January 7, 2024
Greetings:
Our first edition of 2024 begins with TWO newly hired NDs, and THREE new openings, ONE created by the retirement of an ND who spent much of his career as an award winning investigative reporter.
Those changes leave 32 stations with ND openings, by my count. ONE of those open ND jobs is featured in this week’s only Paid Help Wanted Ad.
Speaking of ads, we welcome the return of SciLine, a free service which offers interviews with scientists on relative topics. Check their ad out below.
But wait, there’s more!
A longtime GM (and former ND) is retiring and taking a new job with his church, and Arizona PBS has a new GM.
And we’ll link to a blog from a longtime ND who looks at the difficult question of whether reporters should interview victims of tragedy.
All this as you read on.
Have a great 2024.
FILLED UP!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES!
Expert Interview: Distracted driving and road safety
Winter weather is arriving and new driver safety laws have been enacted in many states and municipalities. Book an expert who can share research-backed road safety tips with your viewers.
Dr. Charlie Klauer (Virginia Tech) is available for interviews on Friday, January 12th (1:30-3:30 p.m.). Discussion topics include:
The risks of distracted and/of fatigued driving, and research-backed strategies to stay focused while driving;Risks facing teenage drivers and evidenced-based interventions to improve teen driving safetyThe hazards of driving in winter weather, and how drivers can mitigate those risks;Data trends in speeding, reckless driving, and road fatalities; and more
More from SciLine: FREE training opportunities:
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Newly Named News Directors:
Ritter
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA…BERNIE RITTER moves with Nexstar to become the next ND for this ABC affiliate. He’s spent the last seven years running the newsroom at WNCT-TV (CBS) in Greenville, NC. He’s worked in a number of other markets as you’ll learn in this news release. At WRIC, Bernie replaces SHANE MORELAND who resigned from the station in November after six years on the job.
WICS-TV, Springfield, IL…we’re a little tardy in reporting that HEATHER VOUDRIE is now the news director for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Earlier in her career she spent seven years as ND for WHBF-TV in Rock Island, IL. She replaces MICHAEL TRUETT who left in June to become ND for KWCH-TV, Gray’s CBS affiliate in Wichita, KS.
New News Director Openings:
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…you learned in our Thursday UPDATE that JIM PARSONS is retiring at the end of February. He’s been the news director for this Hearst owned ABC affiliate since 2016. Jim joined the station in 1998 as an investigative reporter, and became the Assistant ND in 2013 before his promotion three years later. More on his time at the station in this article from TribLive’s ROB OWEN.
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC…you learned above that BERNIE RITTER is leaving this Nexstar CBS affiliate for another. He’ll be the next ND for WRIC-TV (ABC) in Richmond, VA. Bernie was ND here for about six years.
KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND…this Nexstar station has an ND opening. My reoccurs show that JOE RINALDI has been ND for this CBS affiliate for the last two years.
And a reminder to check out the ad just below for the vacant ND position at WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, LA.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
News Director, WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA:
WBRZ has an incredible opportunity for a charismatic newsroom leader, show doctor and content innovator to lead our breaking and investigative journalism team as DIRECTOR OF NEWS.
We need a leader who can mentor our team, launch new concepts and own the day’s big stories.
The family-owned television station makes the rules and breaks them. Like any other news station, the news director at WBRZ oversees the journalism operation but must be willing to get their hands dirty, try new things and use research to drive coverage and viewership growth.
WBRZ is renowned for its dogged investigative journalism. A knack for navigating complex stories, creativity and a passion for coaching is a necessity. Newsroom management experience is required. Equally important is understanding the audience and knowing how to manage expectations. A producing background is ideal.
Knowledge of managing a budget, resources and mentoring a larger staff are crucial.
Email cover letter and resumes to: hr@wbrz.com
Pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 1/7/24)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 1/7/24)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 1/7/24)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (relisted 1/7/24)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/10/23)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, listed 12/17/23)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 1/7/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 1/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/7/24)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (relisted 1/7/24)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids, MI (listed 1/7/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 1/7/24)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 1/7/24)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 1/7/24)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 12/17/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (relisted 1/7/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
KTVE/KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (listed 12/17/23)
MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
More News Management Openings:
Relisted 1/7/24:
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)
Names in the News:
Busiek
The latest school shooting in America happened in Perry, IA, near the home of longtime KCCI-TV (Des Moines) News Director DAVE BUSIEK. Dave…a former RTDNA chair…retired from KCCI in 2018 but has been blogging on related topics. This week he examines the always difficult question of how…and even if…journalists should interview victims of tragedy.
NEILLE GIFFUNE is now the Assistant ND for WSYM-TV in Lansing, MI. She’s a former ND for WEYI-TV in Flint, MI, who also worked as a recruiter for Nexstar.
General Manager News and Notes:
Carter
Longtime GM (and former news director) RAY CARTER is retiring from WSB-TV (COX/ABC) in Atlanta to pursue a new calling: to lead the California Modesto Mission within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. More in this news release. Ray’s long tenure with Cox has included GM jobs in Atlanta and Pittsburgh as well as ND in Atlanta. His entire carer history is on his Linkedin page.
Woelfel
SCOTT WOELFEL has been named General Manager for Arizona PBS. Scott most recently was the chief content office for WABE, a public broadcaster in Atlanta. Scott also worked at CNN, beginning as a producer and co-founded CNN’s online efforts. (If he looks and the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the twin brother of former KOMU-TV news director and longtime Missouri professor STACEY WOELFEL.)
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 7, 2024:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WTAE-TV 400 Ardmore Blvd Pittsburgh PA 15221
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (news manager)
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (See ad above!)
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834.
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Executive ND)
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
**: Spanish language station