Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

March 8, 2026

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 UPDATE:

Greetings:

I hope he rented.

Geraghty

I’m speaking about TIM GERAGHTY, who is moving within Tegna to become news director for its CBS affiliate in Houston, KHOU-TV. The move comes less than six months after Tim joined Tegna as ND for KSDK-TV (NBC) in St. Louis. Here’s the memo to the KHOU staff from RAQUEL AMPARO, VP of Content for Tegna’s Texas region. (They worked together many years ago when Tim was the ND at WTVJ-TV in Miami, and Raquel was a writer.)

Tim’s also been a news director in Orlando, Sacramento, and Cincinnati.

Only a cynic would wonder if this move is a result of the pending Tegna/Nexstar merger, as Nexstar already owns two stations in St. Louis (KTVI-TV) (FOX), and KPLR-TV (CW). Presumably they would not need two news directors.

Okay, call me a cynic.

We’ll see you this weekend with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

While there are THREE new news directors to report this week, with just ONE opening, most of the big news is in our Names in the News segment.

Those changes mean our list of open ND jobs drops to 22.

We have ONE paid ad for a pretty good ND opportunity.

If you missed our mid-week UPDATE correcting errors in our obituary for JERRY GIESLER, you can check it out below.

And it’s been a wild week for news in our business.

Nexstar whacks perhaps as many as 400 more people.
NewsNation runs an ‘unusual’ promo ripping CNN.
Scripps sells one station, buys another, and the end result may be two fewer newsrooms
CBS staffers have more concerns about the editorial direction of the network.
And longime broadcaster FRANK BIANCUZZO is retiring.

Details on all this…and more…below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Neely

WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA…a move within Hearst brings LEE NEELY to this ABC affiliate as ND. Lee’s been the ND for WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, for the last 3+ years. He first joined Hearst as an editor at WYFF-TV in Greenville, SC, before becoming a producer. He’s replacing KIMBERLY ELLER. We told you in January she’s off to a teaching job at Washington and Lee in Lexington, VA after almost 3 years here.

Dreyer

WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC…MATT DREYER returns to this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate as its next news director. He’d been the Managing Editor and Assignment Manager before moving to WIS-TV (Gray Media/NBC) in Columbia, SC, as assistant news director in 2023. He’s also worked in Charlotte. At WCIV, he is replacing BRETT AUSTIN whose linkedin page says he left the station in January.

Dunn

KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN…PAUL DUNN has been promoted to news director for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the Nightside EP here after starting at the station as a producer. Paul’s a Minnesota native and you’ll learn he has a twin brother in his KAAL profile page. Paul replaces DAN CLOUSE who left the station earlier this year after less than a years as ND.

New News Director Openings:

WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS…we told you above that LEE NEELY is moving with Hearst to become ND for WJCL-TV (ABC) in Savannah, GA. Lee spent nine years here, the last 3 as ND.

Help Wanted Ads:

Director of Local Content, KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK:

The best News Director job in America has just opened.

Griffin Media is seeking a Director of Local Content for KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City.

KWTV is one of the most ambitious newsrooms in the country, with unmatched resources, a deeply engaged audience, polished talent, and local ownership that believes in the power of local journalism. We invest in content and expect to lead on every platform.

The Director of Local Content will lead our newsroom across broadcast, digital, streaming, and social. This role demands both strategic vision and strong daily execution. You will build and drive a long-term content strategy that strengthens our Oklahoma’s Own brand, grows audience everywhere, and upholds the highest journalistic standards. You will shape culture, develop leaders, and set the tone for excellence.

Weather isn’t a segment here; it’s a mission. As a legacy weather pioneer in the heart of Tornado Alley, we treat every forecast as consequential and every storm as breaking news. Our coverage is powered by an experienced team of meteorologists, a dedicated unit of storm chasers, and our own news chopper delivering critical coverage when viewers need us most.

The ideal candidate is a humble, proven newsroom leader who builds high-performing teams, embraces innovation, and understands that strong people drive strong performance.

If you’re ready to lead with urgency and compete to win every day, come build the future of local journalism with us.

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News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (listed 2/22/26)
WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market), listed 1/11/26)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 1/25/26)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 2/15/26)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 1/11/26)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (listed 3/8/26)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 2/8/26)
KWES-TV, Midland-Odessa, TX (listed 3/1/26)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 2/15/26)
WCVB-TV, Boston, MA (listed 1/11/26)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (Streaming Content EP/Host, relisted 1/11/26)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/22/26)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 2/22/26)
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 1/11/26)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 2/22/26)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 1/11/26)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (Special Projects EP, listed 3/8/26)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (Cable stations EP, listed 1/18/26)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 1/11/26)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (EP of Digital Content, listed 2/8/26)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Morning EP, listed 1/25/26)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (Morning EP, relisted 2/22/26)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (Lifestyle program EP, listed 3/1/26)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (Digital EP, relisted 1/11/26)

Other News Management Openings:

Listed 3/8/26:

WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 3/1/26:

WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Content Manager)

Listed 2/22/26:

KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (Digital Director)

Listed 2/15/26:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (Digital Director)

Obituary:

Giesler

Apologies again for our errors in rushing to report the death of former ND and GM JERRY GIESLER in last week’s edition. We told you that he suffered from ALS. That was wrong, based on an old email from a former co-worker. This obituary contains both details about his life and career, as well as information about services, which will be held in Illinois next Saturday, March 14th.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Has there ever been a more tumultuous time in our industry?

Shortly after Nexstar laid off many veteran (and thus, highly paid) journalists at its three largest market stations, the company took the axe to as many as 400 creative services employees as it moves to a ‘hub system’ for graphics. That’s according to this post from NewscastStudio.com

But someone in creative services was left to produce this remarkable spot for Nexstar’s NewsNation cable channel, which takes a shot at CNN. The spot, now, has taken a lot of shots itself.

And Nexstar is not alone in coming under fire. Status also reports that CBS News staffers are concerned about the direction of editorial decisions made under new Editor in Chief BARI WEISS. The latest issue involves coverage of social media posts made two years ago by the wife of new New York City Mayor ZOHRAN MANDAMI.

Scripps has been busy, selling its Ft. Myers station, WFTX-TV (FOX) to the owner of local CBS affiliate WINK-TV, which promptly shut down the WFTX newsroom.

And Scripps bought WTVQ-TV (ABC) in Lexington, where it already owns WLEX-TV (NBC), raising questions about the future of WTVQ. More in this article, which reports the WTVQ GM is already out, and I’ve heard the same is true for its news director.

Former Milwaukee General Manager, Magid Consultant and longtime head of Hearst Media Production Group FRANK BIANCUZZO will retire later this year.

And Octopus Newsroom (an occasional advertiser on these pages) shared this news about its role in transforming newsroom production at the two Griffin Media stations in Oklahoma.

General Manager News and Notes:

KATHERINE DOUGHERTY will be the next GM for Sinclair’s KMPH-KFRE-TV in Fresno, CA. She’s been the integrated sales manager for KOIN-TV in Portland, OR.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 8, 2026:

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

WNBC/WNJU-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
KMGH-TV 2323 Delgany St, Denver, CO 80203
KOVR/KMAX-TV 2713 KOVR Dr. W. Sacramento, CA 95605
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St Baltimore, MD 21211
KWEX-TV 12451 Network Blvd, San Antonio, TX 78249
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KWTV 100 West Main, #100, Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (see ad above!)
WAVE-TV 725 S. Floyd St. Louisville KY 40203
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KKTV 3100 N Nevada Ave, Ste B, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WAPT-TV 7616 Channel 16 Way. Jackson, MS 39209
WNDU-TV 54516 State Road 933, South Bend, IN 46637
WCBI-TV 201 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701
KSNT/KTKA-TV 6835 NW HWY 24 Topeka, Kansas 66618
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KAVU-TV. 3808 N Navarro St. Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

March 1, 2026

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 UPDATE:

Greetings:

We have more details…and need to fix some incorrect information…about our report on the passing of a veteran broadcaster.

Giesler

We now have the full obituary for JERRY GIESLER whose death we reported Sunday night. That’s here. However, in our story we told you that Jerry suffered from ALS and was in a nursing home. That was incorrect, and I apologize. Jerry was actually living in a retirement facility in Illinois, had successfully undergone knee replacement surgery last Friday, was released on Saturday, talked to friends Saturday night, but died overnight, apparently in his sleep.

Jerry was a news director in four markets and a GM in six. He also worked for Magid and for DrKoop.com.

Our sympathy to his son, family and friends.

We’ll see you this weekend, hopefully with happier news.

regards,

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

Greetings:

Some activity to share with you this week, with TWO new news director openings and TWO newly named NDs. Both the new NDs are returning to cities in which they had previously worked.

That means our list of open ND jobs remains at 23.

TWO apparently is the key number this week. We have TWO ads, one of which may be for one of the best ND jobs in the country.

Sadly, we have TWO obituaries for former news directors, one of whom had also been a large market GM and Magid consultant. And the other is for someone I worked with years ago. That’s below.

And just TWO item in Names in the News…a new contract for a former assignment editor turned President and CEO of a big broadcast group and Nexstar axes a lot of veteran talent at the three biggest stations it operates.

Read on for more.

Newly Named News Directors:

Dobilas

WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN…BILL DOBILAS returns to a Chattanooga newsroom as ND as he takes over at this Sinclair Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. He’s a former ND at WDSI-TV in Chattanooga (1999-2004) and has held a series of jobs since them, many in Atlanta. Details on his Linkedin page. At WTVC, Bill replaces PHIL BUEHLER who left late last year for a job outside of TV. Phil was here for four years.

Toomey

KALB-TV, Alexandria, LA…DEREK TOOMEY will be the next news director for this NBC/CBS affiliate owned by Gray Media. He sent me this note who which provides the explanation of WHY he chose Alexandria (hint: it’s his hometown) AND details his background. He replaces CARLI LUCA who left in December for the news director job at Scripps’ WXMI-TV (FOX) in Grand Rapids, MI.

New News Director Openings:

KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK…a great opportunity here as the station is searching for a new Director of Content. VP/Content ANDY MILLER says current Director of Content (I believe that’s NATHAN ELLIOTT) will move to a role overseeing statewide content. Learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad just below this section. KWTV is a CBS affiliate locally owned by Griffin Media.

Wordlaw

WNDU-TV, South Bend, IN… GARY WORDLAW has had enough of the cold and is leaving this Gray media owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the note he sent me: Not sure I want to call it retirement for good but I can’t take another Michiana winter! Leaving on the best of terms, just the right time for my wife and me. Bring on some Florida sun! Gary’s a former ND in Washington, Baltimore and Baton Rouge, and served as a GM in Seattle, New Orleans, Syracuse and Tallahassee.

Help Wanted Ads:

Director of Local Content, KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK:

The best News Director job in America has just opened.

Griffin Media is seeking a Director of Local Content for KWTV News 9 in Oklahoma City.

The ideal candidate is a humble, proven newsroom leader who builds high-performing teams, embraces innovation, and understands that strong people drive strong performance.

If you’re ready to lead with urgency and compete to win every day, come build the future of local journalism with us.

Click here for more details and to apply.

Director of Development, Investigative Reporters and Editors:

Many of you know of my belief in and support for Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), which is the largest journalism organization in the country.

IRE now has an important opening to fill, as it searches for a new Director of Development. The ideal candidate would have both fund raising AND journalism experience.

IRE is located at the Univeristy of Missouri in Columbia, MO, a great college town (yes, I am an alum), but the job can be done remotely.

If you are interested, or know someone who is, please check out this link which includes both the job description and salary range.