December 2020
WLHT Host Connie Kellie Dies Following Battle With Cancer
Longtime radio personality Connie Kellie, host of the “Connie & Fish” morning show on WLHT-FM (Grand Rapids) died Monday, January 4, 2021 following a short battle with liver cancer. She joined the station in 2012, and was the driving force behind such causes as Connie & Fish’s Christmas Kids and the station’s efforts to support…
Read MoreSpring Memorial Planned for Dick Kernen
The MAB has learned that longtime Specs Howard VP of Industry Relations Dick Kernen passed away Friday morning (12/18) at the age of 82. The family has announced that there will be no online services, but a memorial will be planned for the spring. Kernen had been with Specs Howard since 1972, following a radio…
Read MoreBeasley Detroit’s Scott Jameson Adds National Duties
On December 16, Beasley Media Group announced that five programmers in its company will be adding national responsibilities to their duties. Scott Jameson, Director of Programming at Beasley Media Group Detroit has been named Vice President of National Content. In addition to his Motor City programming responsibilities, he will work to identify opportunities for content…
Read MoreA Third Of Michigan Restaurants Fear They May Close In Six Months
Research released by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday revealed many hospitality businesses fear they will have to close within the year because of the economic impacts of COVID-19, according to a report in Gongwer. At least 5,600 restaurant operators say it is unlikely they will still be in business in six months.…
Read MoreRadio First Port Huron Stuffs the Bus for Kids in Distress
Each year, RadioFirst/Liggett Communications stations in Port Huron team up with the the Port Huron Area School District and local businesses to collect toys and coats to ‘Stuff a Bus’ and deliver the items to Kids in Distress Services in St. Clair, Michigan. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the stations had to switch up the…
Read MoreHere’s What Radio Broadcasters Should Ask Santa For This Year
By: Seth Resler Jacobs Media Strategies Whether you’ve got an elf on your shelf or a menorah on your window sill, the holidays are a good time to ask for — or treat yourself to — some new toys. During this time of the year, I often stock up on technology that will help me…
Read MoreFCC Targeting Property Owners in Pirate Radio Enforcement
The Federal Communications Commission’s Enforcement Bureau has begun targeting property owners and managers that tolerate pirate broadcasting on their properties. The commission has issued an announcement that it is exercising its new authority under the recently enacted PIRATE Act. “Parties that knowingly facilitate illegal broadcasting on their property are liable for fines of up to…
Read MoreMichigan Learning Channel to Launch January 4, 2021
As reported in October and following months of planning, Michigan’s public television stations, in partnership with leading educators and community leaders, are launching the Michigan Learning Channel (MLC) beginning Monday, January 4. It will be available statewide on a series of new dedicated broadcast channels. Organized by Detroit Public Television (DPTV), the network will deliver…
Read MoreAlpha Media Saginaw Raises $50K With Sharing Hope Radiothon
Alpha Media stations in Saginaw, lead by WSGW-AM/FM, held their 5th Annual Sharing Hope Radiothon on December 16, raising $50,100 in the 12 hour broadcast, exceeding the original goal of $40,000 and surpassing last year’s total of $47,190. The goal for this year was lowered over concern about the impact the pandemic imposed. However, listeners,…
Read MoreOnline Sports Betting/Casino Gaming to Launch Early 2021 in Michigan
While many have hoped for a launch before the end of the year, it now appears online gaming won’t happen for about six weeks, MGCB executive director Richard Kalm told MLive Friday (12/4). On December 1, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the Michigan Senate and House…
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