August 18, 2024
Greetings:
We have a few more details about the death of former ND, GM, and corporate executive JOHN LANSING who died earlier this week at the too young age of 67. That’s in our obituary section below.
Another important story is in Names in the News, also below. Shreveport police will NOT prosecute former KTBS-TV news director and anchor BILL LUNN on charges of possible inappropriate contact with a minor.
And the National Murrow winners were released this week. That’s also in Names in the News below.
As to the typical top of our report, FOUR jobs were filled this week, while TWO new positions opened up.
That shrinks our list of open ND jobs increases to 37.
We welcome back HELLER WEATHER as an advertiser, check out his ad just below.
And Sciline has a number of briefings and interview opportunities, all FREE, including one Monday afternoon.
And there’s ONE GM hire. He’s adding a second station to his job, which seems like a growing trend.
All that and more below.
Newly Named News Directors:
Tim K.
WXYZ/WMYD-TV, Detroit, MI…this Scripps owned ABC affiliate wasted little time in filling its open ND job by promoting TIM KOCHENDERFER. He’s worked there for 22 years, most recently as the Assistant ND. More in this note from GM MIKE MURRI, where you’ll learn about Tim’s unusual (and successful) hobby. He replaces KENNAN OLIPHANT who left last month to become VP/News & Station Manager for WWJ-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Detroit.
Mulligan
KSHB/KMCI-TV, Kansas City, MO…another Scripps station, another new boss. JEFF MULLIGAN returns to this NBC affiliate as Station Manager/ND. More from Regional VP KATHLEEN CHOAL. Jeff worked here as a dayside EP about six years ago but more recently has been the ND at WSIL-TV in Carbondale, IL. He replaces MATT WAGGONER who is (according to his Linkedin Page) is now VP of Growth and Brand for GreenUP Wealth in Overland Park, KS, a KC suburb.
Rafferty
KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT…a busy week for Scripps as it named a third new ND with the promotion of EP MELISSA RAFFERTY to the top job here. She’s currently the EP and has worked at this CBS affiliate for almost 21 years. More about Meliisa and her career in her station bio. She replaces KEITH HATTEN who left in July to become ND for Tegna’s WHAS-TV (ABC) in Louisville after about three years as ND here.
Hodge
WZMQ-TV, Marquette, MI…KEVIN HODGE adds ND duties in addition to his role as anchor/producer for this Lilly Broadcasting owned CBS/MeTVstation. Kevin came to WZMQ in May after two years as ND and anchor at WBKB-TV in Alpena, MI. He succeeds TRENT BAILEY, who left after nearly two years to take a communications position at the University of Michigan.
New News Director Openings:
WSIL-TV, Carterville, IL…we told you above that JEFF MULLIGAN is returning to KSHB/KMCI-TV in Kansas City as Station Manager and ND. He worked for this Allen Media Broadcasting for about 2 1/2 years.
Taylor
WFFF/WVNY-TV, Burlington, VT…ROB TAYLOR is moving with Nexstar to become the next Assistant ND for WSYR-TV in Syracuse. That station’s GM, BILL EVANS, sent this note to the staff. He’s been the ND here for about three years, spent 18 years at two stations (WLS-TV and WFLD-TV) in Chicago. and has worked in Jackson, MS, Memphis, and Greenville, SC.
August SciLine events
Zoom – All events are free
EXPERT INTERVIEWS (15-minute, 1-on1 Zoom interviews):
August 26th (1-3 p.m. EDT): Helping kids with vaccine pain and fear with Dr. Stefan Friedrichsdorf (UCSF)
August 29th (2-4 p.m. EDT): Special education teacher shortage with Dr. Kimber Wilkerson
NEW CRASH COURSE! Social science essentials for local reporters
Monday, August 19th (2-3 p.m. EDT)
This free one-hour “crash course”—designed for local and general assignment reporters—teaches basic principles about how social science works and ways it can be used to strengthen virtually any news story with a human element, especially this election season.
MEDIA BRIEFING: Resisting misinformation in your election reporting
Wednesday, August 28th (1-2 p.m. EDT)
Journalistic accuracy during election season is especially difficult in the face of sophisticated efforts to sow voter confusion and new technologies that can generate synthetic “truths”. This briefing will offer research-backed strategies and tools to help reporters recognize and verify material of questionable validity and correct misinformation without inadvertently amplifying it.
Panelists:
- Dr. Cuihua (Cindy) Chen, UC Davis
- Dr. Kate Starbird, University of Washington
- Dr. Briony Swire-Thompson, Northeastern University
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Morning Broadcast Executive Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:
KPRC 2, a leader in innovative news broadcasting, is seeking a Morning Broadcast Executive Producer. This dynamic role is ideal for a leader passionate about enhancing newscasts and nurturing talent.
As the Executive Producer, you will guide the broadcast team to deliver engaging content across platforms, ensuring alignment with our brand pillars. Collaborating with News Managers, you will set the editorial direction, foster a strong newsroom culture, and leverage new technology to keep our content innovative.
You will oversee the onboarding and training of new producers, aiding them with script writing and newscast crafting. By using showcasing skills, you will help create compelling newscasts and ensure cohesive content delivery across all platforms. Your news judgment will be critical in reacting to breaking news and adjusting coverage priorities seamlessly. You will advocate for content that resonates with our diverse audience and addresses community issues, ensuring active community engagement from our content and talent.
The ideal candidate has experience as a producer in a large-market TV news operation, creative writing skills for news promos and teases, and strong copy-editing abilities. Familiarity with Augmented Reality and proficiency in Edius and other editing programs are essential. Exceptional leadership, creative and editorial judgment, and strong communication skills are required.
Preferred qualifications include experience as an Executive Producer and a degree in Journalism or Communications.
To apply: Please send your resume to: Managers of Content and Coverage, MCCKPRC@kprc.com
Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.
Evening Broadcast Executive Producer, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:
KPRC 2, a leader in innovative news broadcasting, is seeking a Evening Broadcast Executive Producer. This dynamic role is ideal for a leader passionate about enhancing newscasts and nurturing talent.
As the Executive Producer, you will guide the broadcast team to deliver engaging content across platforms, ensuring alignment with our brand pillars. Collaborating with News Managers, you will set the editorial direction, foster a strong newsroom culture, and leverage new technology to keep our content innovative.
You will oversee the onboarding and training of new producers, aiding them with script writing and newscast crafting. By using showcasing skills, you will help create compelling newscasts and ensure cohesive content delivery across all platforms. Your news judgment will be critical in reacting to breaking news and adjusting coverage priorities seamlessly. You will advocate for content that resonates with our diverse audience and addresses community issues, ensuring active community engagement from our content and talent.
The ideal candidate has experience as a producer in a large-market TV news operation, creative writing skills for news promos and teases, and strong copy-editing abilities. Familiarity with Augmented Reality and proficiency in Edius and other editing programs are essential. Exceptional leadership, creative and editorial judgment, and strong communication skills are required.
Preferred qualifications include experience as an Executive Producer and a degree in Journalism or Communications.
To apply: Please send your resume to: Managers of Content and Coverage, MCCKPRC@kprc.com
Visit Click2houston.com to view learn more.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 8/18/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 7/21/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/1/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 7/21/24)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 8/11/24)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 7/28/24)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 7/21/24)
KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 7/7/24)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 7/28/24)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 7/14/24)
KFSM-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 7/21/24)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 7/21/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (relisted 8/11/24)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (relisted 7/21/24)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 7/28/24)
WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP/Special Projects, relisted 8/11/24)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Morning Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24 (see ad above!)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Evening Broadcast EP, listed 7/28/24) (see ad above!)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 7/28/24)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 8/11/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (relisted 7/21/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 8/18/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 7/21/24)
WBAL-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 8/11/24)
KTVX/KUCW-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 8/11/24)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 7/1/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 7/1/24)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 8/11/24)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 7/21/24)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (listed 8/11/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem NC, (Weekend EP, listed 8/11/24)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (AM EP, listed 7/28/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/21/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (two openings, listing modified 6/2/24)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (relisted 8/11/24)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 7/21/24)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 7/1/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 7/21/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, listing modified 7/1/24)
WMTM-TV, Portland, ME (listed 8/11/24)
KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT (listed 8/18/24)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 7/21/24:
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Digital Director)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital Director)
Relisted 7/21/24:
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)
Obituary:
We told you Friday that JOHN LANSING, who held many significant jobs, died at the age of 67. New this edition: A Washington Post story which includes more details. And if you missed it, here’s the NPR story we shared Friday. John was chief executive at NPR until earlier this year. There’s still no cause of death, though John did have heart surgery in 2021.
He’s survived by his wife and four children and our sympathy to them.
One correction: our Friday UPDATE said he died in Minnesota. He actually died at his home in Wisconsin.
Names in the News (and other stuff):
RTDNA named the National Murrow Award winners. Here’s an overview of the winners and the complete list is here. Among the winners, my friend and former WTOL-TV (Toledo, OH) intern and employee, CBS’s STEVE HARTMAN, for another win for Excellence in Writing.
Lunn
Authorities in Shreveport, LA, have decided NOT to arrest or prosecute former KTBS-TV anchor and news director BILL LUNN. He resigned from the station in June after police began in investigation into possible inappropriate communication with a juvenile. Two stories: First, from KTBS, and the second from The Shreveport Times.
Following the leads of both ABC and NBC, CBS plans to add a third hour of CBS Mornings this fall. MANY details (including talent) are still to come, according to this report from The Hollywood Reporter.
And we rarely report on radio developments, but this story about the demise of all news WCBS-AM radio in New York caught my eye
General Manager News and Notes:
Kizer
Just ONE GM change this week as Tegna named JIM KIZER to oversee WOI/KCWI-TV (ABC/CW) in Des Moines. He will continue to serve as GM for WQAD-TV (ABC) in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. That seems to be part of a growing trend of one GM overseeing multiple markets. More in the Tegna news release.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 18, 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
WXTV 500 Frank W Burr Blvd Ste 6. Teaneck, NJ 07666 **
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77074
KATU-TV 2153 NE Sandy Blvd. Portland, OR 97232
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
Spectrum News Texas (based in Austin, TX)
WXMI-TV 3117 Plaza Drive NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WJAR-TV 23 Kenney Drive Cranston, RI 02920
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
WKEF/WRGT-TV 2245 Corporate Place Miamisburg, OH 45342
WGBA-TV 1391 North Rd Green Bay, WI 54313
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
WFFF/WVNY-TV, 298 Mountain View Drive, Colchester, VT, 05446
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
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
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Ave N., Billings, MT 59101
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KTVZ-TV 62990 O.B. Riley Rd. Bend OR 97703
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506
**: Spanish language station