Rick Gevers & Associates

July 15, 2024

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

TWO items in this UPDATE, the first very sad.

Duff

SCOTT DUFF lost his battle with cancer today. He was just 59. Scott’s been in Honolulu at a three station Gray operations branded as Hawaii News Now for the past two years, Before moving there, Scott spent almost 16 years as the news director for WSFA-TV (NBC) in Montgomery, AL, which remembered him here.

Scott began as a newspaper sports reporter, moved to television in Columbus, OH, (where he worked at two stations) before moving to Kansas City and eventually his first ND job in Topeka.

Our sympathy to his wife, Kathy, his other family, friends and co-workers in Honolulu.

Isaacs

In happier news, congratulations to SCOTT ISAACS who’s been named news director for Cox Media Group’s WFXT-TV (FOX) in Boston. It’s a return to Beantown for Scott, who earlier in his career spent 13 years at WCVB-TV (Hearst/ABC) in a variety of roles. He’s spent the last seven years as ND for Sinclair’s WJAR-TV (NBC) in Providence. Much more on his new job in this Cox news release. He replaces SARAH BURGESS who resigned in April after six years as ND and 19 at the station.

We’ll have a full newsletter this weekend with a number of other changes.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

A modest decline in the number of stations looking for a new news director, as THREE jobs were filled this week, with just ONE new opening.

Thus, our list of open ND jobs slips to 39.

(Thanks to loyal readers who provided tips on several of those changes. We welcome your leads.)

There’s a big move for a Texas ND turned GM, while we have an obituary for another ND turned Texas GM.

In Names in the News, more changes at the top of CBS News, and a Virginia GM (himself once a news director) gets some corporate responsibilities.

Read on…and have a great week.

2024 Election briefing series:

Science behind the issues

This July – Zoom

To strengthen journalists’ election season reporting with research-backed evidence and context, SciLine is hosting a series of media briefings on the science behind topics at the top of the political agenda. Each session will review what scientific studies have to say about a hot-button election issue, to help journalists deepen their reporting on policy positions and recognize when candidate statements don’t hew to the facts. Register below:

July 16 (3-4 p.m. EDT): Immigrants in U.S. communities

July 18 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Crime, safety, and policing

July 23 (1-2 p.m. EDT): Jobs, the economy, and wealth inequality

July 25 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Voter demographics, access, and turnout

Sciline, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Newly Named News Directors:

Shane M.

News 12 Brooklyn/Bronx, New York, NY…this long vacant opening has been filled by veteran ND SHANE MORELAND. More in this memo from News 12 VP/News AUDREY GRUBER. Shane most recently was ND at WRIC-TV in Richmond, a job he left in November after six years. His entire career history is here. He replaces, I believe, STAN KOWALSKI who moved to News 12 Long Island last year.

Elias

KNDU/KNDO, Kennewick/Yakima, WA…another long vacant ND opening is gone as MATT ELIAS joins this Cowles Media operation as ND. He’s been a producer for competitor KAPP/KVEW-TV and has also worked in Seattle and Sacramento. Matt replaces STEPHANIE ASHLEY who had been the ND there for almost two years before leaving last October.

Douglas

WGEM-TV, Quincy, IL…CHAD DOUGLAS, who anchored and reported for more than 20 years for KHQA-TV in Quincy before leaving for a job in the non-profit sector, is the new ND for the Gray TV owned NBC affiliate. But for the last four years, he’s worked for the Salvation Army. At WGEM, he replaces JOHN EHRART who retired in April after a long career, the last year as ND here.

New News Director Opening:

Cyprian

KATC, Lafayette, LA…after almost three years at this Scripps owned ABC affiliate, NICOLE CYPRIAN is leaving for a big new job. She’ll be the Executive Director at the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center at her alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi. More in this memo from GM SEAN TRCALEK.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 4/14/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 4/21/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 6/2/24)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/7/24)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 7/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 5/19/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 6/16/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (listed 4/28/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, listed 6/16/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/19/24)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Executive Digital Producer, listed 7/7/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/23/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 5/19/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/5/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 6/23/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (Digital EP, listing modified 4/21/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (listed 5/12/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 6/16/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 5/27/24)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/1/24)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 5/5/24)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 6/2/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/19/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 6/9/24)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 7/1/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Executive Digital Producer, listed 7/7/24)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (listed 6/9/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (listed 7/14/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 6/9/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/2/24;

WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/5/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Assignments Manager)

Listed 4/28/24:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (Digital Director)

Obituary:

Adams

DOUG ADAMS, who served our industry as both a general manager and news director, (and who started as a reporter) died June 30th in Denver. He was 73. Doug started as a radio reporter in Dallas and switched to TV before becoming an ND and later a GM. He later ran symphony orchestras in Dallas and Denver One of his former stations, KXAS-TV in Dallas remembered him here, and his obituary can be found here.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Ingrid C.

More turnover at CBS News, where INGRID CIPRIAN-MATHEWS is stepping down as CBS News President, a job she held for less than a year. Ingrid worked at CBS for more than 30 years in a wide variety of roles and will stay on as an adviser until her the November election. More on her time at CBS and her departure in this story from Broadcasting and Cable.

Kurtz

News Director turned General Manager MARK KURTZ is assuming additional duties at Lockwood Broadcasting, where he will be Corporate Director of News. He’ll continue to be GM for the company’s WCAV-TV in Charlottesville, VA (CBS/FOX), He’s a former ND for WAVY-TV in Norfolk and KWES-TV in Midland, TX.

General Manager News and Notes:

A big move for a former news director turned general manager.

Granato

WENDY GRANATO leaves one ABC o-and-o for another as she heads west to take over KABC-TV in Los Angeles. She’s been the GM for KTRK-TV in Houston for almost five years, following five years as the news director there. At KABC, Wendy replaces another news director turned general manager, CHERYL FAIR who retired earlier this year. Here’s the detailed news release from ABC.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 14, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
WLS-TV 190 N State St. Chicago, IL, 60601
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Dr. Dedham, MA 02026
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
KGW-TV 1501 SW Jefferson Street Portland, OR 97201
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112 (Station Mgr. & ND)
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KATC-TV, 1103 Eraste Landry Road in Lafayette, LA 70506
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
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
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

July 7, 2024

Greetings:

We were late last week, but a little early this to try and it make it up to you, our valued subscribers.

That’s a little easier to do when it’s a typically slow holiday week.

But we do have some news.

ONE new ND was named this week.

ONE new opening.

So our list of open ND jobs slips to 41.

TWO veteran general managers are retiring this summer.

And there’s just ONE item in Names in the News.

Finally, you have had heard there’s an election in November. Our friends at Sciline are offering a series of free media briefings starting this week to improve your coverage. Check out their ad just below.

Read on…and have a great week.

2024 Election briefing series:

Science behind the issues

This July – Zoom

To strengthen journalists’ election season reporting with research-backed evidence and context, SciLine is hosting a series of media briefings on the science behind topics at the top of the political agenda. Each session will review what scientific studies have to say about a hot-button election issue, to help journalists deepen their reporting on policy positions and recognize when candidate statements don’t hew to the facts. Register below:

July 9 (1-2 p.m. EDT): Climate change and the green energy transition

July 11 (3-4 p.m. EDT): Reproductive health and abortion

July 16 (3-4 p.m. EDT): Immigrants in U.S. communities

July 18 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Crime, safety, and policing

July 23 (1-2 p.m. EDT): Jobs, the economy, and wealth inequality

July 25 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Voter demographics, access, and turnout

Sciline, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Newly Named News Directors:

Nakamine

KITV, Honolulu, HI…BRENDEN NAKAMINE will be the next ND for this Allen Media owned ABC affiliate. More in this post from the NorCal NATAS chapter. He most recently was the Assistant ND for Tegna’s WHAS-TV (ABC) in Louisville. Brenden replaces BILL BRENNAN who left in May, less than a year after replacing JANICE GIN.

New News Director Opening:

Sullivan

KATV, Little Rock, AR…AMY SULLIVAN has left this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate after not quite three years as news director. She posted this on Twitter explaining her departure. Before KATV, Amy was an ND in Harlingen and Amarillo and worked in several other markets, but the last entry on her LinkedIn page caught my eye.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 4/14/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 4/21/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 6/2/24)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/23/24)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/7/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 5/19/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 6/16/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (listed 4/28/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, listed 6/16/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/19/24)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (Executive Digital Producer, listed 7/7/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/23/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 5/19/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/5/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Digital Producer, listed 6/16/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 6/23/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/23/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (Digital EP, listing modified 4/21/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (listed 5/12/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 6/16/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 5/27/24)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/1/24)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 5/5/24)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 7/1/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 5/5/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 6/2/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/19/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 6/9/24)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 7/1/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (relisted 5/5/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Executive Digital Producer, listed 7/7/24)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (listed 6/9/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 6/9/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/2/24;

WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/5/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Assignments Manager)

Listed 4/28/24:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (Digital Director)

Obituary:

None this week.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Former WAFF-TV (Huntsville, AL) Assistant ND MIGUEL DIAZ-LUCIER is the new Communications Director for the City of Montgomery, AL.

General Manager News and Notes:

TWO Nexstar General Managers are retiring.

PAUL RENNIE will leave WGN-TV (CW) in Chicago September 1st. He’s been the GM here since 2016 and earlier ran WXIN/WTTV-TV (FOX/CBS) in Indianapolis. Here’s the news release from when he was hired at WGN which has his career history.

And JR JACKSON will step down from KSEE/KGPE-TV (NBC/CBS) on August 1st. He’s been running that duopoly since October 2019 and also spent more than five years as a GM in Eugene, OR. More here.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 7, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
WLS-TV 190 N State St. Chicago, IL, 60601
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Dr. Dedham, MA 02026
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
KGW-TV 1501 SW Jefferson Street Portland, OR 97201
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112 (Station Mgr. & ND)
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
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
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

July 1, 2024

Greetings:

Travel delayed our report this week…apologies. But lots of news to make up for the delay.

FOUR new NDs named this week, including ONE which has a particular poignant significance for me, even though I’ve never met her.

We’ll explain below.

And THREE new openings, TWO created when incumbents took new jobs inside the same company.

Our list of open ND jobs slips ever so slightly to 41.

There are TWO GM changes. ONE obituary of a trailblazing broadcast executive.

And in Names in the News, a tribute to yet another retiring ND, a look at CBS News’ new streamline service and a new title and responsibilities for a Montana news director.

We’ll try to be on time next week!

Newly Named News Directors:

Thomas

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…DENISHA THOMAS moves within TEGNA to become ND for this NBC affiliate, where she reports to Director of Content CAROL FOWLER. Here’s the note Carol sent to the staff, and here’s the news release. Denisha has been the ND for Tegna’s WATN/WLMT-TV (ABC/CW) in her hometown of Memphis for almost four years. Her Linkedin page has more.

Simons

WZTV, Nashville, TN…congrats to YVONNE SIMONS who moves much closer to her Michigan family by becoming ND for this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate. She’s spent the last six years as ND for KATU-TV (ABC) in Portland, OR and has a number of other.stops outlined on her Linkedin page. In Nashville, she replaces BRYAN McGRUDER who retired in March after eleven years as ND here.

Calkins

WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO…she’s been at the station for more than 28 years and now JANA CALKINS has been named news director for this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate. She’s been the interim ND since SEAN McNAMARA left earlier this year when he was transferred to KDVR/KWGN-TV (FOX/CW) in Denver. Jana’s been the Assistant ND since 2013 and held other jobs since starting as the SUE PARCELL Memorial intern in 1995.

Parcell

A personal note if you’ll allow. Sue Parcell worked at WDAF for ten years until 1987, when I hired her to be our main anchor at WTOL-TV in Toledo. She was terrific. We sent her to China to cover the transfer of two giant pandas to the Toledo Zoo in May of 1988. She became ill in China, retuned to Toledo, and died a few weeks later of a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was only 31 years old. More in this story from The Toledo Blade.

Reams

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA…ED REAMS returns home to become ND for this Scripps owned CBS affiliate. Ed’s been the GM for Allen Media’s WREX-TV in Rockford, IL, for the last there years but has lots of news management in his background, as you’ll learn here. He began his career on-air and replaces ALLISON HERMAN who left in May after 18 months as ND.

New News Director Opening:

KATU-TV, Portland, OR…you learned above that YYONNE SIMONS is headed to sister Sinclair station WZTV in Nashville. She’s been here almost six years and the move gets her much closer to family in Michigan.

Boers

WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI…DAN BOERS has left this Scripps owned FOX affiliate after three years as news director. It’s his second job as a Grand Rapids ND. He left WOOD-TV (NBC) to move to WXMI after 6 1/2 years there. Dan spent 21 years at WOOD in two different stints. He’s also worked in Lansing, MI.

WATN/WLMT-TV, Memphis, TN…we told you above about DENISHA THOMAS‘ transfer to sister Tegna station WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta as ND. She was ND here for almost four years and the vacancy is likely at the top of the to-do list for new GM CHRISTOPHER FRANKLIN (more on his recent promotion below).

Interview an expert: 

2024 Election briefing series:

Science behind the issues

This July – Zoom

To strengthen journalists’ election season reporting with research-backed evidence and context, SciLine is hosting a series of media briefings on the science behind topics at the top of the political agenda. Each session will review what scientific studies have to say about a hot-button election issue, to help journalists deepen their reporting on policy positions and recognize when candidate statements don’t hew to the facts. Register below:

July 9 (1-2 p.m. EDT): Climate change and the green energy transition

July 11 (3-4 p.m. EDT): Reproductive health and abortion

July 16 (3-4 p.m. EDT): Immigrants in U.S. communities

July 18 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Crime, safety, and policing

July 25 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Voter demographics, access, and turnout

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 4/14/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 4/21/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 6/2/24)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/23/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 5/19/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 6/16/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (listed 4/28/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, listed 6/16/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/19/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/23/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 5/19/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/5/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Digital Producer, listed 6/16/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 6/23/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/23/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (Digital EP, listing modified 4/21/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (listed 5/12/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 6/16/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 5/27/24)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/1/24)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 5/5/24)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listing modified 7/1/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 7/1/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 5/5/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 6/2/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/19/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 6/9/24)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 7/1/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (relisted 5/5/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (listed 6/9/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 6/9/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/2/24;

WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/5/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Assignments Manager)

Listed 4/28/24:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (Digital Director)

Obituary:

TOM VAN AMBURG, a legendary broadcast executive credited for turning ABC’s KABC-TV into a powerhouse, died last week, He was 83. The obituary from The Hollywood Reporter details his career.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

KEEGAN HARSHA, who’s been the ND for Scripps’ KTVQ-TV in Billings, MT for the past three years has been promoted into a new role. His title will be Statewide News Director, overseeing news coverage and assisting the NDs and other Scripps stations there. Keegan is a Montana native who returned home after working on air in Denver.

Variety reports on CBS’s ambitious new streaming news service, CBS News 24/7.

KQDS-TV (Duluth, MN) saluted retiring ND STEVE GOODSPEED on the occasion of his retirement last week.

General Manager News and Notes:

TWO new General Managers this week.

Bucher

LLOYD BUCHER makes a big jump as returns to his native Philadelphia as the next General Manager for WPHL-TV, Nexstar’s CW affiliate there. It’s a transfer within Nexstar: Lloyd is currently running the company’s WJZY/WMYT-TV (FOX/MyTV) in Charlotte, a job he’s held for the last three years. He’s also been a GM in West Palm Beach and worked in Miami and Philadelphia. Lloyd began his career as an attorney.

Franklin

In Memphis, CHRISTOPHER FRANKLIN has been promoted to GM for Tegna’s duopoly there, WATN/WLMT-TV (ABC/CW). He’s been the interim GM there. Christopher has been the marketing director there since 2020 and has more than 25 years experience, much of it with FOX TV stations. More on his interesting career background in this news release from Tegna.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 1, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
WLS-TV 190 N State St. Chicago, IL, 60601
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Dr. Dedham, MA 02026
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
KGW-TV 1501 SW Jefferson Street Portland, OR 97201
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112 (Station Mgr. & ND)
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KITV 801 South King Street | Honolulu, HI 96813
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
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
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

June 23, 2024

Sunday, June 30, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Due to travel, this week’s newsletter will be delayed.  I hope to have it posted by early afternoon (Eastern time) on Monday.

But there’s lots of movement in it, so it will be newsworthy.

Thanks for your understanding.

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Regular readers know I always enjoy the IRE Conference, which was held this week in Anaheim. I don’t have a final attendance number but at last word it was close to 1,600 journalists from all over the world. And thanks to those broadcasters who recruited there: CBS, Scripps, Tegna, Nexstar, Gray, and Talent Dynamics.

Mark your calendar for next year’s conference in New Orleans, June 19-22.

On to our regular business.

TWO new NDs named this week, including ONE in the number ONE market. And just ONE new ND opening, leaving our count of open ND jobs at 42.

THREE GM changes, including TWO in Baton Rouge.

And changes in the executive ranks at Tegna and Gray, along with a salute to an out going Chicago GM and a big honor for a longtime Missouri ND and educator.

All that and more as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors:

Ashgar

WNYW/WWOR-TV, New York, NY…Friday’s UPDATE told you that EMAD ASHGAR would be the next news director for this FOX o-and-o. The FOX news release has more. Emad has been the Assistant ND here since 2011 and first joined 16 years ago as the EP for Good Day New York. He’ll replaces BYRON HARMON who left in April after about ten years as the ND.

Stocksdale

KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID…congratulations to ADAM STOCKSDALE who gets his first ND job at this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. GM ERIC WALTERS shared this news in this email. Adam’s been the Assistant ND for Tegna’s KTHV-TV in Little Rock and has worked in Phoenix, Milwaukee, and Palm Springs, CA. He replaces JOE MARTIN who’s been pulling double duty as both ND and anchor.

New News Director Opening:

Waggoner

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO…MATT WAGGONER is leaving this Scripps owned NBC affiliate for job outside of TV. KSBH GM KATHLEEN CHOAL (who’s also a regional GM and will oversee the newsroom during the search) sent this memo out. Matt’s been the ND here since 2019 and added station manager duties last year. He’s also been an ND in Indianapolis. His Linkedin page has more.

Interview an expert: 

Outdoor air quality and wildfire smoke

(U. of Wisconsin-Madison)

Thursday, June 27 (2-4 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

The U.S. wildfire season is getting longer and fires are getting more intense, exposing Americans to record-breaking amounts of wildfire-related smoke.

Book a 15-minute, 1-on-1 Zoom interview with Dr. Tracey Holloway (U. of Wisconsin-Madison). She can discuss:

• How to stay informed about local air quality—including what “AQI” means, and how it is determined;
• Health effects of wildfire smoke and other air pollutants, and how to protect yourself and your family from unhealthy air;
• Why wildfire smoke is worsening; and
• Strategies to improve the nation’s air quality, including what is happening already, and what could be next.

REGISTER HERE

Crash course:

Stats essentials for math-averse reporters

Tuesday, June 25 (2-3 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

Many journalists lack confidence when including numbers in their reporting, or they fear misrepresenting the data when it comes to covering facts and figures, studies, or technical reports. This free, one-hour “crash course”—designed for reporters who cover science, health, or environment issues but lack statistics or data training—aims to take the stress out of reporting on the numbers that could be crucial to your next story.

REGISTER HERE

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 4/14/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 4/21/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 6/2/24)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/23/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 5/19/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relisted 6/16/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (listed 4/28/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, listed 6/16/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/19/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 6/23/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 5/19/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/5/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (Executive Digital Producer, listed 6/16/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 6/23/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/23/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (Digital EP, listing modified 4/21/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (listed 5/12/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 6/16/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 5/19/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 5/27/24)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 5/5/24)
KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/2/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 5/5/24)
WSPA/WYCW-TV, Spartanburg, SC (Lifestyle EP, listed 5/12/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 6/2/24)
KRQE-TV, Albuquerque, NM (Nightside EP, relisted 6/23/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/19/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 6/9/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (relisted 5/5/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, relisted 4/28/24)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (listed 6/9/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/2/24)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 6/9/24)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/2/24;

WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 5/5/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Assignments Manager)

Listed 4/28/24:

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (Digital Director)

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Steib

Monday’s UPDATE told you about a change at Tegna. DAVE LOUGEE is retiring next month and will be replaced as CEO by MICHAEL STEIB. He is currently CEO of Artsy, which the news release describes as ‘the world’s largest online platform for discovering and collecting art.’ Before that he was the CEO of the parent company of The Knot, a wedding planning website. Earlier Steib’s spent ten years with NBC and Google developing ad supported businesses.

Zurik

Gray Television promoted THREE people to new roles, including LEE ZURIK who is now Senior VP/News Strategy and Innovation. Lee’s a busy fellow…he anchors at Gray’s WVUE-TV in New Orleans and also co-hosts the company’s weekday program, InvestigateTV+, in addition to serving as Gray’s VP of Investigations. Click here for more details on Lee’s new role…and the other two who were promoted.

Graves

Another week, another on-air tribute to a retiring news director. This time it’s JENNIFER GRAVES who’s leaving ABC’s WLS-TV in Chicago after a remarkable 23 years as ND and 32 years at the station. Here’s the link to the well-deserved on-air tribute. Jennnifer also worked in St. Louis at KSDK-TV and for KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO, where she graduated from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism,

Woelfel

Speaking of Missouri, congratulations to longtime faculty member STACEY WOELFEL who is (deep breath!) the 2024 Edward L. Bliss Award winner for Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Education, awarded by AEJMC in early August at the conference in Philadelphia. He’s the longest serving ND at Missouri’s KOMU-TV and was the founding director of the school’s Murray Center for Documentary Journalism.

General Manager News and Notes:

Shenkan

TWO new General Managers are headed to Baton Rouge, LA.

And for one of them it’s a return as ANDREW SHENKAN is coming back to Manship’s WBRZ-TV (ABC). He’s a former sales executive there and is currently the GM for Scripps’ WLEX-TV in Lexington, KY. Andrew’s also served as a GM in Lafayette, LA. More details about his new job at WBRZ in this news release.

Ingram

Also taking a GM job in Baton Rouge this week was veteran manager TIM INGRAM. He’s joining Nexstar’s WGMB-TV (FOX) there as you’ll learn here. Tim most recently was a Senior VP for Gray following a long run as GM for WVUE-TV (FOX) in New Orleans. He’ll also oversee NBC affiliate WVLA-TV which Nexstar operates for White Knight Broadcasting.

Pylant

STAN PYLANT is retiring as general manager of Nexstar’s WHNT-TV (CBS) in Huntsville, AL. Stan’s been the GM there for 17 years and worked at WHNT for a total of 27. More details in his post on Facebook.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 23, 2024:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
WLS-TV 190 N State St. Chicago, IL, 60601
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Dr. Dedham, MA 02026
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
KGW-TV 1501 SW Jefferson Street Portland, OR 97201
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37228
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak Street Kansas City, MO 64112
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit Kansas City, MO 64108
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk VA 23510
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
KITV 801 South King Street | Honolulu, HI 96813
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
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
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station