how the job came about…and it points out what we all know: it’s a small business.

Piacente

KGMB/KHNL/KFVE-TV, Honolulu, HI…we’re late in reporting that MATT PIACENTE has been the ND since December for these three Gray Media owned stations, branded as Hawaii News Now. Matt’s last ND job was at WFLD-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Chicago which he left a year ago after eight years as ND. Matt’s Linkedin page has his entire career history. Matt replaces SCOTT DUFF who lost his battle with cancer last July. Scott was ND here for two years and at WSFA-TV in Montgomery for 16.

Burger

KWWL/KIMT/WREX-TV, Waterloo, Mason City, IA, and Rockford, IL…I guess you could call it a hat trick of sorts. LISA BURGER will be the news director for all of these Allen Media owned stations. At KWWL, she replaces ANDREW ALTENBERN. At KIMT I believe the incumbent was DAN CLOUSE, while I think the ND job at WREX-TV has been vacant since GEOFFREY DEFFENBAUGH left last year for job in Bend, OR. Lisa most recently was ND for KTXL-TV in Sacramento.

Ludgood

WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA…a veteran newsman takes the helm at this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. ERIC LUDGOOD is a former ND at WGCL-TV (now WANF-TV) (CBS) in Atlanta, where he worked for two other stations and at CNN. Most recently he was VP for Scripps News. At WRBL, Eric replaces CONNOR HACKLING who transferred to ND for WSAV-TV in Savannah after three years as ND here and more than ten years at the station.

New News Director Openings:

Tindiglia

WPIX-TV, New York, NY…this Nexstar owned CW affiliate is looking for a new news director. NICOLE TINDIGLIA, who’s held that job since 2021, is moving to a new role within the station. She spent many years at WCBS-TV in New York before taking the ND job here, including eight years as the Assistant ND. Some of our more, uh, veteran readers will fondly remember her late father RON TINDIGLIA, who was an ND at WABC-TV and VP/News for the CBS o-and-o group.

Horn

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL…another Nexstar station, another opening. GLEN HORN has been the ND here since 2021. His LinkedIn page has his extensive and varied background. I believe…but have not yet confirmed…that he’s off to a new ND job in another market. Stay tuned!

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No ads this week. If you need help filling a news management opening, there is no more targeted audience than ours. Email me for details.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 4/6/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/23/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 4/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, listing revised 4/6/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 4/6/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 4/6/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 4/6/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 4/6/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 4/6/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/6/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 4/6/25:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Digital Director)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Digital Director)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (Digital Director)

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Diener

A jury in St. Louis didn’t take very long to find in favor of KMOV-TV (Gray/CBS) News Director SCOTT DIENER in a lawsuit filed by a former employee. Meteorologist MEGHAN HODGE (air name: MEGHAN DANAHEY) sued Diener claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress because he changed her schedule. Another suit against the station is still pending.

Ford

CRAIG FORD, who’s been an anchor (who added Assistant ND duties to his portfolio) is retiring after more than 25 years at WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS. That’s a joint NBC/ABC affiliate owned by Allen Media. The station aired this tribute and the local newspaper reported on his departure, including some health battles. Earlier he was an ND in Hattiesburg, MS.

There’s a new Nightside EP at Weigel’s WDJT-TV (CBS) in Milwaukee. JOE SINICKI has been the morning EP for WITI-TV, the Fox affiliate in Milwaukee.

BRIAN FARBER, who was the last of the original team hired when WXMI-TV (FOX) in Grand Rapids, MI, launched news in January 1999, is leaving the station. TIM DYE, who was the first news department employee as ND and hired Brian, told Brian’s story on LinkedIn.

General Manager News and Notes:

Lane

Monday’s UPDATE told you that PHIL LANE, general manager of Graham Media’s KPRC-TV in Houston, announced his retirement this week by sending a video to the staff. (I tried, believe me, but haven’t been able to get a copy.) He’s been GM for this NBC affiliate since 2022, when he transferred from Graham’s (aka Post-Newsweek) KSAT-TV in San Antonio. He’s been a GM in South Carolina and two stations in Georgia.

JEFF MILLER moves within Nexstar to become GM for KRQE-TV (CBS) in Albuquerque. He’s been running the company’s Brownsville, TX, operations as you’ll learn in this Linkedin post from Nexstar’s SVP MATTHEW ROSENFELD. He’s also been a GM in Omaha and Sioux City, IA.

MATT JAQUINT has left Gray Media where he’s been Chief Revenue Officer since 2023. Before that he was a regional VP overseeing stations and is a former GM in Salt Lake City.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 6, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfeild Drive W. Palm Beach FL 33407
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
WDHN-TV 5274 AL-52, Webb, AL 36376
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902 (Content Manager
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

March 30, 2025

Monday, March 31, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

TWO items in tonight’s UPDATE, both from the ever changing world of Graham Media.

Lane

PHIL LANE is retiring after eleven years at Graham, the last three as general manager of its Houston NBC affiliate, KPRC-TV. He earlier had been GM for Graham (earlier Post-Newsweek’s) KSAT-TV (ABC) in San Antonio. And he announced his retirement in a most unusual way.

In a video to the staff.

Jones

And in Orlando, Graham’s WKMG-TV (CBS) announced that AUTUMN JONES would be its next news director. It’s a return to Orlando for Autumn who’s been the ND for Scripps’ WFTX-TV (FOX) in Ft. Myers since 2021. (She added station manager duties there last year). She earlier spent 15 years at WFTV in Orlando before a 1 1/2 year detour for a media relations job at the Orlando Police Department.

Autumn’s time at WFTX overlapped with that of then Scripps VP/News SEAN McLAUGHLIN. He’s now VP/News for Graham.

You’re smart. You can connect the dots.

Autumn has also worked in Kalamazoo and Columbia, MO, and replaces ALLISON McGINLEY. We told you in January that Allison was leaving after ten years as ND to become Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at UCF, her alma mater.

Pending further breaking news, we’ll see you this weekend from Las Vegas where we’ll be attending NAB and BEA. Hope to see many of you there.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

We learned THREE things this week.

ONE: Our readers responded to my plea for information about ND jobs that had been filled but were still on my list.

TWO: I’ve done a poor job in tracking some of those jobs, as a few were filled some time ago. I’ll try and do better.

THREE: There is some reason to be optimistic about the next generation of reporters. (See Names in the News for more on that.)

So our list of open news director jobs moves to a more reasonable 37 positions as we are reporting ELEVEN new news directors this week (many from your tips). And TWO of those eleven moved from existing jobs, thus adding new openings to the list.

There are NO paid help wanted ads this week. Email me for information on how you can solve that problem (well, it’s a problem for me!)

Please check out the THREE ads from vendors who will be at NAB in Vegas soon. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the convention.

We have a ONE obituary for a longtime and very successful large market GM who died suddenly this week, just two years after her retirement.

Speaking of retirement, a longtime newsman who you may well have crossed paths with retired in December and a longtime Richmond news manager is leaving for a job at a local hospital.

Congratulations to TWO former Hearst news directors turned general managers who continue to move up within the company.

A Miami station is about to dramatically increase its news production, That’s what happens when you lose your network affiliation.

Newly Named News Directors:

Smith

KDFW-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…the first of TWO Tuesday UPDATES told you that Assistant ND BRUCE SMITH was promoted to the corner office here. Bruce first joined KDFW in 1996 as a producer, then promoted to EP , and to assistant news director 18 1/2 years ago. He’s also worked in Austin, TX, and Seattle. Bruce replaces ROBIN WHITMEYER who is retiring after 13 years as ND there (and eight years as ND for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, where she worked for 30 years.)

Brady

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC…you learned in our SECOND UDPATE that JON BRADY was moving within Sinclair to ND for this ABC affiliate. He’s spent the last 5+ years as ND for WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, but has lots of experience. He’s replacing CHERYL CARSON who stepped away to care for her aging parents, though Cheryl says she’s not done with journalism. (Ironically they worked together at KING-TV in Seattle, where Cheryl was ND and Jon an EP).

Heredero

WSCV-TV, Miami, FL…LILLET HEREDERO has been promoted to Vice President of News and Content for the Telemundo owned station. She’s been the director of multiplatform content & streaming for both WSCV and co-owned WTVJ-TV (NBC) since 2022. Lillet has big shoes to fill…she’s replacing HELGA SILVA who is retiring after 14 years as VP/News here and more than 50 years in our business. More here.

KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…MATT HUGIE has been promoted to ND for this NBC affiliate owned by Bonneville International. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owns Bonneville International.) He’s been the interim ND since LEONA WOOD left after eight years as ND. Matt’s been the Managing Editor for just over a year and was an EP for nine years before that. He’s also worked in Boise and Pocatello.

Kosin

WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA…DAVE KOSIN is getting what he called “THE job” in this linkedin post. For him, that’s the ND job at this Nexstar/ABC affiliate. He was the assistant ND there before moving to Roanoke, where he’s spent the last 18 months as ND for Nexstar’s WFXR-TV (FOX). Dave’s career history is here. In Harrisburg, Dave replaces LEISHA BEARD who transferred to Nexstar’s KTXL-TV (FOX) in Sacramento after 2+ years.

WOLF-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…ED PIKULSKI has been the news manager (not news director) at this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate since August. His background is unusual and interesting.

WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC…BRETT AUSTIN joined this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate last month as ND, after four years as ND for the company’s KTXS-TV (ABC) in Abilene. Brett spent more than ten years at ESPN.

KINT-TV, El Paso, TX…this Univision station has promoted DALINDA GARCIA to news director. She had been an anchor/reporter there.

WGXA-TV, Macon, GA…veteran news director MARK ROSEN is now at the helm of this Sinclair owned FOX/ABC affiliate. He’s been there since May and it’s not his first ND job in Macon. He replaced JEFF COX who moved to sister Sinclair station WBMA-TV (ABC) in Birmingham.

KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX…WILL JENSEN is the new ND for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Here’s his bio from the station website. You learned above that BRETT AUSTIN moved to Charleston, SC.

KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, Montana…branded by owner Sinclair as NBC Montana, they’ve hired LAURA FREEMAN as its next news director. She grew up near Missoula and earlier worked for another station there. Most recently, she was a producer at KCPQ-TV in Seattle.

New News Director Openings:

WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…becuase you were paying attention you learned above that JON BRADY is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS station to become ND for Sinclair’s WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, DC.

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…and you get an A+ in comprehension if you remembered (from above) that DAVE KOSIN is returning to WHTM-TV as ND after 18 months at this sister Nexstar station.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No ads this week. If you need help filling a news management opening, there is no more targeted audience than ours. Email me for details.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/23/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Obituary:

Saunders

KATHY SAUNDERS, who had a long and successful career as GM of FOX’s KDFW-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth, died suddenly on Wednesday at her California home. She was GM at KDFW for more than 26 years before retiring in 2023. She also helped launch the news department as GM for FOX’s WFXT-TV in Boston.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

WPLG-TV in Miami wasted little time explaining its plans for fill the programming holes created when it loses its ABC affiliation. Here’s a surprise (NOT). Lots of news.

And EMILY BARR, who used to run the Post-Newsweek-Graham Media group (which once owned WPLG) says we may see more of this type of thing ahead.

Mondora

Perhaps you worked with him during his long career at CBS News. Or perhaps you interacted with him during his four years as ND for FOX o-and-o in Los Angeles. Or, more recently, maybe your paths crossed during his seven years as Washington Bureau Chief for Nexstar. Either way, he touched many people during his four decade long career. BILL MONDORA retired in December and sent me this kind note (which includes his email address for those wanting to send him well wishes.)

After almost 30 years at WTVR-TV in Richmond, most recently as the assistant ND, MISTI DAVIDSON is leaving for a job with a local hospital. The station wished her well here.

Feeling pessimistic about the next generation of journalists? Perhaps you’ll feel better knowing that about 55-60 students from all over the country travelled to San Antonio this week for an HSI Investigative Journalism Workshop put on by IRE. Students came from as far as California, Chicago, New York, and Florida to learn more about investigative reporting. They received a modest stipend but not enough to cover all their costs. And they benefited from local professionals who came to a reception Thursday to connect with the students.

General Manager News and Notes:

Congratulations to two former news directors who are ascending the food chain at Hearst. KYLE GRIMES has been promoted to Executive VP for Hearst. He’s been GM at WCVB-TV (ABC) in Boston. He’ll be replaced there by former WCVB ND ANDREW VREES who was ND there from 2009-2016 before moving to a corporate role and later GM as WMUR-TV (also ABC) in Manchester, NH. More from the station’s website.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 30, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfeild Drive W. Palm Beach FL 33407
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1, Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

March 23, 2025

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 UPDATE #2:

Greetings:

A rare second UPDATE in one day usually means a change in a big market, and that’s certainly the case as we have the second new ND in a top ten market today.

Brady

JON BRADY moves within Sinclair as he’ll be the next news director for WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, DC. It’s a return to Washington for Jon who went to George Washington University there. For the last 5+ years, he’s been the ND for Sinclair’s WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, FL. Jon’s held a number of management positions in both local and network news, as you’ll learn here.

He’s replacing CHERYL CARSON. We told you in January that Cheryl was stepping away from the ND job to help care for her aging parents. but that she was NOT done with journalism. She was ND here for six years after three years as ND for KING-TV (NBC) in Seattle.

In addition to these moves, we have at least FIVE other changes we’ll share this weekend, thanks in large part to a loyal reader who chimed in after our plea for information in last week’s edition.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

There’s a new news director at a top five network owned station, and a well known long time Scripps employee is losing his job there.

Smith

Congratulations to longtime KDFW-TV Assistant News Director BRUCE SMITH, who’s being promoted to ND at this FOX o-and-o. Bruce first joined KDFW in 1996 as a producer, was promoted to EP of the morning newscast, and to assistant news director 18 1/2 years ago. He’s also worked in Austin, TX, and Seattle. Bruce is replacing ROBIN WHITMEYER who is retiring after 13 years as ND there (and eight years as ND for WSOC-TV in Charlotte where she worked for 30 years.)

Mahaney

Sorry to share that CHIP MAHANEY is leaving Scripps after more than 16 years in a wide variety of roles. Chip’s job as Emerging Talent Leader is being eliminated, as he wrote in this Linkedin post just a few minutes ago. Chip has held many jobs during his long tenure at Scripps. Those roles…and his many other positions…are all detailed on his Linkedin page.

More this weekend.

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

I’ll confess I don’t keep track of such things, but I think the 45 stations with open ND jobs may be a record in the 27+ years we’ve produced this newsletter.

If you know that some of these jobs have been filled, please let me know.

The list grew again this week with TWO new openings, and as far as I know there were no jobs filled.

We have ONE paid help wanted ad, that for an EP job as a legendary North Carolina station.

We have THREE ads from vendors who will be exhibiting at the upcoming NAB convention (hope to see you there) in Las Vegas.

ACCUWEATHER returns this week with a pretty nice looking augmented reality system.

Octopus Newsroom will be showcasing its newest system.

And Trint will be there as well, demonstrating its live transcription services.

Please check out their booths at NAB and tell them you learned about them here. Their support is important as I explain to my wife why I can’t go out on Sunday night. 🙂

Also…longtime supporters WMV and Sciline are back with ads…Sciline offering a free webinar to improve your science reporting.

A legendary (though retired) Mississippi news director and anchor has died. That’s our ONE new obituary and we have more details and information about a memorial service for JIM KEELOR who passing we first reported last week.

Our GM section has four items: A former ND turns GM moves to a network o-and-o, a new GM in Kentucky, and TWO retirements, including ONE from the head of a small family owned broadcast group.

We have some perspectives on the seismic change in Miami television we first told you about in a Thursday UPDATE.

Ever see network anchors and correspondents twist and turn trying to describe a pretty big body of water? We have a column describing just that.

And more!

Read on, and take comfort knowing that your basketball bracket is in much better shape than mine. 🙂

Newly Named News Directors:

To the best of my knowledge, NO news director jobs were filled this week. If I’m wrong…please let me know via email!

New News Director Openings:

Laughrin

WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…JOHN LAUGHRIN is leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate and stepping away from television after 25 years in the industry. John tells me he’s starting his own business and sent this note with details including a clever name. He’s been there 3+ years, and has three previous ND stops. His departure creates a second ND opening in Green Bay, joining WLUK-TV on our list.

Henning

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…ADAM HENNING is out at this Allen Media Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Adam told me his departure was due to disagreements over issues with his general manager (gosh, anyone ever heard THAT before?) Adams was here not quite two years and has held several other ND jobs…and a few other positions as well.

Ryan H.

An UPDATE on our report last week on the departure of KOAA-TV (Colorado Springs, CO) news director RYAN HAZELWOOD. That item was thin on details about why he was leaving this Scripps owned NBC affiliate. Ryan kindly reached out to fill in the blanks: sadly, the news was not good. He’s been here for 7 1/2 years and has also been an ND in Amarillo. Your kind note would reach him by clicking here.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is searching for a dynamic morning Executive Producer to lead content strategy, presentation, and innovation across all WRAL platforms, including newscasts.

We are looking for a “news director of the mornings,” who is passionate about breaking news, significant stories, weather coverage, and original, enterprise reporting.

This role involves overseeing daily news operations, collaborating with reporters, photographers, producers, editors, digital teams, graphic designers, promotions, and other news management staff.

WRAL is based in Raleigh, home to the Research Triangle. The region is consistently ranked as one of the best to live in the country.

WRAL is locally owned and operated, featuring a dynamic newsroom that includes a documentary team, investigative team, consumer and health teams, a climate change reporter and an award-winning political unit.

If you are interested in the role, please apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/23/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/9/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
WTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25, see ad above!)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Relisted 3/9/25:

WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (Digital Content Manager)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Obituaries:

Johnson

Sorry to report the passing of legendary Mississippi broadcaster JOHN JOHNSON, who died Monday after a long illness. He was 77 years old. John spent 32 years at WTOK-TV in Meridian, MS, and mentored many employees in his roles as both news director and anchor. The station posted this nice story on its website.

Keelor

And we have more on the passing of JIM KEELOR. Jim started as a reporter and ended up as CEO of Cosmos (later Liberty) Broadcasting. Here’s a full obituary and here are details about a memorial service next weekend in South Carolina.

By the way, we were wrong last week when we told you that Liberty was sold to Gray. It was first sold to Raycom and then many of the stations went to Gray.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

We have some new perspective on the big change in Miami TV we first reported in Thursday’s UPDATE…which, of course, was the ABC affiliation moving to a digital channel (7.2) owned by Sunbeam TV, owner of FOX affiliate WSVN-TV. Former WPLG reporter STEVE BOUSQUET suggests the changes for WPLG might be good news for South Florida viewers, while longtime ND KIRK VARNER has a good perspective on the history of affiliation changes.

Quick hits:

OLIVER DARCY’s relatively new Status newsletter looks at the verbal gymnastics TV networks went through in trying to identify a certain body of water where the stranded astronauts landed this week.

Want to improve staff retention and improve morale in your newsroom? Consider a four day work week. (I tried this in Toledo with one reporter many years ago and it worked well.)

Sinclair tabbed VALERIA RICCIOLI to be Director of Content for its National News Desk. She’s also worked at Newsmax and Fox News Media.

Finally, congratulations to MARANGELI LOPEZ, news director and former evening anchor at KYTX-TV (Tegna/CBS) in Tyler, TX. She and her husband JUSTIN OLIVER are the proud parents of ANGEL JAMES OLIVER who was born Wednesday.

General Manager News and Notes:

Julie E.

A former ND turns GM advances to an o-and-0 in a top 30 market. JULIE EISENMAN will be the next GM at CBS owned KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She’s been running WNEP-TV (Tegna/ABC) in Scranton-Wilkes Barre. It’s a return to Pittsburgh for Julie, who earlier in her career worked on the assignment desk at WPXI-TV. She’s been an ND in Columbia, SC and Savannah, GA and replaces CHRIS COTUGNO who is retiring. More perspective from Trib Total Media.

Meara

MIKE MEARA is retiring at the end of the year after more than ten years as President of the Broadcast division of News-Press and Gazette. He first joined in 2009 as director of sales, moved to executive VP/COO three years later and bumped to President in 2015. He’ll be replaced by RALL BRADLEY, now executive VP of the company. Rall is the fourth generation of the Bradley family to be involved in leadership there.

Jim Mc.

Longtime broadcaster JIM McKERNAN is also retiring. He’ll step down in June after 3 1/2 years as General Manager for Gray’s WOWT-TV in Omaha. Jim posted this message on his LinkedIn page where he discusses his next steps. He’s been a GM in multiple markets and also served as a GM for two CBS owned radio stations in St. Louis. His complete career history is on his full Linkedin page.

Kawaja

JAIME SAYRE KAWAJA returns to a station where she once interned…this time as the GM for WKYT/WYMT-TV, CBS stations in the Lexington/Hazard, KY market. Both are owned by Gray Media, where Jaime has spent her entire career She most recently has been the GM and Director of Sales for Gray’s WFLX-TV, the FOX affiliate in West Palm Beach, FL.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 23, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
KDFW-TV 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman Street. Harrisburg, PA 17110
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KINT-TV 5426 North Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79912
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station