Recently in Mid-Michigan Category

Longtime WFUR/Grand Rapids morning host Dave Kuiper dies

Dave Kuiper, son of the late longtime WFUR-FM/AM 102.9/1570 owner William Kuiper, died on April 28th at the age of 58. Dave hosted mornings at WFUR for over 30 years.

- Obituary from MLive.com

U-M's Michigan Radio to sponsor "One Minute Michigan" story writing contest

The University of Michigan's Michigan Radio (WUOM-FM 91.7 Ann Arbor / WFUM-FM 91.1 Flint / WVGR-FM 104.1 Grand Rapids), in partnership with the Ann Arbor Summer Festival, is presenting a "One Minute Michigan" story writing contest. People across Michigan are being invited to submit stories about their favorite Michigan memories or experiences. The contest is open to anyone with a personal Michigan-themed story to tell. Entrants are asked to submit a 120-word description of a uniquely Michigan experience - for example, a Michigan travel or adventure moment, a Michigan landmark, where they were when they ate your favorite Michigan food for the first time, and so on.

Three winning essays will be recorded and aired on Michigan Radio and posted on the Michigan Radio website, www.michiganradio.org. The three winners will also each receive a pair of tickets to "Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass" on June 23 at Ann Arbor's Power Center, and admission to the evening's private reception with Ira Glass. One of the three winning essays will be selected and read onstage by Ira Glass during the performance.

Stories must be a maximum of 120 words and must mention at least one Michigan location. All entries must be submitted by midnight on Thursday, May 31, 2012. People can submit a story at: http://michiganradio.org/one-minute-michigan-story-writing-contest.

"Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass" will take place at 8 p.m. on June 23 at the Power Center for the Performing Arts in Ann Arbor. The creator of the public radio show This American Life will talk about his program and how it's put together: what makes a compelling story, where they find the amazing stories for their show, how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it doesn't usually do.

As part of the event, Glass will mix stories from the show--live onstage--and play funny and memorable This American Life moments and discuss their creation. Tickets for the show are available at www.annarborsummerfestival.org.

Jackson Citizen-Patriot:

The debut of "Buzz TV Jackson" has been pushed back two weeks. The new 30-minute, Jackson-produced variety show, which was to debut after "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on Friday night will not air as planned.

Full story: "Buzz TV Jackson" premiere pushed back until May 18 (Wed, 5/2)

MLive.com:

After a brief hiatus from the radio, Michael Patrick Shiels is set to return to the morning talk circuit Wednesday, May 2. Shiels left his previous show in February. He said the new show will be bigger, better and reach more listeners.

Full story: Radio host Michael Patrick Shiels returns to Michigan airwaves Wednesday (Mon, 4/30)

Lansing State Journal:

Michael Patrick Shiels will soon be back on radio and TV. He'll return quietly -- not his natural state. "This is a soft opening," Shiels said. "There will be a big one later." His "Michigan's Big Show" was set to start today. In a late switch Friday, it was pushed back, due to what Shiels called paperwork problems concerning city code in building his downtown studio.

Full story: Michael Patrick Shiels coming back 'Big' (Mon, 4/30)

Detroit News:

Dick Purtan was a big influence, of course, and J.P. McCarthy was huge. But you don't want to overlook the career contributions of Michael Corleone and Dick Cheney. Michael Shiels started in radio as Purtan's intern. He left it, or so he thought, as McCarthy's producer.

Full story: Ex-Purtan intern gives career a makeover and returns to airwaves in Detroit (Mon, 4/30)

Fine Tuning

• Radio One News/Talk WCHB AM 1200 has added dayparted Smooth Jazz programming overnights and weekends. The station is also heard on WDMK-FM 105.9 HD2 and an FM translator on 99.9.

Jackson Citizen-Patriot:

Original television programming based in the Jackson area is on the rise. Two new Jackson-produced programs - JTV's "SoundWave" and "Buzz TV Jackson" on WLAJ - will debut in the coming days, both of which will highlight the entertainment scene around south-central Michigan. This comes on the heels of another new JTV show "Jackson Pickers," based on "American Pickers," which debuted on April 13.

Full story: New Jackson-based TV shows "SoundWave" and "Buzz TV Jackson" to debut soon (Tue, 4/24)

Fine Tuning

• Annie 'Spears' Nawrocki has exited Pop WBTI-FM 96.9 Lexington/Pt. Huron to take over middays at NextMedia Pop WGER-FM 106.3 Saginaw.

Information added/updated periodically throughout the day; Refresh the page for the latest version.

Arbitron drops Ann Arbor and Tri-Cities markets from its ratings service

Radio ratings service Arbitron has backed out of two Michigan markets, dropping Ann Arbor (ranked as the 155th largest market in the country) and Saginaw/Bay City/Midland (139th largest) from the list of areas where it provides service.

Both Ann Arbor and the Tri-Cities were diary-based markets and had been receiving Fall and Spring reports from Arbitron. They were dropped due to lack of client support - meaning not enough radio stations in those markets were subscribing to Arbitron's services.

Arbitron also recently made another change to all of the markets it serves - ratings information for non-subscribing stations will no longer be part of any publicly released ratings reports, making it tough for the general public to know exactly where stations rank in markets where there are non-subscribing stations.

Traverse City's Good News Media wins FM Auction 93 bid

The recently concluded FCC Auction 93 offered up 93 new FM frequencies for bid across the country. In Michigan, Traverse City based Good News Media was the high bidder at $109,000 for a new Class C3 station at 95.9 to be licensed to Grand Traverse County's Fife Lake.

Good News Media is the owner of religious formatted stations WJLN-FM/AM 89.9 / 1400 Traverse City and WLJW AM 1370 Cadillac. WLJN-FM was also recently granted a construction permit to increase power from 39,000 to 100,000 watts.

TVNewsCheck:

Sinclair Communications-owned CBS affiliate WWMT Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, Mich., (DMA 42), today launched a 4:30 a.m. newscast. The expanded early morning newscast will air every weekday.

Full story: WWMT launches 4:30 am newscast (Mon, 4/23)

AllAccess.com:

TOWNSQUARE Active Rocker WGRD/GRAND RAPIDS, MI and FREE BEER & HOT WINGS announce WINGSTOCK 2012. The show is JUNE 16th at FIFTH THIRD BALLPARK with headliners OUR LADY PEACE, also local boys POP EVIL with DOKKEN, WAYLAND and more acts to be announced.

Full story: WGRD Announces Wingstock 2012 (Mon, 4/23)

Macomb Daily:

Using 100 percent donated parts and the sweat of volunteers, Keith Strong and his crew at Ice Nine Group in Clinton Township can now get to the task at hand: building a reproduction of a 1969 Ford Mustang as part of WCSX radio's Stone Soup Project to raise funds for children's charities.

Full story: Ice Nine Group, WCSX to build new '69 Boss Mustang (Sat, 4/21)

Fine Tuning

• Steve Stewart has exited as the longtime Operations Manager at Cumulus News/Talk WJR AM 760 Detroit. Ron Harrell takes over the role - he also oversees Cumulus' other two stations in Detroit, WDVD-FM 96.3 and WDRQ-FM 93.1. Stewart's career at WJR spanned 22 years.

The Oakland Press:

WXOU, Oakland University's student radio station, has been named the Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The victory brings an end to an 11-year run of dominance by Michigan State University's college radio station, Impact 89-FM.

Full story: Oakland University's radio station takes title of top station from MSU (Thu, 4/12)

Saginaw News:

What might make the KCQ Country Music Fest just "A Little Bit Stronger" this year? How about Sara Evans as the free concert's headliner, with a Phil Vassar chaser? The popular outdoor concert that typically draws nearly 100,000 people to Ojibway Island in Saginaw returns Saturday, June 16, with still a third act yet to be announced.

Full story: Sara Evans, Phil Vassar on their way to KCQ Country Music Fest (Thu, 4/12)

Barrington Broadcasting to add Bounce TV as digital subchannel in Flint/Tri-Cities

Bounce TV, the nation's first and only over-the-air broadcast television network for African Americans, will launch in the Flint and Tri-Cities market on Monday, April 16th.

Bounce TV will be seen over the air on WEYI's 25.3 digital channel. Charter Cable has agreed to carry it on channel 445 and Comcast will begin airing Bounce TV on May 24, 2012 on channel 291.

"We are very excited to be launching another television station in the Genesee and Great Lakes Bay Region. Bounce TV gives our viewers another option for programming and entertainment, and we are very happy to be affiliated with Bounce TV", said Becky Butcher President and CEO of WEYI and WBSF television.

Bounce TV will air twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. The new network will feature a programming mix of theatrical motion pictures, live sporting events, documentaries, specials, inspirational faith-based programs, off-net series, original programming and more.

Birach Broadcasting files to sell to more of its Michigan radio stations

Following yesterday's filing of the sale of WSDS-AM Salem Township comes the filing that reveals that Birach is selling Mexican formatted WMJH AM 810 Rockford (Grand Rapids) along with Oldies WOAP AM 1080 Owosso for a total of $1.1 million to Cano's Broadcasting. Cano's has been programming WMJH via a local marketing agreement for a number of years. Both WMJH and WOAP are daytime-only stations.

96.3 launches 4th annual Project Prom Princess

Prom is one of the most memorable events in a young lady's life. Unfortunately, many high school students and their families are feeling the hurt of our tough economy. This should be no reason for girls to be denied the time-honored tradition of going to Prom. 96.3 WDVD and Lakeside Mall will make every effort to make sure less fortunate girls receive a FREE Prom Dress! 96.3 WDVD will be collecting gently worn formal dresses, shoes and accessories (less than 5 years old) at Lakeside Mall (upper level, next to Macy's Women's Store) Friday, April 13 - Sunday, April 15, 2012. 96.3 WDVD on-air personalities will broadcast from inside the Project Prom Princess Boutique all weekend long. Our mission is to fill the store with racks of dresses, shoes and accessories to make hundreds of girls feel like a true princess on prom night.

Less fortunate girls that may be in need of a dress for prom can log on to www.963WDVD.com to register for an appointment. Selected girls will be asked to join us inside the Project Prom Princess Boutique to pick out a free dress for prom.

Visitors to the Prom Princess Boutique will be able to register for the chance to win a Prom production package courtesy of AV7 Productions.

106.7 The D adds some personality

Clear Channel/Detroit Classic Rock WDTW-FM 106.7 (The D) has added its first regular jocks to the lineup since changing format in November; Sheri Donovan is now hosting middays with Dahmer manning the afternoon shift.

Donovan should be a familiar voice to many rock listeners in Detroit; after starting her career at WTCM/Traverse City in 1983, she moved to rock radio at WWCK 105.5 Flint in 1985, then was on board at Oldies WKSG-FM 102.7 from 1986-88 when she also was featured in the March 1986 edition of Playboy Magazine. Behind the mic, she was perhaps best known around Detroit during her days at Rocker WLLZ-FM 98.7 from 1988-94.

Donovan then moved on to Los Angeles where her career continues today at Bonneville Radio Album Rocker KSWD 'The Sound'; she currently co-hosts morning drive on the west coast while simultaneously being heard here in Detroit on The D.

Dahmer was most recently at Townsquare Media Modern Rocker WGRD-FM 97.9 Grand Rapids.

RadioBusinessReport:

You may want to fasten your seatbelts for this one. On the surface, WHFB-FM in Benton Harbor MI is being sold for a relatively small amount of cash. But there is lot's more going on here. Just for starters, the station is considered to be part of a market in a different state. And there is a lot more money involved, a third party deal participant and an LMA that dates back to 1998.

Full story: More than meets the eye to Benton Harbor FM buy (Mon, 4/9)

Birach Broadcasting selling Washtenaw County AM

Birach Broadcasting is Spanish-formattted WSDS AM 1480 Salem Township (near Ypsilanti) for $1.45 million to Vazquez Broadcasting, pending FCC approval and closing. Birach acquired the station in 2005 for $1.5 million and changed the station's format from Classic Country to Spanish Pop 'La Explosiva' in June 2005.

WSDS' coverage area also includes much of western Wayne County.

AllAccess.com:

After just six months in the position (NET NEWS 10/4/11), TOWNSQUARE SVP/Sales MATT HANLON has abruptly resigned. HANLON joined TOWNSQUARE from CITADEL, where he last served as Pres./Midwest Region.

Full story: SVP/Sales Matt Hanlon Resigns From Townsquare Media (Tue, 4/10)

Fine Tuning

• Clear Channel/Grand Rapids Country WBCT-FM 93.7 has added Baltimore, MD based Michael J to evenings (7 p.m. - midnight) and shifted Bobby Bare to overnights (midnight - 5 a.m.).
  
  Michael J spent a number of years in Detroit (he was known then as Michael J Foxx) and was the last jock heard on what was WWWW-FM 106.7 when it changed format from Country to Rock in 1999. Michael J has been 'brought back' to Michigan on various other Country stations via voicetracking since moving to Baltimore.

 

• WBCK AM 930 Battle Creek has reportedly changed its format from Country to Sports. The station is currently owned by the Status Radio trust after being spun off by Cumulus as part of a 2007 transaction involving radio stations owned by Cumulus and Clear Channel in Battle Creek, Ann Arbor, and Canton, OH.

Owosso Argus-Press:

Birach Broadcasting this week finalized the sale of WOAP's 1080 AM radio license to Cano's Broadcasting, which owns one station and manages another in the Grand Rapids area.

Full story: WOAP radio station changing hands (Sat, 4/7)

WJBK-TV, MyFoxDetroit.com:

You know Charlie Langton from FOX 2 and from his new morning show on WXYT radio. Now the station is adding to the line up. A man who grew up listening to Detroit radio joins WXYT as its afternoon host. Doc Thompson's career has taken him to Cincinnati, West Virginia and now Michigan. (video)

Full story: Meet WXYT's Afternoon Drive Radio Host (Sat, 4/7)

AnnArbor.com:

Nik Thompson has been named the new permanent host of "Sunday Best," the popular traditional jazz program on WEMU (89.1-FM). Thompson has been serving as interim host of the show since longtime host Arwulf Arwulf stepped down in early February.

Full story: WEMU names new host for 'Sunday Best' (Fri, 4/6)

MLive.com:

The general manager of WWMT-News Channel 3 says the station's acquisition by Baltimore-based Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. will mean positive change.

Full story: New ownership for WWMT-Channel 3 means positive change, its local leader says (Wed, 4/4)

Fine Tuning

• Independent WADL-TV Ch. 38 Detroit has switched its 38.1 feed to 16:9 at 1080i, giving the station the ability to broadcast programming in high definition. It was noted this afternoon stretching 4:3 programming to fill a 16:9 screen. The station is also offering a non-stretched 4:3 480i feed of the station's main programming on a new subchannel, 38.4. WADL is owned by Adell broadcasting.

TVNewsCheck.com:

Sinclair Broadcast Group announced Monday that it has closed on its acquisition of the Freedom Communications broadcast assets for $385 million. The deal was announced last November. (In Michigan, Sinclair adds CBS affiliate WWMT-TV Ch.3 Grand Rapids and ABC affiliate WLAJ-TV Ch. 53 Lansing)

Full story: Sinclair closes Freedom stations purchase (Mon, 4/2)

Fine Tuning

• Radio-Canada has signed on French Language CBEF-FM 105.5 Windsor. The heavily directional station, which simulcasts CBEF AM 540, doesn't reach far into the Detroit area.

 

• Cumulus Country Thunder 94.5 (WTNR-FM) Grand Rapids adds CMT Radio Live with Cody Allen to evenings (7 p.m. - midnight); former evening host Chris Tyler shifts to afternoon drive (3 - 7 p.m.), replacing Shane Goad in that time slot. Goad, formerly the station's Program Director, has exited.

FOX Sports Detroit:

FOX Sports Detroit is thrilled to announce the addition of former Major League outfielder Craig Monroe as a studio analyst for the 2012 Tigers season.

Full story: Craig Monroe joins FSD as analyst (Wed, 3/28)

Bloomfield Hills WBFH sets annual 'Biffstock' fundraiser

The Bloomfield Hills School District's radio station WBFH FM 88.1, also known as The Biff, will begin broadcasting its 36th Annual Biffstock pledge drive at 8 a.m. Thursday, April 12, 2012 and will continue until 11 p.m. Friday, April 13.  WBFH students will be collecting money and pledges from listeners in the community to help underwrite radio station enhancement expenses.

"Our radio-a-thon is a fun event for the radio students and it gives listeners a chance to support community radio with their donations" said WBFH Biffstock Chair and Andover Senior Zac Barnett.   All 28 WBFH staff students from Andover and Lahser will be on the air for one-hour shifts for a total of 28 hours of live programming.  The shift schedule and other pledge drive information can be found on the station website:  www.wbfh.fm. Listeners can also follow the station on Twitter @TheBiff881.

There are four levels of support for those that want to be a fan of The Biff:  $25, $50, $100 and $250 or more.  Those who donate receive donor announcements aired on the station and listing on the station's website.  Listeners who would like to be an underwriter can do so by calling (248) 341-WBFH. They can also fax in pledges to (248) 341-5679 or e-mail pledges to TheBiff@Radio.fm.

Listeners are also encouraged to join The Biff Fan Group on Facebook.  Search "WBFH 88.1 FM, The Biff" and click "Like".

The station will be broadcasting live during the school day from Lahser High School Thursday, April 12 and from Andover High School Friday, April 13.

In connection with the pledge drive, a benefit rock concert is scheduled for May 18 in the Andover Theater at 7 p.m.  Details about the concert will be posted on the station website.  A $5 donation will be collected at the door.

WBFH is one of only ten high schools in the state with an FM radio station.  The station is supervised by the WBFH management team of Station Manager/Electronic Media Teacher Pete Bowers and Assistant Manager/Technical Director Randy Carr.

Saginaw News:

Delta College's radio station, WUCX Q90.1 was recently honored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, winning three awards during the organization's state meeting. The college won a merit award in the categories of Feature Use of Medium, Community Involvement and Membership Appeal.

Full story: Delta College's radio station wins three awards from Michigan Association of Broadcasters (Tue, 3/27)

TVNewsCheck:

This year, the E.W. Scripps Co. will morph from a newspaper company that owns television stations to a broadcast company that owns some newspapers. With this year's addition of the McGraw-Hill station group, which Scripps purchased for $212 million, annual broadcast revenue will jump 50% to roughly $450 million. Publishing, by contrast, will contribute a just $400 million.

Full story: Scripps Co.: Old media dog full of new tricks (Wed, 3/28)

Flint Journal:

Dawn Jones is headed home to TV after a stint at City Hall. Jones was a reporter and anchor at WJRT (Channel 12) but left in 2009, when Flint Mayor Dayne Walling appointed her communications director for City Hall. Now, she's headed back to the news desk at the end of May.

Full story: Flint City Hall spokeswoman Dawn Jones returning 'home' to WJRT TV news desk as anchor (Tue, 3/27)

Every year, men struggle with finding the money and method to pop the question of marriage to hopeful brides-to-be. But this spring, FOX66 will lay all the financial and mood-setting groundwork for an occasion that one woman will never forget.

Full story: American Idol and FOX66 to host Michigan marriage proposal (Tue, 3/27)

Toledo Blade:

The sale of a Toledo TV station that could result in as many as 63 layoffs was approved Monday by the Federal Communications Commission. WUPW-TV, Channel 36, has been purchased by American Spirit Media from LIN Media in a $22 million deal. Courtney Guertin, a spokesman for LIN Media, said in an e-mail Tuesday morning the sale has yet to close.

Full story: FCC approves Channel 36 sale; 63 layoffs loom (Tue, 3/27)

TVNewsCheck.com:

ATribune television stations in 16 markets across the country began informing DirecTV subscribers on Monday that they could lose the local news, traffic, weather, sports and entertainment programming provided by those stations at midnight, March 31, when Tribune's contract with DirecTV expires. Subscribers will also lose access to WGN America, Tribune's national cable network. Among the markets involved are New Orleans; Houston; Philadelphia; Chicago; San Diego; Hartford, Conn.; Indianapolis; Grand Rapids, Mich.; amd Harrisburg, Pa. (Tribune owns/operates FOX affiliate WXMI-TV Ch. 17 Grand Rapids)

Full story: Tribune threatens to pull plug on DirecTV (Mon, 3/26)

OneNewsNow.com:

Eighteen west Michigan radio listeners are headed to Guatemala this Thursday with WCSG and Orphan Outreach. It'll be a first-time mission trip for many of the team.

Full story: Radio listeners get out of the pew and head to Guatemala (Mon, 3/26)

Fox 2 Detroit:

Bill Gallagher, the professor of local journalism, went to work Friday for perhaps the 7,000th time. But the day was a special one. After more than 10,000 television news stories, today's would be his last. The day began much like the others -- with a false start.

Full story: TV Bill's Excellent Adventure (Fri, 3/23)

Flint Journal:

Michigan Public Radio will host a discussion on the state's emergency manager law at 6 p.m. Monday at Blackstone's Pub, 531 S. Saginaw St. in downtown Flint. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio's senior political analyst, is expected to lead the dialogue on the controversial measure. The event is part of Michigan Radio's Issues & Ale series.

Full story: Michigan Radio to host emergency manager discussion in downtown Flint (Thu, 3/22)

Fine Tuning

• Thursday's hours-long outage at Detroit's WMYD-TV Ch. 20 was apparently a power-related issue. The station was noted back on the air in the early hours of Friday.

 

• A couple of AM radio format changes that slipped by over the last several months: Ludington's WKLA AM 1450 has dropped News/Talk in favor of Oldies; Sault Ste Marie's WKNW AM 1400 also dropped News/Talk in favor of Sports.

Grand Rapids Press:

Michigan Radio at the University of Michigan raised $817,000 during its spring membership drive, some 6 percent beyond its goal. Named 2011 Station of the Year by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters for Public Radio Stations with budgets above $2 million, the Michigan Radio Network includes WUOM-FM (91.7) in Ann Arbor, WFUM-FM (91.1) in Flint and WVGR-FM (104.1) in Grand Rapids.

Full story: Michigan Radio raises more than $800,000 in spring membership drive, 6 percent above goal (Thu, 3/22)

Detroit News:

A Night of Giggles & Gloves II, a benefit for Mittens for Detroit, is 7-10 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Ballroom inside MGM Grand Detroit, 1777 Third St.

Full story: Radio host Coco to highlight Mittens for Detroit fundraiser (Fri, 3/23)

To further encourage viewers, a number of local PBS affiliates produced vignettes that run on air and online in conjunction with "Finding Your Roots." In turn, Detroit Public Television WTVS-TV (Channel 56) is spotlighting a few Metro Detroiters with compelling ancestral stories.

Full story: New PBS series traces noncelebrity lineages, too (Fri, 3/23)

Detroit Public Television, WTVS-TV (Channel 56) is launching "MiWeek," a new show that debuts at 7:30 tonight. The news and public affairs program is designed to meet the community's evolving need for a journalism-focused perspective on the top news stories and issues affecting Metro Detroit, the State of Michigan and the Great Lakes region.

Full story: Friday TV pick: 'MiWeek' (Fri, 3/23)

Detroit Free Press:

Some years it is a grind, Will Tieman admitted. Tieman, the Michigan State play-by-play radio broadcaster, reflected on the season before Thursday's 57-44 loss to Louisville.

Full story: Play-by-play man Will Tieman enjoys this Michigan State team (Fri, 3/23)

The State News:

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters recently named WKAR-TV the Public Television Station of the Year at the Broadcast Excellence Awards ceremony. The station had seven individual winning entries in the children's programming, community involvement and membership appeal categories among others.

Full story: WKAR named 'Public Television Station of the Year' (Fri, 3/23)

Tim Rainey new PD for Detroit's 98.7 AMP Radio

 CBS Radio/Detroit Contemporary Hits WDZH-FM 98.7 "AMP Radio" has hired Tim Rainey to serve as the station's new Program Director. Rainey was most recently director of programming/brand manager/afternoon personality at WNOU-FM (Radio One Inc) in Indianapolis, Indiana. He starts at AMP Radio tomorrow, March 14th.

"After six amazing years in Indianapolis I can't wait to join the AMP Radio team already in place and do some amazing, fun and exciting radio in the Motor City," said Rainey. "Oh, and you have a baseball team? Even better!"

Rainey, who goes by the nickname Rayne, started his career in radio before he could even drive, working as a board operator on Leeza Gibbons' Top 25 Countdown. In addition to his most recent position in Indiana, he has worked at stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Las Vegas, Nevada, Reno, Nevada, and Colby, Kansas. Rainey likes to interact with his listeners through Facebook and Twitter and says he loves to try new and different things, just as he knows his audience does.

"Tim is the perfect addition to 98.7 AMP Radio," said Michael Martin, Vice President of Top 40 Programming for CBS Radio. "His passion and creativity will help lead the team to new heights!"

Debbie Kenyon, Senior Vice-President and Market Manager of CBS Radio Detroit, said: "I am excited to bring a talent like Tim Rainey to Detroit. Tim is a talented, creative programmer, and I look forward to those attributes being used to continue the growth of WDZH."

Rainey succeeds Dom Theodore who exited CBS Radio recently to focus on radio ownership and consulting.

WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 Detroit wins Associated Press Awards

Detroit ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV Channel 7 won eight first place awards in the 2011 AP Broadcasters Association awards, more than any other station in the Detroit market. Included in the first place awards were the prestigious general excellence award and the highly coveted best newscast award.

"WXYZ is proud to receive these awards for journalistic excellence in news coverage," said WXYZ Vice-President and General Manager Ed Fernandez. "This is a great honor for all those who work hard every day to take action for our viewers. It's very rewarding to be recognized for these efforts."

The 7 Action News Investigators won in the categories of hard news, continuing coverage, news documentary, and enterprise/investigative reporting, for their on-going reporting of corruption and scandal in local government. Detroit 2020, WXYZ's decade-long, multi-platform, community outreach initiative was also a winner in the best feature story category, and reporter Bill Spencer took top honors in individual reporting.

WXYZ also earned two honorable mentions in the photojournalism and website categories.

Grand Rapids Press:

Mayor George Heartwell was an indirect influence on the spring Hat Trick Concert Series. His State of the City speech focused on the plight of underprivileged children in Grand Rapids, so organizers decided to donate the proceeds from the series to local youth-oriented charities.

Full story: WYCE's Hat Trick Concert Series focuses on raising money for Grand Rapids youth charities (Tue, 3/13)

Lansing State Journal:

Michael Patrick Shiels will be honored as the "Network Radio Personality of the Year" by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The Lansing-based talk radio host will receive the 2012 award Wednesday at the Lansing Center. He has won it four other times.

Full story: Shiels will receive broadcast honor (Tue, 3/13)

Fine Tuning

• Adell Broadcasting independent WADL-TV Ch. 38 Detroit has hired veteran Detroit TV reporter Joelle Lukasiewicz as the station's News Director where she will oversee the station's "News @ 9" broadcast. Lukasiewicz lengthy resume includes stints at the news operations of Detroit's WDIV Ch. 4, WXYZ Ch. 7, and WKBD Ch. 50.
  Lukasiewicz is wife of station owner Kevin Adell and has been hosting the station's Saturday's "Motor City Movie Night".

Central Michigan Life:

Central Michigan University's student-run radio station Modern Rock 91.5 WHMW-FM will rebrand itself, including a name change, in the fall 2012 semester. The station's new name, "Moore Rock Radio," has been approved for change on Oct. 1. The name was proposed by executive staff members to develop a new image and encompass a broader arrangement of music, and was announced at the Student Broadcast Executive Council's Feb. 23 meeting.

Full story: WMHW Modern Rock 91.5 to rebrand, change station name in fall (Sun, 3/11)

Detroit News:

He sounds the same, but doesn't look the same. That's what the loss of 40 pounds can do to anyone. Unfortunately, that's what a second bout with cancer can do as well. Tigers' longtime broadcaster Jim Price had his adrenal glands removed in a 41/2-hour procedure at Troy Beaumont Hospital in January.

Full story: Tigers broadcaster Jim Price bounces back after second bout with cancer (Sat, 3/10)

Kalamazoo Gazette:

WIDR Week will take on a more serious tone when the heart of the annual fundraising drive of the Western Michigan University student-run radio station kicks off on Sunday. WIDR General Manager Johanna Kelly said the station, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in September, needs to raise around $20,000 through its series of events and on-air funding campaign.

Full story: WIDR-FM's annual fundraiser WIDR Week to kick off this weekend, campaign key to independent station's future (Thu, 3/8)

WXMI Fox 17 Grand Rapids:

A handful of people held a protest in favor of radio-talk-show-host Rush Limbaugh early Saturday afternoon in downtown Grand Rapids.

Full story: Women, Girls Hold Protest For Rush (Sat, 3/10)

Grand Rapids Press:

When Rush Limbaugh called Sandra Fluke a "slut," he similarly attacked women like Auna Harris and Laura Woodbury, Calvin College students who believe contraception should be available under health plans. The pair were among a dozen protesters today who delivered letters to Clear Channel Communications' Grand Rapids offices.

Full story: Protesters try to run Rush Limbaugh off Grand Rapids airwaves for 'slut' comment (Wed, 3/7)

Fine Tuning

• Another Rush Limbaugh gaffe? Holly writer stung by radio host's 'authorette' taunt Detroit Free Press

 

• WXYZ-TV Wins Silver Telly Award MarketWatch.com

 

• Present, past get TV time Detroit News

 

• March can be maddening for television viewers Jackson Citizen Patriot

Eastern U.P. radio station returns to the air

Over the weekend, West Central Michigan Media Ministries returned WIHC FM 97.9 Newberry/Sault Ste Marie to the airwaves. The station now carries the organization's religious "Strong Tower Radio" format that first debuted in Northern Michigan on WGCP FM 91.9 Cadillac about two years ago.

WIHC was purchased by West Central in November 2011 for $150,000 - the station had been taken off the air by previous owner Northern Star Broadcasting at about the same time that company sold off it's Upper Peninsula radio stations (with the exception of WIHC) in 2010.

Prior to returning to the air as a Religious station WIHC has featured Easy Listening, Country, and Classic Rock formats since first signing on in the late 1980s.

Crain's Detroit Business:

Last week's retirement of sports anchor Don Shane is the latest in a series of departures of longtime on-air talent from ABC affiliate WXYZ-Channel 7 over the past 18 months, taking what industry insiders say is more than $1.3 million in salaries off the Southfield station's books.

Full story: Turnover of longtime talent a win-lose for local TV (Mon, 3/5)

Jackson Citizen Patriot:

Rush Limbaugh lost sponsors and created a national furor with recent comments, but reaction at the Jackson radio station that airs his show has been mixed.

Full story: Rush Limbaugh reaction mixed at Jackson's WKHM radio (Sat, 3/3)

Grand Rapids Press:

It's with mixed emotion that I admit how many times I've passed on stories about anniversaries, commemorations, reunions and families who can show up for a photograph that includes five generations.

Full story: Former TV weatherman Buck Matthews puts his storytelling talents to use for Marne church (Sat, 3/3)

TVSpy.com:

Hired as news director at WADL, Matt Stevens took extra precautions when meeting with station management on the day he was terminated because he feared he "might never be seen again."

Full story: Fired News Director Worried WADL Management Would Make Him 'Disappear' (Mon, 3/5)

Fine Tuning

• The simulcast of News/Talk WMKT AM 1270 Charlevoix on FM translator W221BQ 92.1 has ended. The translator is moving to the non-commercial portion of the dial as W219DR on 91.7 with reduced power.
• Two Lansing-area FM translators (W237BY 95.3 and W240CG 95.9) owned by Educational Media Foundation have switched back to rebroadcasting that organization's Contemporary Christian 'Air One' format. Earlier this year they were heard carrying Cornerstone University's WCSG-FM.

Eight WSDP-FM 88.1 Plymouth/Canton students receive awards from the MABF

Four sports broadcasters for the New 88.1 were among the state's best in the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation High School and College Broadcast Competition. They joined four other Plymouth-Canton students in receiving awards from the MAB.

Sophomores Joe Zylka (Plymouth High School) and Logan Lazorka (Salem) received first place in the Sports Play-by-Play Category. Sophomore Adam Duxter (Canton) and Junior Mason Mills (Salem) received honorable mention.

"We receive a lot of positive comments when Joe, Logan, Adam and Mason broadcast games," said Bill Keith, Station Manager, "They work hard to deliver their play-by-play with skill and style."

The MAB Foundation will present the High School and College Awards during the conference luncheon in Lansing on Wednesday March 14. Broadcasters from throughout the state will be in attendance.

"I see the great work our students do every day so I'm not surprised that they received this recognition," commented Keith.

Seniors Kyle Linford (Plymouth), Christina Edgerton (Canton), Bill Turnau (Salem), and Laura Terkelsen (Plymouth) were the other Plymouth-Canton district students receiving recognition.

AllAccess.com:

CBS RADIO Top 40/Mainstream WDZH (98.7 AMP)/DETROIT morning snack PUDDIN' helped make LEAP DAY, FEBRUARY 29th, a special day for a MOTOWN couple.

Full story: Love Is In The Air With Puddin At WDZH (Fri, 3/2)

Fine Tuning

• Kelly McMann has left her roles as Music Director and midday host for NextMedia's Pop WGER FM (Mix 106.3) Saginaw to become the afternoon host at Cleveland Pop station WQAL (Q104). McMann also spent some time behind the mic at WDVD FM 96.3 Detroit.

 

• Radio Ink has recognized Tim Roberts, Program Director for CBS Radio/Detroit's Country WYCD FM 99.5, as their top Country PD in the U.S.A.

 

• Calvary Radio Network WQKO-FM 91.9 Howe, IN has gone silent while the tower the station broadcasts from is reconstructed. Calvary hopes to resume operations of WQKO once it secures financing for replacement hardware and installation - a process that could take a minimum of several months. The silencing of WQKO also reportedly is affecting the organization's FM translator W274AQ 102.7 Battle Creek, which remains on the air but is now likely rebroadcasting WMJC FM 91.9 Richland.

Information added/updated periodically throughout the day. Refresh the page for the latest version.

WXYZ-TV Ch. 7 Detroit:

 After more than 38 years interviewing sports celebrities and covering every major sporting event from the Super Bowl to the NBA finals, 7 ACTION NEWS Sports Director Don Shane will retire from WXYZ in March. Before joining WXYZ-TV in 1989, Shane worked at WBZ-TV in Boston, WMAQ-TV in Chicago and WDIV-TV in Detroit. He has received numerous awards for his reporting including 23 Michigan Emmy Awards, a best sports anchor honor, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle Award, as well as awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press.

Full story: 7 Action News Sports Director Don Shane announces he will retire after 23 years at WXYZ (Wed, 2/29)

Shiels exits "Michigan's Morning Show"

Michael Patrick Shiels has exited "Michigan's Morning Show", heard from 5:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. on nine radio stations across the state. The program originated at Cumulus' WJIM AM 1240 Lansing and is produced and syndicated by the Cumulus-owned Michigan Talk Network. A series of guests will fill in temporarily while the search is on for a new permanent host.

Shiels leaves after hosting the program for the past seven years. "The fact of the matter is I decided to leave Cumulus Broadcasting. It was an amicable parting and I'm hoping I'll get the opportunity down the road to re-connect with my Michigan listeners," commented Shiels.

Detroit News:

Local PBS affiliate WTVS-TV (Channel 56) has a lot to be proud of as of late. The station's production of "Il Volo Takes Flight," which features the amazing trio of young Italian tenors, is going national. Detroit Public Television partnered with the Michigan Opera Theatre, using the Detroit Opera House and MOT's 49-member orchestra, for the October concert. It was broadcast locally in December and will air nationally beginning this weekend as a part of PBS' national fundraising drive.

Full story: WTVS-TV expands locally and takes flight nationally (Wed, 2/29)

Fine Tuning

• Today's Real Detroit Weekly celebrates its 'Best Of Detroit' issue. Best Media TV and radio winners include Huel Perkins, FOX 2 News, ClickOnDetroit.com, Jay Towers, Jay Hudson, Drew and Mike, Valenti and Foster, 89X, Glenda Lewis, and Dan Miller.

 

• Listeners of Cumulus' Contemporary Hits WIOG-FM Bay City/Saginaw helped raise $64,128 during last week's Radiothon for Flint's Hurley Medical Center.

Toledo Blade:

A Toledo television station has officially informed the state that it plans to lay off 63 employees this spring when the station is sold. The Blade reported in January that WUPW, Channel 36, was being sold to American Spirit Media. The layoffs are expected to take place between April 24 and May 8, according to a letter from LIN Media, which owns WUPW, to Ohio's Office of Workforce Development.

Full story: Toledo TV station WUPW plans to lay off 63 employees (Wed, 2/29)

TVSpy.com:

After his very public termination as a WADL consultant, Kevin O'Brien is firing back at the independent station and its owner Kevin Adell. Today an attorney representing O'Brien circulated a press release defending him against the "defamatory" press release WADL sent out last week announcing his dismissal.

Full story: Abruptly Fired by WADL, Kevin O'Brien Shares His Side of the Story (Tue, 2/28)

After firing consultant Kevin O'Brien last week, WADL issued a press release stating only that the former Meredith executive had violated "numerous corporate policies." Now a clearer picture of O'Brien's termination is starting to develop. NewsBlues recently obtained a copy of the letter WADL sent to O'Brien, outlining his dismissal.

Full story: Letter Reveals WADL Fired Temporary President for Trying to Land Another Job (Tue, 2/28)

Flint Journal:

The entire country could have known Cleodia Myles, but Flint got to keep him for itself. The local radio legend known for his all-night jazz shows at Flint radio stations died Feb. 21 at age 76. Family members and friends remember him as a hard-working guy with one of the most popular radio shows--and smoothest voices--around.

Full story: Flint radio legend Cleodia Myles remembered for deep voice, deeper commitment to Flint (Mon, 2/27)

Radiothon raises nearly $1.8M

A very successful Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club Radiothon wrapped up at Oakland Mall yesterday evening with a final tally of $1,733,977 in pledges, surpassing last year's mark of just over $1.5M.

The sixteen-hour event was broadcast live on News/Talk WJR AM 760 in Detroit and featured special guest Dick Purtan along with WJR personalities Paul W. Smith, Frank Beckmann, Mitch Albom, Warren Pierce, Steve Courtney, Ken Brown, and many others. Some of the former crew of Purtan's People also chipped in this year with Rebekah Rhodes and Big Al Muskavito offering up big contributions to the very worthy cause.

The Bed & Bread Program serves 5,000 meals to the hungry each day. That's nearly 1.7 million meals every year to men, women and children that would otherwise go without. In addition, The Bed & Bread Program provides nearly 500 homeless individuals shelter each night. That's nearly 167,000 nights of shelter annually.

This year's Radiothon was the 25th - and pushes the grand total over the years to nearly $27 million. The event will also cost Mr. Purtan his mustache, along with the $50,000 he personally donated.

Detroit News:

A contentious legal dispute over a multimillion-dollar trust left by WADL-TV owner Franklin Z. Adell has been settled quietly through mediation. Kevin Adell, son of the late Bloomfield Hills businessman, has been battling his two sisters since 2008 in Oakland County Probate Court over their father's estate, estimated at one point at $40 million, according to his attorney, Michael Alan Schwartz.

Full story: Dispute over WADL estate settled (Sat, 2/25)

We started the 25th annual Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club Radiothon on the right foot Friday at the Oakland Mall, joined by its founder, Dick Purtan, and WJR's Steve Courtney. Our special (6-11 a.m.) Paul W. Smith Show broadcast raised $500,000 (with 11 more hours to go.)

Full story: Detroiters pitch in for Salvation Army (Sat, 2/25)

Jackson Citizen-Patriot:

A "Saturday Night Live"-like variety show featuring local entertainers? "Buzz TV Jackson," which will be something in the way of that idea, is coming to the Lansing/Jackson ABC affiliate WLAJ on Friday nights beginning in early May.

Full story: 'Buzz TV Jackson,' a Jackson-based 'SNL'-like variety show, coming to WLAJ in May (Fri, 2/24)

TVSpy.com:

- Washington Post Co. Announces Revenue Decline (Fri, 2/24; Note: Washington Post Co. owns WDIV TV Ch. 4 Detroit)

- Scripps Reports 16% Decrease in Q4 Revenue, Looks to Future Following McGraw-Hill Acquisition (Fri, 2/24; Note: Scripps owns WXYX TV Ch. 7 Detroit)

- Gray Television Reports Revenue Drop in 'Off Year' (Fri, 2/24; Note: Gray Television owns WILX TV Ch. 10 Lansing)

Detroit Free Press:

Retired Detroit broadcasting great Dick Purtan will be back on the air for today's Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club Radiothon, but he thinks it might be the last time he's behind the mic ... Purtan is scheduled to be on the air with WJR-AM (760) hosts Paul W. Smith (7-9 a.m.), Frank Beckmann (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Mitch Albom (4-6 p.m.) before joining all of the show's on-air hosts from 8 to 10 p.m.

Full story: Names and Faces (Fri, 2/24)

Charlotte (NC) Observer:

Brenda Matthews, the new midday host on WKQC-FM ("K" 104.7), grew up in suburban Detroit in the Motown era, surrounded by great music coming from the radio. Once a week, she'd run down the street to a nearby record store to get the radio station hit lists when they came out. But it was still strange she chose a career in radio - she was shy as a kid.

Full story: Host on 'K' beat shyness for radio work (Fri, 2/24)

WNEM-TV Ch. 5 Bay City:

Old time radio lovers will be happy to hear about a big event going on in Lansing this weekend. On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Michigan Historical Museum welcomes all those interested in the Golden Age of radio, and particularly those who have an antique set on hand that needs a little TLC. The Michigan Antique Radio Club will be at the museum for "Radio Rescue" beginning at 1 p.m. Club members will be available to discuss the history of radio and its effect on Michigan. Visitors are invited to bring in their cherished, time-worn radios for personalized advice on repair and restoration.

Full story: Celebrate Golden Age of radio in Lansing Saturday (Fri, 2/24)

Grand Rapids Press:

Another Friday, another update on the Rock Paper Scissors challenge. It was a pretty slow week. I didn't get too many matches tossed my way. But it's a long, long road to 1,000 wins and I'm sure there will be busier weeks.

Full story: Gravy from 105.3 HOTFM the next challenger for the citywide Rock, Paper, Scissors challenge (Fri, 2/24)

Crain's Detroit Business:

Strategic Staffing Solutions CEO Cynthia Pasky has filed a defamation lawsuit against WJBK-TV2, reporter Charles LeDuff and others for a report that aired in early February. Also named in the suit are New World Communications of Detroit Inc. in Southfield and WJBK producer Douglas McKenzie.

Full story: Strategic Staffing's Cynthia Pasky sues WJBK, reporter LeDuff for defamation (Wed, 2/22)

 Retired radio broadcaster Dick Purtan will return to the airwaves for the Salvation Army of Metro Detroit's annual Bed and Bread Club Radiothon, an event he helped to found 25 years ago. The 16-hour event takes place Friday on NewsTalk 760 WJR Radio from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Purtan was instrumental in establishing the radiothon and hosting it under its orginal name, the Dick Purtan Radiothon, every year up until last year at WOMC FM 104.3.

Full story: Purtan returning to airwaves for 25th annual radiothon to benefit the Salvation Army (Tue, 2/21)

Dexter Patch:

 Michigan International Speedway and WTKA 1050-AM in Ann Arbor have teamed up again to focus on NASCAR with its weekly radio show, the "NASCAR Insider." The special broadcast of "NASCAR Insider" with hosts Jeff DeFran and Roger Curtis airs every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. on 1050 AM in Ann Arbor. Listeners outside the area can also catch the show on www.wtka.com and afterward on the station's Podcasts, which will be available on all the speedway's social channels.

Full story: MIS, WTKA Team for NASCAR Insider Radio Show (Tue, 2/21)

Fine Tuning

• Rob Otto signs as Sports Director for Birach Broadcasting's new Sports "ESPN 1090" WCAR Livonia/Detroit. Otto, a veteran of CBS Radio/Detroit's WXYT-FM and WWJ AM, and before that WDFN AM 1130 and WHMI-FM 93.5, will also be tasked with providing local on-air sports updates for WCAR and helping the station establish local programming and marketing. He'll also be moving his sports-related blog from MLive.com to ESPN 1090's web site at espn1090.com.

• CBS Radio has named Michael Martin as its new Vice President of CHR programming, replacing Dom Theodore who recently exited to focus on consulting and his family's radio business in Northern Michigan (currently WCDY-FM 107.9 Cadillac).

Information added/updated periodically throughout the day. Refresh the page for the latest version.

Detroit Free Press:

Detroit needs more Detroiters to volunteer -- and more suburbanites with ideas for improving Detroit. That's the premise of two public forums, both 5-8 p.m., that Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh plans to host this week -- Wednesday in Detroit, when Pugh hopes to recruit hundreds of volunteers; and Thursday in Birmingham, where he plans to ask, "What would it take for you to move to Detroit?"

Full story: City Council President Charles Pugh, radio show host to lead meetings on transforming Detroit (Sun, 2/19)

MLive.com:

Central Michigan University will honor broadcaster Dick Enberg, a 1957 alumnus and 1993 inductee into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame, at halftime of tonight's CMU-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi men's basketball game in McGuirk Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.

Full story: Dick Enberg to be honored at tonight's Central Michigan University basketball game (Sat, 2/18)

Fine Tuning

• Andy O'Riley, long time morning host for Clear Channel Rock WMRR-FM 101.7 Muskegon, has announced on his Facebook page that he'll be leaving the station for opportunities outside of radio.

Detroit's WOMC jumps back into Radiothons today

 CBS Radio/Detroit Classic Hits WOMC FM 104.3 is serving up a day-long Radiothon (6 a.m. - 8 p.m.) today; the station has partnered with Gleaner's Community Food Bank of Southeast Michigan and is encouraging listeners to become a Hunger Hero by donating at least $20 a month for 12 months to take advantage of special incentives.

Donating at the Hunger Hero level provides 720 meals to people in need through the year. All Hunger Heroes will receive a limited edition Made In Detroit t-shirt. Hunger Heroes who donate by phone at 1-866-GLEANER (453-2637) are entered for a chance to win valuable hourly incentives.

More info on the Radiothon is available at womc.com.

WOMC was the longtime home of the Salvation Army's Radiothon to benefit the Bread and Bread Club until the retirement of longtime morning host Dick Purtan. That Radiothon moved to News/Talk WJR AM 760 in 2011 where it will be heard again this year on Friday, February 24th with Purtan returning behind the mic after a one year hiatus.

Observer & Eccentric:

An old friend has a new look and, if you haven't yet noticed, it's time you did. WSDP 88.1, the student-run radio station that serves Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and the surrounding area, got a facelift as the new year dawned, and "The New 88.1," Plymouth and Canton's Hit Music was born.

Full story: 'New' station deserves a listen (Thu, 2/16)

Detroit News:

Here's how random this world can be. How arbitrary. How absurd: Jeff Zaslow almost didn't go to Pittsburgh. His three girls were his priority, and it looked like one of them was going to need a ride home from school. So instead of driving to hear Randy Pausch give his last lecture at Carnegie Mellon University, Zaslow figured he could just call.

Full story: Random, or a master plan (Thu, 2/16)

AllAccess.com:

CBS CORP. offered mixed results of its Q4 and full year 2011 numbers. While earnings rose 31% in Q4 and revenue rose to $370 million, full-year revenue fell 3%. Specific number crunching can be found here. CBS RADIO revenues increased slightly from the prior year, reflecting growth in domestic auto, financial services, and retail advertising, partially offset by lower political advertising sales. However, for the full year, Radio revenue decreased 5%, reflecting the decline in political spending, which was partially offset by growth in domestic auto and financial services advertising.

Full story: CBS Corp., Radio Produce Mixed Results In Q4, 2011 (Wed, 2/15)

Jackson Citizen-Patriot:

Michigan Radio has added a reporter to cover the south-central portion of the state. Steve Carmody, a Jackson resident, has been with Michigan Radio since 2005. However, late last year began making the transition to a beat reporter for Mid-Michigan.

Full story: Jackson resident Steve Carmody covering new mid-state beat for Michigan Radio (Wed, 2/15)

Fine Tuning

• Every game on the Detroit Tigers' much-anticipated 2012 regular-season schedule will be televised, including 157 originated by FOX Sports Detroit and five selected for the FOX Saturday Baseball Game of the Week. Most of the team's televised game will be on FOX Sports Detroit, with some on FOX Sports Detroit Plus due to conflicts with coverage of Detroit Red Wings hockey or Detroit Pistons Basketball. The schedule is also subject to change based on games that might be picked up for national broadcast on FOX or ESPN and for weather issues. Get more info from FSD here.

 

• Tony Clark has exited as General Manager of Oldies WOAP AM 1080 Owosso for opportunities outside of radio. Sue Collins is currently managing things at 'The Big 1080'.

ABC 57 South Bend, IN:

According to the Federal Communications Commission, The Benton Harbor community radio station license that was on eBay last week cannot be sold in that manner.

Full story: FCC: Benton Harbor owned radio station can't be sold on eBay (Wed, 2/15)

Jackson Citizen-Patriot:

With ingredients like bleu cheese, red wine and smoked sea salt, All-Pro Realty's winning chili recipe at last year's K105.3 FM Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Competition was anything but a tradition concoction.

Full story: Spice it up!: Annual K105.3 FM Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Competition is Sunday (Wed, 2/15)

Grand Rapids Press:

The first thing you'll notice when you meet the band The Crane Wives is their age. They are a young band. But don't let that dissuade you from thinking their music doesn't have depth.

Full story: The Crane Wives: Big winners at The WYCE 2012 Jammies (Wed, 2/15)

Michigan Radio:

A new talk radio show hits the airwaves tonight. It's called "Can U Relate?" and it's produced by and for Detroit Public School students. Ania McKoy is a junior at Detroit School of Arts, and is one of the handful of DPS students working on the new show. She says each episode of "Can U Relate?" will tackle a different topic - like teen pregnancy, bullying, homophobia.

Full story: Detroit students launch new talk radio show for teens (Wed, 2/15)

MLive.com:

The Detroit Tigers will have five games moved to FOX's "Saturday Baseball Game of the Week" regional broadcast as part of the network's regular-season coverage, FOX announced Wednesday.

Full story: FOX announces five Detroit Tigers games to be regionally televised, blackouts expected (Wed, 2/15)

Marketplace Morning Report to broadcast live from Michigan

Marketplace Morning Report, a nationally distributed business program from American Public Media, will broadcast live from Michigan Radio's (WUOM-FM 91.7 Ann Arbor / WVGR-FM 104.1 Grand Rapids / WFUM-FM 91.1 Flint) studios in Ann Arbor the week of Feb. 20. Throughout that week, the show will focus on the economy of Michigan and the Midwest, highlighting the bright spots, the struggles, and what's at stake in Michigan's upcoming presidential primary election. Michigan Radio reporters will also be contributing to this week of special coverage. The show can be heard that week on Michigan Radio at 5:50am, 6:50am and 7:50am.

Hosted by Jeremy Hobson, Marketplace Morning Report offers listeners a look at business and economic news from a global perspective, with a glance ahead to the news which will be making headlines throughout the day. In the time it takes listeners to drink their first cup of coffee, Marketplace Morning Report brings them the morning business news "for the rest of us." Marketplace programs are currently broadcast by more than 500 public radio stations nationwide across the United States and are heard by more than 9 million weekly listeners, the largest audience of any business or economics program on radio or television.

Fine Tuning:

• CBS Radio/Detroit WYCD-FM 99.5 has missed out on receiving CMA awards this year. The station had received nominations in January for Major Market Station of the Year and Major Market On-Air Personality Of The Year for the station's afternoon drivers, Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee.
• Tuesday night's Detroit Red Wings - Dallas Stars hockey game in which Detroit earned its NHL-record 21st consecutive home victory will be re-aired by FOX Sports Detroit on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7-9 p.m.
• Public Radio WDET-FM 101.9 Detroit host Craig Fahle and Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh will take part in a "listening session" with Oakland County residents on Thursday, February 23rd from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Community House in Birmingham. More details, including ticket information, here.
• Classical/Jazz WRCJ-FM 90.9 Detroit continues its series of live Detroit Symphony Orchestra broadcasts on Friday (Feb 17) at 10:30 a.m. Pianist Emanuel Ax joins Leonard Slatkin and the DSO to perform the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 22. The DSO will also play Mahler's Fifth Symphony. WRCJ's Dave Wagner and Chris Felcyn host.
• Josh Lewin, Former FOX Sports Detroit play-by-play voice for the Detroit Tigers, has been hired by WFAN AM New York where he'll join the broadcast team for the New York Mets.

Grand Rapids Press:

The website Mother Nature Network recently took it upon itself to rank "America's hottest weather forecasters" - and it resulted in WOOD-TV 8's Matt Kirkwood getting a little extra attention.

Full story: Website ranks WOOD-TV 8 meteorologist Matt Kirkwood among 'America's hottest forecasters' (Tue, 2/14)

Fine Tuning:

• Birach Broadcasting Oldies WOAP AM 1080 (The Big 1080) Owosso is now broadcasting in AM Stereo, becoming the first station in Michigan to add the feature in a number of years.

 

• Former WWTV-TV/WWUP-TV Ch. 9/10 Cadillac-Traverse City/Sault Ste Marie morning anchor and health reporter Robyn Haines has landed in Columbus, OH at WCMH where she's taken on reporter duties. Haines left TV 9 & 10 earlier this winter.

Benton Harbor LPFM station offered on eBay (update: auction removed)

It appears that City of Benton Harbor has decided to get out of the low-power FM business and is offering the equipment used for WBHC-LP up to the highest bidder on eBay.

The auction starting price was $5,000 and as of Saturday afternoon, there were 2 bids that pushed the price up to $5,100 - not including what's listed as a $1,000 shipping price. The auction is scheduled to close on February 16th at about 6:30 p.m. ET.

In addition to the station's license, the auction includes the antenna, a Crown Broadcast 250 Transmitter, 3 MCA SP1 Mics / with mounting desktop stands, a Mackie 1402 14-channel mixing console, 2 professional CD players, a PBX Port Hybrid, and an Air Tool 600 broadcast audio delay unit ... and patch cords too.

Check out the auction on eBay here

Update 10:55 p.m- the auction has been removed.

Kalamazoo Gazette:

The Glenn Beck Program can no longer be heard on Kalamazoo radio. On Monday, WKZO stopped broadcasting the show from the conservative radio host. Jay Morris, Program Director for the station, said the decision was based on the decline in the show's ratings.

Full story: Glenn Beck off the air at WKZO, replaced with local news hour (Fri, 2/10)

MLive.com:

Mark Renzenbrink has been a customer of Tuttle's Select Cigars almost since the tobacco retailer opened in 1994, as Grand Rapids first cigar smoking lounge.

Full story: Two years after losing job, longtime customer decides to buy one of his favorite stores (Sat, 2/11)

TVSpy.com:

SJL Broadcasting announced today that WTVG news director Brian Trauring has been tapped to oversee news operations for all of the company's stations. Trauring will continue serving as WTVG's news director as he takes on the additional title of executive news director for SJL Broadcasting.

Full story: WTVG News Director Tapped to Oversee SJL Broadcasting's News Operations (Fri, 2/10)

Bob Allison and "Ask Your Neighbor" celebrate 50 years on the air

A true radio gem is celebrating fifty years of broadcasting and Bob Allison's "Ask Your Neighbor" plans on celebrating in style this year with an upcoming documentary on Detroit's PBS TV station, WTVS-TV Ch. 56. The date and time of the TV special are expected to be announced later this year.

The radio show is currently heard weekdays from 9 - 11 a.m. on WNZK AM 690, the program's home since 1997; it's also streamed live via the show's web site at askyourneighbor.com for those outside of the Detroit area.

"Ask Your Neighbor" debuted on February 5th, 1962 on WWJ AM 950, taking the place of the NBC Radio soap opera "My True Story". After some initial controversy with listeners that were upset by the change, "Ask Your Neighbor" would wind up being the most popular radio show for a time in what was the country's fifth largest radio market. When WWJ changed its format to all-News in 1978, "Neighbor" bought airtime at a different station and began selling its own advertising. That concept has helped keep the program going strong at several different stations since the move off WWJ.

Visit 50 years of Bob Allison's "Ask Your Neighbor" a gold standard for Detroit radio for a more complete retrospective on Bob Allison and "Ask Your Neighbor".

TVSpy.com:

 Last week it was announced that Bob Simone was leaving his general manager post at Tucson's KMSB amid the aftermath of the station's shared services agreement with KOLD. Today it was announced that Simone has been named vice president and general manager of WLNS, Young Broadcasting's CBS-affiliate in Lansing, MI.

Full story: Days After Leaving KMSB, Bob Simone Named General Manager of WLNS (Mon, 2/6)

WXYZ-TV Detroit names Justin Verlander as its Newsmaker of the Year

  ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV has chosen Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander as the station's 2011 Newsmaker of the Year. Verlander will be featured on Channel 7's weekly public affairs/information program Spotlight on the News, hosted by WXYZ Editorial Director Chuck Stokes, Sunday, February 5 at 9:30 a.m. The program will feature an in-depth interview with Verlander who talks about his family, his role models, his game day superstitions and how his life has changed since his record-breaking season.

"In a year when political and economic stories were so critical in metro Detroit, focusing on a hero in the sporting world was a welcome change," said WXYZ Editorial Director Chuck Stokes. "Verlander captured our attention and really brought the region together like no one else did in 2011. Whenever Verlander pitched, people from all walks of life bought tickets and packed Comerica Park."

Spotlight on the News: Newsmaker of the Year recognizes individuals who have had significant impact on southeastern Michigan and the image of the region. Previous WXYZ newsmakers include Dennis Archer, Denise & Atanas Ilitch, Eleanor Josaitis, Peter Karmanos, Mitch Albom, Roger Penske, Max Fisher and Rick Snyder.

Verlander pitched his second no-hitter in the 2011 season. He was named the American League Cy Young Award winner by unanimous vote, and was voted the American League Most Valuable Player. It's a rare honor for a major league player to receive both awards in one season.

Houghton Daily Mining Gazette:

Well-known local radio voice and businessman Francis Samuel Locatelli has died. He was 96. Locatelli, who started WMPL radio in Hancock with two others, died Jan. 24 in New Port Richey, Fla., where he resided.

Full story: Copper Country radio pioneer dies (Tue, 1/31)

Central Michigan Life:

 Mike Sundt said he had no idea Central Michigan University had a public radio station when he moved to Mount Pleasant. "I could've just went and worked for a Big Boy, but I love the music," the Grand Rapids junior said. "Also, I acted a lot in plays in high school, so this gave me a chance to do the two things I'm best at -- talking and playing music." Sundt, a music education major, along with Matt Sumner, a Portland senior working toward a bachelor of science degree in music, can both be heard when tuning into WCMU Public Radio.

Full story: Student musicians work late nights, early mornings as jazz hosts on WCMU Public Radio (Tue, 1/31)

Detroit News:

Russ Gibb has always been good at discovering talent. After all, as the famed owner of the now defunct Grande Ballroom in Detroit, it was Gibb who gave the MC5, Ted Nugent and Iggy Pop their start. He was also responsible for bringing to Detroit rock giants like Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Cream and The Who.

Full story: Aging rock legend helps mother of four find her voice (Wed, 2/1)

News and notes from Metro Detroit

• Buzz Van Houten is the new GM for the new ESPN 1090 (WCAR AM). Van Houten is a market veteran; his lengthy resume contains three decades of work in the industry and includes stops at WJR AM 760, WRIF FM 101.1 and the former WLLZ FM 98.7.

"We're very excited about the opportunity to have a veteran like Buzz to run our operations at WCAR," said Sima Birach, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Birach Holding Corp. "We believe that he will bring the creative approach that our station needs and our listeners want."

"I am very excited about the opportunity to build this station with an open slate and to bring Detroit listeners something they have long been waiting for," commented Van Houten about his new gig.

• Clear Channel WNIC-FM 100.3 signs on with TMZ Radio for features; the station becomes TMZ Radio's 75th affiliate.

• Tanner Friedman Strategic Communications of Farmington Hills announced that the firm's Co-Founder, Matt Friedman, has been added to the Hall of Fame at legendary radio station WJPZ-FM on the campus of Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York.

Dave B. Goode exits WLDR Traverse City

RAMP this morning reports that man of many hats Dave B. Goode, whose roles included morning host, Program Director, and sales representative, has left Roy Henderson's country WLDR-FM 101.9 Traverse City to head for WBTU FM 93.3 Fort Wayne, IN. He'll co-host mornings and become that country station's promotions director.

A further update on WMTE AM Manistee

Although sister station WCUZ FM 100.1 appears to have returned to the air with a news-talk format, it seems that WMTE AM 1340 Manistee remains off the air for now despite positioners heard on WCUZ that mention the AM station.

FCC files show the station was granted Special Temporary Authority to return to the air on September 30th, 2011 - however that STA was canceled in early December due to concerns from the FCC over interference and the location of where the station's broadcasts were originating. WMTE was then granted Remain Silent Authority on December 30th that lasts through June 27, 2012. As of January 27th, no further filings had been made with FCC for WMTE.

Owner Roy Henderson reportedly is also carrying the news-talk format of WCUZ on an HD side channel of WLDR (HD-4). (update 1/31: WLDR HD-4 is NOT airing WCUZ/WMTE, but instead continues to broadcast sports from Fox Sports Network).

CBS Detroit:

With your help, WWJ Newsradio 950 has raised over $282,600 in our 9th annual Winter Survival Radiothon for THAW, The Heat and Warmth Fund. With utility partner matching funds, this will translate to more than $1.2 Million in heating assistance! We took your calls for 31 straight hours, broadcasting live from The Henry Ford in Dearborn, collecting donations to keep needy Michigan families in need warm this winter.

Full story: WWJ Newsradio 950 Winter Survival Radiothon A Success! (Sat, 1/28)

Lansing-area coverage for WCSG/Grand Rapids includes second translator

A second FM translator owned by Educational Media Foundation in Lansing (95.9 W240CG, licensed to Webberville) is also reportedly airing the mainstream contemporary Christian programming of Cornerstone College's WCSG-FM 91.3 Grand Rapids, joining W237BY 95.3 Mason. Both had been rebroadcasting EMF's "Air One" contemporary Christian. A third EMF translator in the area, 91.5 W218CJ Grand Ledge, continues to rebroadcast Air One.

AllAccess.com:

GREATER MEDIA Active Rock WRIF/DETROIT got a shout-out of sorts from DETROIT RED WINGS all-star goaltender JIMMY HOWARD at FRIDAY's Media Day at the NHL All-Star Game in OTTAWA, thanking "the local radio station in DETROIT" for helping get him elected to the squad.

Full story: NHL All-Star Thanks WRIF For Help Getting Him Chosen For Squad (Mon, 1/30)

KEN EVANS joins CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40 WSNX/GRAND RAPIDS as APD/morning maven under PD ERIC O'BRIEN. EVANS has been freelancing within the CLEAR CHANNEL/WEST MICHIGAN cluster for much of 2011, and has been sitting in on the "SNX Morning After" since BILLY MACC's departure to MIAMI on JANUARY 9th.

Full story: Ken Evans Joins WSNX As APD/Morning Host (Mon, 1/30)

Broadcasting & Cable:

Gannett Co. (owner of WZZM-TV Ch. 13 Grand Rapids among other stations across the country) reported fourth quarter broadcasting revenue of $199.8 million, down 14% from the same quarter a year ago. Excluding Gannett's Captivate elevator programming network, television revenue was $192.4 million, down 13% from the same quarter a year ago. Taking out the previous fourth quarter's political spending, TV revenue was up 11.3%, thanks in large part to a "significant" increase in automotive advertising, said Gannett.

Full story: Gannett TV Revenue Down 13% (Mon, 1/30)

WHNE-LD Flint, a digital low power TV station, recently started regular operations from a broadcast tower near Holly, providing over-the-air service to television viewers in northern Oakland County and in the Flint area.

The station is now on the air 24/7 on channel 26 with directional lobes toward Flint and the south and southeast toward the Metro Detroit area. WHNE-LD would likely have better coverage in metro Detroit if not for a low powered TV station that is currently operating on Channel 26 in Windsor, ON. The station has applied to move to Channel 20 and change its broadcast location to Oak Park - if approved and constructed, WHNE-LD would then enjoy greatly improved reception across much of the metro Detroit area for viewers with antennas.

WHNE-LD currently offers 4 digital subchannels, with plans for a 5th: Retro TV (RTV) on 26.1; Jewelry TV 26.2; America One TV 26.3; Tuff TV 26.4; with Classic TV planned for 26.5.

WJR and Salvation Army set February 24th as date for annual Radiothon

The 25th Annual Salvation Army Bed & Bread Club Radiothon will take place on Friday February 24th from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. from Oakland Mall in Troy. Newstalk WJR AM 760 will broadcast the event for the second year - and welcome back longtime host Dick Purtan who retired several months after the 2010 event.

Purtan is scheduled to join WJR hosts Paul W. Smith, Frank Beckmann, and Mitch Albom to help raise money in support of the Salvation Army's Bed and Bread program that serves nearly 5,000 meals to children, adults, and seniors and shelters 570 people every day and night of the year.

Last year's Radiothon tallied $1,546,584 in pledges.

MLive.com:

President Barack Obama says the recovery of Detroit automakers proves that America has the talent and wherewithal to remain an international leader in manufacturing. Obama, who is scheduled to speak later this morning at the University of Michigan, appeared as a guest this morning on WJR-AM 760, where he discussed rising college costs and the auto industry with host Paul W. Smith.

Full story: President Barack Obama talks auto recovery, tuition costs, UM-MSU rivalry on Detroit radio (Fri, 1/27)

Gov. Rick Snyder met with a crowd of Wayne State University students and faculty on Thursday during a taping of "Leaders on Leadership" at Detroit Public Television.

Full story: Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder quizzed by WSU students during show taping (Fri, 1/27)

Grand Rapids Press:

Doug Wentworth's smooth and reassuring voice heightened for a moment, saying, "It's a swisheroo for two by Barry Capel." That's all I needed to hear. Finally, the restlessness buzzing through my fevered 8-year-old body eased. I exhaled and sighed in relief.

Full story: Legendary football, basketball radio announcer Doug Wentworth hanging up mic after 50 years, maybe (Thu, 1/26)

Central Michigan Life:

After Michigan State University merged its public broadcasting services with the College of Communication Arts and Sciences last summer, some broadcasting professors have expressed concerns about competition in the mid-Michigan area. The merger, which happened last July, has given many competitive advantages to MSU, including the capability of paying their employees at broadcast stations WKAR-TV and Radio.

Some members of the CMU school of broadcast and cinematic arts believe they could be at a disadvantage from a recruiting standpoint, as more MSU students now have access to better facilities and opportunities.

Full story: Broadcasting department expresses concern after MSU merges broadcast, radio (Thu, 1/26)

Detroit News:

When J.J. Johnson and Lynne Woodison were let go from their morning show at WCSX (94.7-FM), one of their pet projects was abandoned.

Full story: Radio station revives Stone Soup charity effort (Thu, 1/26)

Broadcasting & Cable:

Eight Young Broadcasting stations have agreed to affiliate with ABC's Live Well Network, with the rollout starting Jan. 30. WKRN Nashville, WRIC Richmond, WTEN Albany, WATE Knoxville, WBAY Green Bay, KELO Sioux Falls, WLNS Lansing and KLFY Lafayette (La.) bring the Live Well Network's overall market clearance to more than 58% of U.S. television households.

Full story: Young Broadcasting Stations Look to Live Well (Tue, 1/24)

Grand Rapids' Christian WCSG-FM 91.3 gains Lansing-area coverage

Educational Media Foundation FM translator W237BY 95.3 Mason/Lansing is reported as having switched from rebroadcasting that company's "Air One" contemporary Christian format to a rebroadcast of Cornerstone University's mainstream Christian WCSG-FM 91.3.

Michigan broadcast student award winners announced

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) has revealed the names of its 2012 student broadcasting award winners. A complete list of the 2012 honorees can be found on the MAB web site.

Muskegon Chronicle:

WBLV-FM (90.3) radio host Foley Schuler will present a free, three-part lecture series, "Cities of the Imagination," on the last Tuesdays of January (the 31st), February (28th) and March (27th) at the Nuveen Community Center for the Arts, 8697 Ferry, Montague.

Full story: WBLV radio host Foley Schuler to speak on 'Cities of the Imagination' (Wed, 1/25)

WTVS Ch. 56 Detroit to re-air award-winning documentary

Detroit Public Television, WTVS-TV Ch. 56 Detroit, is scheduled to rebroadcast its documentary movie "Beyond the Light Switch" in two parts. The first half will air tonight at 10 p.m. with the second half scheduled for next Wednesday, February 1st, also at 10 p.m.

The program explores the controversy of the status of the current infrastructure used to create and distribute electricity across the United States. The film won the Alfred I. DuPont/Columbia University Award last year and has aired nationally on PBS affiliates.

Detroit News:

It seems to me like we've had a mild winter, but that's a relative term. It's not that balmy when your house doesn't have heat. That's where THAW comes in, where American Coney Island comes in, and where I show up, too, at 11 a.m. today. THAW, the Heat and Warmth Fund, helped keep the furnace burning for 12,000 Michigan households in 2010-11. CEO Susan Sherer expects that number to jump this year, even as temperatures do the same.

Full story: Buy a coney, help THAW (Tue, 1/24)

WDIV-TV Ch. 4 Detroit:

Radio station 94.7 will raise money for the Children's Miracle Network by bringing back the Stone Soup Project to Detroit. The project, named after the childhood fable which tells the story of a community coming together to each add something to a soup pot, relies on the efforts of local business and listeners to help rebuild a classic car from the ground up.

Full story: Detroit-area radio station 94.7 rebuilds classic car for charity (Mon, 1/23)

Green Bay Press-Gazette:

Jim Irwin, 77, who was the radio voice of the Green Bay Packers from 1969 to 1998, died Sunday. His wife Gloria picked up the phone, unprompted, and called the Green Bay Press-Gazette on Monday. "Green Bay was such an important part of our lives, I just kind of wanted to make it a more personal story for the readers," she said, her voice quivering. The last 24 hours left Gloria drained after watching Jim succumb to metastatic cancer in hospice.

Full story: Former Packers radio announcer Jim Irwin dies at 77 (Mon, 1/23)

AllAccess.com:

MACDONALD BROADCASTING Country WKCQ (98KCQ)/SAGINAW, MI weekend overnight personality MARTIN ANTHONY has resigned to pursue part-time opportunities closer to home (metro DETROIT) or full-time positions anywhere in MICHIGAN.

Full story: Martin Anthony Leaves WKCQ (Mon, 1/23)

TVNewsCheck:

Meredith Corp. (owner of CBS affiliate WNEM-TV Ch. 5 Bay City) today reported that fiscal 2012 second quarter Local Media Group operating profit was $27 million, compared to $39 million in the year-ago period. Total revenues were $84 million, compared to $97 million, a 13.5% drop.

Full story: Meredith local media revenue down 13.5% (Tue, 1/24)

Detroit News:

Don't be surprised if around 6 Monday night on WXYT 97.1, you hear a big, bellowing "Happy NEW YEAR!" A little late, sure. But it's never stopped him before. Bob Wojnowski, AKA Wojo, is set to return to Metro Detroit radio. The two-hour, drive-time show will be co-hosted by Jamie Samuelson.

Full story: He's back! Wojo returns to Detroit radio tonight (Mon, 1/23)

Saginaw News:

The phone rang, and after a slow, easy exchange of greetings, the very familiar voice on the other end of the line said, "This is Garrison Keillor." After more than three decades of "A Prairie Home Companion," minus a short intermission in the late 1980s when the folksy storyteller thought there were better things to pursue, the introduction was hardly necessary.

Full story: Garrison Keillor makes a welcome return (Mon, 1/23)

Midland's ESPN 100.9-FM adds Jared Sandler to team as PD, evening host

Sports WLUN-FM 100.9 Pinconning, ESPN 100.9-FM, has announced the addition of Jared Sandler to the Great Lakes Bay Region and ESPN team, where he will serve as the station's Program Director, effective at the beginning of March.

In addition to his responsibilities as PD, Sandler will be the primary host of ESPN 100.9-FM's SportsNight, which airs weeknights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. He will also join ESPN 100.9-FM's lead play-by-play broadcaster, Brad Golder, in the radio booth this summer to call Great Lakes Loons home games, as well as take on the play-by-play duties for the station's Saginaw Valley League football and basketball coverage.

"We are very excited to have Jared on board," ESPN 100.9-FM's General Manager Jerry O'Donnell said. "He brings solid knowledge and experience to our operation. His on-air presence and passion for sports will provide a great enhancement to the station and its properties."

Sandler, a Texas-native, most recently worked with the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League in 2011 as their Director of Media Relations, broadcasting all 76 games on 560 KMON AM in Great Falls, MT. In 2010, he called 70 games for the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers on 1340 KVBR AM in Brainerd, MN.

His prior experience also includes work in California, where he graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. At USC he served as an ESPN Radio 710 AM correspondent and a radio broadcaster for USC Trojans All-Access.

Lansing State Journal:

In one swoop Monday, WILX (Channel 10) will switch all of its weekday anchors. In recent years, the station has stuck with solo anchors -- David Andrews at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., Jason Colthorp at 11 p.m., Lauren Evans in the morning. Now, Evans moves to evening. She pairs with Colthorp at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Andrews does morning, which adds a half-hour. It will be 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m., plus cut-ins during "Today."

Full story: WILX anchors to switch up on Monday (Sun, 1/15)

Grand Rapids Press:

Jack Hoppus, a pioneer radio announcer for WLAV and WMAX during the 1960s and early 70s, took great pride in his Heritage Hill home.

Full story: Jack Hoppus, pioneering announcer for WLAV and WMAX in 1960s and 70s, has died from cancer (Wed, 1/11)

Former WWCK-FM 105.5 Flint jock offers retrospective on station

In the 1970s and 80s, WWCK-FM 105.5 Flint enjoyed a long successful run in the rock format. Former jock Jim Baade has created a 36-minute video that captures the voices, the feeling and history of the station during its era as "Flint's Best Rock" and "Rock of the Eighties".

Check out Flint's Best Rock on Vimeo

Baade's documentary takes the station from its birth in the rock format, through its days as one of the USA's leading AOR stations, and up to the day it dropped the format entirely in favor of Top 40 after being sold.

AllAccess.com:

COMPASS MEDIA NETWORKS' syndicated morning show, FREE BEER & HOT WINGS SHOW is off to a big start in 2012, with additional affiliates, a remote broadcast at THE SUPER BOWL and expanded broadcasts to include SATURDAY mornings.

Full story: Free Beer & Hot Wings Expands Show, Announces Super Bowl Broadcast (Wed, 1/11)

TVNewsCheck.com:

Dish Nation, the half-hour entertainment news program featuring drive-time personalities from across the nation (including Blaine & Allyson from Detroit's WDVD-FM 96.3) has been sold to the Fox Television Stations. Set for a September launch, Dish Nation has also been sold to Tribune, LIN, Local TV and Cox stations.

Full story: 'Dish Nation' cleared in 55% of the country (Mon, 1/9)

Grand Rapids Press:

WOOD-TV reporter Anne Schieber is leaving journalism to become a senior investigative analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

Full story: WOOD-TV reporter Anne Schieber leaving to join Mackinac Center for Public Policy (Tue, 1/10)

Radio-Info.com:

... In other news at the Clear Channel Philly cluster, on air veteran Bobby Holiday joins as morning man for the new "R&B Oldies" WDAS-AM, while creative mastermind Mark Fisher becomes the voice talent at the station. Holiday was last the PD of WDZZ Flint, Michigan, before exiting in April of 2010.

Full story: Clear Channel Urban/Philadelphia makes new hires for WUSL, WDAS-AM (Tue, 1/10)

The Oakland Press:

Get ready for a local newscast that combines hyper-local news stories with television's immediacy when WADL TV 38 and Journal Register newspapers partner to present the "News @ 9" weekdays beginning Monday, Jan. 16.

Full story: WADL and Journal Register newspapers partner to begin weekday newscast (Fri, 1/6)

Jamie Samuelsen exits WCSX, WXYT-FM next stop?

Inside Radio reports that Jamie Samuelsen has stepped down as sports director and morning show co-host at Greater Media classic rocker WCSX-FM 94.7 and is expected to be joining CBS Radio's sports WXYT-FM 97.1.

TVSpy.com:

WPBN-WTOM anchor Diana Fairbanks is joining Buffalo's WIVB-WNLO on January 16. Fairbanks, who tells TVSpy she is "excited about the opportunity," says she will anchor the 5:30 p.m. newscast on WIVB and the 10 p.m. newscast on WNLO on weekdays. Her last day at WPBN-WTOM, the NBC-affiliate in Traverse City, MI, is Friday.

Full story: Anchor Diana Fairbanks Joining WIVB In Buffalo (Thu, 1/5)

Grand Rapids Press:

Do you follow the syndicated (and very popular) "Free Beer and Hot Wings" show on WGRD-FM (97.9)? Or do you listen to the sports talk show giant in town, better known as "Huge" -- who can be heard across the state (including WBBL-FM 107.3) and found online through his Huge Blog on Mlive.com?

Full story: Radio wars? WGRD's Free Beer and Hot Wings take on WBBL's Huge (Thu, 1/5)

Flint Journal:

Former WJRT (Channel 12) news anchor Bill Harris will soon be back on the air permanently. And he can't wait. "I feel like a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve," Harris said. NBC25 (WEYI) today announced its acquisition of Harris, a 35-year news veteran and nine-time Emmy winner. "Channel 25 is offering me what I really love to do and that's anchoring and special project reporting," Harris said.

Full story: TV news anchor Bill Harris 'like a 5-year-old on Christmas Eve' over new gig at NBC25 (Thu, 1/5)

Crain's Detroit Business:

WADL-Channel 38 will debut "News @ 9," a new weekday 9 p.m. newscast, on Jan. 16. The 30-minute newscast is being produced with Journal Register Co., a company whose holdings include The Oakland Press, The Macomb Daily, the Daily Tribune of Royal Oak, the Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant and all the Heritage newspapers in Southeast Michigan. The newspapers will provide news reporting and streaming video.

Full story: WADL-Channel 38 to start 9 p.m. newscast (Thu, 1/5)

WEYI-TV/minbcnews.com:

NBC25 strengthens its news team and brings back a trusted news resource to viewers. Bill Harris, a 35-year news veteran and nine-time EMMY winner at the local ABC affiliate, will be the anchor of NBC25 News at 6 p.m. After parting ways with his previous station, he is very excited to be back as the face of Mid-Michigan news. He will be starting Jan. 30, 2012.

Full story: Bill Harris joins the NBC25 team (Thu, 1/5)

TVSpy.com:

Longtime WJRT anchor Bill Harris is joining crosstown rival WEYI. "Grab your remotes!" NBC-affiliate WEYI exclaimed, announcing the move. "The face of Mid-Michigan news hasn't changed, but the channel has." Harris spent over three decades anchoring the news for WJRT before being cut loose last spring. He returned to the station to do occasional special reports last year, but officially said goodbye in December.

Full story: Longtime WJRT Anchor Bill Harris Joins Rival WEYI (Wed, 1/4)