June 2021
Casey Jones named WOOD-TV Community Affairs Director
WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) morning news anchor, Casey Jones, has been announced as WOOD-TV’s Community Affairs Director after six years anchoring West Michigan’s leading morning news program. “I truly cannot think of anyone more enthusiastic, passionate and with a heart for serving our community than Casey. His amazing and humanistic approach to storytelling stands out in…
Read MoreFire Destroys WOOD-FM Transmitter
iHeartMedia’s WOOD-FM (Muskegon/Grand Rapids) was knocked off the air temporarily due to a fire at the station’s transmitter site on June 20. This occurred during a weather system that brought two lines of severe thunderstorms to Michigan that resulting in a tornado sighting, downed trees and structural damage. The fire was reportedly set by the…
Read MoreHouse Members Target Local Radio Stations with Bill to Impose Performance Royalties
Supporters of a performance right on radio airplay moved to change federal copyright law with the newly proposed American Music Freedom Act, which was introduced Thursday (6/24) by U.S. Reps Tef Deytch (D-FL) and Darrell Issa (R-CA). Details of the bill were still forthcoming, according to a report in InsideRadio, but like a previous attempt…
Read MoreWILX Teams With Red Cross for Telethon
On June 23, WILX-TV (Lansing) partnered with The America Red Cross to make it easy for people to sign up for a blood donation appointment. The Give Blood Telethon was held at the station’s studios from 4:30 – 9 a.m. and again 4 – 8 p.m. WILX encouraged the community to call to make an…
Read MoreWKAR Welcomes Megan Schellong As New Morning Edition Host
WKAR-AM/FM in East Lansing has announced that Megan Schellong has been promoted as the station’s new local host for NPR’s Morning Edition. Schellong joins the station from WLNS-TV (Lansing),where she spent the last one and a half years as a digital producer. Prior to joining WLNS, Schellong worked at KPCC-FM in Southern California as a…
Read MoreFCC Releases New EAS Handbook
The 2021 version of the FCC’s Emergency Alert System Operating Handbook is now available, replacing the 2017 version. FCC rules require that a copy of the Handbook be maintained by stations and be immediately available to staff responsible for authenticating messages and initiating actions. As part of the preparations for the upcoming August nationwide EAS…
Read MoreRegional Emmy Winners Announced
On June 19, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS)/Michigan presented the 43rd Annual Regional EMMY® Awards. The ceremonies were held virtually. Public stations winning in various categories include WCMU-TV, WKAR-TV and WTVS-TV. Commercial stations receiving awards in various categories include WDIV-TV, WEYI-TV, WJBK-TV, WJRT-TV, WNEM-TV, WOOD-TV, WWTV/WWUP-TV, WXMI-TV, WXYZ-TV and WZZM-TV. Three…
Read MoreAn Introduction to WordPress Custom Post Types for Radio Broadcasters
By: Seth Resler Jacobs Media Strategies Broadcasters sometimes tell me that they are looking for a WordPress theme for their station’s website that was specifically designed with radio in mind. I’m never quite sure what they mean by this. Most of the radio-specific features that a station website needs aren’t part of the WordPress theme.…
Read MoreWDIV’s Marla Drutz to Retire After 4 Decades in Detroit
WDIV-TV (Detroit) and Graham Media Group has announced the retirement of Marla Drutz, Vice President and General Manager of the station, after more than 13 years of distinguished service, effective in the upcoming months once a replacement is hired and transitioned into the job. Drutz is a broadcast industry legend with more than 35 years…
Read MoreState Associations Ask FCC to Reconsider Regulatory Fees and Late Payment Penalties
Three state broadcast associations are fighting against proposed increases in annual regulatory fees on stations. The associations representing broadcasters in Colorado, Florida, and Puerto Rico are also pushing the Federal Communications Commission to rework the process for deciding whether an outlet qualifies for a financial hardship waiver. And, in a separate filing, 50 state broadcast…
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