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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

January 28, 2024

Thursday, February 1, 2024:

Greetings:

It’s been a busy week for Tegna, which filled one opening today, 24 hours after another was created (we told you yesterday that TIM RYAN is leaving Denver’s KUSA-TV.)

Schaab

Today’s news comes from St. Louis, where KSDK-TV (NBC) announced that MORGAN SCHAAB will be the next Director of Content. Here’s the note to the staff from GM ALICIA EISNER. Morgan has spent the last 2 1/2 years as Director of Content for sister Tegna staton KFSM-TV (CBS). She’d previously spent 14 years at WAND-TV in Decatur, IL, the last 5+ years as news director.

At KSDK, Morgan replaces CAROL FOWLER who was promoted to Director of Content for Tegna’s WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta earlier this year. Carol spent 4+ years here and, as you know, spent many years in Chicago as ND for three different stations.

ART HOLLIDAY remains news director at KSDK, and he’ll report to Morgan.

As I mentioned yesterday, this weekend’s newsletter will be busy!

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, January 31, 2024:

Greetings:

A big change in Denver as a longtime news manager is leaving after 40 years in our business, 30 of them at the same station (in two stints.)

Ryan

TIM RYAN, who’s been Executive News Director for Tegna”s KUSA-TV (NBC) for the last four years, will be leaving in the next several months. GM MARK CORNETTA‘s email shares Tim’s note to the staff, in which Tim hinted at his next move.

Tim retuned to KUSA four years ago after 2 1/2 years as ND for Tegna’s KVUE-TV in Austin, TX.

Before Austin, Tim spent 26 years at KUSA, starting as weekend assignment editor.

He was promoted a number of times, and was the Assistant ND when he went to KVUE. He began his career as a reporter, working in Columbia, MO, Ft. Smith, AR, and Wichita,

There’s lots of other news to share. Our Sunday newsletter will be a busy one.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

Monday, January 29, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A news director turned general manager turned agent…has turned again, this time back to a GM gig.

Dallman

BILL DALLMAN joins Nexstar as general manager for its Grand Junction, CO, stations, KREX/KGJT-TV (CBS/MyNetwork). Here’s the news release from the company. Bill’s last mention here was an October report on his move to begin a career as an agent. Before that, he spent two years as a General Manager for Tegna’s KARE-TV (NBC) in Minneapolis, following a long career as a news director in multiple markets.

The move returns Bill and his wife ANGIE to Colorado, where they lived when Bill was ND for KDVR/KWGN-TV there. And I believe one of their children lives in Denver.

We’ll see you Sunday with our full newsletter.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

We’ve used this line below, but after 28+ years I’m running out of cliches.

THREE up and THREE down is a baseball term for a perfect inning, but this week it describes the number of NEW openings and NEW news directors in our report this week.

Our total of open ND jobs remains at 31 with just ONE paid ad for an EP job for a political program in Washington, DC.

We also have ads for deadlines for The Scripps Howard Awards (deadline this week, cash prizes involved) and for RTDNA’s Edward R Murrow Awards.

And we have an ad from Sciline which is offering a number of interesting sessions, including one that is tomorrow afternoon. Check out their ad just below.

And while on the topic of awards, the duPont-Columbia award winners are announced, and many local stations are honored. We have the list.

We have ONE obituary for a Memphis newswoman who died this week. She was just 38.

There’s ONE new GM to tell you about, a promotion within Sinclair.

Speaking of Sinclair, executive chairman DAVID SMITH is in the news again, as his planned purchase of The Baltimore Sun had an interesting impact on other news organizations. And Smith’s behind the scene’s role in a law suit against Baltimore schools in unmentioned…at least until now…in stories by Sinclair’s Baltimore station.

Finally, former GM HANK PRICE wonders if stations are essentially penny-wise and pound foolish in retention decisions. His column is below.

All this and more below!

Crash Course: Stats essentials for math-averse reporters

Monday, January 29th (2-3 p.m. ET) on Zoom

Many journalists lack confidence when including numbers in their reporting, or they fear misrepresenting the data when it comes to covering facts and figures, studies, or technical reports. This free, one-hour “crash course”—designed for reporters who cover science, health, or environment issues but lack statistics or data training—aims to take the stress out of reporting on the numbers that could be crucial to your next story.

Tori Espensen and Emily Mueller—Ph.D. scientists and trained science communicators—will lead a 45-minute presentation and 15-minutes of open Q&A that will help you:

  • Understand statistical concepts such as risk and odds, correlation strength, absolute and relative numbers, and statistical significance and how to use them in your reporting;
  • Explain to your audience how much uncertainty exists around a given finding and how to judge the strength and importance of that finding;
  • Recognize statistical red flags that should prompt deeper questions about a study or dataset; and
  • Include numbers and data in your reporting in ways that are accessible, clear, and meaningful to readers/listeners/viewers.

REGISTER NOW

More from SciLine:

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.

Newly Named News Directors:

Friedrich

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC…our Tuesday UPDATE reported that MIKE FRIEDRICH will be the next ND for this Capitol Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. The staff note is here, the news release here, and Mike’s complete work history is here. He’s currently the ND for Sinclair’s KUTV (CBS) in Salt Lake City. At WRAL, Mike will success RICK GALL who will retire at the end of May after almost 19 years as ND.

Grubs

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM…MATT GRUBS has been promoted to ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. He’s been a part of KOB’s investigative unit since October 2021. More on his background in his not-yet updated station bio. Matt replaces TIM MAESTAS who left late last year. Tim, who has a law degree, took a job with the New Mexico Attorney General’s office. He was ND here for almost five years.

Kirby

KIDY/KXVA-TV, San Angelo/Abilene, TX…JOHN KIRBY, a former news director in Grand Junction, CO, has been hired as ND for these Tegna owned FOX affiliates. He replaces GABE VELA who was ND here for two years. He returns to Tegna’s KENS-TV in San Antonio as an executive producer. Gabe was a producer at KENS before taking the ND job in San Angelo.

New News Director Openings:

KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT…you learned above that MIKE FRIEDRICH is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate after 2+ years as ND. He’ll be the new ND for WRAL-TV in Raleigh, NC.

Sylvester

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL…JACKLYNN SYLVESTER is leaving to become the Assistant ND for Tegna’s WBNS-TV (CBS) in Columbus, OH. WBNS ND RICK McLAUGHLIN shared the news with his staff. She’s been ND for this Block Communicatons station for two years, was the AND for two years, and also worked as a producer in Ft. Myers, FL.

Speier

KOSA-TV, Odessa, TX…DREW SPEIER is retiring from TV after more than 40 years, the last 2+ as the ND for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate. Drew’s spent much of his career as a news and sports anchor in multiple markets. His Linkedin page has a thorough summary of his previous stops.

The 71st Scripps Howard Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious American journalism competitions, is accepting entries from now until Feb. 5, 2024, for journalism and storytelling produced in 2023.

Click here to enter the 70th Scripps Howard Awards.

This year’s awards offer $170,000 in prize money in 15 categories:

  1. Audio Storytelling
  2. Breaking News
  3. Business/Financial Reporting
  4. Environmental Reporting
  5. Distinguished Service to the First Amendment
  6. Narrative Human-Interest Storytelling
  7. Visual Human-Interest Storytelling
  8. Innovation
  9. Local/Regional Investigative Reporting
  10. National/International Investigative Reporting
  11. Multimedia Journalism
  12. Opinion Writing
  13. Local Video Storytelling
  14. National/International Video Storytelling
  15. Impact Award

The awards honor work from television stations, networks, radio and podcasts, visual media, online media outlets, independent producers, newspapers and other print publications.

Finalists will be announced in September, with winners announced in October during a special program airing on Scripps News, the national broadcast news network owned by The E.W. Scripps Company.

Learn more about the categories and watch videos from last year’s finalists at SHAwards.org.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Executive Producer for ‘Rising’, The Hill, Washington, DC:

Wish your career was on the RISE? Love politics? Wish you were in DC to cover all the action? OK- check this out:

The Hill has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer for Rising.

Rising is a daily digital opinion program. It is primarily distributed on YouTube and The Hill TV FAST streaming channel.

The 90-minute morning show features commentary and analysis from all sides of the political spectrum. The program also features interviews with political and cultural newsmakers. Rising is produced five days a week and consists of ten segments per episode.

Cover the future of politics for the digital media juggernaut – The Hill- and become a part of the largest TV ownership group in the nation- Nexstar Media Group.

Check out who we are looking for and apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
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, see ad above!)
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 (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/7/24)
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)
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)
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)
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)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (relisted 1/14/24)
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)

Obituary:

Hanson

Our sympathy to the staff at WMC-TV in Memphis on the death of AMANDA HANSON. Amanda was the Leader of Digital Innovation for this Gray owned NBC affiliate. She died this week at the age of 38. This station obituary mentions her recent marriage but does not list a cause of death. Amanda had worked at the station since April, 2021.

Names in the News:

A clarification on last week’s report that MATEO GAMBOA was going to CBS’s KTVT/KTXA-TV as Assistant ND. That’s correct, but what we didn’t know is that Mateo will be one of TWO Assistant NDs there. He’ll oversee mornings, while GINGER MADDOX remains AND for days and evenings.

The duPont-Columbia Awards announced the winners of the coveted Silver Baton and finalists this week. Multiple local stations (too many to single out here) were among the 15 Silver Baton winners and 14 finalists, but you can see for yourself by clicking here.

Sinclair Executive Chairman DAVID SMITH‘s purchase of The Baltimore Sun newspaper has had an interesting side effect: a bump in attention, clicks and donations to other news sites in Baltimore.

Meanwhile, Sinclair’s Baltimore station WBFF-TV (FOX) had aired multiple stories about a lawsuit against Baltimore City Schools without mentioning that Smith was behind the suit. A Sinclair spokesperson said the station and its reporters were unaware of Smith’s involvement and that appropriate disclosures would be made going forward. The conflict was reported by The Baltimore Banner, one of those news sites gaining subscribers.

Former GM HANK PRICE offers some thoughts about stations losing key news talent over a relatively small amount of money. Not to put words in Hank’s mouth, but essentially penny-wise and pound foolish. Check out his column from TVNewsCheck.

General Manager News and Notes:

DIANA WILKIN moves within Sinclair to become GM for WPEC/WFTX-TV (CBS/CW) in West Palm Beach, FL. She’s been the VP/GM for KOKH/KOCB-TV in Oklahoma City.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 28, 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
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WTAE-TV 400 Ardmore Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15221
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
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)
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
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
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

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