Rick Gevers & Associates

March 30, 2025

Greetings:

We learned THREE things this week.

ONE: Our readers responded to my plea for information about ND jobs that had been filled but were still on my list.

TWO: I’ve done a poor job in tracking some of those jobs, as a few were filled some time ago. I’ll try and do better.

THREE: There is some reason to be optimistic about the next generation of reporters. (See Names in the News for more on that.)

So our list of open news director jobs moves to a more reasonable 37 positions as we are reporting ELEVEN new news directors this week (many from your tips). And TWO of those eleven moved from existing jobs, thus adding new openings to the list.

There are NO paid help wanted ads this week. Email me for information on how you can solve that problem (well, it’s a problem for me!)

Please check out the THREE ads from vendors who will be at NAB in Vegas soon. I’ll look forward to seeing you at the convention.

We have a ONE obituary for a longtime and very successful large market GM who died suddenly this week, just two years after her retirement.

Speaking of retirement, a longtime newsman who you may well have crossed paths with retired in December and a longtime Richmond news manager is leaving for a job at a local hospital.

Congratulations to TWO former Hearst news directors turned general managers who continue to move up within the company.

A Miami station is about to dramatically increase its news production, That’s what happens when you lose your network affiliation.

Newly Named News Directors:

Smith

KDFW-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…the first of TWO Tuesday UPDATES told you that Assistant ND BRUCE SMITH was promoted to the corner office here. Bruce first joined KDFW in 1996 as a producer, then promoted to EP , and to assistant news director 18 1/2 years ago. He’s also worked in Austin, TX, and Seattle. Bruce replaces ROBIN WHITMEYER who is retiring after 13 years as ND there (and eight years as ND for WSOC-TV in Charlotte, where she worked for 30 years.)

Brady

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC…you learned in our SECOND UDPATE that JON BRADY was moving within Sinclair to ND for this ABC affiliate. He’s spent the last 5+ years as ND for WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, but has lots of experience. He’s replacing CHERYL CARSON who stepped away to care for her aging parents, though Cheryl says she’s not done with journalism. (Ironically they worked together at KING-TV in Seattle, where Cheryl was ND and Jon an EP).

Heredero

WSCV-TV, Miami, FL…LILLET HEREDERO has been promoted to Vice President of News and Content for the Telemundo owned station. She’s been the director of multiplatform content & streaming for both WSCV and co-owned WTVJ-TV (NBC) since 2022. Lillet has big shoes to fill…she’s replacing HELGA SILVA who is retiring after 14 years as VP/News here and more than 50 years in our business. More here.

KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…MATT HUGIE has been promoted to ND for this NBC affiliate owned by Bonneville International. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owns Bonneville International.) He’s been the interim ND since LEONA WOOD left after eight years as ND. Matt’s been the Managing Editor for just over a year and was an EP for nine years before that. He’s also worked in Boise and Pocatello.

Kosin

WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA…DAVE KOSIN is getting what he called “THE job” in this linkedin post. For him, that’s the ND job at this Nexstar/ABC affiliate. He was the assistant ND there before moving to Roanoke, where he’s spent the last 18 months as ND for Nexstar’s WFXR-TV (FOX). Dave’s career history is here. In Harrisburg, Dave replaces LEISHA BEARD who transferred to Nexstar’s KTXL-TV (FOX) in Sacramento after 2+ years.

WOLF-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…ED PIKULSKI has been the news manager (not news director) at this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate since August. His background is unusual and interesting.

WCIV-TV, Charleston, SC…BRETT AUSTIN joined this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate last month as ND, after four years as ND for the company’s KTXS-TV (ABC) in Abilene. Brett spent more than ten years at ESPN.

KINT-TV, El Paso, TX…this Univision station has promoted DALINDA GARCIA to news director. She had been an anchor/reporter there.

WGXA-TV, Macon, GA…veteran news director MARK ROSEN is now at the helm of this Sinclair owned FOX/ABC affiliate. He’s been there since May and it’s not his first ND job in Macon. He replaced JEFF COX who moved to sister Sinclair station WBMA-TV (ABC) in Birmingham.

KTXS-TV, Abilene, TX…WILL JENSEN is the new ND for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Here’s his bio from the station website. You learned above that BRETT AUSTIN moved to Charleston, SC.

KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, Montana…branded by owner Sinclair as NBC Montana, they’ve hired LAURA FREEMAN as its next news director. She grew up near Missoula and earlier worked for another station there. Most recently, she was a producer at KCPQ-TV in Seattle.

New News Director Openings:

WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, FL…becuase you were paying attention you learned above that JON BRADY is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS station to become ND for Sinclair’s WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, DC.

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…and you get an A+ in comprehension if you remembered (from above) that DAVE KOSIN is returning to WHTM-TV as ND after 18 months at this sister Nexstar station.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

No ads this week. If you need help filling a news management opening, there is no more targeted audience than ours. Email me for details.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/23/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Obituary:

Saunders

KATHY SAUNDERS, who had a long and successful career as GM of FOX’s KDFW-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth, died suddenly on Wednesday at her California home. She was GM at KDFW for more than 26 years before retiring in 2023. She also helped launch the news department as GM for FOX’s WFXT-TV in Boston.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

WPLG-TV in Miami wasted little time explaining its plans for fill the programming holes created when it loses its ABC affiliation. Here’s a surprise (NOT). Lots of news.

And EMILY BARR, who used to run the Post-Newsweek-Graham Media group (which once owned WPLG) says we may see more of this type of thing ahead.

Mondora

Perhaps you worked with him during his long career at CBS News. Or perhaps you interacted with him during his four years as ND for FOX o-and-o in Los Angeles. Or, more recently, maybe your paths crossed during his seven years as Washington Bureau Chief for Nexstar. Either way, he touched many people during his four decade long career. BILL MONDORA retired in December and sent me this kind note (which includes his email address for those wanting to send him well wishes.)

After almost 30 years at WTVR-TV in Richmond, most recently as the assistant ND, MISTI DAVIDSON is leaving for a job with a local hospital. The station wished her well here.

Feeling pessimistic about the next generation of journalists? Perhaps you’ll feel better knowing that about 55-60 students from all over the country travelled to San Antonio this week for an HSI Investigative Journalism Workshop put on by IRE. Students came from as far as California, Chicago, New York, and Florida to learn more about investigative reporting. They received a modest stipend but not enough to cover all their costs. And they benefited from local professionals who came to a reception Thursday to connect with the students.

General Manager News and Notes:

Congratulations to two former news directors who are ascending the food chain at Hearst. KYLE GRIMES has been promoted to Executive VP for Hearst. He’s been GM at WCVB-TV (ABC) in Boston. He’ll be replaced there by former WCVB ND ANDREW VREES who was ND there from 2009-2016 before moving to a corporate role and later GM as WMUR-TV (also ABC) in Manchester, NH. More from the station’s website.

Our List of Open News Director Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 30, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfeild Drive W. Palm Beach FL 33407
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1, Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

March 23, 2025

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 UPDATE #2:

Greetings:

A rare second UPDATE in one day usually means a change in a big market, and that’s certainly the case as we have the second new ND in a top ten market today.

Brady

JON BRADY moves within Sinclair as he’ll be the next news director for WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington, DC. It’s a return to Washington for Jon who went to George Washington University there. For the last 5+ years, he’s been the ND for Sinclair’s WPEC-TV (CBS) in West Palm Beach, FL. Jon’s held a number of management positions in both local and network news, as you’ll learn here.

He’s replacing CHERYL CARSON. We told you in January that Cheryl was stepping away from the ND job to help care for her aging parents. but that she was NOT done with journalism. She was ND here for six years after three years as ND for KING-TV (NBC) in Seattle.

In addition to these moves, we have at least FIVE other changes we’ll share this weekend, thanks in large part to a loyal reader who chimed in after our plea for information in last week’s edition.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

There’s a new news director at a top five network owned station, and a well known long time Scripps employee is losing his job there.

Smith

Congratulations to longtime KDFW-TV Assistant News Director BRUCE SMITH, who’s being promoted to ND at this FOX o-and-o. Bruce first joined KDFW in 1996 as a producer, was promoted to EP of the morning newscast, and to assistant news director 18 1/2 years ago. He’s also worked in Austin, TX, and Seattle. Bruce is replacing ROBIN WHITMEYER who is retiring after 13 years as ND there (and eight years as ND for WSOC-TV in Charlotte where she worked for 30 years.)

Mahaney

Sorry to share that CHIP MAHANEY is leaving Scripps after more than 16 years in a wide variety of roles. Chip’s job as Emerging Talent Leader is being eliminated, as he wrote in this Linkedin post just a few minutes ago. Chip has held many jobs during his long tenure at Scripps. Those roles…and his many other positions…are all detailed on his Linkedin page.

More this weekend.

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

I’ll confess I don’t keep track of such things, but I think the 45 stations with open ND jobs may be a record in the 27+ years we’ve produced this newsletter.

If you know that some of these jobs have been filled, please let me know.

The list grew again this week with TWO new openings, and as far as I know there were no jobs filled.

We have ONE paid help wanted ad, that for an EP job as a legendary North Carolina station.

We have THREE ads from vendors who will be exhibiting at the upcoming NAB convention (hope to see you there) in Las Vegas.

ACCUWEATHER returns this week with a pretty nice looking augmented reality system.

Octopus Newsroom will be showcasing its newest system.

And Trint will be there as well, demonstrating its live transcription services.

Please check out their booths at NAB and tell them you learned about them here. Their support is important as I explain to my wife why I can’t go out on Sunday night. 🙂

Also…longtime supporters WMV and Sciline are back with ads…Sciline offering a free webinar to improve your science reporting.

A legendary (though retired) Mississippi news director and anchor has died. That’s our ONE new obituary and we have more details and information about a memorial service for JIM KEELOR who passing we first reported last week.

Our GM section has four items: A former ND turns GM moves to a network o-and-o, a new GM in Kentucky, and TWO retirements, including ONE from the head of a small family owned broadcast group.

We have some perspectives on the seismic change in Miami television we first told you about in a Thursday UPDATE.

Ever see network anchors and correspondents twist and turn trying to describe a pretty big body of water? We have a column describing just that.

And more!

Read on, and take comfort knowing that your basketball bracket is in much better shape than mine. 🙂

Newly Named News Directors:

To the best of my knowledge, NO news director jobs were filled this week. If I’m wrong…please let me know via email!

New News Director Openings:

Laughrin

WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI…JOHN LAUGHRIN is leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate and stepping away from television after 25 years in the industry. John tells me he’s starting his own business and sent this note with details including a clever name. He’s been there 3+ years, and has three previous ND stops. His departure creates a second ND opening in Green Bay, joining WLUK-TV on our list.

Henning

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…ADAM HENNING is out at this Allen Media Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Adam told me his departure was due to disagreements over issues with his general manager (gosh, anyone ever heard THAT before?) Adams was here not quite two years and has held several other ND jobs…and a few other positions as well.

Ryan H.

An UPDATE on our report last week on the departure of KOAA-TV (Colorado Springs, CO) news director RYAN HAZELWOOD. That item was thin on details about why he was leaving this Scripps owned NBC affiliate. Ryan kindly reached out to fill in the blanks: sadly, the news was not good. He’s been here for 7 1/2 years and has also been an ND in Amarillo. Your kind note would reach him by clicking here.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is searching for a dynamic morning Executive Producer to lead content strategy, presentation, and innovation across all WRAL platforms, including newscasts.

We are looking for a “news director of the mornings,” who is passionate about breaking news, significant stories, weather coverage, and original, enterprise reporting.

This role involves overseeing daily news operations, collaborating with reporters, photographers, producers, editors, digital teams, graphic designers, promotions, and other news management staff.

WRAL is based in Raleigh, home to the Research Triangle. The region is consistently ranked as one of the best to live in the country.

WRAL is locally owned and operated, featuring a dynamic newsroom that includes a documentary team, investigative team, consumer and health teams, a climate change reporter and an award-winning political unit.

If you are interested in the role, please apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (relisted 3/23/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/9/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)
WTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 3/23/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 3/23/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25, see ad above!)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 3/23/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 3/23/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Relisted 3/9/25:

WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (Digital Content Manager)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Obituaries:

Johnson

Sorry to report the passing of legendary Mississippi broadcaster JOHN JOHNSON, who died Monday after a long illness. He was 77 years old. John spent 32 years at WTOK-TV in Meridian, MS, and mentored many employees in his roles as both news director and anchor. The station posted this nice story on its website.

Keelor

And we have more on the passing of JIM KEELOR. Jim started as a reporter and ended up as CEO of Cosmos (later Liberty) Broadcasting. Here’s a full obituary and here are details about a memorial service next weekend in South Carolina.

By the way, we were wrong last week when we told you that Liberty was sold to Gray. It was first sold to Raycom and then many of the stations went to Gray.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

We have some new perspective on the big change in Miami TV we first reported in Thursday’s UPDATE…which, of course, was the ABC affiliation moving to a digital channel (7.2) owned by Sunbeam TV, owner of FOX affiliate WSVN-TV. Former WPLG reporter STEVE BOUSQUET suggests the changes for WPLG might be good news for South Florida viewers, while longtime ND KIRK VARNER has a good perspective on the history of affiliation changes.

Quick hits:

OLIVER DARCY’s relatively new Status newsletter looks at the verbal gymnastics TV networks went through in trying to identify a certain body of water where the stranded astronauts landed this week.

Want to improve staff retention and improve morale in your newsroom? Consider a four day work week. (I tried this in Toledo with one reporter many years ago and it worked well.)

Sinclair tabbed VALERIA RICCIOLI to be Director of Content for its National News Desk. She’s also worked at Newsmax and Fox News Media.

Finally, congratulations to MARANGELI LOPEZ, news director and former evening anchor at KYTX-TV (Tegna/CBS) in Tyler, TX. She and her husband JUSTIN OLIVER are the proud parents of ANGEL JAMES OLIVER who was born Wednesday.

General Manager News and Notes:

Julie E.

A former ND turns GM advances to an o-and-0 in a top 30 market. JULIE EISENMAN will be the next GM at CBS owned KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh. She’s been running WNEP-TV (Tegna/ABC) in Scranton-Wilkes Barre. It’s a return to Pittsburgh for Julie, who earlier in her career worked on the assignment desk at WPXI-TV. She’s been an ND in Columbia, SC and Savannah, GA and replaces CHRIS COTUGNO who is retiring. More perspective from Trib Total Media.

Meara

MIKE MEARA is retiring at the end of the year after more than ten years as President of the Broadcast division of News-Press and Gazette. He first joined in 2009 as director of sales, moved to executive VP/COO three years later and bumped to President in 2015. He’ll be replaced by RALL BRADLEY, now executive VP of the company. Rall is the fourth generation of the Bradley family to be involved in leadership there.

Jim Mc.

Longtime broadcaster JIM McKERNAN is also retiring. He’ll step down in June after 3 1/2 years as General Manager for Gray’s WOWT-TV in Omaha. Jim posted this message on his LinkedIn page where he discusses his next steps. He’s been a GM in multiple markets and also served as a GM for two CBS owned radio stations in St. Louis. His complete career history is on his full Linkedin page.

Kawaja

JAIME SAYRE KAWAJA returns to a station where she once interned…this time as the GM for WKYT/WYMT-TV, CBS stations in the Lexington/Hazard, KY market. Both are owned by Gray Media, where Jaime has spent her entire career She most recently has been the GM and Director of Sales for Gray’s WFLX-TV, the FOX affiliate in West Palm Beach, FL.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 23, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
KDFW-TV 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman Street. Harrisburg, PA 17110
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WFRV-TV 1181 E Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54301
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE Huntsville AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KINT-TV 5426 North Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79912
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

March 16, 2025

Thursday, March 20, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A SEISMIC change in Miami television today.

The ABC affiliation is moving from WPLG-TV, where it has been for almost 70 years to Sunbeam Television, owner of FOX affiliate WSVN-TV.

ABC programming will air on a digital channel, 7.2.

Here are stories from the individual station’s website with more.

First, the story from Sunbeam and WSVN:

And WPLG’s report is here.

Wow!

More this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Apologies for the tardy posting but travel interfered.

This week: TWO newly opened news director jobs, and THREE jobs were filled.

Our list of openings remains at 43.

Once again, we have a Paid Help Wanted AD for a General Manager’s job, along with ads for two other news management positions.

As NAB approaches, several vendors are hoping you’ll stop by, including Trint, a new supporter of this newsletter. Trint is helping newsrooms all over the world turn interviews, speeches and news conferences into content faster than ever.

And our friends at Octopus return as an advertiser…Innovate Your Newsroom with Octopus 12 – See It in Action at NAB 2025!

We have ONE obituary for a former ND turned GM turned President of a broadcasting group. That’s below.

There are TWO new GMs, including ONE in a top 20 market.

There are a lot of news managers on the move. Those are covered in our Names in the News (and other stuff) section below.

Also there: Could a new FCC impact affiliate relations payments to networks, and could THAT impact the Paramount/Skydance deal? Read on for one veteran’s observer’s take. Sinclair sold a few small stations, a former Chicago ND publisher her THRIDchildren’s book, and a well known media critic heads to an ivory Tower.

Read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Cabieses

KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA…as if often does, Hearst moved quickly and filled an open ND job here from within. NATALIE CABIESES has been the Assistant ND for this CBS affiliate, and, remarkably, is only the FIFTH news director in the station’s 70+ year history. Natalie’s also worked in Milwaukee, Orlando, and Ft. Myers. She replaces ALLISON SMITH, promoted to GM for Hearst’s KETV in Omaha.

Pace

WRCB-TV, Chattanooga, TN…PERRY PACE returns to Chattanooga as the ND for this Sarkes-Tarzian owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the ND for Tegna’s WOI-TV (ABC) in Ames, IA. Perry explained the move to me in this email. He’s worked in Indianapolis (twice), Birmingham, and Houston. At WRCB, he replaces MEGAN ROBERTS who left in January after three years as ND.

KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT…DON HUDSON is the new news director here. He’s been anchoring in Knoxville and earlier worked for six years in Salt Lake City.

Correction: In one of the two instances last week where we mentioned a new news director in Myrtle Beach, we transposed the call letters. JEN BLAKE is the ND at WMBF-TV.

New News Director Openings:

WOI-TV, Ames, IA…you learned above that PERRY PACE is leaving to return to Chattanooga as ND for WRCB-TV. WOI is an ABC affiliate owned by Tegna.

Ryan H.

KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO…Scripps owns this NBC affiliate and apparently has an ND opening. My records (and his Linkedin page) show that RYAN HAZELWOOD has been the news director for the last 7 1/2 years and has also been an ND in Amarillo. He began his career as a photojournalist working in several small Texas markets.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Vice President/General Manager, WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN:

WDIO-TV News Channel 10/13, the award-winning ABC affiliate of legendary Hubbard Broadcasting in Duluth, MN needs a Vice President and General Manager with a history of success in leading broadcast, multi-media news operations and/or TV advertising sales.

We emphasize investigative style news and original hyper-local reporting. This position requires a strong leader to help keep this station at the top of the market while generating revenue in an ethical manner. Being community-service oriented is also key for success in this role.

This position is also responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs on WDIO and content on digital and social media platforms.

The successful candidate must motivate, inspire, engage and lead both an experienced, high performing team as well as green talent. We are looking for a leader who can build off WDIO’s legacy, creating a vision for the future, and supporting our ‘with you for life’ brand.

Set on beautiful Lake Superior, Duluth is in a vast region that is an outdoor paradise surrounded by pristine nature. The community is a combination of college town, tourist mecca, shipping/manufacturing, and regional healthcare center. A safe community with low cost yet high standards of living. WDIO is proud to be part of this community and we actively support community initiatives that help create positive change.

To learn more about the day-to-day duties and qualifications for this remarkable opportunity please see the full job description here:

Any questions? Please reach out to Hubbard Broadcasting’s Recruiting Manager, Michael Hammond at mhammond@bhi.com

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is searching for a dynamic morning Executive Producer to lead content strategy, presentation, and innovation across all WRAL platforms, including newscasts.

We are looking for a “news director of the mornings,” who is passionate about breaking news, significant stories, weather coverage, and original, enterprise reporting.

This role involves overseeing daily news operations, collaborating with reporters, photographers, producers, editors, digital teams, graphic designers, promotions, and other news management staff.

WRAL is based in Raleigh, home to the Research Triangle. The region is consistently ranked as one of the best to live in the country.

WRAL is locally owned and operated, featuring a dynamic newsroom that includes a documentary team, investigative team, consumer and health teams, a climate change reporter and an award-winning political unit.

If you are interested in the role, please apply here:

Multiplatform Managing Editor, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Job Summary:

WINK News is seeking an experienced and dynamic Multiplatform Managing Editor. This position will oversee daily news operations, ensuring the highest standards of journalism and multi-platform content delivery. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a passion for local news, strong editorial judgment, and proven leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

· Ensure consistent, high-quality coverage across all platforms, including broadcast, digital, and social media.
· Foster collaboration between news and digital teams to enhance multi-platform storytelling and audience engagement.
· Supervise and mentor producers, reporters, and newsroom staff, providing regular feedback and coaching.
· Oversee story selection, script approval, and editorial decision-making to uphold the station’s standards of excellence.
· Contribute to long-term strategic planning for news content and special projects.
· Champion a culture of teamwork, accountability, and journalistic integrity.

Qualifications:
· Minimum of 5 years of newsroom leadership experience, preferably in a medium-to-large market.
· Strong editorial judgment with a deep understanding of journalistic principles and ethics.
· Proven ability to lead and inspire a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
· Experience with multi-platform content strategies and audience engagement.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
· Proficiency with newsroom systems, digital platforms, and social media.

WINK News is locally owned and operated for more than 70 years. We are committed to delivering impactful local journalism IN Southwest Florida. Join a newsroom that values innovation, collaboration, and journalistic excellence.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 1/19/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 3/16/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/9/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 3/16/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 3/16/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 1/12/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25, see ad above!)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (Digital EP, listed 3/2/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WYXZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 3/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/16/25:

Scripps, anywhere Scripps has a station (Senior Dir. of Digital News)

Listed 3/9/25:

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN (VP/GM, see ad above!)
Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Relisted 3/9/25:

WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (Digital Content Manager)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor, see ad above!)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Listed 1/19/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Obituary:

Keelor

JIM KEELOR was a reporter turned producer turned NBC Cleveland bureau chief turned news director turned GM who eventually ran Cosmos (aka Liberty) before the stations were sold to Raycom in 2006. Jim died earlier this week of complications from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. He was 83. More details here. One of his three children followed him into the business: daughter KIM KEELOR anchored in Dallas, Tampa, and several smaller markets.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

My alma mater, the University of Missouri, received a ten million dollar gift from an alum for its documentary program. Details here.

SPOILER ALERT: I was NOT the donor.

Quick hits:

Gibson

BRADY GIBSON took I-70 west from Indianapolis to Kansas City, where he’s the new Assistant ND for Nexstar’s WDAF-TV (FOX). He most recently was the ND at WISH-TV in Indianapolis and earlier spent many years at WRTV (ABC) there.

TWO hires from Scripps:

JAMES DEERING joins WTVF-TV in Nashville as EP. He’s been a producer in Boston and Houston.

WSYM-TV in Lansing has hired ISSAC TAYLOR as its Assistant News Director. He moves from WOWK-TV in Charleston/Huntington, WV, where he started 3 1/2 years ago as a master control operator and has been the station’s Digital Content Manager.

CODY CRAWFORD has been promoted to Assistant News Director for Tegna’s KREM-TV in Spokane. He had been the morning EP.

One-time Chicago ND PHYLLIS SCHWARTZ has released her third children’s book.

Former GM and consultant HANK PRICE wonders if the change in FCC leadership may impact affiliate payments to networks…and also thinks it could impact the pending Skydance/Paramount deal.

Sinclair is selling five of its smaller stations.

Deggans

ERIC DEGGANS, longtime media critic and observer, is turning to teaching. He’s been named the Knight Chair in Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University. He’ll continue to serve as a critic at large for National Public Radio.

General Manager News and Notes:

Trevino

Tegna promoted JOHN TREVINO to General Manager at its Cleveland NBC affiliate, WKYC-TV. He’s been running KBMT-KJAC-TV in Southeast Texas and previously was a GM for KDAF-TV in Dallas. Here’s the news release with more. In Cleveland, Josh replaces MICKI BYRNES. We told you in late January that Micki was retiring after almost ten years as GM and 28 years at the station.

Sinclair tabbed DAVID TODD BAILEY to run KTXS-TV in Abilene. More here.

NEIL MIDDLETON has returned to his radio roots as President and CEO of the Forscht Radio group which manages 26 stations in nine markets in Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana. He most recently was GM of WYMT-TV in Hazard, KY, where he spent 12 years as GM and 38 at the station.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 16, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
KDFW-TV 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman Street. Harrisburg, PA 17110
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave, Pueblo, CO 81003
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KINT-TV 5426 North Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79912
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station

March 9, 2025

Greetings:

A busy week!

SEVEN newly opened news director jobs, including ONE in the number ONE market. And FOUR positions were filled.

Our list of openings increases, and now stands, by my count at 43 (if my three years of sophomore math paid off).

We have a Paid Help Wanted AD for a General Manager’s job, along with ads for two other news positions.

There are TWO new obituaries, though both the former NDs died a few months ago. And ONE, who was also on the faculty at Missouri, had a huge impact on this students, including me.

A longtime GM exited a top 20 market station in January. It slipped below our radar until this week. We’ll fill you in, tell what created the GM opening whose ad we mentioned before, and Sinclair names a new GM

And we’ll introduced you to a California News Director who’s talking about her fight against cancer, and it appears that ALLEN MEDIA is going ahead with plans to outsource some local weather casts to its co-owned Weather Channel.

An UPDATE on our report last week that BARRY FULMER was returning to Block Communications WDRB-TV (FOX) in Louisville. We did not account for JENNIFER KEENEY who replaced Barry there when he left for WCPO-TV in Cincinnati. She’s taking a job with Louisville’s Metro Police Department after 25 years at WDRB, which aired this tribute to her. And she wrote this interesting editorial about the job she’s leaving…and the job she’s going to.

There’s lots more as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors:

Delancey

WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA…ANDY DELANCEY gets his first ND job at this Nexstar owned CW affiliate. Here’s the memo from GM LLOYD BUCHER. The move reunites Lloyd and Andy, who worked together at WPTV in West Palm Beach. Andy went to Cincinnati, and then WCCO-TV in Minneapolis where he’s been the Assistant News Director-Mornings for the last 16 months. He replaces MARQUES WHITE.

Williams

KWES-TV, Midland-Odessa, TX…NATASHA WILLIAMS has been named news director for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. She most recently was the Assistant News Director and Anchor for Allen Media’s WSIL-TV in Carterville, IL, a job she left in October according to her Linkedin page. At KWES, she replaces MELISSA HENDRIX-BEACH who left last summer after six years as ND.

And just before publishing, we got a few more updates from Gray with little time to go into more details.

KSFY-TV, Sioux Falls, SD…ANNDREA (cq) ANDERSON has been promoted to ND here.

WMBF-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC…JEN BLAKE moves within Gray to become ND here. She had spent the last 3 1/2 years as ND for Gray’s KOTA-TV in Rapid City, SD.

New News Director Openings:

Matthews

WABC-TV, New York, NY…you learned in our Thursday UPDATE that SCOTT MATTHEWS is returning to cable news as Senior VP of News Gathering for MSNBC as is nears its divorce from NBC News. He’s been the VP/News Director here since October, 2022. He’d also spent nine years as ND for three FOX owned stations in New York, Philadelphia and Boston, and Scott’s worked for CNN, CNBC, and served as an EP for Investigative Reporting for stations in New York City and Phoenix.

Adkins

WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH…JONATHAN ADKINS has left this Tegna owned NBC affiliate after less than two years as ND and 17 at the station. He was promoted to ND in 2023 after serving as News Content Director for five years. He first joined WKYC in 2009 and held a variety of other management positions. He also worked for WJW-TV (FOX) in Cleveland for eight years and in Rochester, NY.

Darrah

WATN/WLMT-TV, Memphis, TN…just a few months after MIKE DARRAH was named news director for this Tegna owned ABC/CW duopoly, the job is open again. Mike started here in December after working outside of a TV newsroom for three years. He previously had been a news director in Honolulu, and worked in management in Las Vegas and Orlando.

Buehler

WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI…after a remarkable 38 years at the station, and 30 years as news director there, JULI BUEHLER is retiring from this Sinclair Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate. More from the station’s website. She spent eight years as an EP before her promotion, has also worked in New Haven and earlier worked in Eau Claire, WI, and Rochester, MN, as an anchor and producer.

Fuller

WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…SABRINA FULLER is leaving this Gray Media owned CBS affiliate after almost five years as news director. She earlier spent five years as a producer and then executive producer for Gray’s WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, VA. The station spent five minutes on air on this farewell video, though it did not tell us where she is going, though it appears she is leaving the business.

Truitt

WMDT-TV, Salisbury, MD…SARAH TRUITT is stepping away after a long career at this Marquee Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. She’s been the ND there for 14 years and worked there for more than 20 years.

And, as noted above, KOTA-TV in Rapid City now has an opening with the departure of JENNIFER BLAKE who’s moving within Gray to be ND at WMBF-TV in Myrtle Beach.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Vice President/General Manager, WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN:

WDIO-TV News Channel 10/13, the award-winning ABC affiliate of legendary Hubbard Broadcasting in Duluth, MN needs a Vice President and General Manager with a history of success in leading broadcast, multi-media news operations and/or TV advertising sales.

We emphasize investigative style news and original hyper-local reporting. This position requires a strong leader to help keep this station at the top of the market while generating revenue in an ethical manner. Being community-service oriented is also key for success in this role.

This position is also responsible for defining and maintaining ethical, editorial, artistic and technical standards for broadcast news programs on WDIO and content on digital and social media platforms.

The successful candidate must motivate, inspire, engage and lead both an experienced, high performing team as well as green talent. We are looking for a leader who can build off WDIO’s legacy, creating a vision for the future, and supporting our ‘with you for life’ brand.

Set on beautiful Lake Superior, Duluth is in a vast region that is an outdoor paradise surrounded by pristine nature. The community is a combination of college town, tourist mecca, shipping/manufacturing, and regional healthcare center. A safe community with low cost yet high standards of living. WDIO is proud to be part of this community and we actively support community initiatives that help create positive change.

To learn more about the day-to-day duties and qualifications for this remarkable opportunity please see the full job description here:

Any questions? Please reach out to Hubbard Broadcasting’s Recruiting Manager, Michael Hammond at mhammond@bhi.com

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is searching for a dynamic morning Executive Producer to lead content strategy, presentation, and innovation across all WRAL platforms, including newscasts.

We are looking for a “news director of the mornings,” who is passionate about breaking news, significant stories, weather coverage, and original, enterprise reporting.

This role involves overseeing daily news operations, collaborating with reporters, photographers, producers, editors, digital teams, graphic designers, promotions, and other news management staff.

WRAL is based in Raleigh, home to the Research Triangle. The region is consistently ranked as one of the best to live in the country.

WRAL is locally owned and operated, featuring a dynamic newsroom that includes a documentary team, investigative team, consumer and health teams, a climate change reporter and an award-winning political unit.

If you are interested in the role, please apply here:

Multiplatform Managing Editor, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

Job Summary:

WINK News is seeking an experienced and dynamic Multiplatform Managing Editor. This position will oversee daily news operations, ensuring the highest standards of journalism and multi-platform content delivery. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker with a passion for local news, strong editorial judgment, and proven leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities:

· Ensure consistent, high-quality coverage across all platforms, including broadcast, digital, and social media.
· Foster collaboration between news and digital teams to enhance multi-platform storytelling and audience engagement.
· Supervise and mentor producers, reporters, and newsroom staff, providing regular feedback and coaching.
· Oversee story selection, script approval, and editorial decision-making to uphold the station’s standards of excellence.
· Contribute to long-term strategic planning for news content and special projects.
· Champion a culture of teamwork, accountability, and journalistic integrity.

Qualifications:
· Minimum of 5 years of newsroom leadership experience, preferably in a medium-to-large market.
· Strong editorial judgment with a deep understanding of journalistic principles and ethics.
· Proven ability to lead and inspire a diverse team in a fast-paced environment.
· Experience with multi-platform content strategies and audience engagement.
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
· Proficiency with newsroom systems, digital platforms, and social media.

WINK News is locally owned and operated for more than 70 years. We are committed to delivering impactful local journalism IN Southwest Florida. Join a newsroom that values innovation, collaboration, and journalistic excellence.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 2/23/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 1/19/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 1/12/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (relisted 3/9/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/9/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
KTVB-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/23/25)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 1/12/25)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 1/19/25)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Spectrum Noticias, New York, NY (Senior EP, relisted 1/12/25)
KING-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 1/26/25)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/2/25)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 1/12/25)
Spectrum News, Orlando, FL (relisted 1/12/25)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 3/9/25)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/2/25, see ad above!)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listing modified 1/12/25)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 3/2/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 3/9/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, relisted 3/9/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (listed 2/23/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (Digital EP, listed 3/2/25)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 1/26/25)
WPTZ-TV, Burlington, VT (listed 2/16/25)
WAPT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 2/16/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 2/23/25)
WVNS-TV, Ghent, WV (listed 2/23/25)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/9/25:

Tegna, Temple TX: (Texas Digital Director, overseeing five stations)

Relisted 3/9/25:

KGW-TV, Portland, OR (Digital Director)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (Digital Content Manager)

Listing Revised 3/7/25:

WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Multiplatform Managing Editor, see ad above!)

Relisted 2/16/25:

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Streaming/Weekend Executive Producer)

Listed 2/9/25:

WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Reporter, title change this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA: (Executive Reporter)

Listed 1/19/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)

Obituaries:

Wilson

LEIGH WILSON made an incredible difference in the lives of many students, including me, during his short time in the mid-1970’s as news director of the University of Missouri’s KOMU-TV in Columbia. Word of his death from cancer in late November in Thailand just reached us over the weekend. My classmate JOHN FERRUGIA posted this notice on Facebook with more details. Leigh was a photographer by training, working much of his time for networks and encouraged many students to embrace photojournalism as a career.

Brown

MARK BROWN, a long ago news director and reporter at KOBI-TV in Medford, OR, died in December at the age of 79. After leaving KOBI, he went to work for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival as a videographer. More details in this story from KOBI and his full obituary.

Finally…RTDNA posted this remembrance from friends of LOU PRATO, who died late last month. Some good stories are included, including the time he threw a VHS cassette across the room during a heated discussion about a category into the Edward R. Murrow Awards judging.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

After announcing a plan to replace local meteorologists with forecast from co-owned The Weather Channel, and then quickly reversing it after outcries, Allen Media is apparently moving forward, again, at least in some markets. A meteorologist at the Allen station in Evansville posted on Facebook. And while not widely reporter, WHAS-TV (ABC) in Louisville is airing weekend weather segments from sister Tegna station WXIA-TV in Atlanta.

Placencia

VERONICA PLACENCIA is the news director for Scripps’ KERO-TV (ABC) in Bakersfield, CA. She is also battling stage 3A endometrial cancer. Veronica spent time discussing her battle as part of the station’s Teaming Up Against Cancer. You can watch that segment here. Veronica has been ND here for three years, was the executive producer for three years before that, and is a former news director in EL Paso.

General Manager News and Notes:

Hoffman

We are tardy in reporting that JEFF HOFFMAN left WKMG-TV (Graham Media/CBS) in Orlando back in January after almost ten years as GM there. More details from the station’s Linkedin account. Before Orlando, Jeff was a GM in Norfolk and Huntsville, held station manager positions in Columbia, SC, and Louisville, where he had earlier been the ND. And if memory serves, he worked in news in his native Philadelphia.

DEB MESSER, GM for Hubbard’s WDIO-TV in Duluth, MN, is retiring in June and the company is looking for her replacement. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted Ad above.

DAVID BANGURA moves within Nexstar, from GM at WDVM/WDCA-TV to the same tole at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg. His job in Washington has been combined to a GM/VP Sales job for WDVM and Nexstar owned The Hill.

JOSEPH TRACY is the new GM for Sinclair’s KDSM-TV in Des Moines and KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids. The news release has more on his background and the two stations.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 9, 2025:

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

WABC-TV 7 Hudson Square, New York, NY 10013
KDFW-TV 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WSB-TV 1601 W. Peachtree St., N.E. Atlanta, GA 30309
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WKYC-TV 1333 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45202
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman Street. Harrisburg, PA 17110
WHAS- 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N. Shelby Oaks Dr., #101 Memphis, TN 38134
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93727
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KCCI-TV 888 9th St. Des Moines, Iowa 50309
WLUK-TV 787 Lombardi Ave., Green Bay, WI 54304
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WRCB-TV 900 Whitehall Rd. Chattanooga, TN 37405
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KINT-TV 5426 North Mesa Street El Paso, TX 79912
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus, GA 31901
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WMDT-TV 202 Downtown Plaza, Salisbury, MD 21801
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX 79761
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Drive Rapid City, SD 57701
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501

**: Spanish language station