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January 28, 2012

Greetings:

Congratulations are in order for THREE new news directors named this week. Two of them are veteran NDs, while one is a first-time ND. And there is ONE new opening.

Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 25.

We have paid ads for TWO of those ND openings, as well as a new ad for an EP opening at a powerhouse Indianapolis TV station. And we’re repeating last week’s ad for an Assistant ND at a strong Tennessee station.

There are some updates to our list of Other News Management Openings, and three items in Names in the News.

We also have obituaries for a former Honolulu ND and the father of a longtime broadcast educator.

And…I’ve been eating Crowe all week after botching what I thought was a clever line in last week’s newsletter. In reporting BILL CUMMINGS move to Yuma, I stole Bill’s line that he was taking the ‘3:10 to Yuma’ and called that film a bad Kevin Costner movie. Thanks to those of you who pointed out that it was a Russell Crowe film. (I was thinking of 3,000 Miles to Graceland…which really is bad!)

New News Director Opening:

Kravarik

KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS…JASON KRAVARIK is leaving one New Vision TV station for another. He’s been named Assistant ND for the company’s station in Portland, OR, KOIN-TV. Jason has worked at KSNW for ten years and was promoted to News Director three years ago. He began there as a reporter. Jason’s also worked in Amarillo, TX, and as an associate producer in Chicago.

Newly Named News Directors:

LaPorte

WITI-TV, Milwaukee, WI…JOHN LaPORTE takes over his second Milwaukee newsroom as he’s been promoted here. John’s been the News Content Manager for this LocalTV owned FOX affiliate since September, 2010. From November 2003-January 2005 he was ND at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee. John’s also been an ND in Palm Springs, CA and Eau Claire, WI, and has worked in Houston, Albany, NY, Green Bay, Hartford, and Omaha. He replaces JIM LEMON who resigned in December to avoid another Wisconsin winter.

Hardy

KOLO-TV, Reno, NV…congratulations to JENNIFER HARDY returns to Reno for her first ND job at this ABC affiliate. Jennifer also stays within Nevada: she’s been the Assistant ND for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas since 2009, and worked there since 2006. Jennifer’s also worked in Spokane, Memphis, Tulsa, Tucson, and an earlier job in Las Vegas. She began her career at KRNV-TV in Reno. At KOLO, she replaces DAVE BEECH who left late last year after three years as ND. Jennifer becomes the seventh ND in ten years for the Gray TV owned station.

Shelby

KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO…veteran news director JOHN SHELBY will be the next ND for this Barrington Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. John’s been an ND in Buffalo, New York; Green Bay, Wisconsin; Cedar Rapids, Sioux Falls, Lansing, and Pasco, WA. He’s also worked in Chicago, St. Louis, and Columbus, OH. At KRCG, he replaces LADD EGAN who left in November to return to his native Utah and a job at KUTV. John is the fourth ND in five years here.

Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN:

The top-rated NBC affiliate in Indianapolis is searching for a Dayside Executive Producer.  WTHR won the 2011 Murrow Award for Overall Excellence. This is your chance to join one of the best newsrooms in the country and work for a private company that values journalism and journalists.

This EP is responsible for overseeing our noon, 5, 530 and 6pm newscasts. We’re looking for an experienced “show doctor” who can teach and preach excellent writing and outstanding production values. This requires senior news management experience and abilities. A minimum of six years experience in local television news as a producer in larger markets and/or as an EP in news departments with a strong news image is required.  College degree highly preferred.

Qualified applicants may apply online www.dispatchbroadcast.com.  All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.  WTHR/WALV are equal opportunity employers.

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

News Director, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA:

The Charlottesville Newsplex (home of CBS19, ABC16, WAHU FOX27, and newsplex.com) in award-winning Charlottesville, VA is looking for the leader who can take our news team and content to the next level. The successful candidate will have working knowledge of every facet of newsroom operations; must be able to recruit, train, motivate, and teach by example; and will benefit from the momentum of our ongoing ratings growth across the board.

Our news team is talented, eager, and on the rise, having won the 2011 VAB award for Most Outstanding Newscast in Virginia (all market sizes). Candidates who wish to continue anchoring are encouraged to apply, but anchoring is not a requirement; previous management experience is preferred, but also not required.

Gray Television is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. Excellent driving record is a MUST. If you think you have what it takes, rush your cover letter and resume to General Manager Brad Ramsey via email: brad.ramsey@newsplex.com  or mail it to:

Brad Ramsey
General Manager
Charlottesville Newsplex
999 2nd Street SE
Charlottesville, VA 22902

No phone calls please.

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

Assistant News Director, WMC-TV, Memphis, TN:

Rare opportunity at NBC powerhouse: WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee seeks dynamic journalist to lead team as Assistant News Director.

Work with competitive professionals to refine stories, showcase newscasts and oversee the best breaking news team in the Mid-South.

Be ready to run, not walk, to the desk when the big story breaks.

The successful candidate will function as chief deputy to the News Director with supervisory responsibility for all news broadcasts. The Assistant News Director will work closely with fellow managers and producers to implement the Action News 5 focus and philosophy. This person will assist with employee schedules, oversee budgetary aspects of operation, on-going evaluation of personnel and broadcast standards. Ability to function under deadline pressure is a must. Ability to nurture the creativity of the team and the capacity to offer constructive criticism will win us over.

Email resume to: tphillips@wmctv.com or mail to:

Tammy Phillips
News Director
WMC-TV
1960 Union Ave.
Memphis TN 38104


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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KDAF-TV, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, (listed 12/9/11)
WTSP-TV, Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/6/12)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted 1/20/12)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 1/13/12) See ad above!
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/25/11)
WTEN-TV, Albany, NY (listed 11/25/11)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (new listing this week)
WRDW-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 11/25/11)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 12/9/11)
KTVM-TV, Bozeman, MT (listed 12/16/11)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 1/20/12)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, listed 1/20/12)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing revised 1/20/12)
KUNS-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/25/11) **
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
KPTV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 12/16/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/11/11)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Dayside EP, new listing this week) See ad above!
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listed 10/28/11)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, listing revised 10/14/11)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (AM EP, listed 1/13/12)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 12/9/11)
WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (new listing this week)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 12/9/11)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 12/9/11)

MANAGING EDITOR:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (ME of Video, listed 12/23/11)
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Obituaries:

Kellner

One time Honolulu News Director JACK KELLNER died in Sonoma, CA, earlier this week at the age of 75. He suffered from lung cancer. Jack had a wide and varied career in Honolulu, including working as a popular DJ who helped introduce a generation of teenagers to rock and roll. He later worked for KHON-TV, first on the assignment desk and later as news director. Jack is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.

DEANE UTSLER, father of longtime broadcast educator MAX UTSLER, died January 18th at the age of 90. He suffered a heart attack en route to a routine doctor’s appointment. Deane landed on Omaha Beach three days after D-Day and spent much of his life in central Illinois before relocating to Kansas City in 1998. His wife of 68 years, BETTY UTSLER, died in 2010.  Many of you know Max, who teaches at the University of Kansas and taught for many years at Missouri. He’s also worked at TV stations in Phoenix, St. Louis, Kansas City, Peoria, and Columbia, MO. Full disclosure: Max was best man in my wedding and has been a close friend for many years. Your note of sympathy can be sent to: utsler@ku.edu

Names in the News:

There’s a reunion in Chicago to tell you about, where CHRIS MYERS is joining Fox o-and-o WFLD-TV as assistant news director. That reunites him with newly named ND PHYLLIS SCHWARTZ: they worked together at both WLS-TV and WMAQ-TV in Chicago. Chris has worked in a variety of jobs in California since leaving Chicago in 2002.

Cope-Walton

TERRI COPE WALTON returns to the newsroom as the Assistant News Director for WRTV, the ABC affiliate here in Indianapolis. She’s been the station’s public affairs director for the past seven years, and was the morning news producer for seven years before that. She also worked in both TV and radio in Dayton, where she also spent one year as a language arts teacher.

And congratulations to KSTP-TV (Minneapolis) News Director LINDSAY RADFORD and her husband JASON on the birth of their son NOAH ANDREW FOSTER. We’re a little tardy in reporting this good news…Jason joined a brother and sister in November. Lindsay tells me he was born with Down Syndrome but he is healthy and happy, and added he loves to smile and his giggles are contagious. You can bring a smile to Lindsay with a kind email: lradford@kstp.com

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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, January 27, 2012.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

NY 1 News                                             75 Ninth Ave. New York NY 10011
WFAA-TV                                           606 Young St. Dallas TX 75202
KGO-TV                                             900 Front Street San Francisco, CA 94111
New England Cable News                160 Wells Ave. Newton MA 02459
Central Florida News 13                20 N. Orange #13, Orlando, FL 32801 (see ad above!)
WCPO-TV                                          1730 Gilbert Ave. Cincinnati OH 45202
WBRE-TV                                          62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
KSNW-TV                                       833 N. Main Wichita, KS 67203
KMTV                                                  10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127
WACH-TV                                            1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KHGI-TV                                              13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV                                        1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
KVII-TV                                                One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV                                         1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KAUZ-TV                                             PO Box 25 Wichita Falls TX 76309
WFXL-TV                                             1211 N. Slappey Blvd. Albany GA 31707
KTUU-TV                                          701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503 (see ad above!)
KYMA-TV                                           1385 S. Pacific Ave. Yuma AZ 85365
WTVY-TV                                           PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
WCAV-TV                                        999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville, VA 22902 (see ad above!)
KKCO-TV                                          2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV                                             120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KGWN-TV                                           2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV                                             PO Box 189 Alexandria, MN 56308
WYIN-TV                                            8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

January 20, 2012

Greetings:

There’s just ONE new ND in this week’s report.  That new ND cleverly worked in a reference to a Russell Crowe movie in telling me about his move, and I’m cheesy enough to steal it. And his move created one of the TWO new ND openings we have.

Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 27.

TWO of those news director openings are featured in paid ads below, along with a new ad for an Assistant ND job at a mid-south powerhouse and another for a morning EP in Florida. LiveU returns with a FREE offer, and we have details about an upcoming deadline for a training opportunity for news directors.

That…and more…follows this week’s changes.

New News Director Openings:

Keeshan

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA…we told you in an UPDATE earlier this week that KEVIN KEESHAN has left this ABC o-and-o to become the ombudsman for NBC News. Kevin’s been ND here for almost eleven years and has worked at KGO for a total of 21 years, interrupted by a three year assignment as sister ABC o-and-o KFSN-TV in Fresno. He’s also worked in Bakersfield and Sacramento, spent some time as an anchor and consumer reporter, and is one of the few NDs who often attends the valuable IRE conference. (His former GM at KGO, VALARI STAAB, was named President of the NBC owned stations last year.) You can send Kevin a note of congratulations at: kkeeshan@aol.com

WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL…another veteran newsman is making a cross country trip, as BILL CUMMINGS is leaving this ABC affiliate to take a job in Yuma, AZ. (More on that below.) Bill’s been ND here for almost three years. WTXL is owned by Calkins Media.

Newly Named News Director:

Cummings

KSWT-TV, Yuma, AZ…BILL CUMMINGS is taking the 3:10 to Yuma to become the ND for this Pappas owned CBS affiliate. We reported above he was leaving his job in Tallahasee. Bill tells me he’s wanted to move west for family reasons: his brother and in-laws live in Tucson, his oldest son is in California, and another brother lives in Reno. Bill’s a former ND in Tucson, Evansville, IN, Huntington, WV, and Tri-Cities, TN, and also worked for weather vendor Baron Services. He replaces SHANNON MAZE who left the station almost a year ago for an Assistant ND job in Birmingham.

Training Opportunity:

Kneeland Accepting Applications Now.

Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications until next Friday, January 27 for their April 11-14, 2012 session in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
What you need to do now to win 2012 election coverage
How social media continues to reshape the face of our business, and what you must do today
How your internal and external systems need to be revolutionized to meet new challenges
Leading Millennials
Ethics and leadership in a 24-hour socially networked world
Selected news directors will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. News Directors return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!


Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA:

The Charlottesville Newsplex (home of CBS19, ABC16, WAHU FOX27, and newsplex.com) in award-winning Charlottesville, VA is looking for the leader who can take our news team and content to the next level. The successful candidate will have working knowledge of every facet of newsroom operations; must be able to recruit, train, motivate, and teach by example; and will benefit from the momentum of our ongoing ratings growth across the board.

Our news team is talented, eager, and on the rise, having won the 2011 VAB award for Most Outstanding Newscast in Virginia (all market sizes). Candidates who wish to continue anchoring are encouraged to apply, but anchoring is not a requirement; previous management experience is preferred, but also not required.

Gray Television is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug-Free Workplace. Excellent driving record is a MUST. If you think you have what it takes, rush your cover letter and resume to General Manager Brad Ramsey via email: brad.ramsey@newsplex.com  or mail it to:

Brad Ramsey
General Manager
Charlottesville Newsplex
999 2nd Street SE
Charlottesville, VA 22902

No phone calls please.

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

Assistant News Director, WMC-TV, Memphis, TN:

Rare opportunity at NBC powerhouse: WMC-TV in Memphis, Tennessee seeks dynamic journalist to lead team as Assistant News Director.

Work with competitive professionals to refine stories, showcase newscasts and oversee the best breaking news team in the Mid-South.

Be ready to run, not walk, to the desk when the big story breaks.

The successful candidate will function as chief deputy to the News Director with supervisory responsibility for all news broadcasts. The Assistant News Director will work closely with fellow managers and producers to implement the Action News 5 focus and philosophy. This person will assist with employee schedules, oversee budgetary aspects of operation, on-going evaluation of personnel and broadcast standards. Ability to function under deadline pressure is a must. Ability to nurture the creativity of the team and the capacity to offer constructive criticism will win us over.

Email resume to: tphillips@wmctv.com or mail to:

Tammy Phillips
News Director
WMC-TV
1960 Union Ave.
Memphis TN 38104

Morning Executive Producer, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

WJXT-TV, a Post-Newsweek Station, is looking for an Executive Producer for morning news. We produce 4.5 hours of news Monday – Friday and 2 hours of morning news on Saturday and Sunday. We need someone who can manage anchors, producers, reporters, photographers and editors.

You will also oversee web and social media content. In addition, you will be involved in daily planning and sweeps projects. We need a strong writer and copy editor. You must also be creative and understand good storytelling.

Prior EP experience is a plus, but this is also a good move for an excellent line-producer with at least 5 years of experience. This is an overnight shift. You will also be part of the weekend on-call manager rotation.

Email resume and link to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

Or send resume and DVD to:

Kathryn Bonfield
News Director
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
NO PHONE CALLS!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KDAF-TV, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, (listed 12/9/11)
WTSP-TV, Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/6/12)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (relisted this week)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 1/13/12) see ad above!
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/25/11)
WTEN-TV, Albany, NY (listed 11/25/11)
WRDW-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 11/25/11)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 12/9/11)
KTVM-TV, Bozeman, MT (listed 12/16/11)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted this week)
KDFW-TV, Dallas, TX (Morning EP, new listing this week)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listing updated this week)
KUNS-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/25/11) **
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
KPTV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 12/16/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/11/11)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listed 10/28/11)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, listing revised 10/14/11)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (AM EP, listed 1/13/12) See ad above!
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 12/9/11)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 12/9/11)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 12/9/11)

MANAGING EDITOR:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (ME of Video, listed 12/23/11)
**** ***** ****

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Names in the News:

KAMI McDONALD returns to Baton Rouge television as she joins WAFB-TV as the morning Executive Producer. She previously worked for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, at KATC-TV in Lafayette, LA, and was a co-producer and writer on a documentary on public education in Louisiana.

Esposito

Past RTDNA Chairman ED ESPOSITO has been named Secretary and Treasurer of RTNDF. He’s been on the RTDNF Board since 2003, was chairman of RTDNA from 2007-2008, and spends his spare time as vice president of information media for Rubber City Radio Group in Northeast Ohio. He replaces MIKE CAVENDER who resigned as treasurer when he was named Executive Director of both RTDNA and RTDNF last December.

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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, January 20, 2012.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

NY 1 News                                             75 Ninth Ave. New York NY 10011
WFAA-TV                                           606 Young St. Dallas TX 75202
KGO-TV                                             900 Front Street San Francisco, CA 94111
New England Cable News                160 Wells Ave. Newton MA 02459
Central Florida News 13              20 N. Orange #13, Orlando, FL 32801 (see ad above!)
WITI-TV                                               9001 N. Green Bay Road Milwaukee WI 53209
WCPO-TV                                          1730 Gilbert Ave. Cincinnati OH 45202
WBRE-TV                                         62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 (see ad above!)
KMTV                                                  10714 Mockingbird Dr. Omaha NE 68127
WACH-TV                                            1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KHGI-TV                                              13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
WTXL-TV                                        1620 Commerce Blvd. Midway, FL 32343
KOLO-TV                                         4850 Ampere Dr. Reno, NV 89502
KVII-TV                                                One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV                                         1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KRCG-TV                                            Highway 54 North Holts Summit MO 65043
KAUZ-TV                                             PO Box 25 Wichita Falls TX 76309
WFXL-TV                                             1211 N. Slappey Blvd. Albany GA 31707
KTUU-TV                                          701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503 (see ad above!)
KYMA-TV                                           1385 S. Pacific Ave. Yuma AZ 85365
WTVY-TV                                           PO Box 1089 Dothan AL 36302
KKCO-TV                                          2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGNS-TV                                             120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
WCAV-TV                                        999 2nd St. SE Charlottesville, VA 22902 (see ad above!)
KKCO-TV                                             2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGWN-TV                                           2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV                                             PO Box 189 Alexandria, MN 56308
WYIN-TV                                            8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

January 14, 2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012 UPDATE:

Keeshan

A surprise from San Francisco today, where longtime KGO-TV News Director KEVIN KEESHAN announced he was leaving that ABC o-and-o to join NBC News in New York as an ombudsman. Kevin’s worked (in two different stints) for 21 years at KGO, interrupted by a three year run as ND of sister ABC o-and-o KFSN-TV in Fresno. He’s been ND there since 2001.

Kevin also worked in Bakersfield (two stations) and Sacramento, and spent some time as an anchor and consumer reporter. He’s one of the few news directors who often attends the annual Investigative Reporters and Editors conference.

Of note: Kevin’s former GM at KGO, VALARI STAAB, was named President of the NBC owned stations last summer.

More on this story…and some other ND changes…in our regular report later this week.

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Greetings:

We have THREE new news directors in this week’s report, including one in a top ten market. And there are THREE new openings to tell you about.

Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 26.

THREE of those open ND jobs are featured in ads this week. One of those ads features a bear…ya’ gotta love that. There’s a new ad for an EP in sunny Florida. And we welcome back another advertiser with a special FREE offer you should check out.

No Names in the News this week, but we do have two obituaries to report, including one for a former Indiana News Director who died at age 47.

That’s all below, after this week’s changes.

Also this week, LIN Media announced it was selling its FOX affiliate in Toledo, WUPW-TV, to a company who will contract with Raycom’s WTOL-TV to produce newscasts for the station. That would seem to mean the demise of the WUPW newsroom and most of its staff, though no official announcement has been made.

New News Director Opening:

KMTV, Omaha, NE…AL CARL has left this Journal Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate after two years as ND. He’s a former ND in Huntsville, AL, and worked in Kansas City before moving to Omaha.

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…KATIE McMANUS FAYE is leaving after seven years as ND here. She’s moving to her native Illinois for a job at WICS/WICD in Springfield (more on that below.) WVTY is a CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television.

WCAV-TV, Charlottesville, VA…another Gray Television station has an ND opening. My records show that JIM HANCHETT had been ND here for just over three years. WCAV is a CBS affiliate.

Newly Named News Directors:

Pittman

WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA…we reported the changes at this COX-owned ABC affiliate to you in an UPDATE yesterday. MARIAN PITTMAN, who’s been the ND here since 2006, has been promoted to station manager. Marian has been with Cox for 23 years in a variety of roles at several of the company’s stations.

Dreaden

And another Cox veteran, MIKE DREADEN, was promoted to ND to replace her. Mike’s been Managing Editor here since 1998, and previously worked in Miami and New York. Those moves meant a step up for some other WSB employees: MISTI TURNBULL was promoted from Senior EP to Managing Editor, REENA BHARDWAJ to Senior Executive Producer, and TINA COMMODORE to Manager of Coverage and Content.

McManus-Faye

WICS/WICD, Springfield/Champaign, IL…Illinois native KATIE McMANUS-FAYE returns home to become the Executive News Director for this Sinclair owned duopoly. Katie is currently ND for WTVY-TV in Dothan, AL (see above). She’s also been an ND in Jackson, TN, and Sarasota, and has also worked in Nashville, Miami (two stations), Tampa, and Dallas. Katie replaces DEANA REECE who announced in September she’d be leaving after four years as ND.

Marino

KWES-TV, Midland-Odessa, TX…DAVID MARINO has been promoted to news director here. He’s currently an anchor there but will eventually concentrate on the management side. David’s a Texas native who worked for KWES before taking a job in Tucson a few years ago. At this Drewry Communications owned NBC affiliate, he replaces MARK KURTZ who left in December after almost four years as ND. Mark is joining WAVY-TV in Norfolk as Assistant ND.

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Help Wanted Ads:

Morning Executive Producer, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

WJXT-TV, a Post-Newsweek Station, is looking for an Executive Producer for morning news. We produce 4.5 hours of news Monday – Friday and 2 hours of morning news on Saturday and Sunday. We need someone who can manage anchors, producers, reporters, photographers and editors.

You will also oversee web and social media content. In addition, you will be involved in daily planning and sweeps projects. We need a strong writer and copy editor. You must also be creative and understand good storytelling.

Prior EP experience is a plus, but this is also a good move for an excellent line-producer with at least 5 years of experience. This is an overnight shift. You will also be part of the weekend on-call manager rotation.

Email resume and link to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

Or send resume and DVD to:

Kathryn Bonfield
News Director
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
NO PHONE CALLS!

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News Director, WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA:

Individual will be responsible for the overall responsibility of our news operation, overseeing a staff of approximately 50 at WBRE-TV, the NBC affiliate in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, brand management, daily story selection, news promotion and website content. Must have a clear understanding of new media and social media and how to appropriately integrate it into the newsroom culture. Will be responsible for shaping future news content direction, helping direct news coverage and news gathering. Will be a key member of the station management team.

3-5 years of experience as ND or Assistant ND, managing a sizeable staff. The position requires strong people and coaching skills and dedication to quality broadcast journalism. Please send resumes to:

Personnel
WBRE-TV
62 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

lparri@pahomepage.com

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DIRECTOR OF NEWS STRATEGY, E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY:

The E.W. Scripps Company is seeking a Director of News Strategy who will lead strategic initiatives that advance the news departments in the Scripps Television Group and support the company mission of serving our communities by producing quality journalism on multiple platforms through delivering tactical assistance to the newsrooms.

* Provide daily news strategy consultation to Scripps Station Group.
* Work directly with General Managers and News Directors on daily news strategy and development at all levels to incrementally grow and improve news product and commensurate ratings.
* Integrate newly acquired McGraw-Hill stations into Scripps culture in partnership with corporate news strategy team.
* Act as liaison with research consultants to assist news departments in executing tracking and digital research plans.
* Develop content strategies based on tracking research recommendations for each station.
* Work with Director Digital Content to execute cross-platform content advancement on a daily basis.
* Execute daily 3-screen strategies across division with news, marketing and news media teams
* Work with VP Marketing and Directors of New Media to develop strategic products and partnerships
* Lead conversations with Special Projects Executive Producers regarding sweeps calendars, stories and 3-screen innovation for all Scripps stations.
* Execute daily content and sweeps special project strategies in partnership with the D.C.-based Scripps Howard News Service and MMJ team.
* Develop, execute and provide oversight to investigative content strategies and specialty MMJ(s) on special projects.
* Work with Scripps General Counsel in mitigating newsgathering, broadcast risk, ethical decision making and drive FCC compliance.
* Work with HR to design recruitment strategy focused on attracting diverse talent and developing high-potential employees.

Please apply for this role at: www.scripps.com/careers . Requisition # 4347

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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 12/16/11)
KDAF-TV, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, (listed 12/9/11)
WTSP-TV, Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL (listed 1/6/12)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 10/14/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 1/6/12)
WMC-TV, Memphis, TN (new listing this week)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/25/11)
WTEN-TV, Albany, NY (listed 11/25/11)
WRDW-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 11/25/11)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 12/9/11)
KTVM-TV, Bozeman, MT (listed 12/16/11)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 12/2/11)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, listed 10/7/11)
KUNS-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/25/11) **
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
KPTV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 12/16/11)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/17/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/11/11)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listed 10/28/11)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, listing revised 10/14/11)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (AM EP, new listing this week) See ad above!
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 12/9/11)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 12/9/11)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 12/9/11)

MANAGING EDITOR:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (ME of Video, listed 12/23/11)

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Obituaries:

Runyon

Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 14, in Marshall, IL, for former WTHI-TV News Director DOUG RUNYON who died Wednesday of an apparent heart attack. He was 47 years old. Doug began his career in law enforcement but spent ten years at WTHI, including the last two as ND, before leaving to help run a private security business he co-owned. Among his survivors is his wife, KELLY RUNYON, the ND for WEIU-TV at Eastern Illinois University.

Pryor

CLAUDIA PRYOR-MALIS, an award winning producer who worked for PBS, ABC, and NBC, died January 4 of complications from treatment for cancer. She was 58 years old. After graduating from Harvard, Claudia began as a news writer at KGO-TV in San Francisco. Later in her career she had her own company to produce documentary films. More on her life and career can be found here.

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No Names in the News:

Nothing this week.  Feel free to send me your news (or those of your friends!) at: rick@rickgevers.com

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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, January 13, 2012.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

NY 1 News                                             75 Ninth Ave. New York NY 10011
WFAA-TV                                           606 Young St. Dallas TX 75202
New England Cable News                160 Wells Ave. Newton MA 02459
Central Florida News 13              20 N. Orange #13, Orlando, FL 32801 (see ad above!)
WITI-TV                                               9001 N. Green Bay Road Milwaukee WI 53209
WCPO-TV                                          1730 Gilbert Ave. Cincinnati OH 45202
WBRE-TV                                         62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 (see ad above!)
WACH-TV                                            1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KHGI-TV                                              13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KOLO-TV                                         4850 Ampere Dr. Reno, NV 89502
KVII-TV                                                One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV                                         1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KRCG-TV                                            Highway 54 North Holts Summit MO 65043
KAUZ-TV                                             PO Box 25 Wichita Falls TX 76309
WFXL-TV                                             1211 N. Slappey Blvd. Albany GA 31707
KTUU-TV                                          701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503 (see ad above!)
KSWT-TV                                             1301 Third Ave. Yuma AZ 85364
KYMA-TV                                           1385 S. Pacific Ave. Yuma AZ 85365
KGNS-TV                                             120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KKCO-TV                                             2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGWN-TV                                           2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV                                             PO Box 189 Alexandria, MN 56308
WYIN-TV                                            8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

January 6, 2012

Greetings:

There’s a news director change at an Atlanta power house today, and we also are sad to report the death of a former Indiana news director.

Pittman

MARIAN PITTMAN, who’s been ND for Cox’s WSB-TV in Atlanta since 2006, has been named station manager for that ABC affiliate. She’ll oversee news, programming, public affairs and engineering.

Dreaden

Longtime WSB employee MIKE DREADEN has been promoted to News Director. He’s been the Managing Editor there since 1998, and previously worked in New York and Miami.

In addition, several other employees were promoted: MISTI TURNBULL to Managing Editor, REENA BHARDWAJ to Senior Executive Producer, and TINA COMMODORE to Manager of Coverage and Content.

Congratulations to all.

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Doug Runyon

I’m sorry to report the death of former WTHI-TV (Terre Haute, IN) News Director DOUG RUNYON. Doug died yesterday at the age of 47 of an apparent heart attack. Funeral services will be held Saturday in Marshall, IL, where Doug lived.

He left WTHI in 2008. He told me then he was going to work full time for a company he co-owned in the private security business.

More on both stories in tomorrow’s regular weekly full edition of the newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Welcome to a busy report for the first full week of the New Year.

We have TWO new NDs this week (both in top 25 markets), and ONE new ND opening. All these moves involved veteran news directors.

That leaves our list of open ND jobs at 25.

Also this week, THREE help wanted ads, including two ND jobs and an addition to the corporate staff at Scripps. We also have an ad for a great training opportunity for news directors, which is almost free to you!

There are some updates to our Other News Management Openings section, thankfully NO obituaries, and one Name in the News, that of a veteran Michigan newsman, who, after 28 years in the Wolverine State, has figured out a way to escape cold weather.

That’s all below, after this week’s changes:

New News Director Opening:

Morford

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH…veteran news director BOB MORFORD will leave this Scripps owned ABC affiliate in the next few months. Bob turns 55 in April and can officially retire from the company. He plans to take some time off and then pursue his next opportunity. Bob’s been ND here since 2001, and has previously worn the ND hat in Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati (WLWT-TV), Knoxville, TN, Huntsville, AL, and Ft. Pierce, FL. He’s also worked in Columbia, MO.

New News Directors:

Schwartz

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL…we alerted you yesterday via an emailed UDPATE about the change at this FOX o-and-o. PHYLLIS SCHWARTZ returns for her third stint as a Chicago ND at her fourth station. (She earlier was ND at WLS-TV and WMAQ-TV, and ass’t ND at WBBM-TV). NBC transferred her to its station in San Diego (KNSD-TV) where she was GM until 2009, when she formed a consulting company. She replaces CAROL FOWLER, herself a three time Chicago ND (WGN-TV and WBBM) who left to pursue other opportunities after three years as ND.

KGW-TV, Portland, OR…congratulations to RICK JACOBS who’s been promoted to News Director for this Belo-owned NBC affiliate. Rick’s been the acting ND since last June when ROD GRAMER left the station. Rick’s been the Assistant News Director for KGW since 1999. Before that, he was the ND at KEZI-TV in Eugene. He’s also worked in Medford, OR, and earlier in his career for another station in Portland.

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News Director, WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA:

Individual will be responsible for the overall responsibility of our news operation, overseeing a staff of approximately 50 at WBRE-TV, the NBC affiliate in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, brand management, daily story selection, news promotion and website content. Must have a clear understanding of new media and social media and how to appropriately integrate it into the newsroom culture. Will be responsible for shaping future news content direction, helping direct news coverage and news gathering. Will be a key member of the station management team.

3-5 years of experience as ND or Assistant ND, managing a sizeable staff. The position requires strong people and coaching skills and dedication to quality broadcast journalism. Please send resumes to:

Personnel
WBRE-TV
62 South Franklin Street
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701

lparri@pahomepage.com

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

DIRECTOR OF NEWS STRATEGY, E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY:

The E.W. Scripps Company is seeking a Director of News Strategy who will lead strategic initiatives that advance the news departments in the Scripps Television Group and support the company mission of serving our communities by producing quality journalism on multiple platforms through delivering tactical assistance to the newsrooms.

* Provide daily news strategy consultation to Scripps Station Group.
* Work directly with General Managers and News Directors on daily news strategy and development at all levels to incrementally grow and improve news product and commensurate ratings.
* Integrate newly acquired McGraw-Hill stations into Scripps culture in partnership with corporate news strategy team.
* Act as liaison with research consultants to assist news departments in executing tracking and digital research plans.
* Develop content strategies based on tracking research recommendations for each station.
* Work with Director Digital Content to execute cross-platform content advancement on a daily basis.
* Execute daily 3-screen strategies across division with news, marketing and news media teams
* Work with VP Marketing and Directors of New Media to develop strategic products and partnerships
* Lead conversations with Special Projects Executive Producers regarding sweeps calendars, stories and 3-screen innovation for all Scripps stations.
* Execute daily content and sweeps special project strategies in partnership with the D.C.-based Scripps Howard News Service and MMJ team.
* Develop, execute and provide oversight to investigative content strategies and specialty MMJ(s) on special projects.
* Work with Scripps General Counsel in mitigating newsgathering, broadcast risk, ethical decision making and drive FCC compliance.
* Work with HR to design recruitment strategy focused on attracting diverse talent and developing high-potential employees.

Please apply for this role at: www.scripps.com/careers . Requisition # 4347

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Senior Director of News, Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL:

Central Florida News 13 is seeking its next great Senior Director of News. This person will be overseeing an award-winning team of journalists providing around-the-clock local television news coverage for viewers in the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne, FL, market. The largest television newsgathering team in Central Florida needs a hands-on leader who can coach and develop talent, inspire a passion for excellence, and who thrives on new technology and innovation.

Previous News Director experience a must, along with a track record of aggressive and strategic news and weather coverage.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

** Developing news coverage strategy for 24-hour local news channel, web site, and on-demand products;
** Daily newscast analysis for quality control and program growth;
** Collaborating editorially with other stations within Bright House Network’s Local Programming Group;
** Leading and inspiring a talented and accomplished team committed to providing outstanding local coverage.

This is an exceptional opportunity to take your career to the next level at a station utilizing the very latest state-of-the-art technology. We have the finest tools available and an exceptional team using them. In the past year alone News 13 has won, among others, a national SPJ breaking news award, regional Edward R. Murrow award for its website, and a national Walter Cronkite Award for Political Reporting. The best candidate for this job will be a leader who appreciates the tradition of television news and who is also constantly looking for ways to establish new and creative coverage traditions for News 13 and its viewers.

Apply online at: www.mybrighthouse.com

Central Florida News 13 is an EOE – all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.
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Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WFLD-TV, Chicago, IL (relisted 12/16/11)
KDAF-TV, Dallas-Ft Worth, TX, (listed 12/9/11)
WTSP-TV, Tampa-St. Petersburg, FL (new listing this week)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 10/14/11)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 11/25/11)
WTEN-TV, Albany, NY (listed 11/25/11)
WRDW-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 11/25/11)
KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX (listed 12/9/11)
KTVM-TV, Bozeman, MT (listed 12/16/11)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 12/2/11)
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (relisted 12/16/11)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, listed 10/7/11)
KUNS-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 11/25/11) **
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (relisted 12/16/11)
KPTV, Portland, OR (AM EP, relisted 12/16/11)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 9/17/11)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (Dayside EP, relisted 11/25/11)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/11/11)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listed 10/28/11)
WPEC-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 10/7/11)
WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA (AM EP, listing revised 10/14/11)
WHBQ-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 12/31/11)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (Dayside EP, relisted 12/9/11)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 12/9/11)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 12/9/11)

MANAGING EDITOR:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (ME of Video, listed 12/23/11)

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Training Opportunity:

Kneeland Accepting Applications Now

Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications until Friday, January 27 for their April 11-14, 2012 session in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.

  • What you need to do to win 2012 election coverage
  • The latest trends in social media – and what your newsroom ought to be doing today
  • How your internal and external systems need to be revolutionized
  • Leading Millennials
  • Ethics and leadership in a 24-hour socially networked world

Selected news directors will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make a truly unique opportunity.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. News Directors return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply.

Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

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Name in the News:

Bleicher

Congratulations to longtime Michigan newsman JIM BLEICHER who’s finally figured out how to stay warm in the winter. He’s been named General Manager for Barrington’s WACH-TV in Columbia, SC. Jim’s spent most of his career in Michigan, first in Detroit, then on to ND jobs in Lansing and later Flint, where he spent more than 20 years as ND for WJRT-TV. Jim left the station last March when new owners took over. You can wish him well via an email to: jimbleicher@gmail.com
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The Full List:

To the best of my knowledge, here is the list of stations with open news director jobs, as of Friday, January 6, 2012.

If you know of any additions/deletions/changes/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

NY 1 News                                             75 Ninth Ave. New York NY 10011
WFAA-TV                                           606 Young St. Dallas TX 75202
New England Cable News                160 Wells Ave. Newton MA 02459
Central Florida News 13                  20 N. Orange #13, Orlando, FL 32801 (see ad above!)
WITI-TV                                               9001 N. Green Bay Road Milwaukee WI 53209
WCPO-TV                                       1730 Gilbert Ave. Cincinnati OH 45202
WBRE-TV                                         62 S. Franklin Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701 (see ad above!)
WACH-TV                                            1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WICS/WICD-TV                                2680 E. Cook St. Springfield IL 62703
KHGI-TV                                              13 S. Highway 44 Kearney NE 66848
KOLO-TV                                         4850 Ampere Dr. Reno, NV 89502
KVII-TV                                                One Broadcast Center Amarillo TX 79101
KNOE-TV                                         1400 Oliver Rd. Monroe, LA 71211
KRCG-TV                                            Highway 54 North Holts Summit MO 65043
KAUZ-TV                                             PO Box 25 Wichita Falls TX 76309
WFXL-TV                                             1211 N. Slappey Blvd. Albany GA 31707
KTUU-TV                                          701 E. Tudor Rd. #220 Anchorage AK 99503
KWES-TV                                         11320 W. County Rd. 127 Midland, TX 79711
KSWT-TV                                             1301 Third Ave. Yuma AZ 85364
KYMA-TV                                           1385 S. Pacific Ave. Yuma AZ 85365
KGNS-TV                                             120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KKCO-TV                                             2325 Interstate Ave. Grand Junction CO 81505
KGWN-TV                                           2923 E. Lincolnway Cheyenne WY 82001
KSAX-TV                                             PO Box 189 Alexandria, MN 56308
WYIN-TV                                            8625 Indiana Place Merrilville IN 46410

** Spanish language station

Older