May 4, 2025
Greetings:
Let me tell you how big a struggle it was to compile this week’s newsletter.
1:30 PM–My favorite racing series, IndyCar, is LIVE on Fox. It ended at…
4:00 PM–when my favorite WNBA team, the Indiana Fever, returned to CAITLYN CLARK’s college venue in Iowa City, LIVE on ESPN. Fever won BIG, and the game ended around…
6:00 PM–when my favorite NBA team, the Indiana Pacers, began its best of seven series against the heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers…and upset the Cavs, in a game that ended after…
7:00 PM–when my favorite NHL team., the St. Louis Blues, played a win or go home game seven against the heavily favored Winnipeg Jets. That game just ended in double overtime with a Blues loss (after leading 3-1 with two minutes left).
I realize these are first world problems. I anticipate no sympathy,
We are, I am pretty sure the first to report ONE of our TWO openings this week…and that’s in the number THREE market. And there’s ONE not so new ND (we are just reporting this promotion which happened last August.) Thanks to a tip from a reader…which remains me to remind you that we value those tips. Lots of stations, and just one of me. 🙂
Our list of stations with ND openings increases to 38.
ONE of those openings is featured in a paid help wanted ad.
THREE GM changes, all involving Nexstar stations.
A former news director turned GM turned EVP/COO of Gray gets a big honor from RTDNA, and we have winner of both Peabody and National Headliner Awards. Those are the items in Names in the News.
We may be delayed next week by our planned attendance at game four of the Cleveland Cavs-Indiana Pacers NBA playoff game.
Newly Named News Director:
Samuels
KTBS-TV, Shreveport, LA…it’s hard to call this a ‘new’ news director since STEPHANIE SAMUELS has been on the job since last August. Thanks to a loyal reader who tipped us to this oversight on our part. Stephanie’s worked at this ABC affiliate for more than 40 years in, obviously, a variety of roles. She moved into the to job following the departure of BILL LUNN. He resigned last June after allegations of inappropriate contact with a juvenile, but police did not charge him in the case.
New News Director Openings:
Stasi
WGN-TV, Chicago, IL…I believe we are the first to report that DOMINIC STASI has left this Nexstar owned CW affiliate after 5+ years as news director and 12 at the station. His Linkedin page has already been updated. He’s also worked at two other Chicago stations. We should note that his departure comes just a few weeks after a new GM (RIC HARRIS) arrived, reminding us:
30 days hath September, April, and any
sitting ND who gets a new GM.
Diener
KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO…you learned earlier this week via our UPDATE that veteran ND SCOTT DIENER will retire this July after nine years as ND for this Gray Media owned CBS affiliate. Here’s the note he sent the staff. Scott’s been ND in many places, including THREE top ten markets. More on his Linkedin page. Friends may wish him well by sending him an email here.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
News Director, KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR:
KAIT-TV, the Gray Media-owned ABC/NBC/CW affiliate in Jonesboro, Arkansas, seeks a dynamic News Director with a proven ability to lead and mentor fellow journalists. The successful candidate will oversee all aspects of the news department, from content on all platforms to developing the team to the department’s budget.
Please note – primary job duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the information listed below:
Qualifications/Requirements:
- The best candidate will have a track record of results and the desire to win the right way.
This position requires a minimum of three years of news experience.
While prior news director experience is a plus, some newsroom management and the willingness to learn are required.
About KAIT:
KAIT is the blowtorch station in the region with a proven track record of developing journalists and leaders alike. Jonesboro is a college town and a great place to raise a family, with major metropolitan areas and recreation in the Ozark Mountains’ trails, rivers, and lakes nearby.
How to apply:
If this is your next career move, apply here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 4/6/25)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 5/4/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 4/20/25)
KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 4/13/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/27/25)
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, relisted 4/20/25)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 4/6/25)
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 (relisted 4/20/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, relisted 4/20/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 4/6/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listing revised 4/27/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 4/6/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, relisted 4/20/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 4/6/25)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 4/20/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 5/4/25)
KHON-TV, Honolulu, HI (Digital EP, listed 4/27/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/6/25)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 4/27/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (relisted 4/20/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (relisted 4/20/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 4/20/25)
KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND (listed 5/4/25)
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 5/4/25:
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Executive Reporter)
Listed 4/20/25:
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital Content Director)
Relisted 4/20/25:
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter)
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 3/9/25:
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)
Names in the News (and other stuff):
Breland
SANDY BRELAND, Gray Media’s Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, has been named this year’s winner of a major RTDNA award. She’ll receive the 2025 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award at this year’s RTDNA convention in New Orleans in June. Many of you know Sandy, who is a former news director and general manager before moving into corporate jobs at Raycom and then at Gray.
Congratulations to TWO Scripps stations, WTVF-TV in Nashville and KNXV-TV in Phoenix, which were honored with Peabody Awards this week. For WTVF’s PHIL WILLIAMS, it is his FOURTH Peabody. The complete list of winners is here.
And KNXV was among many winners of National Headliner Awards.
General Manager News and Notes:
Nexstar named TWO new general managers, but is losing another to retirement.
CHRIS FLYNN becomes GM for KRON-TV (CW) in San Francisco, while SPENCER LANE takes over at WJET-WFXP-TV (ABC/FOX) in Erie, PA.
JULIE BRINKS, who’s been GM for Nexstar’s WOOD-TV (NBC) in Grand Rapids for almost eight years, is retiring.
Our List of Open News Director Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, May 5, 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
WPIX-TV 220 E. 42nd St., New York, N.Y. 10017
WGN-TV 2501 West Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
WMUR-TV 100 South Commercial St. Manchester, NH 03101 (Boston)
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KMOV-TV 77 Progress Parkway; Maryland Heights, MO 63043
KSAT-TV 1408 N St. Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78215
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
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
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
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
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
KAIT-TV P.O. Box 790, Jonesboro, AR 72403 (see ad above!)
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