August 30, 2026
Greetings:
We’re back from travel and returned to a busy week of ND changes, with FOUR new openings and TWO newly named NDs, both in large markets.
Those changes bring our count of open ND jobs to 31.
ONE of those 31 open ND jobs is featured in a paid ad below. And both of our TWO Paid Ads are in Arizona, something to consider as winter nears!
THREE veteran GMs are retiring.
We have an obituary for a former Utah news director.
And these stories:
- Big layoffs at News 12 in New York.
- A multi-time news director, including FOUR top 20 markets, is retiring.
- Nexstar names a new board of directors for Tegna.
- NABJ gave someone an award. The winner doesn’t want it and fired back.
And more!
See you next week with our full report.
Newly Named News Directors:
Villegas
KTAZ/KHRR-TV, Phoenix, AZ…CHRISTIAN VILLEGAS has been promoted to news director for these Telemundo stations. He’s been the executive producer there and succeeds NOE GONZALEZ who was promoted to News Director for WCAU/WWSI-TV (NBC/Telemundo) in Philadelphia. Noe will report to ELIZABETH FLORES who is the VP/News for that duopoly.
Herman
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD…JEFF HERMAN will become the next news director for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate on September 10th. He’s currently the Assistant News Director there and has held a variety of other management positions during his 23 years there. He started his career in Pennsylvania.
Groft
Jeff replaces KELLY GROFT who’s been the news director for WMAR since 2009 and has worked at the station for 27 years. In this Linkedin post, Kelly refers to her departure as a ‘pause’ in her career to recover after the loss of several family members during the past few months.
New News Director Openings:
Blanton
WJBK-TV, Detroit, MI…BROOKS BLANTON is leaving this FOX o-and-o after just ten months as news director. I reached out to Brooks for comment and he referred me to FOX corporate which sent this statement. Brooks has been a news director at two different stations (WZZM-TV and WXMI-TV)in Grand Rapids, MI, and spent less than a year as ND for WCCB-TV in Charlotte.
Bobula
KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ…JESSICA BOBULA has left this Gray Media owned CBS affiliate after more than four years as news director. Earlier in her career she was a producer there. Jessica’s also been an ND in Greenville, NC, and has worked in markets large and small as her Linkedin page explains. To learn more about this opportunity, check out the Paid Help Wanted ad just below.
Simon
KLKN/KBSI-TV, Lincoln, NE/Cape Girardeau, MO…Rincon Broadcasting Group is looking for a news director to oversee the news departments for these two stations, which, according to Apple Maps, are 543 miles apart. KATIE SIMON had been the ND here for the last two years. Check out her Linkedin page and see where she worked in many other markets.
Murrieta
WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, WI…RUDY MURIETTA has left this Gray Media owned NBC affiliate after a year as news director. He’s a former ND in Tulsa and for News 13 Cable in Orlando where he worked for 13 years. He’s also worked in Atlanta as an assistant news director.
Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KOLD-TV, Tucson, AZ:
Are you a high-energy leader ready to lead Tucson’s #1 news station into a digital-first future? KOLD-TV is seeking a dynamic, competitive News Director to inspire our team and dominate across all platforms in one of the most beautiful areas of the country with vibrant desert sunsets, rich culture, and a welcoming Southwestern spirit!
What You’ll Do:
- Drive the Win: Execute high-impact daily strategies for digital and broadcast.
- Lead the Team: Recruit, coach, and retain top-tier talent in a high-performance culture.
- Master Storytelling: Direct visual, viewer-oriented coverage and story placement.
- Own Breaking News: Lead dominant breaking news and severe weather coverage.
- Innovate & Collaborate: Partner across platforms and departments to build a unified, unstoppable station culture.
What You Bring:
- Proven Leadership: 3+ years of newsroom management (News Director, Assistant ND, ME, or EP).
- Strategic Mindset: Exceptional critical thinking and editorial judgment under pressure.
- Digital-First Drive: A passion for delivering news wherever audiences are.
- Dynamic Communication: Ability to motivate a team and build strong relationships.
- Journalistic Integrity: Rock-solid ethics and a track record of winning. Journalism or Mass Communication degree preferred.
Why KOLD-TV?
- Market Leader: Lead the top station in Tucson with the resources of Gray Media.
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- Professional Growth: Benefit from mentorship, training, and career advancement.
Ready to lead Tucson’s best news team?
Click here to apply today to create the future of news with KOLD-TV.
Director of News and Public Affairs, Arizona PBS:
Arizona PBS – a licensee of Arizona State University – is expanding its news and public affairs content to better serve the fast-growing Phoenix and greater Arizona markets.
To do that, we’re looking for an experienced, strategic, and innovative Director of News and Public Affairs to lead our newsroom and public affairs content efforts across broadcast, digital, and emerging platforms.
The ideal candidate is a mission-driven newsroom leader who understands the evolving role of journalism, particularly that played by non-profit newsrooms and public media.
This is not a “business-as-usual” news leadership role. Our ideal hire must be an exceptional journalist, collaborative leader, and forward-thinking media professional who can guide teams through an evolving, multi-platform media landscape while maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity.
The Director of News and Public Affairs will work closely with the Senior Director of Content to define and execute a strong editorial vision while leading a team of reporters, producers, editors, hosts, and student workers/interns. Key priorities include growing digital news audiences, working with the Senior Director of Content to develop platform-specific content strategies, as well as collaboration and innovation with other non-profit news providers in Arizona across broadcast and digital platforms.
This is a unique role in that provides a life-work balance in the news industry with generous paid time off for holidays and vacation as well as the added benefits of working at Arizona State University, which include: health, dental, and vision care coverage; retirement savings plans; and tuition reduction for employees and dependents.
To learn more and apply, please click here.
Position Closing Date: September 4, 2026
News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/26)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/9/26)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/12/26)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Digital EP, relisted 7/12/26)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 8/30/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/9/26)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (AM EP, listed 8/9/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (listed 8/2/26)
WFTV, Orlando, FL (Special Projects Producer, listed 8/2/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul. MN (listed 8/16/26)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Digital EP, listed 7/26/26)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 7/26/26)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Multiplatform EP, listing revised 7/19/26)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital EP, listed 8/30/26)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/12/26)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 6/21/26)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 7/26/26)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 7/5/26)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 8/30/26)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 7/26/26)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 7/26/26)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 7/19/26)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (relisted 7/26/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, relisted 6/21/26)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (PM EP, listed 7/26/26)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/26/26)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, relisted 8/9/26)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 7/26/26)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 7/26/26)
WIVT/WBGH-TV, Binghamton, NY (listed 8/30/26)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 7/5/26)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 8/30/26)
Other News Management Openings:
Listed 8/16/26:
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (Executive Reporter)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Executive Reporter)
Relisted 8/9/26:
Arizona PBS, Phoenix, AZ (Dir. of News & Public Affairs, see ad above!)
Listed 8/9/26:
WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (Digital Media Director)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Executive Reporter)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Executive Reporter)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (Multi-Media Managing Editor)
Listed 8/2/26:
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL (Story Desk Manager)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (Story Desk Manager)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Story Desk Manager)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Director of Multiplatform Content)
Listed 7/2t/26:
E. W. Scripps, remote in any state where Scripps operates (SVP of News)
Listed 7/12/26:
KSAT-TV, San Antonio, TX (Manager of Coverage and Content)
Obituary:
Capener
TED CAPENER, a long ago news director for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City, died August 17th at the age of 94. In addition to his stint as ND for KSL, he also launched Bonneville’s DC Bureau. There’s much more about his life and career in this obituary.
Names in the News (and other stuff):
Shane M.
The New York Post reports an ‘earthquake’ hit the News 12 newsrooms in New York with dozens of layoffs. Among those was veteran news manager SHANE MORELAND who is moving back to Florida, where he worked earlier in his career. Shane’s joining CNTV, a group which produces programming for conventions, as a content manager.
Kiernan
A veteran newsman who held several news director jobs, including four in top 20 markets, is retiring. JEFF KIERNAN will step down in October after 40 plus years in our business. He explained why in this note to me, which also covers some of his jobs along the way.
Nexstar has picked a new board of directors for Tegna. That after a court ordered that its first board violated a court order.
NABJ gave several people or organizations a ‘thumbs down’ award at its convention earlier this month. I could find only a passing mention of the ‘award’ on the group’s website but did find more details here.
One of those selected was DuJUAN McCOY, owner of WRTV and WISH-TV here in Indianapolis, who fired back.
I saw several articles of interest over the past week or two and thought you might like them.
There have been lots of stories about Scripps’s move to eliminate anchors for many newscasts. This story tonight from the Status newsletter was good, but it may be behind a paywall.
While Scripps moves forward without anchors in many situations, longtime news director and educator STACEY WOELFEL thinks that’s a mistake.
There are obviously a lot of changes in the business these days. Executive recruiter TY CARVER thinks his job gives him an advance look at those trends.
General Manager News and Notes:
Two veteran Nexstar General Managers are retiring after long service with their stations.
DAVID COY is retiring after 23+ years as GM for WKBN-TV (CBS) in Youngstown, OH. He first joined the station in 1982!
THOMAS ANTISDEL is stepping away from WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne, OH after 35 years at the station, the last ten as GM.
Pumo
And longtime Gray GM MATT PUMO is retiring after 41 years in the business and ten as GM for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke. He explained on social media.
Our List of Open News Director Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 30, 2026:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these m have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
WPVI-TV 4100 City Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
KGO-TV 900 Front St. San Francisco, CA 94111
WJBK-TV 16550 W 9 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI, 48075
KMGH-TV 2323 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80203
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Miami, FL, 33178-2301
KCRA-TV 3 Television Circle, Sacramento, CA 95814
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road Sacramento, CA 95820-5299
KOKH/KOCB-TV 1228 E. Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WGNO-TV 1 Galleria Blvd, Suite 850 Metairie LA 70001
WWL-TV 1024 N. Rampart St. New Orleans, LA 70116
WREG-TV 803 Channel 3 Drive, Memphis, TN 38103
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E. McKinley Ave., Fresno CA 93727
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr, Tulsa, OK 74129
KOLD-TV 7831 N. Business Park Dr. Tucson AZ 85743 (see ad above!)
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KCEN-TV 215 N. 3rd Street Temple, TX 76501
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Road, Charleston, WV 25301
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KLKN-TV 3240 South Tenth Street, Lincoln NE 68502
KNDU-TV 3312 W. Kennewick Ave. Kennewick, WA 99336
WMAZ-TV 1314 Gray Highway, Macon, GA 31211
WWAY-TV 1224 Magnolia Village Way, Leland, NC 28451
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd., Monroe, LA 71201
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Dr., Sioux City, IA 51106
KNBN-TV 510 North Cambell Suite 8. Rapid City, SD 57701
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901
**: Spanish language station