January 8, 2023

Thursday, January 11, 2023 UPDATE:

Bradshaw

A memorial service for ADAM P. BRADSHAW will be held next Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 1:00 PM Central Time.

It will be live streamed at this site: https://www.texomashomepage.com/special-live-stream/

If you are able to attend in person, here’s the location:

First Baptist Church Chapel
1200 Ninth Street
Wichita Falls, TX  76301

As you know, Adam, a veteran ND who had been working at KFDX-TV in Wichita Falls, TX, died Sunday. He was 62 and was found at his home.

I will provide details on memorial contributions when available.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, January 10, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

THREE items in tonight’s UPDATE. Health issues force a longtime ND to step down. There’s a new news director in San Antonio, and we have much more on the passing of ADAM P. BRADSHAW, including a lengthy on-air tribute to him from his last station. If you knew Adam…or even if you didn’t…you’ll want to watch it.

Hume

First, veteran news director CRAIG HUME is stepping down as ND for WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre, PA. In the note he sent to his staff, Craig cited ‘personal health issues’ as the reason. Craig’s been the ND here for just a year, the latest stop in a long career that has taken him from markets large (Los Angeles and Chicago) to small. (WBRE is owned by Nexstar, which provides services to Mission Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate WYOU).

Orellana

In San Antonio, KSAT-TV Assistant ND MARIO ORELLANA has been promoted to news director at this Graham Media owned ABC affiliate. He has an interesting background…he began at the station as an unpaid intern and worked his way up to news director. More details in this story from the KSAT website. Mario replaces longtime KSAT news director BERNICE KEARNEY who was promoted to ND for Graham’s KPRC-TV (NBC) in Houston.

Bradshaw

And we have new information on the death of KFDX/KJTL-TV (NBC/FOX-Wichita Falls, TX) ND ADAM P. BRADSHAW. We told you late Sunday night that he died at the age of 62. Adam had apparently been suffering from a lung infection though I have not yet seen an official cause of death.

The station aired a very nice tribute to their fallen leader, complete with interviews of Adam’s brother and former employees, and it includes pictures of Adam as a child. Worth watching.

I wanted to share a more casual picture of Adam than the one above. Adam and I enjoyed lunch together several times a year when he lived in Las Vegas. I took this picture in 2017 at one of his favorite places, the coffee shop at the Westgate (the former Hilton) Hotel and Casino.

He told me he went there often because he liked the lobster roll.

He was right.

It was good.

RIP, my friend.

Looks like we’ll have a very full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

Monday, January 9, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

I’m very saddened to report the death of a well known news director who was a good friend to many, including me.

Bradshaw

KFDX/KJTL-TV (NBC/FOX-Wichita Falls, TX) ND ADAM P. BRADSHAW (and he ALWAYS insisted the middle initial be included) died Sunday afternoon. He was just 62 years old and had apparently been suffering from a lung infection

His sister posted this on Facebook which says he was found in his home. And the station has this story along with a link to his bio.

Adam’s Linkedin page has a detailed account of his career which took him from California to New York state..and several points in between. He had a long run as ND for KVVU-TV (FOX) in Las Vegas which ended with his 2015 firing (and he insisted I report that he HAD been fired.) His note to the staff then remains one of the most clicked items in the long history of this newsletter.

I’ll post more details when I have them.

Finally, I want to clear up a mistake I made in last night’s full newsletter. In reporting on CHRISTINA GINN’s move to EP of the Banfield show on NewsNation, I moved her former station (KVUE-TV) to San Antonio. Thanks to many of you who pointed out (without calling me an idiot) that it was, is, and will continue to be, located in Austin, TX.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Lots of action in the first week of the New Year,  though for many it was holiday-shortened.

TWO new ND openings, both in Ohio, with NO news directors hired. Those changes bring our list of open jobs to 25.

We have ONE Paid Help Wanted ad, for a Livestream Producer and we welcome the return of Sciline, a free services for stations, which offers experts in a variety of fields for interview. Check out their schedule below.

After a few quiet weeks on the GM front, there are FOUR moves to report.

We have THREE obituaries, and just ONE item in Names in the News, which answered the question of the destination of an Austin, TX, news director, whose departure we told you about last month.

All that and more below!

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, regularly tees up articulate scientific experts from universities across the country for windows of media availability. Reporters can sign up to book 15-min, broadcast-quality Zoom interviews and use the resulting clips in segments and stories.

Jan. 12: Lecanemab & Alzheimer’s (Dr. Madhav Thambisetty, NIH)

Jan 18: Sex Education (Dr. Eva Goldfarb, Montclair State University)

Jan. 26: Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Jennifer Mitchell, UCSF)

Feb. 1: Offshore Wind Energy (Dr. Rebecca Barthelmie, Cornell University)

Feb. 9: Treatments for Opioid Use Disorder (Dr. Jonathan Watanabe, UC Irvine)

Check out SciLine’s other free services for reporters
Follow @RealSciLine on Twitter.

Newly Named News Directors:

No movement this week, to the best of my knowledge. If you know of something I’ve missed, please email me.

New News Director Openings:

Rubin

WOIO/WUAB–TV, Cleveland, OH…IAN RUBIN is leaving this Gray owned CBS/CW duopoly to move within Gray as a News Consultant/Strategist for the company’s new house consulting unit. (We told you in Novmever that Gray had hired CHRIS ARCHER and TONY CALFO to start that unit.) Ian’s been ND here since 2018. He’s a former ND at WNEM-TV in Saginaw, WKEF-TV in Dayton, and for WRNN-TV in New York.

Nickels

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH…JENNIFER NICKELS has left this Tegna owned CBS affiliate after 3 1/2 years as news director. She first joined WBNS as the Assistant ND in September, 2016. Jennifer’s also worked as an executive producer in Cleveland, Cincinnati and Louisville, and also worked as a producer in Columbia, MO. More on her background in her Linkedin page.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Livestream Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston,TX:

Are you a creative news producer who’s longing to develop content you’d actually watch? Then come play in the KPRC 2 streaming sandbox! We’re hiring a Livestream Producer to delight our audiences with engaging live coverage and next-generation newscasts on the KPRC 2+ livestream.

The Livestream Producer will build live daily news programs that move seamlessly between breaking news and important events as they’re happening. The ideal candidate will be aggressive when it comes to breaking news and enthusiastic about identifying new ways to produce coverage of the day’s top stories, including experimenting with innovative formats for live reporter hits.

The Livestream Producer will be a multi-skilled journalist capable of researching, gathering and producing original content daily. And they’ll have a nose for digging into the details of the day’s big story and the important issues facing Houston.

Our next Livestream Producer will have 1-3 years of experience of experience as a producer in a live broadcast news operation, including control room experience, strong editorial judgement and critical thinking skills, be proficient with digital tools and content management systems, and have an understanding of metrics for digital and streaming products.
College degree in Journalism or communication preferred.

To apply: Please send your resume to: Tiffani Lupenski, Livestreaming Executive Producer, tlupenski@kprc.com

Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 12/11/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/11/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 12/11/22)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 12/4/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 12/11/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/11/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listed 12/11/22)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 12/18/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 1/9/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer, see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituaries:

Ulloa

The Chairman and CEO of Entravision died of a sudden heart attack on December 31, 2022. WALTER ULLOA was 74. He co-founded the company in 1996 and held the Chairman/CEO role since then. Walter’s a former news director at KMEX-TV in Los Angeles (in addition to other roles there.) Many more details about Walter’s life and career in this obituary.

Riordan

Former KOAT-TV (Albuquerque, NM) News Director JIM RIORDAN died Wednesday, January 4th. He was 80 years old. He ran the news department there in the 70’s and 80’s and is credited with adding diversity to the staff and creating New Mexico’s first co-anchor team. (KOAT is now owned by Hearst but would have been under Pulitzer ownership during his time there.The station remembered him here.

Bock

There’s a sad update to a story we brought you last week about MIKE BOCK, once the head of the Guy Gannett Communications TV group. Some of Mike’s friends had asked me to solicit notes for him as he was under hospice care. Unfortunately, Mike died Wednesday evening, probably before he could see of them. When I find a full obituary, I will include it in a future edition. Mike was also former GM of Guy Gannett’s station in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Names in the News:

Ginn

An UPDATE on a story we brought you a few weeks ago, that of the departure of CHRISTINA GINN as news director for Tegna’s KVUE-TV (ABC) in San Antonio Austin, TX, We told you December 4th that she was leaving to return to a ‘network executive producing job’. We’ve now learned that job is at Nexstar’s NewsNation where she is the executive producer of the Banfield program.

General Manager News and Notes:

After a few weeks of no GM movement, we have several changes this week, TWO in top ten markets.

TWO changes at NBC owned stations. TONY CANALES moves from Telemundo’s KTMD-TV in Houston to NBC’s KXAS-TV in Dallas, where he replaces the retiring TOM EHLMANN. Canales also over saw Telemundo New Mexico. And in Hartford, HANK GUERRERO moves from VP/Sales to GM for WVIT-TV (NBC) and WRDM-TV (Telemundo). DIANE HANNES, who had held both jobs, is retiring.

In Washington, Sinclair named TODD BERNSTEIN as GM for WJLA-TV (ABC). He’s been the Station Manager there and replaces WILLIAM FANSHAWE who remains a Group VP for the Company.

PETER NOLL moves from commercial TV to PBS as he’s been named GM for West TN PBS Peter’s been the GM for WNBJ-TV in Jackson, TN, and is a former GM for KERO-TV in Bakersfield, CA.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 8, 2023:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WIOO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
KSAT-TV 1408 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78215
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


January 2, 2023

Tuesday, January 3, 2023:

Greetings:

The first business day of the New Year brings the first news director opening of 2023.

Nickels

JENNIFER NICKELS has left Tegna-owned WBNS-TV (CBS) in Columbus, OH. She’d been the news director since since November, 2019, and had started at the station in September, 2016, when she was hired as the Assistant News Director. Jennifer’s worked in a number of other markets, as you will learn by checking out her Linkedin page.

Barring more UPDATES, we’ll see you Sunday with our full report.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Hoping that your holidays were great and that 2023 is everything you hope it will be.

Not surprisingly, not a lot of hiring this week, but we do have an UPDATE on a job posting we shared last week

With no changes, there are still 23 stations looking for a new news director.

We have ONE paid help wanted ad for an Assistant ND in Rochester, MN.

And we’re pleased to welcome Stephen Arnold Music back as an annual advertiser. Please check out their ad below for information on their offerings.

There an updated obituary for an EP of an ABC News program and an obituary for the mother of a veteran ND.

A former group head is in hospice care…his friends are hoping you’ll send him a note. And we have a look back at 2022 from local TV writers in two markets.

I assume next week’s edition will be busier…even on a short week. We’ll see you then.

Newly Named News Directors:

No movement this week, to the best of my knowledge. If you know of something I’ve missed, please email me.

 

New News Director Opening:

Garza

We have an update on the posted ND opening at KGNS-TV, in Laredo, TX. We told you last week this Gray TV owned NBC/ABC operation has a posting on its website for a new news director. I reached out to current ND (and anchor) JERRY GARZA who kindly responded with this explanation about why the job has been posted…as he put it…preemptively.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:

ABC News Channel 6, KAAL-TV in Rochester, MN is looking for an Assistant News Director to help lead our news room operations.

KAAL is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting-a premier family-owned mid-sized media organization.

In this role, you would be in charge of the evening news broadcasts as well as having a key role in the recruitment and training of news producers and on-air talent.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about objective journalism, believes in treating people with respect and dignity and wants to be an active member of their community. This is a great opportunity for either a lateral move or for someone looking to get into leadership.

Rochester, MN is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester is one of the most highly-educated, affluent and diverse communities in the country. Repeatedly named as America’s Most Liveable City; Rochester is full of great schools, parks, cultural outlets and is just 90 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul and 4 hours from Chicago.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply by clicking here and searching for jobs in Rochester, MN.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 12/11/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (EP & Digital EP, listing revised 12/4/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/11/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 12/11/22)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 12/4/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 12/11/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/11/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listed 12/11/22)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 12/18/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 1/2/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer)

Listed 12/4/22:

KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)

Obituary:

Tejera

We told you in our last edition about the death of DAX TEJERA, the executive producer of ABC’s Sunday morning program This Week. He died of a heart attack on Friday, December 23rd. He was just 37 years old and leaves behind a wife and two young daughters. New this edition: This tribute to Dax, which aired on yesterday’s edition of This Week.

Diener

I’m sorry to report the passing of ROSLYN DIENER, mother of veteran news director SCOTT DIENER, now at Gray’s KMOV-TV (CBS) in St. Louis. Mrs. Diener was 96 when she died December 25th. In addition to Scott and his family, she is survived by a daughter. I never met her, but this obituary makes me wish I had. You can send a kind email to Scott here.

Names in the News:

Bock

MIKE BOCK, once the head of the Guy Gannett Communications TV group, and a former GM of its CBS affiliate in Cedar Rapids, IA, is in hospice care in Iowa. Some of his former colleagues reached out to me to let Mike’s friends know about his situation. They are hoping those friends would send Mike a note, especially with his 74th birthday nearing. More details here.

I stumbled across two reviews of local market news activity over the past year. I likely missed others, but, on the other hand, there aren’t as many local TV critics as there used to be.

JOHN KIESEWETTER reports that 24 on-air people left jobs in Cincinnati this year, with nine of them getting out of the business.

And ALAN PERGAMENT of The Buffalo News looks back at a year of lots of changes at Buffalo stations.

General Manager News and Notes:

Given the holiday break, I’m not aware of any GM moves this week. Please let me know if you know if I missed something.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Monday, January 2, 2023:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KSAT-TV 1408 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


December 26, 2022

Greetings:

I hope your holidays were happy and safe. Guessing it was chilly and snowy for many of you.

For a holiday weekend, we have more activity than I expected.

ONE new news director, ONE new opening, and lots of items in Names in the News.

23 stations are still looking for a news director, according to my always unofficial list of such things. And we have ONE paid help wanted ad for an Assistant ND in Rochester, MN.

There an obituary for an EP of an ABC News program and, for the second week, no news about GMs.

My crystal ball is cloudy as to how much activity we’ll have this week, but I anticipate publishing sometime over the weekend.

Stay safe and warm!

Newly Named News Directors:

Walker

WKBT-TV, LaCrosse, WI…JASON WALKER has been named news director for this Morgan Murphy Media owned CBS affiliate, the third ND in 30 years there. Here’s the note from GM CHRIS PALMER. Jason’s been the Assistant ND for KBTX-TV in Bryan, TX, and has worked in many markets in many roles. He replaces CHRISTI REYNARD who left the station in August after just over one year as ND.

New News Director Openings:

Garza

KGNS-TV, Laredo, TX…this Gray TV owned NBC/ABC operation has a posting on its website for a new news director. My records show that JERRY GARZA has been the news director (and anchor) there since 2016. I’ve emailed Jerry asking about his future plans, but have not yet heard back. If I do, I will pass that information along.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:

ABC News Channel 6, KAAL-TV in Rochester, MN is looking for an Assistant News Director to help lead our news room operations.

KAAL is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting-a premier family-owned mid-sized media organization.

In this role, you would be in charge of the evening news broadcasts as well as having a key role in the recruitment and training of news producers and on-air talent.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about objective journalism, believes in treating people with respect and dignity and wants to be an active member of their community. This is a great opportunity for either a lateral move or for someone looking to get into leadership.

Rochester, MN is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester is one of the most highly-educated, affluent and diverse communities in the country. Repeatedly named as America’s Most Liveable City; Rochester is full of great schools, parks, cultural outlets and is just 90 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul and 4 hours from Chicago.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply by clicking here and searching for jobs in Rochester, MN.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 12/11/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (EP & Digital EP, listing revised 12/4/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/9/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 10/9/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/11/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 12/11/22)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 12/4/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 12/11/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/11/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listed 12/11/22)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 12/18/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/4/22:

KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)

Obituary:

Tejera

DEX TEJERA, the executive producer of ABC’s Sunday morning program This Week, died of a heart attack on Friday, December 23rd. He was just 39 years old and leaves behind a wife and two young daughters. Details in this story from Variety. Dex also worked in local news in New York, as you’ll see in his Linkedin profile.

Names in the News:

A number of quick items for your reading pleasure.

The Standard General-Tegna deal is still unresolved. The latest: Standard’s letter to the FCC pledging no layoffs for two years.

Former CNN producer JOHN GRIFFIN will be sentenced in March after pleading guilty to federal sex charges.

Scripps has created a new division to explore opportunities creating partnerships with sports leagues.

After 34 years at WMUR-TV (Hearst/ABC) in Manchester, NH, including a stint as news director, JENNIFER CROMPTON is retiring.

WLBT-TV (Gray/NBC) in Jackson, MS, has hired a radio news director from Indianapolis, CHRIS DAVIS, to oversee online reporting, accord to the Indianapolis Business Journal.

General Manager News and Notes:

Once again, I’m not aware of any GM moves this week.Please let me know if you know of something I missed.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Monday, December 26, 2022:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KSAT-TV 1408 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station


December 18, 2022

Greetings:

A busy week!

THREE new news directors to tell you about, with TWO new openings.

Those changes mean 23 jobs remain on our list of open ND positions.

We have TWO Paid Help Wanted ads, ONE for an Assistant ND job at a family owned station in the Upper Midwest and ONE for an EP in Ft. Wayne.

We have news of the upcoming retirement of TOM DOLAN, a longtime management recruiter, former consultant, and two time large market news director. That is Names in the News, along with a third book from another former consultant, GM, and ND…and news of another former ND who’s been named CEO or a state wide non-profit news organization.

There are THREE obituaries for former news directors, and, as far as I know, no GM changes.

As you know, next Sunday is Christmas. I plan to publish sometime over the holiday weekend.

Until then, Happy Holidays to you and yours.

Newly Named News Directors:

Burger

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA…LISA BURGER moves within Nexstar and within California as she’ll be the next news director for this FOX affiliate. Here’s the note to staff from General Manager SCOT CHASTAIN. Lisa’s been the ND for KSEE/KGPE-TV in Fresno for more than three years. She worked for another Fresno station earlier in her career and also worked in Denver and San Diego. Lisa replaces veteran newsman ED KOSOWSKI who left in October after 1 1/2 years as ND.

Fickett

KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA…KIM FICKETT moves from Digital Content Manager to ND at this Gray owned NBC affiliate. It’s a quick ascension for Kim, who joined KTIV in September as Digital Content Manager, coming from editor of the Le Mars Sentinel. She’s being replaced in the digital job by DEAN WELTE. Kim replaces KEITH BLIVEN as ND. He originally moved to Operations Manager in May and this week was promoted to Director of Operations.

Marshall

KTVZ-TV, Bend, OR…CATHY MARSHALL has been promoted to news director for this News-Press & Gazette owned NBC affiliate. She joined the station earlier this year as the morning anchor. Cathy’s worked for CNN, and for stations in Boston, Seattle, New Haven and for KGW-TV in Portland, OR, for eleven years before joining KTVZ. Cathy replaces NIC MOYE who left earlier this year after six years as ND.

New News Director Openings:

KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA…you learned above that LISA BURGER is leaving this Nexstar owned NBC/CBS duopoly to become ND for Nexstar’s KTXL-TV (FOX) in Sacramento.

Cerbo

KIVI-TV, Boise, ID…CHRIS CERBO is leaving this Scripps owned ABC affiliate after less than a year in the top job. He was promoted to news director (from Assistant ND) last March when J BATES moved to the Scripps recruiting team. Chris has previously worked in Charlottesville, VA, and Myrtle Beach.

 

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:

ABC News Channel 6, KAAL-TV in Rochester, MN is looking for an Assistant News Director to help lead our news room operations.

KAAL is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting-a premier family-owned mid-sized media organization.

In this role, you would be in charge of the evening news broadcasts as well as having a key role in the recruitment and training of news producers and on-air talent.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about objective journalism, believes in treating people with respect and dignity and wants to be an active member of their community. This is a great opportunity for either a lateral move or for someone looking to get into leadership.

Rochester, MN is one of the fastest growing cities in America. Home of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester is one of the most highly-educated, affluent and diverse communities in the country. Repeatedly named as America’s Most Liveable City; Rochester is full of great schools, parks, cultural outlets and is just 90 minutes from Minneapolis-St. Paul and 4 hours from Chicago.

Learn more about this opportunity and apply by clicking here and searching for jobs in Rochester, MN.

Executive Producer, WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN:

WFFT in Fort Wayne, Ind. (DMA 111) is searching for an executive producer to create great content, help manage our staff, and execute some exciting projects we have in the works.

The pay range is between $45,000 and $55,000 a year in a city that is safe and one of the most affordable in the country. The hours are mostly dayside so no early mornings and few late nights.

You’ll join a talented and diverse newsroom where training and culture is a priority. At least two years of experience as a line-producer required.

Send questions to news director Andy Paras at aparas@wfft.com

Apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 12/11/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (EP & Digital EP, listing revised 12/4/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/9/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 10/9/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/11/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 12/11/22)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 12/4/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 12/11/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/11/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listed 12/11/22)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22, see ad above!)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 12/18/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/4/22:

KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/13/22:

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)

Obituaries:

Haley

I’m sorry to tell you that SKIP HALEY died today at a Louisiana hospice after a long illness. Skip’s a former news director in Atlanta (WSB-TV) and Montgomery, AL (WSFA-TV) and served as interim ND for KNOE-TV in Monroe, LA. He also worked for more than 25 years for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, LA. In recent years, Skip had worked as a diver. More details about his career on his Linkedin page. I hope to have more in next week’s edition.

Pontz

Another obituary of a former news director: ANDREW PONTZ was 80 when he died last Sunday (December 11). Andrew  had battled Parkinson’s disease for more than 17 years. He had been an ND at a number of stations, including KNOE-TV in Monroe, LA, KTAL-TV in Shreveport, LA, and KBTX-TV in Bryan, TX, which remembered him here.

Floyd

JOHN FROYD began his career in radio and then transitioned to television, working in a number of markets, most of them in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He died earlier this month at the age of 89. John was an ND in Alexandria, MN, worked in Green Bay (where he announced the famous ‘Ice Bowl’ game, and spent eight years as the main anchor at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire, WI, which aired this tribute to him.

Names in the News:

 Dolan

TV management recruiter TOM DOLAN is retiring at the end of the year. Details of his background and decision in this note he sent me. Tom’s been head of Dolan Media Management for 23 years following a career as a consultant (Broadcast Image Group) and news director in Phoenix (KSAZ-TV) and Chicago (WLS-TV). Many of you met Tom at industry conventions where he was a regular attendee and frequent presenter. Friends can wish him well via an email sent here.

  Willi

Another old friend, JIM WILLI, has been busy since retiring from AR&D in 2018. He’s now published his THIRD book, The Firebug of Cedar Creek. Jim sent this note:

Wanted to let you know I published my third novel in three years this week.

As usual I use real facts (this time the history of volunteer fire departments around Cedar Creek Lake) coupled with fictional mayhem (a serial arsonist).

If any of your readers are interested have them drop me an email at JWilli@ar-d.com and I’ll send them a signed copy and an invoice.

Thanks brother- Merry Christmas!!

Walker

I hope you are aware of the growth of non-profit news organizations around the country. One of them is the South Dakota News Watch, which describes itself at the state’s first nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization. It has hired CARSON WALKER as its first CEO. He’s a former news director for KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls and also worked for the AP. More in this story, where you will also learn that longtime TV executive MARCI BURDICK will serve as the board chair for the organization.

General Manager News and Notes:

I’m not aware of any GM moves this week.Please let me know if you know of something I missed.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 18, 2022:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KSAT-TV 1408 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
WKBT-TV 141 South 6th Street La Crosse, WI 54601
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station