November 19, 2023
Greetings:
Happy Thanksgiving week!
A flurry of new NDs this week with just ONE opening. ONE of those new ND’s may be among the tallest NDs in the country!
With those changes, our list of stations with ND openings drops to 32.
TWO of those jobs are advertised below, among our FIVE paid help wanted ads this week: the other ads are for management jobs in Portland, OR, Des Moines, IA and Baton Rouge, LA.
We have TWO obituaries of people who left our business a number of years ago, and TWO items in Names in the News of people who are still very much IN our businnes.
If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving this week, hopefully you’ll enjoy good weather and safe travels. We’ll see you here next weekend.
SciLine briefing: Abandoned oil and gas wells
November 30th from 2-3 p.m. ET
Researchers estimate that there are between 2-3 million abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States, and more than 117,000 of those, across 27 states, are “orphaned”– that is, uncapped, unproductive, and with no responsible party identified to manage leakage or pollution risks. SciLine’s next media briefing will cover where these wells are, both onshore and off, and why it is so hard to find them; the types of greenhouse gas and other emissions they leak into the atmosphere; and the environmental and economic costs and benefits of finding and capping them. Three experts will make presentations, and then take questions on the record.
Panelists:
- Dr. Mary Kang, McGill University
- Dr. Amy Townsend-Small, University of Cincinnati
- Dr. Gregory Brian Upton Jr., Louisiana State University
- SciLine Director, Rick Weiss, will moderate the briefing.
Upcoming training from SciLine:
Upcoming expert-interview availability (Zoom):
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Newly Named News Directors:
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN…JEFF HOUSTON will be the next ND for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the staff note from GM KIM BYRD. Jeff’s been the ND for Sinclair’s WBMA-TV (ABC) in Birmingham for nine years and was the Assistant ND there for a year before that. He’s a former ND in Tupelo and has worked in several other markets. Jeff replaces ALLISON COE who left in July for a family related move to a sales position at Nexstar’s WJHL-TV in Tri-Cities, TN.
KETV, Omaha, NE…congratulations to SARAH KLINGER who’s been promoted to news director for this Hearst owned ABC affiliate. She’s been the Assistant ND here for more than five years, as you’ll learn by checking out her station bio. Sarah’s also worked in Grand Rapids, MI, Detroit, and Pittsburgh. She replaces VONN JONES who is leaving for some new adventures after 28 years at the station, the last 5 1/2 as ND. He’s also worked in Milwaukee.
KTVH-TV, Helena, MT…we promised you last week that we’d share the nae of the new ND here when it was announced. It’s JESSICA NELSON who returns to the station: she’d been an anchor there before taking a job working for the state of Montana. If you read her station bio, you’ll learn she may be among the tallest news directors in America! She replaces ERIC JOCHIM who will remain at KTVH as an EP.
KIMA-TV, Yakima, WA…JOHN KENNEDY O’CONNOR is the new news director and anchor for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. He’s been an anchor for KIEM-TV in Eureka, CA, but has a MOST interesting background.
Also, we’ve removed KAEF-TV in Eureka, CA, from our list of stations with ND openings. Sinclair gutted the news department there earlier this year and is now airing newscasts from a station in Redding, CA.
New News Director Openings:
WBMA-TV, Birmingham, AL..we told you above that JEFF HOUSTON is leaving this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate to become ND for Nexstar’s WATE-TV in Knoxville, TN. Jeff was ND here for more than nine years.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KNDO/KNDU-TV, Tri-Cities, WA:
Ready to escape the big city for a lower cost of living?
Ready to escape the traffic and noise for the great outdoors and fresh air?
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Are you ready to take the next leap in leadership? Is journalism in your blood?
Here’s your chance to lead a dominant locally-focused newsroom in a family-owned media company. It’s a place filled with sunshine, talent, and cutting-edge modern journalism. It’s more than the NBC network and more than just a TV station. It’s NonStop Local, and it’s a place a place you’ll be proud to call home.
The KNDU/KNDO News Director will lead our top-rated award-winning newsroom. You’ll help develop and supervise the news department staff, providing direction in story selection, storytelling, and coverage. You’ll coach, critique, and motivate. And you’ll win. If you’re considering newsroom leadership and being selective about where you want to take your talent – let’s talk.
This is a beautiful part of the Pacific Northwest, recognized again and again for its incredible quality of life. Rivers, mountains, vineyards, breweries, and farmers markets – it’s all here.
And then there’s our company. We believe in partnership. We believe in unshackling your creative instincts, investing in your success as a leader, and supporting your work/life balance. If you’ve worked for the big guys, you already know what you’re missing. Good thing you’ve found this post!
Drop me a note at: jeff.hite@nonstoplocal.com
KHQ Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Assistant News Director, KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA:
KCCI-TV, the CBS affiliate in Des Moines, Iowa, is searching for a passionate, creative, and experienced news leader to fill an Assistant News Director role.
You will have excellent news judgment, management skills and a bold approach to breaking news coverage–on the air and online. You will help lead our news team in the execution of market defining breaking news, weather coverage, and community service on all platforms daily. You will lead the news team in facilitating impactful community-based stories. With a unique format and the resources of Hearst Television, this is a rare opportunity to join one of the best. You will report to the News Director.
Responsibilities:
· Work with News Director to oversee the daily operation and editorial content of the newsroom
· Plan big event coverage
· Help with sweeps planning
· Build the brand, both on air and online
· Schedule newsroom employees
Requirements:
· 2 years of newsroom supervisory and/or management experience
· Producing background preferred
· Individual must have experience with news and managing a large staff and multiple hours of daily newscasts
· Adaptability in ever-evolving news environment
· Related military experience will be considered
Click here to learn more and apply!
ABOUT US
Hearst Television (HTV) owns and/or operates 35 television and two radio stations serving 27 media markets across 39 states reaching over 22 milllion U.S. television households. HTV is recognized as one of the industry’s premier broadcasting companies and has been honored with numerous awards for distinguished journalism, industry innovation, and community service.
Two Management Openings, WBRZ TV, Baton Rouge, LA:
One of America’s great family-owned television stations is seeking two important additions to its news team.
Our Assistant News Director is our mission manager – keeping the content on course to fulfill our promise as the leader in breaking news, in-depth reporting and investigative journalism. You’ll direct editorial meetings, coordinate major event coverage and contribute to important decisions involving short- and long-term planning. Must be able to coach and counsel reporters, producers, photographers and others. Previous news management experience is required; background in reporting or photojournalism preferred.
The Managing Editor – Digital and New Media plays a critical role as the gatekeeper of all things digital and serves a key leadership role for WBRZ.com and for our “WBRZ Plus” streaming/broadcast channel. This is the ideal position for someone who understands the intersection of technology and journalism and has their eyes on the future of our industry.
Applicants for both positions should send resumes to: Jonathan Shelley, News Director, at jshelley@wbrz.com
WBRZ TV produces 8 hours of news each weekday and is committed to leading the way in digital and new media. Our staff of more than 60 journalists has been honored with the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Award and other top accolades, and our roots are firmly embedded in our community.
A pre-employment drug screen is required. WBRZ TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WFOR-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 11/12/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WJZ-TV, Baltimore, MD (AND/Mornings, listed 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 11/5/23)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/5/23)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23, see ad above!)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (listed 9/10/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 11/5/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23, see ad above!)
WJHL-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 10/1/23)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 9/10/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (listed 11/5/23)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 10/29/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 10/8/23)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 11/5/23)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23, see ad above!)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/8/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 10/8/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 9/10/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 11/5/23)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (listed 11/5/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 9/10/23)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 11/12/23)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 11/5/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)
MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23, see ad above!)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 11/5/23:
WJET–TV, Erie, PA (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 11/5/23:
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Digital Director)
Listed 10/1/23:
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA (Assignment Desk Manager)
Obituaries:
Lawlor
WILLIAM “BILL” LAWLOR, a long-ago news director in several large markets, died Thursday at the age of 83. According to this obituary, he was a news director at WPIX-TV and WCBS-TV in New York, as well as for stations in Philadelphia and New Haven, CT. He finished his career at WUSA-TV in Washington.
Vest
We just learned this week that KEN VEST, a former Washington Bureau chief for the long gone Outlet Broadcasting died in early 2022. Before DC, Ken worked in Casper, WY, Austin, TX, and Omaha before moving into public relations. More details in this obituary.
Names in the News:
Two quick items:
DERIK LATTIG leaves Spectrum News in Dallas to join Dr. Phil’s new venture, Merit Street Media. Demi’s worked for stations in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Some of you may remember him from his 14 year term at CBS Newspath in Dallas.
ORLANDO VARGAS joins KRGV-TV in the Lower Rio Grande Valley as the morning EP. He’ll oversee an English language broadcast from 4:30-7:00 AM and a Spanish language broadcast on a digital channel from 7:00-9:00 AM. Orlando’s a native of the area and has been working at KXXV-TV in Waco as an EP.
General Manager News and Notes:
I’m not aware of any GM news this week.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 19, 2023:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473 (see ad above!)
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
KOVR/KMAX-TV 2713 Kovr Dr West Sacramento CA 95605
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
WKBN/WYTV 3930 Sunset Blvd. Youngstown, OH 44512
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Exec. ND)
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902 (see ad above!)
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, MS 39301
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
**: Spanish language station
KTUL-TV has broadcast from Tulsa since 1957. That will change next month when its newscasts will be produced from sister Sinclair Broadcasting station KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City. KTUL will still have reporters based in Tulsa. More details 
Another example of a broadcasting company trying something different comes from Cincinnati, where Scripps’ owned WCPO-TV (ABC) used what it calls Scrippscast Technology which diminishes the role of the anchor. Longtime Cincy media writer JOHN KIESEWETTER 
CBS’s On The Road segment is one of the longest running franchise segments in network television. And there’s a major change coming to On The Road, one which creates a terrific job opportunity for someone. In a video you will only see here, STEVE HARTMAN and his longtime photographer BOB CACCAMISE explain.
