Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

February 16, 2025

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 UPDATE #2

Greetings.

Updating our earlier story…as you TV types are prone to saying.

ADRIENNE ROARK’s move from CBS to Tegna is now official.

Roark

She’s been named Chief Content Officer and will report to CEO MIKE STEIB. We told you earlier today that she was leaving CBS after about 3 1/2 years there with two different titles.

More on her new role in the official Tegna news release just posted to the Tegna website.

I should have more on this story this weekend in our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

The New York Post has a shocker today…that a veteran CBS executive…and a former local news director…is leaving the network. And read on to see where the Post thinks she’s headed.

Roark

According to the Post, ADRIENNE ROARK’s departure was announced during today’s morning editorial meeting. Her current title is President, Editorial and Newsgathering for CBS News and Stations. She first joined CBS as one of the Presidents of CBS Local Stations, overseeing eight of the networks owned stations. That follows a long career at local stations as both a GM and news director. Her Linkedin page has her entire history.

I hope to have more on this story this weekend in our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 UPDATE:

Greetings:

NBC wasted little time in hiring its next o-and-o GM, and it’s a former news director.

Davis

JOEL DAVIS heads to Philadelphia as the next GM for WCAU-WSSI-TV (NBC/Telemundo) there. He’s spent the last seven years as GM for Capitol Broadcasting’s WRAL-WRAZ-TV (NBC/FOX) and previously was the GM for Scripps’ KGTV (ABC) in San Diego, where he started as news director and moved up the food chain. He’s also been a news director at KFSN-TV (ABC owned) and KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, where he started as a reporter/anchor and ascended to news director.

The move reunites Joel with NBC’s Chairman of NBCUniversal Local, VALARI STAAB. They worked together at KFSN, where she was GM and named Joel as the interim ND before she left for WTVD-TV. Her replacement at KFSN, ERIC LERNER, removed the interim.

Joel replaces RIC HARRIS who left earlier this month and quickly resurfaced as GM for Nexstar’s WGN-TV (CW) in Chicago. And Joel will be replaced…at least on an interim basis at WRAL…by HEATHER GRAY.

We’ll see you this weekend with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

It’s a slow week, with just ONE new ND opening and ONE new ND who’s giving up anchoring to become the news boss at his station.

That means our list of open ND jobs stays at 39.

One of those jobs is featured in a Paid Help Wanted ad below and we have an ad for an Executive Reporter opening.

Sciline’s offering free interviews about the connection between heart health…and sleep, something that likely impacts too many of us! And check out the ad for Barry Nash and Company.

A new President for MSNBC is our only item in Names in the News, while we have TWO new GMs to tell you about.

Happy President’s Day! We’ll be back next week with our full report.

Newly Named News Director:

Franklin

KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX…DARRELL FRANKLIN is giving up anchoring to be the ND for this Nexstar operated NBC/FOX duopoly. He’s a 33 year veteran of the station who started in production and moved to news 31 years ago. Darrell replaces MIKE SNUFFER who’s off to KATV in Little Rock as ND. Nexstar owns KFDX and provides services to Mission Broadcasting’s KJTL.

New News Director Openings:

Cook

KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN…this Hubbard Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate is searching for a news director. BRIANNA COOK is leaving to take a communications job with the state of Minnesota. She’s been ND there since December, 2021, when she was promoted from morning anchor. It was her second stint there…the first began in 2009, interrupted by a job in Omaha. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted Ad just below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN:

KAAL-TV (Hubbard Broadcasting) in Rochester, Minnesota is looking for a News Director to lead our team.

You will work with a great mix of experienced and young journalists who cover Southeastern Minnesota and Northern Iowa.

We pride ourselves in covering LOCAL news and LOCAL sports in our larger and smaller communities in the 12 counties we serve.

Home to the Mayo Clinic, the world’s foremost medical center, Rochester has been rated America’s most livable city over and over. With beautiful parks, great schools, easy and quick transportation, reliable public safety, a world class arts culture and a second to none foodie scene, Rochester is the place to work and live.

We are located just 1.5 hours from Minneapolis and St. Paul and 3 hours from Des Moines.

If you are an experienced News Director or an Assistant News Director or Executive Producer looking for your first ND position, this could be a perfect fit for you.

If interested in this role, please apply directly on our website at: www.hubbardbroadcasting.com

To learn more about the city of Rochester, Minnesota, please see this short video: Experience Rochester, MN

Executive Reporter, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA:

Are you an experienced journalist with a passion for storytelling? Do you aspire to break into coaching and teaching leadership?

WSLS 10 invites you to join our team as an Executive Reporter, where you’ll lead a group of reporters/MMJs in crafting impactful stories that resonate with our audience.

In this behind-the-scenes role, you will spearhead and elevate storytelling efforts within our newsroom. This position blends strategic storytelling oversight with mentorship responsibilities, focusing on content development and guiding MMJs and reporters.

Situated in the scenic Blue Ridge region of Virginia, this opportunity at the NBC affiliate serving the Roanoke-Lynchburg market allows a seasoned news professional to shape coverage, nurture reporting talent, and develop leadership skills. The ideal candidate will provide direct guidance to field staff while enhancing the station’s storytelling strategy.

The full job description is here.

The application form is here.

Interested applicants should submit their applications and resumes to News Director Scott Flannigan at sflannigan@wsls.com.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 1/26/25)
WTAE-TV, Pittburgh, PA (listed 1/26/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 2/16/25)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 1/19/25)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 1/12/25)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 1/5/25)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/9/25)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 2/16/25)
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)
Spectrum News, Tampa, FL (National EP, released 12/22/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 1/12/25)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/5/25)
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)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 1/5/25)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (relisted 12/22/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 12/22/24)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listing modified 1/12/25)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 1/5/25)
WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC (listed 2/16/25)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Nightside EP, listed 1/5/25)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville FL (listed 1/5/25)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listed 2/16/25)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (Nightside EP, listed 2/16/25)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (relisted 1/5/25)
KXRM-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 1/26/25
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)
WQAD-TV, Moline, IL (relisted 1/5/25)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 2/16/25)

More News Management Openings:

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, see ad above!)

Listed 1/19/25:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (News and Content Manager)
WJET-TV, Erie, PA: (Digital Content Manager)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (Digital Content Executive Producer)

Relisted 1/5/25:

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

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Drop the interim title for REBECCA KUTLER at MSNBC. She’s been named President of the cable news channel. She joined MSNBC in 2022 after working at CNN.

General Manager News and Notes:

Harris

Our UPDATE earlier this week told you that RIC HARRIS has been named VP/GM for Nexstar’s WGN-TV (CW) in Chicago. Ric most recently was President/GM for NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, a job he left earlier this month after almost ten years. He’d spent two years as GM for NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford. Ric’s also had a number of jobs outside of television as you’ll learn here.

Sebo

Gray’s KTUU/KYES-TV in Anchorage, AL, has named BLAKE SEBO as its next General Manager. He’s been the Sales Manager for KHBS/KHOG-TV in Fayetteville, AR. Here’s the news release.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 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

WPHL-TV 5001 Wynnefield Ave. Ste 3. Philadelphia, PA 19131
KDFW-TV 400 N. Griffin Street Dallas, TX 75202
WKTB 4675 River Green Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30096 **
WJLA-TV 1100 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22209
WKMG-TV 4466 N John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804
WISH-TV 1950 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
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)
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
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
WMBF-TV 918 Frontage Rd. East; Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
KSFY-TV 325 S 1st Ave, Ste 100, Sioux Falls, SD 57104
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
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
KWES-TV 11320 West County Rd. 127. Odessa, TX 79765
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW, Rochester, MM 55902 (see ad above!)
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
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

February 9, 2025

Wednesday, February 12, 2025:

Greetings:

It didn’t take long for a former NBC o-and-o GM to reveal his next move!

Harris

RIC HARRIS has joined Nexstar’s WGN-TV (CW) in Chicago as Vice President/General Manager. We told you last month that he was leaving WCAU-TV in Philadelphia after almost ten years as GM there. He’s also was a GM for NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford and has had several roles outside of television.

He told the WCAU staff via this memo that he was embarking on ‘an exciting new adventure leading a dynamic local brand.”

Here’s the Nexstar news release about his appointment at WGN.

Ric replaces PAUL RENNIE who retired last year.

We’ll see you this weekend with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

I think you’ll find this newsletter more interesting than the football game.

We have SIX new news directors (though one was promoted almost two years ago and we don’t…yet…have a name for one) and NO new openings. That means our count of open ND jobs drops below 40 for the first time in a while to 39.

One of those jobs is featured in a Paid Help Wanted ad below and we have a new ad for an Executive Reporter opening.

The deadline for Edward R. Murrow Awards entries is this week.

Many of your viewers are likely caring for their parents. Sciline is offering free interviews about the cost of such care. Details are in its ad below, along with an ad from our friends and supporters at WMV.

TWO obituaries, including one for a former New York City news director who lost her age discrimination suit.

And lots of stories in Names in the News, including several angles on the Trump vs CBS litigation, a new book from a longtime news director turned corporate executive, good news on the health front from a multi-time news director, and several news mangers on the move.

Read on!

The deadline to enter the 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards is fast approaching.

All entries are due by 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, Feb. 13.

Entries can be submitted here.

Among the most prestigious awards in journalism, the Murrow Awards recognize outstanding achievements in broadcast and digital news at the national, local and student levels. With about 5,000 entries annually, the Murrows are among the most competitive, too.

The Murrow Awards honor news stories that uphold the RTDNA Code of Ethics, showcase technical excellence, and highlight the critical role of journalism in serving the community. Murrow Award-winning work embodies the standard of excellence established by Edward R. Murrow in the broadcast news profession.

To be eligible, work must have been published between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024. Entrants are strongly encouraged to review the complete rules and category descriptions here before submitting.

Regional winners will be announced in May. All regional winners automatically advance to the national competition, with winners announced in August. National winners will be celebrated at the 2025 Edward R. Murrow Awards Gala in October in New York City.

For questions about eligibility, please email awards@rtdna.org

Newly Named News Directors:

Briske

WTVT-TV, Tampa, FL…in the first of TWO updates we brought you this week, you learned that CHERYL BRISKE has been promoted to news director for this FOX o-and-o. Cheryl’s been at WTVT since 1997 in a variety of roles, most recently as Special Projects Executive Producer. Cheryl replaces JOHN HOFFMAN who announced his retirement in December after 15 years as ND and 40 years at the station.

Garber

KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN…our second UPDATE told you MIKE GARBER would be the next news director for this Hubbard owned ABC affiliate. New this week: the station’s news release. Mike’s been the Director of Content for Sinclair’s National Desk and he (and his boss, SCOTT LIVINGSTON) sent this note to staff. Mike’s been an ND in a number of cities. He replaces the retiring KIRK VARNER who’s been here for six years, part of his long career.

Snuffer

KATV, Little Rock, AR…we told you last week that KFDX-KJTL-TV (Wichita Falls, TX) ND MIKE SNUFFER had a new job, and now we can tell you it is at this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the note from GM MIKE ROSE. Mike (Snuffer, not Rose!) has been an ND in Harrisburg, IL, and Lincoln, NE, and replaces AMY SULLIVAN who left last July to spend more time with family. Read on for her new job!

Sullivan

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…as teased above, AMY SULLIVAN is the new ND for this Imagicomm Communications owned FOX affiliate. It’s a return to Tulsa for Amy, who once worked at KJRH-TV. She left KATV in Little Rock (Sinclair/ABC) last July and is a former ND in Harlingen, TX, and Amarillo, TX. More on her background here. At KOKI, she replaces RUDY MURRIETA who left in December after 18 months as ND, and three years as Managing Editor.

Webb

KOTV, Tulsa, OK…in reporting on CHUCK MAULDEN’s retirement as VP ofContent for Griffin Media, we realized we never told you who replaced him as ND at this Griffin owned CBS affiliate. KRISTIE WEBB was promoted in April, 2023, when he was bumped up. Kristie’s worked at KOTV for 24 years, and also worked at sister Griffin station KWTV in Oklahoma City.

KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT…the next ND for this Scripps owned CBS affiliate has been hired, but we won’t know who for a few days. The new ND will replaces KEEGAN HARSHA who was promoted to Statewide ND for Scripps last July.

New News Director Openings:

None. Unusual in a week with so many jobs filled.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Reporter, WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA:

Are you an experienced journalist with a passion for storytelling? Do you aspire to break into coaching and teaching leadership?

WSLS 10 invites you to join our team as an Executive Reporter, where you’ll lead a group of reporters/MMJs in crafting impactful stories that resonate with our audience.

The full job description is here.

The application form is here.

Interested applicants should submit their applications and resumes to News Director Scott Flannigan at sflannigan@wsls.com.