Rick Gevers & Associates

August 24, 2025

Greetings:

A fairly slow week, with just ONE news director change as an opening is filled in Buffalo.

With that change, there are now 32 stations looking for a news director.

TWO general manager changes: an opening at a CBS o-and-o in Dallas, while Tegna fills an opening in Indianapolis with an internal promotion.

Unless you were doing a Rip Van Winkle impersonation, you’re already aware of the Nexstar/Tegna deal. But not so fast…says AL TOMPKINS. His thoughts are in Names in the News.

Also in Names in the News, more nervous staffers at CBS News, a veteran broadcaster urges local stations to consider a relatively rare partnership, a ND celebrates a milestone by ringing a bell, and more.

Hartman

Finally, an ‘above the fold’ (newspaper term, sorry) shout out to CBS’s STEVE HARTMAN who tackled a passion project without first alerting his bosses, though it did turn into a Sunday Morning piece. Now, his story about the untouched bedrooms of school shooting victims has been made into a film, a traveling exhibit, and a 60 Minutes segment later this year. AL TOMPKINS talked with Steve about the project.

If you missed the Sunday Morning story, it is well worth your time.

Newly Named News Directors:

Moore

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…JUDY MOORE has been promoted to news director of this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. It’s been a quick rise up the ladder at WGRZ for Judy, who joined in October 2023 as EP, moved to Assistant ND a year later, and now is the ND. Judy replaces JEREMY SETTLE who left earlier this summer to be ND at Tegna’s WTSP-TV (ABC) in Tampa-St. Petersburg. Of note: Judy’s dad worked for 35 years at WGRZ on the photojournalism staff.

New News Director Openings:

No new openings this week to my knowledge. Always happy to hear from you if I’ve missed anything.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No help wanted ads this week. If you are trying to fill a news management opening, there is no more targeted place to advertise that job than right here. Email me for details: rick@rickgevers.com.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/4/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 8/10/25)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (relisted 8/17/25)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 8/17/25)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/25)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 8/10/25)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 7/25/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (listed 8/4/25)
WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (Chronicle EP, listed 8/4/25)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 8/24/25)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Inv. & Special Projects, listed 7/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, relisted 6/29/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/4/25)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 8/24/25)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 8/24/25)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 8/4/25)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 8/4/25)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Sports EP, listed 7/27/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 8/10/25)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/13/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/6/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 7/27/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 8/4/25)
WFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 8/4/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 8/24/25)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, relisted 7/27/25)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 8/24/25)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, listed 8/24/25)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/6/25)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, listed 7/13/25)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/13/25)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (Sr. EP of News & Streaming, listed 8/17/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 7/13/25)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 8/4/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/4/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital EP, relisted 8/17/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 7/20/25)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 8/4/25)
WVNY-WFFF-TV, Burlington, VT (Digital EP, listed 7/27/25)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/6/25)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 8/24/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 6/29/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (released 8/17/25)
KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN (listed 7/27/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 8/17/25:

WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (Digital Content Manager)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (GM and Department Head)

Relisted 8/17/25:

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL (Digital News Manager)

Names in the News (and other stuff):

The big story of the week was the Nexstar-Tegna deal. In the unlikely event you missed it, here’s the Nexstar news release. Since it was so widely reported, I passed on an UPDATE until I found something that added valuable perspective, and I think this column from AL TOMPKINS offers that perspective. Al points out that lots could happen before this a done deal.

Variety reports that staffers at CBS News are worried about more potential layoffs under new management AND a possible tweaking of the format of the just reformatted CBS Evening News.

Veteran broadcaster EMILY BARR suggests that local TV stations would be well served in linking up with local non-profit journalism sites to improve news content.

Julie M.

Congratulations to WBAY-TV (Green Bay) News Director JULIE MORAVCHIK who rang the bell at a local cancer treatment center this week, signaling the end of her chemotherapy sessions. We shared with you earlier this year that Julie had gone public with her diagnosis in hopes of raising awareness for other women.

VICKIE BINKLEY gets a promotion at Nexstar’s Indianapolis duopoly, WTTV/WXIN-TV (CBS/FOX). She’s now the Assistant ND there, moving up from Director of Digital Content. Vicki, a nine year veteran of the station in her home market, shared the news on her Linkedin page.

And another Nexstar move finds SEAN O’DONNELL moving to KLAS-TV (CBS) in Las Vegas as Digital Director. He’s spent the five years as EP of Digital for the company’s KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver.

General Manager News and Notes:

TWO General Manager changes this week.

Houston blogger MIKE McGUFF (who covers other Texas markets, too) shares that RAQUEL AMPERO is leaving CBS owned KTVT/KTXA-TV in Dallas after four years as GM.

And Tegna has promoted BRETT DENNY to General Manager of its Indianapolis NBC affiliate, WTHR-TV. An eleven year veteran of the station, he most recently has been director of sales.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 24, 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

WDCW/WDVM-TV 2121 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington DC, 20007
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South Ste 300 Seattle, WA 98134
WJBK-TV 16550 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, Michigan 48037
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy. Minneapolis, MN 55427
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Drive Charlotte, NC 28217
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101
KDKA-TV 1 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
KSWB/KUSI-TV 7191 Engineer Rd., San Diego, CA 92111
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
KOKH-TV 1228 E Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KRGV-TV 900 East Expressway 83, Weslaco,TX
KTLM-TV 200 S. 10th St., 2nd Fl. McAllen, TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KWQC-TV 805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave. Wausau, WI 54403
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

August 17, 2025

Greetings:

As you know from the FOUR UPDATES this week, there’s a lot going on, and not just ND changes, though there are FOUR new news directors to report, with TWO new openings.

My count shows there are now 33 stations looking for a news director.

We have ONE Paid Help Wanted ad this week, that for an Senior Producer opening at WRAL-TV in Raleigh.

And there’s an ad for Sciline which is offering a briefing on EPA changes.

One GM change as an Orlando station reverses course and will now HAVE a GM after saying it would run without one.

The National Edward R. Murrow award winners were named this week. We have the list. That’s in Names in the News, along with changes in how some Scripps stations are managed…and more.

Also in Names in the News, a fun read about The Ed Sullivan Theatre: it’s past and future, and its role in helping to integrate the airwaves when Ed Sullivan hosted his show there.

Finally, lots of readers reacted to the (to be polite) lengthy Sinclair news release about its future plans. (You remember, the one with a sentence that ran 203 words?). A tip of the hat to a loyal reader who suggested it could have been reduced to this:

We may buy some stuff. We may sell some stuff. We may partner with another company to buy some stuff. 

Lots more as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors:

Harrison

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL…it was a busy week for UPDATES. Tuesday’s (the second of FOUR last week) brought news that AKEMI HARRISON was moving across town to be Director of News and Multiplatform Content for this Nexstar owned CW station. She had been the ND for NBC’s WMAQ-TV for the last 2+ years after 12 years as ND there. More here. At WGN, Akemi replaces DOMINIC STASI who left in May after five years as ND and 12 years at the station.

Carmean

WTTG/WDCA-TV, Washington, DC…our THIRD update last week reported the promotion of KYLE CARMEAN to be Vice President of News and Content for this FOX o-and-. He’s been the Assistant ND for eleven years, most (if not all) of that time working with ND PAUL McGONAGLE who left in July when he was upped to General Manager for Fox’s Detroit owned station, WJBK-TV.

Spessard

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA..Monday’s first UPDATE shared that TODD SPESSARD was moving within Tegna to become Director of Content for this NBC affiliate. Todd’s been the ND at sister Tegna NBC affiliate WCNC-TV in Charlotte for the last 18 months. Todd’s been an ND in several markets, and once worked for me as a producer at WOOD-TV (NBC) in Grand Rapids. He replaces CAROL FOWLER who was promoted to VP of Content for Tegna, overseeing several stations in the region.

Fargen

WMTV, Madison, WI…BRIDGET FARGEN moves within Gray Media as the next ND for this NBC affiliate. Bridget is a Wisconsin native who has spent the last five years as ND for Gray’s WSAW-TV, the CBS affiliate in Wausau, WI. At WMTV, she replaces JESSICA LASZEWSKI who moves, ironically, to Bridget’s soon-to be former station, WSAW, where Jessica will be the general manager.

New News Director Openings:

WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC…you learned above that TODD SPESSARD is leaving one Tegna owned NBC affiliate for another. He’ll going to WXIA-TV in Atlanta as Director of Content.

WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI…you also learned above that BRIDGET FARGEN is moving within Gray to become ND for WMTV in Madison.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/4/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 8/10/25)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (relisted 8/17/25)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 8/17/25)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/25)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 8/10/25)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 7/25/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (listed 8/4/25)
WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (Chronicle EP, listed 8/4/25)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Inv. & Special Projects, listed 7/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, relisted 6/29/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/4/25)
KARE-TV, Minneapolis MN (listed 7/6/25)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 8/4/25)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 8/4/25)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 7/6/25)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Sports EP, listed 7/27/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Senior Producer, listed 8/10/25, see display ad above!)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 7/6/25)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/13/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/6/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 7/27/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 8/4/25)
WFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 8/4/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/15/25)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, relisted 7/27/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/15/25)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/6/25)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, listed 7/13/25)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/13/25)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (Sr. EP of News & Streaming, listed 8/17/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 7/13/25)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 8/4/25)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 6/29/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/4/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital EP, relisted 8/17/25)
WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 7/6/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 7/20/25)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 8/4/25)
WVNY-WFFF-TV, Burlington, VT (Digital EP, listed 7/27/25)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/6/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 6/29/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (released 8/17/25)
KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN (listed 7/27/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 8/17/25:

WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (Digital Content Manager)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (GM and Department Head)

Relisted 8/17/25:

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL (Digital News Manager)

Listed 7/13/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Real Time Desk Manager)

Listed 6/15/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Executive Reporter)

Obituaries:

Schurz

FRANKLIN DUNN (Frank) SCHURZ, the longtime head of Schurz Communications, died last Sunday at the age of 94. Schurz Communications owned TV, radio and newspapers for many years, but now is primarily a broadband services company. Schurz announced in 2015 it was getting out of broadcasting, and sold most of its stations to Gray. This Wikipedia page outlines its history.

Schwall

A radio reporter turned hard news television reporter turned news director turned feature reporter died Thursday. KEN SCHWALL was a fixture on WBIR-TV in Knoxville for decades, two years of which were spent at the station’s news director. WBIR remembered him in this story, while The Knoxville News-Sentinel recapped his career in this report.

Rickey

DAVE RICKEY, a long ago news manager at WSFA-TV (NBC) in Montgomery, AL, died Wednesday after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. He was 69. Dave joined WFSA as a reporter after graduating from the University of Missouri, where he worked at KOMU-TV. At WSFA, he rose through the ranks to Assistant ND before leaving the station and starting a long career in public relations.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Congratulations to KING-TV in Seattle and WTVR-TV in Richmond, VA, who won the large and small market Edward R. Murrow Awards for Overall Excellence. RTNDA announced winners of the national awards this week. The complete list is here. Congratulations, too, to my former intern and employee STEVE HARTMAN of CBS News, who won (another) National Murrow for Writing.

CBS has a new home in Atlanta as its owned WUPA-TV (channel 69) began airing CBS programming yesterday, replacing Gray’s WANF-TV. As part of the change, the station made a number of hires as it builds out its news department for a September launch.

Thursday’s fourth UPDATE of the week relayed details of Scripps’ plan to expand his model of having GM’s also serve as department heads. Many of these positions held the title of Station Manager, but now most will be called GM/Department head. This email to employees explains some exceptions and details nine markets where changes were made, costing some employees their jobs.

Benedict

COLIN BENEDICT, who’s been with Morgan Murphy for 37 years, including a stint as ND at WISC-TV in Madison, is one of three company executives who’ve been promoted. Colin becomes Chief Innovation Officer.

And while we rarely stray from stories of television news and management, I though you would enjoy this Hollywood Reporter story  about the past (and future) of The Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York once The Late Show with Stephen Colbert signs off next year. I did not know of the significant role ED SULLIVAN played in integrating the airwaves. It’s worth a moment of your time.

General Manager News and Notes:

Jones

A change in philosophy at Graham Media means AUTUMN JONES will serve as both GM and News Director at WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. When JEFF HOFFMAN left the station as General Manager earlier this year, the company said it would not replaces him, and that department heads would report to their corporate overloads. Well, that didn’t last long as you’ll read here.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 17, 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

WDCW/WDVM-TV 2121 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington DC, 20007
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South Ste 300 Seattle, WA 98134
WJBK-TV 16550 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, Michigan 48037
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy. Minneapolis, MN 55427
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Drive Charlotte, NC 28217
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101
KDKA-TV 1 Gateway Center, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
KSWB/KUSI-TV 7191 Engineer Rd., San Diego, CA 92111
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
KOKH-TV 1228 E Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KRGV-TV 900 East Expressway 83, Weslaco,TX
KTLM-TV 200 S. 10th St., 2nd Fl. McAllen, TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KWQC-TV 805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
WSAW-TV 1114 Grand Ave. Wausau, WI 54403
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

August 11, 2025

Thursday, August 14, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings,again:

I can’t remember ever doing UPDATES on four consecutive days, but this could be the start of a busy stretch.

Today it’s Scripps making news with a change to its management model, where the top official (called station manager) at a station also headed a department. In this lengthy email sent to Scripps employees late today, in some Scripps stations that role will now be the GM, who will also head a department, whether it be news, sales, etc. The exception will be in markets where a Regional Vice-President is located. There, the top station official will still be Station Manager/Department head.

The memo above details nine markets where changes were made. In some cases, people chose to leave, but not all.

Coincidentally, another station reversed course today on its management structure.

When JEFF HOFFMAN left WKMG-TV, the Graham Media CBS affiliate in Orlando last January, the company did not replace him. Department heads would report to their corporate overseer.

Well, that didn’t last long.

Jones

AUTUMN JONES today added General Manager to her news director title at WKMG. She joined the station as ND just four months ago.

Who knows if I will appear in your email box tomorrow?

regards,

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, August 13, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

For the third consecutive day, a top ten market news director job has been filled.

Carmean

Today it’s FOX o-and-o WTTG/WDCA-TV in Washington which has promoted KYLE CARMEAN to VP News and Content. Kyle’s been the Assistant News Director here since 2014. He’s also worked in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Dover, DE. More in this news release. Kyle replaces longtime WTTG ND PAUL McGONAGLE who was promoted to GM for FOX’s WJBK-TV in Detroit early last month.

On another topic, judging by some of your comments, I wasn’t alone in head-scratching after reading (enduring?) this Sinclair news release about the company’s future plans. My favorite part, which I discovered after including the release in yesterday’s UPDATE, was one sentence which clocked in at 203 words!

We’ll see you this weekend…or sooner if developments warrant.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 UPDATE:

A cross town move in Chicago fills an open news director job there.

Harrison

AKEMI HARRISON joins Nexstar’s WGN-TV (CW) as Director of News and Multiplatform Content. She’s been the news director for NBC o-and-o WMAQ-TV since April, 2023, reporting to Senior VP/News SALLY RAMIREZ. Here’s the story from the WGN website. and here’s Akemi’s Linkedin page. She replaces DOMINIC STASI who left in May after 5+ years as ND and 12 at the station.

By the way, our snarky comment in yesterday’s UPDATE about ‘no station deals yet today, but it’s only 1:00’ became, to quote RON ZIEGLER, inoperative (look him up, youngsters) later in the day when Sinclair issued this news release which I will allow people smarter than me to dissect.

We’ll see you either this weekend…or whenever the next big deal happens. 🙂

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, August 11, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Tegna fills one of its open news director jobs with an internal promotion of a veteran newsman.

Spessard

TODD SPESSARD will be the next news director Director of Content for WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta. He’s currently the news director for Tegna’s WCNC-TV (NBC) in Charlotte, a job he’s held for the past 18 months. More details in this news release. Todd’s been a news director in a number of markets, including Oklahoma City, where he spent 12 years as either ND for KWTV or Corporate VP of Content for parent Griffin Media.

His complete career history is on his Linkedin page, including his time as producer for WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, where we worked together.

Congrats to Todd.

So far, no station deals today. But it’s not yet 1:00 on the East Coast.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Welcome to your free weekly newsletter about news director and news management changes.

There are TWO news directors to report, with ONE new opening.

My count shows there are now 35 stations looking for a news director.

We have ONE Paid Help Wanted ad this week, that for an EP opening at the well regarded WRAL-TV in Raleigh.

Speaking of ads, check out BARRY NASH‘s new copy which might help you attract younger viewers. And our friends at Sciline return with a timely briefing on tariffs. That’s below as well.

The biggest news this week may be station deals: ONE possible (Nexstar-Tegna) and ONE announced (Gray Media-Allen Media). If you missed our TWO Friday updates on those, we’ve included them below. No charge.

We also have news of a new ND for Houston Public Media AND a new EP in Dallas.

All that and more…as you read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Hoder

WUPA-TV, Atlanta, GA…SHAWN HODER returns to Atlanta as he’ll be the first ND for this CBS o-and-o which is launching news…as it become the CBS affiliate, replacing Gray Media’s WANF-TV. Shawn worked at WXIA-TV (NBC) before leaving to be ND for CBS’s KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh three years ago. He’s also worked in several other markets. More on Shawn…and the changes coming to WUPA…in this Paramount news release.

Fleegle

WHIZ-TV, Zanesville, OH…CAROLYN FLEEGLE, who’s been an anchor here for the past 19 years, adds additional duties as news director. Her station biography points out she took a six year break to raise her family. Carolyn replaces NICHOLE HANNAHS who was also news director and anchor for 20 years and left in July to take a kindergarten teaching job. WHIZ is an NBC/FOX affiliate owned by Marquee Broadcasting.

New News Director Openings:

KDKA-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…you learned above that SHAWN HODER is moving within CBS (and returning to Atlanta) to become the new ND for CBS’s WUPA-TV which is launching news as it takes over the affiliation from Gray Media’s WANF-TV.

Also…a correction from last week’s newsletter. KRGV-TV in is Weslaco, TX, not Harlingen/Bryan as I reported.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/4/25)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 8/10/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 7/13/25)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/15/25)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/25)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 8/10/25)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 7/25/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (listed 8/4/25)
WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (Chronicle EP, listed 8/4/25)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Inv. & Special Projects, listed 7/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, relisted 6/29/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/4/25)
KARE-TV, Minneapolis MN (listed 7/6/25)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 7/13/25)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 8/4/25)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 6/29/25)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 8/4/25)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 7/6/25)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Sports EP, listed 7/27/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 8/10/25, see display ad above!)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 7/6/25)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/13/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/6/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 7/27/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 8/4/25)
WFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 8/4/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/15/25)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, relisted 7/27/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/15/25)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/6/25)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, listed 7/13/25)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/13/25)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 7/27/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 7/13/25)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 8/4/25)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 6/29/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/4/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital EP, listed 6/15/25)
WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 7/6/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 7/20/25)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 8/4/25)
WVNY-WFFF-TV, Burlington, VT (Digital EP, listed 7/27/25)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/6/25)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 6/15/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 6/29/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 6/8/25)
KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN (listed 7/27/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 7/13/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Real Time Desk Manager)

Listed 6/15/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Executive Reporter)

Listed 6/8/25:

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL (Digital News Manager)

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Our second Friday UPDATE with the Wall Street Journal report about a possible Nexstar-Tegna deal was, as you might expect, big news and got a lot of views. If you missed it, here’s the link.

Our FIRST Friday UPDATE (about Gray Media’s purchase of ten Allen Media stations) was also widely viewed. Here’s that link as well.

Flannigan

SCOTT FLANNIGAN has been named the Senior News Director for Houston Public Media. Scott most recently had been the news director for Graham Media’s WSLS-TV in Roanoke, VA, and has also been a news director in Kansas City, Mobile, Charleston, SC, and Lake Charles, LA. Scott’s also worked in Miami and Birmingham, AL.

IRIS RODRIGUEZ returns to Dallas and KXAS/KXTX-TV as executive producer. She worked at those NBC owned properties before spending four years as ND for KTLM-TV (Telemundo owned) in McAllen, TX

General Manager News and Notes:

I’m not aware of any GM changes this week. Please let me know if I’ve missed anything.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 10, 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

WGN-TV 2501 West Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WDCW/WDVM-TV 2121 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington DC, 20007
WTTG-TV 7272 Wisconsin Ave., 8th floor, Bethesda, MD 20814
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South Ste 300 Seattle, WA 98134
WJBK-TV 16550 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, Michigan 48037
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy. Minneapolis, MN 55427
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101
KDKA-TV 1 Gateway Ctr, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
KSWB/KUSI-TV 7191 Engineer Rd., San Diego, CA 92111
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
KOKH-TV 1228 E Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
WMTV 615 Forward Drive Madison, WI 53711
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KRGV-TV 900 East Expressway 83, Weslaco,TX
KTLM-TV 200 S. 10th St., 2nd Fl. McAllen, TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KWQC-TV 805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language statio

August 4, 2025

Friday, August 8, 2025 UPDATE #2:

Greetings:

As best I can tell, I’ve only used the word seismic three times in the almost 30 year run of this newsletter: twice about large market affiliation changes and once on the occasion of SANDRA CONNELL leaving Talent Dynamics.

IF this deal comes through, it would be seismic.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting tonight that Nexstar is in ‘advanced’ talks to acquire Tegna.

Here’s the story.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Friday, August 8, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Happy RICHARD NIXON resignation anniversary.

As long as we’re dropping old names, MONTY HALL would be proud as the “Let’s Make a Deal”: TV station deals edition continues.

Today, it’s Gray Media (again!) buying ten stations from Allen Media. Seven of those stations are in markets where Gray already has a station(s) and the other three markets are new to Gray, including two here in Indiana.

We’ll have more in our full report this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Apologies for our tardiness this weekend as travel interfered with our schedule.

There are THREE news directors to report, with TWO new openings.

It’s always unofficial, but my count shows there are now 35 stations looking for a news director.

ONE of those openings (in a TOP 30 market) is featured in a paid help wanted ad.

In Names in the News, Gray Media goes on a buying spree and a Rhode Island station is being sued by its former ND. And we have TWO items in our GM news section.

All that and more…as you read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Doyle

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (part of the Boston market) BRIAN DOYLE has been named news director. WMUR is an ABC affiliate owned by Hearst, and, as it often does, Brian’s appointment is a promotion within Hearst. He’s been the Director of Digital Content and Strategy. And he’s filling an opening created by another promotion, that of ALISHA McDEVITT from ND to GM after 16 years as ND.

Flynn

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH…JULIE FLYNN has been promoted to news director for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. She began today. Julie had been the Assistant ND here since September, 2023, has held a variety of roles at the station and also spent four years as ND for Tegna’s WZZM-TV (ABC) in Grand Rapids, MI. She also worked for anther Cleveland station and replaces JONATHAN ADKINS who left way back in March after two years as ND and 17 at the station.

Munson

KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX…we told you last week that someone had been hired and we can now share that JONATHAN MUNSON has been promoted from Assistant ND. The station reported his promotion in a newscast. He’s been here for 12 years in, as you might expect, a number of different jobs. Jonathan replaces WES WILSON. Wes left in June to become Executive Editor for chron.com in Houston.

New News Director Openings:

Reynolds

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL…Scripps has begun its search for a new ND following the departure of KATHY REYNOLDS. She left in March after three years. In May we told you she was headed to WINK-TV in Ft. Myers as Chief of News and Content Strategy for this CBS affiliate, where she replaces RICH GARCIA. Rich left in May after three years as ND and 18 years at the station. Kathy’s career history is here.

Csanyi-Salcedo

KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX…ZOLTAN CSANYI-SALCEDO has left this Manship owned ABC affiliate after six years as news director. The day after Zoltan left, the station canceled its Spanish language newscasts which aired on a digital channel. Two other broadcasters in the market air Spanish language newscasts, KTLM-TV and KNVO-TV. Ironically, both are also looking for news directors.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA:

Get ready to step into a legacy of excellence and lead San Diego’s powerhouse duopoly- FOX 5 and KUSI.

Join #NexstarNation-the country’s largest television ownership group- in San Diego (Mkt #30).

Why FOX 5/KUSI? 

• Prestige: Join a station group recognized for local impact, innovation, and ratings leadership.

• Autonomy: Drive editorial vision and multiplatform content strategy, leading a passionate team of award-winning journalists across both stations.

• Influence: Be the architect of coverage that matters — from breaking news to impactful investigations and community stories.

• Innovation: Create and initiate ideas across multiple platforms, devising new paths to the future of journalism.

• Lifestyle: Live where the world vacations! Enjoy stunning beaches, year-round sunshine, and a vibrant, diverse city culture.

• Opportunity: Cover stories at the crossroads of technology, the border, military, and environmental innovation.

If you’re an experienced news leader with a proven record in broadcast affiliate newsrooms, this is your chance to lead, inspire, and innovate. Bring your strategic vision, commitment to journalistic integrity, and collaborative spirit to an environment where your leadership will be valued and your impact, unmistakable.

Apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WCVB-TV, Boston, MA (listed 8/4/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 7/13/25)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/15/25)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 7/13/25)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 7/25/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (listed 8/4/25)
WMUR-TV, Manchester, NH (Boston market) (Chronicle EP, listed 8/4/25)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (Inv. & Special Projects, listed 7/6/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (EP Evening Magazine, relisted 6/29/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 8/4/25)
KARE-TV, Minneapolis MN (listed 7/6/25)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 7/13/25)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 8/4/25)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 6/29/25)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 8/4/25)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 7/6/25)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Sports EP, listed 7/27/25)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 7/6/25)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/13/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/6/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 7/27/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 8/4/25)
WFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK (listed 8/4/25)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/15/25)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, relisted 7/27/25)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 6/15/25)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/6/25)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, listed 7/13/25)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/13/25)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 7/27/25)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 7/13/25)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 8/4/25)
WOI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 6/29/25)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/4/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital EP, listed 6/15/25)
WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 7/6/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 7/20/25)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 8/4/25)
WVNY-WFFF-TV, Burlington, VT (Digital EP, listed 7/27/25)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/6/25)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 6/15/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (relisted 6/29/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 6/8/25)
KQDS-TV, Duluth, MN (listed 7/27/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 7/13/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Real Time Desk Manager)

Listed 6/15/25:

KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Executive Reporter)

Listed 6/8/25:

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL (Digital News Manager)

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Gaito

ALLISON GAITO, who spent about a year as news director for Standard Media’s WLNE-TV (ABC) in Providence, is suing the company in federal court. The suit alleges unlawful retaliation, gender discrimination, and maintaining a sexually hostile workplace. Allison has since taken a job outside of television.

Gray Media is getting bigger, acquiring stations from Block Communications (including its Louisville station) and two from Sagamore Hill, though Gray was already providing services to those stations.

General Manager News and Notes:

Walters

ERIC WALTERS  moves within Gray Media to become GM for KNOE/KAQY-TV in Monroe, LA. He’s been running KMVT in Twin Falls, ID, and is a former news director for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, VA.

And JERRY BREHM retired last week from his job as GM for WTEN-TV in Albany, NY. He talked about his decision in this Linkedin post.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Monday, August 4, 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

WGN-TV 2501 West Bradley Place Chicago, IL 60618
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WDCW/WDVM-TV 2121 Wisconsin Ave, NW, Washington DC, 20007
WTTG-TV 7272 Wisconsin Ave., 8th floor, Bethesda, MD 20814
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road Boston, MA 02134
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South Ste 300 Seattle, WA 98134
WJBK-TV 16550 W Nine Mile Rd, Southfield, Michigan 48037
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy. Minneapolis, MN 55427
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St., St. Louis, MO 63101
KSWB/KUSI-TV 7191 Engineer Rd., San Diego, CA 92111 (see ad above!)
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPTV 1100 Banyan Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33401
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
KOKH-TV 1228 E Wilshire Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73111
WFTX-TV 621 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral, FL 33991
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WSLS-TV 821 5th St SW, Roanoke, VA 24016
WMTV 615 Forward Drive Madison, WI 53711
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KRGV-TV 900 East Expressway 83, Weslaco,TX
KTLM-TV 200 S. 10th St., 2nd Fl. McAllen, TX 78501 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KWQC-TV 805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WEAU-TV 1907 S. Hastings Way Eau Claire, WI 54701
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KSWO-TV 1401 SE 60th St. Lawton, OK 73501
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
WHIZ-TV 629 Downard Rd. Zanesville, OH 43701

**: Spanish language station