After forecasting the weather on 7 & 4 News for more than 13 years, 11 years as Chief Meteorologist, Greg MacMaster is stepping away from the studio cameras and preparing for a new path in politics. Greg announced he's leaving WPBN/WTOM Friday. Another announcement will be made Monday on his future plans as a candidate for the 105th State House seat. We wish him well on his future endeavors, and thank him for his many years as a co-worker and friend of the 7 & 4 News Team... 7 & 4 Chief Meteorologist Greg MacMaster Prepares For Next Chapter (Fri, 3/12)

ALL ACCESS hears that CBS RADIO News WWJ-A/DETROIT PD GEORGEANN HERBERT has resigned from the station to launch her own business involving music. HERBERT's resume includes stops as OM at CBS RADIO News WBBM-A and the old Talk WMAQ-A/CHICAGO and reporter/producer/ND positions at WCHV-A and WWWV/CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA; WFIR-A and WPVR/ROANOKE; WRVA-A/RICHMOND; and WTAR-A and WLTY/NORFOLK. HERBERT's resignation will be effective MARCH 31st... Georgeann Herbert To Exit WWJ-A/Detroit (Fri, 3/12)

The other shoe drops in the previously-announced move of EDUCATIONAL MEDIA FOUNDATION's FM translator K279AZ/COTTAGE GROVE, MN to downtown MINNEAPOLIS, with the filing of a contract to swap the facility to CLEAR CHANNEL's AMFM BROADCASTING LICENSES, LLC in exchange for programming rights to the HD-2 multicast channel of CC's Urban AC WMXD (MIX 92.3)/DETROIT... Swap Gives CC Twin Cities Translator (Fri, 3/12)

A documentary on the women of the Saginaw Valley and a theme penned by a Flint musician was recognized by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Delta College Public Broadcasting received 10 Broadcast Excellence Awards at the annual event held in Lansing on Wednesday, March 3. "We are emphasizing local productions that provide our listeners and viewers a window on our amazing community," said Barry Baker, general manager for Delta College Public Broadcasting. Both WDCQ-TV and Q-90.1 FM were the only television and radio stations in the Great Lakes Bay Region area to receive recognition. Delta competed against other public broadcasters in the Tri-Cities, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing and Kalamazoo... Delta's public broadcasting wins 10 awards for excellence (Thu, 3/11)

Today marks the end of an era for Ludington radio. Longtime WKLA morning show host George Wilson begins his retirement today, following a broadcasting career that started in 1959. Over the years, thousands of guests appeared on the George Wilson Show to promote community events and keep residents informed of what's happening in their town. One of George's regular guests was Ludington Mayor John Henderson who said, "He's been an icon in the Ludington and Mason County area for decades. I'm going to miss George and doing the Friday morning show together." Congressman Pete Hoekstra also spoke with George every Thursday morning for the past 18 years. Hoekstra said, "It's going to be a huge loss for the community. George has been a beacon of good news in the morning. It was always good to talk with George in the morning and I'm sure all of Mason County will feel a huge loss." Congressman Hoekstra said he has especially enjoyed the off-air friendship he has created with Big George... George Wilson's Final Show On WKLA Radio (Fri, 3/12)

New York Times:

You don't need pockets as deep as Comcast's to get into the TV business. Or even be a millionaire, apparently. A UHF station in western Michigan - WMKG-LP, Channel 38 - that airs a mix of live talk shows and outdoor sports programming, is "priced to sell" at $700,000, according to its listing on eBay. And the owner, Bud Kelley, says he'll go even lower. Mr. Kelley had originally listed the station - including property, license and equipment - on the online auction site for $1 million before dropping the price to $700,000, and said on Thursday that he'd be happy with a $500,000 cash sale. Most of the people who have inquired so far were "tire-kickers," he said, though serious offers have come his way. "It's a real station, not a toy," said Mr. Kelley, 67, who has run the 24-hour station since it went live in April 1990. "It's just retirement time for me." Among the thorns in his side: the weekly bingo show, which airs on Thursdays at 7 p.m., later than he wants to work... Small Michigan Television Station Is 'Priced to Sell' on eBay (Thu, 3/11)

• Best Media is selling FM translator W206BI 89.1 to Radio One for $120,000 pending FCC approval and closing. An application is on file withe FCC to move the translator to FM 99.9 and rebroadcast Radio One's WDMK-FM 105.9 - however, it's also possible further applications will be filed to change the originating station and/or location. Radio One owns WCHB AM 1200 and WHTD-FM 102.7 along with WDMK in Detroit. Although both WDMK and WHTD use digital FM IBOC, neither is currently utilizing an HD2 stream.

• WMUZ FM 103.5 Detroit has been granted special temporary authority to increase its digital IBOC power.

• The FCC approved the sale of 31 FM stations and translators from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, CA to Calvary Radio Network of Indiana. Included are W247AM 97.3 Kalamazoo and W274AQ 102.7 Battle Creek, both of which relay WQKO FM 91.9 Howe, IN- which is also part of the $1,000,000 transaction.

• WMSD FM 90.9 Rose City was granted a construction permit to increase effective radiated power from 5,000 to 15,000 watts and change from Class A to Class C3. The station's antenna height would remain the same; it would switch to a directional pattern should the construction permit be completed by its expiration date of March 10, 2013.

• FM translator W237CZ 95.3 Hudsonville was granted its license to cover for a power increase to 250 watts from 55 and to rebroadcast AM station WPRR AM 1680 Ada.

• FM translator W286AU 105.1 Allegan was granted an extension of its remain silent authority through September 7, 2010.

• No notable activity for March 10.

A number of milestones are occurring this year. Among them are Specs Howard celebrating 40 years of the famous broadcasting school, now with the emphasis on the media arts. Hot and heavy rumors have also been circulating of a possible WSHJ-FM reunion of alumni from the famous Southfield High School station at 88.3. Radio Reunion organizers are hoping that gathering can be slated for Friday night the 24th so WSHJ staffers coming in for the Radio Reunion can attend the both events. In a tight economy, it just makes sense to schedule such gatherings on the same weekend so attendees only have to make one trip instead of two.

Organizers are planning to honor at least 3 people at the Detroit Radio Reunion: Dick Purtan, Specs Howard, and Sonny Eliot. Purtan, for his 45 years of entertaining us at WKNR, WXYZ, CKLW, WCZY/WKQI and WOMC. Howard, for his 40 years of running the famed school that bears his name in Southfield. Finally, Sonny Eliot who (later this year) celebrates his 90th birthday still doing weather on WWJ, which also turns 90 years old in August as the first station on the air in the USA.

The last Detroit radio reunion was held in late September of 2005, and although it drew just over 300, a number of people missed it for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was Hurricane Rita headed for the Texas coast. This year we are hoping for good weather and a great chance for hundreds of radio folks to come together one last time for a "group hug." According to our records, since the last get-together we've lost over 22 more of our friends. So, we thought we'd better hurry.

The reunion committee includes; Mike Seltzer, Millie Coffey, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Terry Holmes, Dick Kernen, and Art Vuolo.

If you ever worked in any capacity at any station in southeastern Michigan or surrounding areas, please get in touch with Art Vuolo at artvuolo@aol.com so we can make sure that you're on the roster of those attending.

Since there is never enough time to visit at such affairs, an after-glow birthday party is also being planned by Art for the day after. So things should be hopping Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It will be a trifecta weekend for everyone! Please spread the word, via phone, e-mail, regular mail, Facebook, Twitter or smoke signals to anyone you feel should be at this event!

Keep watching DetroitRadioReunion.com for more information!

The Politics and Life talk Show, which began in 2008 on AM 1500 WLQV, has moved to FM on WGPR 107.5 where it is now heard Saturdays at Noon. Host and owner of the show Nina Calahan-James made her debut on WGPR along with political analyst/co-host Dalton Roberson Jr. on March 6th.

In 60 days, Calahan-James has expectations to increase the program to 2 hours from it's current 60 minutes. The program is a supported by volunteers and independently financed as a community out-reach on air production which was designed to enhance listeners knowledge of government, politics, and issues that impact daily living as well as motivating citizens to make better informed decisions. The talk show presents an innovative vibrant freshness of interviewing national and local political leaders.

Calahan-James has created three segments just for Detroit Public Schools students to participate in. A regular segment on the show, The Honor Student Showcase, will be hosted by Dexter Perry, Taylor Trammell, and Laniesha Evans, three seniors at Mumford High School along with Dustin Morris, a Journalism & Debate Club member from Cass Tech. The female students have been participating in the Detroit Free Press High School Journalism Program for two years. Trammell is the editor-in-chief and Evans is the managing editor of their high school paper, the Mumford Times. The Talk Show Honor Student Showcase program is open for two more teens to join the team.

On the new WGPR 107.5, the Politics & Life Talk show will create two new segments for the high school students. This first segment, the ABC's Accomplishments of Black Creativity will be hosted by Mumford senior Taylor Trammell. The second segment, 1000 DCD or 1000 Days to Change Detroit, will be co-hosted by high school senior student Dexter Perry, featuring Detroit City Council Members and Charter Commission members who will appear on the show. All students will present reports that are factual and informational as it relates to government, politics and the world in which they live. Students prepared for their radio debut by recording commercials which aired this week and recording segments at WGPR.

Reginald 'Reggie' Davis, a popular radio personality on Detroit's 102.7 WHTD-FM and now a Detroit Charter Commissioner, is currently negotiating with executive producer Calahan-James to join the talk show team and host a weekly segment related to the Detroit community life.

Check out previous versions of the program at http://www.PoliticsandLifeTalkShow.com.

Low power AM station on the air in Hamtramck

A new Part 15, low power, non-commercial AM radio station is broadcasting on 1610 from Hamtramck. Known as 'The Station', the stated mission "is to play, promote, and export Michigan music to the people of Earth."

Outside of the limited over-the-air listening range, tune in via the The Station's web site: station.hamtramckstar.com.

Detroit Free Press:

Fifty years ago Friday -- it was a wintry day in Detroit, with temperatures in the 20s -- fans for the first time heard Ernie Harwell describe Tigers baseball in his soft Southern drawl. At 1:25 p.m. on March 12, 1960, if you tuned to WWJ-AM (950) or WKMH-AM (1310), you would have caught the opening game of the Grapefruit League season from Lakeland, Fla. In the broadcast booth at Henley Field that day were Harwell, partner George Kell and engineer Howard Stitzel... Ernie's first call with Tigers hits 50 (Thu, 3/11)

New to the lineup at classic hits WFGR FM 98.7 Grand Rapids is Craig Russell who signs on for afternoons.

Grand Rapids Press:

Just six weeks after suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle crash while en route to a B-93 charity event, radio personality Dave Conrad was back on the air at WBCT-FM (93.7). That 2006 turnaround was a surprisingly quick recovery for the now 51-year-old Spring Lake resident, who suffered six broken ribs, a punctured lung and a shattered ankle joint when the driver of the motorcycle he was riding with missed a red light on 28th Street. Conrad was sitting in the cycle's sidecar to help deliver a check to the radio station's Roofsit for Kids event when it collided with an SUV, sending him 10 feet in the air. Unbeknownst to many in B-93's "Listener Family" and the station, health complications from that crash continue to haunt Conrad... B-93 radio personality Dave Conrad highlights need for kidney donation, Saint Mary's Heath Care's adult-match kidney transplant program (Thu, 3/11)

Recently, progressive-talk WDTW (AM 1310) added The Joey Reynolds overnight show 1 am-6 am. WDTW-AM (once the mighty WKNR Keener 13 in the 1960's) is one of a number of AM signals in Detroit (Dearborn technically) which is unknown to most local radio listeners. Joey was one of only a few programs that actually got this 5,000 watt station noticed. Sadly that is now coming to an end.

The radio station where Joey's program originates, WOR-AM (710) in New York City has decided that the bottom line is far more important than the all-night audience who listened in droves to the last overnight radio show that was actually entertaining! They will pull the plug on Joey's show on April 2nd. He did it for just over 14 years. Reynolds, often referred to as a "radio rebel" had 38 jobs prior to joining New York's oldest station, which has been doing talk for 88 years. He is considered to be the father of "shock radio" years before Howard Stern was ever heard from. His style today, however, is 180 degrees from those days. He also did the first simulcast on both radio and TV at KOA-AM (850) in Denver and KOA-TV Channel 4. It was innovative and wildly entertaining. He broke the first hit by the Four Seasons "Sherry" in 1962 while working in Hartford, CT. His opening theme song was a custom creation by Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons as a token of appreciation.

So, now after nearly a decade and a half, WOR has decided to push fun radio out the door in exchange of George Noory's AM Coast-to-Coast. Interestingly George is a Detroiter, who has spent much of his career in St. Louis. Noory's show centers heavily on the paranormal and extraterrestrial topics. It is also carried on over 500 stations across the country. It was on in New York, opposite Joey's show, on WJR's sister station WABC-AM (770). Joey did very well. It was a national show that was VERY entertaining and very New York. The studio was often jammed with people even at 2 or 3 in the morning!

When WABC had a new overnight show called "The Red-Eye Radio Show" hosted by former KABC Los Angeles morning host Doug McIntyre, it pushed AM Coast-to-Coast off the powerful Citadel talker. That move sent shock-waves throughout the NYC radio community. Most figured it would only be a matter of time (and of course money) before Noory's show would resurface on another station. Sadly for fans of "fun radio" it was at the expense of losing Joey Reynolds. It's easier and cheaper for stations to plug in a syndicated national show than to do a live and local program. So, once again, the listeners are the losers. Radio keeps drinking the Kool-Aid and wonders why it has a stomach ache.

There should be enough room on the radio dial to do the big nationwide broadcasts AND a local show which, although Joey is nationally syndicated as well, was heavy on New York based stars and entertainment. The theatre-community, in particular, will be upset by this action, since Reynolds featured Broadway cast members, singers, musicians, comics and a plethora of big stars on his show every night. Rarely (if ever) were politics discussed and he very rarely used the phones. His was similar to TV legendary Ed Sullivan Show of the 1950's & 60's.

If you spin the AM dial overnight you will hear George Noory, who is a nice man and has a big audience, on literally dozens of stations, but now we won't hear one of the most creative and innovative broadcasters to ever grace the airwaves with the absence of Joey Reynolds. My personal hope is that some savvy radio company picks him up before he even hits the ground, but for now, the last FUN show on radio will broadcast for the final time on Friday April 2nd....and that's no post April Fool's Day joke. Good luck Joey...radio needs you.

Reach Art Vuolo at artvuolo@aol.com or visit his web site at vuolovideo.com

• The FCC has approved Synergy Medias acquisition of FM translator W254BL 98.7 Manistee from Horizon Christian Fellowship for $3,200 plus the forgiveness of unpaid tower rent. The application states the translator, which is currently silent, would rebroadcast Synergy's WMLQ FM 97.7 Manistee.

• Also approved by the FCC was the transaction between Heartland Communications, the company that owns WIKB-FM/AM 99.1/1230 Iron River, and NorthStar Properties, LLC worth $700,000 that involved a partial sale and also involved a number of stations in northern Wisconsin.

• No notable activity for March 8.

Detroit Public Television mined little-known family foundations as part of its strategy to close out its recent $22 million capital campaign. "In addition to the larger foundations, we had to go to the indigenous population of family foundations, largely unknown," said WTVS-Channel 56 board Chairman Richard Rassel, who is director of global client relations at Detroit-based law firm Butzel Long P.C. Clover Technology L.L.C. founder George Riley, whose family foundation committed $5 million to Channel 56 and sold it its new, production-ready headquarters in Wixom, "is typical of that family foundation donor base that we all need to look at more closely as we go forward in these challenging times," Rassel said... Detroit Public Television tapped all sources for capital campaign (Tue, 3/9)

Detroit Free Press:

Oscar night was a big deal for ABC, whose telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards drew some encouraging numbers. The biggest night in movies, hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, drew 41.3 million total viewers to the Alphabet Network on Sunday. It was the largest audience since 2005, the year Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" was the big winner, according to the Nielsen folks. Locally, WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) also had its biggest Oscar numbers in five years. About 927,000 metro Detroit viewers tuned in to watch Kathryn Bigelow become the first woman to win the best director prize... Oscars draw big ratings (Tue, 3/9)

Toledo radio watchers wait for changes to AM 1560, FM 100.9

In a story that's been excruciatingly slow to finalize, there have been some recent developments in a station swap between religious broadcaster CSN and Cumulus Media. Moving from Cumulus to CSN is AM daytimer WTOD 1560, which will replace CSN's FM translator that was heard on FM 100.7. That translator is now off the air, but is expected back on the air soon at FM 100.9. There's no certainty among radio watchers in Toledo as to what Cumulus will be airing on the translator ... speculation is either it will become part of 'The Ticket' (FM 106.5 / AM 1470) or rebroadcast 106.5's HD2 'The Zone' alternative rock format.

88.1 WBFH's Randy Carr recognized

The Board of Education of the Bloomfield Hills School District presented Randy Carr with the Support Staff Recognition Award at their regular meeting March 4 at the Gary M. Doyle Center in Bloomfield Hills. Carr is the Assistant Station Manager and Technical Director of the school district radio station WBFH 88.1 FM, also known as The Biff.

Candidates for this award must be nominated by at least two individuals, citing the exceptional personal qualities and work characteristics that make the person an outstanding employee who has made positive contributions to the District.

Carr has been the Assistant Station Manager at WBFH for 10 years. Before that, he worked in commercial radio for 30 years as an air personality and broadcast engineer at the following stations: WYCD, WKQI, WCZY, WAAM, WTKA, WCAR, WCXI and WVMO.

Carr supervises the station from 1-9 p.m. each school day. During that time, he assists the radio students as they perform on the air during their shows. He assists students when recording productions which air on the station. As Technical Director, he makes sure the hardware and software are working properly.

As a member of the WBFH management team with Station Manager Pete Bowers and Program Director/Remote Supervisor Ron Wittebols, Carr has helped make The Biff a well respected program in the state and the nation. WBFH was recently named the Michigan Association of Broadcasters 2010 High School Station of the Year, the sixth time in eight years receiving that honor. WBFH also has been named the Best High School Station in a national competition three times in the last four years.

Are format changes on the radar in the South Bend / Benton Harbor area with rumors that Premiere Radio Networks' programs from names like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck might be moving from their area AM homes to an FM rocker which would then flip to talk?

Talk about these rumors by visiting the Michiguide.net Discussion Group forums.

Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Hot AC WIMI FM 99.7 Ironwood has "moved to a broader Adult Contemporary format positioned as 'The Best Variety; following its sale to J&J Broadcasting" and rehired Uncle Al Rice for afternoons. J&J recently closed on its purchase of WIMI and sister station WJMS AM 590 from Baracuda Broadcasting.

• Michael Gottlieb, National Director of Sales and Marketing, Don-Lors Electronics, Livonia, Michigan

Michael Gottlieb grew up in Plymouth, MI where he graduated from Plymouth Canton High School. After attending Central Michigan University he went to work for E.F. Hutton as a Stockbroker and remained in investment business for over 15 years seeing several corporate mergers and acquisitions. He was promoted to several levels from Branch Manager to Vice President during that time before making the move to Don-Lors Electronics who specializes in all facets of commercial and residential satellite TV and communication, home and commercial theatre and A/V and Digital signage and advertising. As the National Director of Sales and Marketing, Michael is responsible for offices in 14 major markets throughout the country.

In 2008 Michael, and his company, teamed with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) to bring the most comprehensive DTV transition plan in the country. Through his dedication to the cause and the people of Michigan, Michael and Don-Lors Electronics opened their facilities and dedicated their staff to the first-ever Live DTV Helpline, assisting Michigan citizens with every facet of the digital television transition.

"Michael Gottlieb was a key player in the massive success of the 2009 transition to digital television," said Karole White, MAB President and CEO. "Michael offered his company's assistance and resources to bring the people of Michigan the first live-operator DTV call center in the nation."

• Will Tieman, President of TBC Sports/ Spartan Sports Network, Holt, Michigan

Will Tieman is in his 4th decade of broadcasting college football and basketball games. Within the state of Michigan he is most recognized as the voice for Coach Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartan basketball team. In addition to his broadcast work with MSU, Tieman has served as the voice of Miami University, the Big Ten Basketball Game of the Week and was lead announcer for Coach Eddie Robinson's Grambling State University Tigers national radio network.

His national network football bowl assignments have included The Citrus Bowl, The Motor City Bowl (now Little Caesars Pizza Bowl), the International Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game. He has anchored various television assignments and for 15 seasons in the month of May, Tieman provided national radio coverage from The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During the course of a year over 250 radio stations around the nation air broadcasts he anchors.

For the past two years, Tieman and his crew received the Michigan Association of Broadcaster's "Best Network Play-By-Play" Award. Tieman is currently the President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.

"Will Tieman has been an extremely active and supportive associate member of the MAB," said White. "Mr. Tieman has provided countless opportunities for the MAB to build key external relationships and has given back to the broadcasting community by sharing his depth of knowledge on sports broadcasting with new and experienced broadcasters alike, by serving as a speaker and panelist at MAB events and as a guest columnist for the MAB newsletter."

The Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award winners are:

• Radio Winner: Ed Trombley, Field Engineer/RF Expert, Munn-Reese, Inc., Coldwater, Michigan

Ed Trombley is the Field Engineer and RF Expert Extraordinaire at Munn-Reese, Inc. He began his broadcasting career as a student at Lake Superior State College in the Electronic Engineering Technology program. Upon graduating, Ed worked as a contract engineer for several years at numerous stations across Lower Michigan. In 1984 Ed took on the position of Chief Engineer and Technical Director of Telecommunications at WSAE/KTGG at Spring Arbor College. After a decade of service at Spring Arbor College, Ed made to the move to Munn-Reese, Inc. in Coldwater, MI to work as a field engineer conquering the most complex of radio engineering issues. Since his move to Munn-Reese, Ed has become quite the engineering celebrity throughout the state known for his problem solving and uncanny way of communicating with the finickiest of machinery.

In addition to his professional work, Ed is known for his garage full of old broadcast parts and equipment supplying the local theatre with period props not to mention the numerous engineers who have been helped in a pinch because of his garage full of goodies. Ed is married to his lovely wife Mary and the couple has four children.

• Television Winner: John Grover, Chief Engineer, WADL-TV, Mount Clemens/Detroit, Michigan

John Grover is the Chief Engineer for Adell Broadcasting Corporation's WADL-TV. He has over 46 years of experience in broadcast engineering, 33 of which has been as a television station chief engineer. John began his broadcasting career in 1963 at WJIM as a staff engineer before a brief two-year stint as an engineer for World Wide Sports in Williamston, MI. He then became the Chief Engineer for WGPR, a radio and television licensee, in 1977 where he assemble a U-Matic auto logging sequencer for interstitial and program playback.

In 1988, John joined the Sinclair Broadcast Group in Flint as Chief Engineer at WSMH starting a local news operation. In addition, in 1992 John took on the extra duties of Chief Engineer at WADL-TV where he managed the operations and staffing of Master Control. In 2006, John opted to lighten his heavy work load retiring from WSMH-TV. John is still Chief Engineer at WADL-TV and is known for his positive, can-do sprit and outstanding work ethic.