February 5, 2023
Tuesday, February 7, 2023 UPDATE:
Greetings:
I’ve visited this station many times over the years, and never saw the rapidly spinning turnstile.
Glover
But I must have missed it as the changes continue at KCTV, Gray TV’s CBS affiliate in Kansas City. The latest: news director KATE GLOVER, who is leaving today after just one year on the job.
The timing is particularly interesting as I heard somewhere that the local football team might be playing in what some consider a big game this weekend.
Kate’s replacement here, by my count, will be the TENTH news director in just 13 years.
In fairness, much of the churn came during the previous Meredith ownership.
Kate came to KCTV after four years as the ND for Gray’s WNDU-TV (NBC) in South Bend. She’s a former ND in Buffalo and Portland, OR. Her complete job history (including jobs in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, and network assignments) can be found on her Linkedin page.
More in our full newsletter on Sunday.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
Another busy edition, with lots of changes and stories.
THREE new openings (one in a top 15 market) and THREE new news directors (though all have been NDs before), leaving 29 stations on our list of open ND jobs.
ONE of those openings is among FIVE Paid Help Wanted ads, including ads for an EP job in Washington, producers (from remote locations!) for a national news magazine, and two jobs at News 12 operations in New York.
We have an obituary for a sports producer in Minneapolis who died too young, and more details on the passing of a former group president.
TWO former news directors have gotten promotions in their post-TV but still in the media jobs, and we have the right link for a story we reported last week but with a bad link due to an editing error.
I should have fired the editor but I need the job.
Have a super week.
Newly Named News Directors:
Nazarenus
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…ERIC NAZARENUS starts Thursday as the next ND here. We told you last week that he had left Hearst’s WGAL-TV in Harrisburg, PA at the end of the year. Eric spent 23 years at WGAL, and was ND for the roughly the last 18 months. He replaces CRAIG HUME who is leaving for health reasons.WBRE (NBC) is owned by Nexstar, which provides services to Mission Broadcasting’s WYOU (CBS)
Flannigan
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA…this Graham Media owned NBC affiliate has named SCOTT FLANNIGAN as its next news director. He’s currently ND for KMIZ-TV (ABC) in Columbia, MO (more below) and is a former ND in Kansas City, Mobile, and Lake Charles, LA. He replaces MARGARET ASHBURN who took a media relations job at Virginia Tech at the end of the year. She worked here for four years, the last two as news director.
St. Peter
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID…KEITH ST. PETER will be the next news director for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate. (You’ll remember we reported last week that the job had been filled but the announcement was pending.) Keith is currently the Senior EP for Scripps’ KNXV-TV (ABC) in Phoenix. He’s a former ND at WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre and replaces CHRIS CERBO who left in December after less than a year as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Finestone
KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA…General Manager PAT NEVIN told the staff of this Cox Media Group owned CBS affiliate on Friday that TARA FINESTONE (right) ‘is no longer employed’ with the station. We have a screen grab of that note. She’d been ND there since October, 2020, but spent most of her career in Los Angeles, inlcuding four years as ND for CBS’s KCBS/KCAL-TV. Coincidence? There’s an ND opening at FOX’s KTTV in Los Angeles and Fox owns a KIRO competitor, KCPQ-TV in Seattle.
KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO…as we reported above, SCOTT FLANNIGAN is leaving this News Press & Gazette ABC affiliate for a new job as ND for Graham Media’s WSLS-TV (NBC) in Roanoke, VA. He was ND here for about 18 months. Learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted Ad just below.
Wood
KMID/KPEJ-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX…TERRY WOOD is leaving this Nexstar operation for a new job as the Assistant ND for Scripps’ WGBA-TV in Green Bay, WI. Here’s the staff note from WGBA ND RYAN SCOTT. Terry was ND here for just over two years and previously worked in Los Angeles, Boston, Phoenix, Las Vegas (twice) and Albuquerque.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KMIZ-TV, Columbia-Jefferson City, MO:
KMIZ-TV, in Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo., has an immediate opening for a news director. This is your chance to work for a family-owned company committed to doing news the right way and live in one of the nicest cities in the Midwest.
The ABC 17 News team is a well-oiled machine driven by an aggressive, focused brand. We invest in top tier consulting, research and talent development. The company provides the staff resources and support to succeed in this competitive market. We need a hands on news director who is crazy about coaching both veteran and young journalists.
Columbia offers a tremendous quality of life as a college town in the heartland. It is also a short drive from Kansas City, St. Louis and Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. There’s a terrific trail system here and tons of options for the active lifestyle. We have the draw of big-time college athletics, the popular culture of world renowned film and music festivals plus the cultural opportunities a major university provides. Dining and nightlife are top notch for a city this size.
The News-Press Gazette Company (NPG) is family-owned with a steep tradition in serving its community through various newspaper and broadcast holdings. It is a diverse company with an eye to the future that includes maintaining its portfolio of 10 television markets. It is large enough to provide its stations the latest industry services to keep them competitive but small enough to offer a great degree of autonomy at its individual stations.
Producers, Gray Television, Remote Locations:
Gray Television has an opportunity for producers who are creative writers and big thinkers looking to break out of the mold of daily news. We are launching a new national daily news magazine and we’re looking for producers to join our team. This is a new show being developed by Gray Television and a chance to join a team producing the next wave of syndicated programming for the company.
The daily show will include elements from InvestigateTV as well as original editorial content and stories culled from Gray stations. This new M-F show will air on all 113 Gray television stations.
The ideal Producer candidate will be a creative writer with a strong editorial background and a knack for showcasing.
This will NOT be a newscast. No breaking news. No weather. You will focus on journalism and showcasing long-form storytelling. We see the show as a journey across America through the lens of in-depth storytelling focusing on holding the powerful accountable, informing consumers and profiling the American experience.
Want to learn more? Follow this link!
Executive Producer, News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY:
News 12 Long Island is looking for an Executive Producer for our 3.5 hour morning broadcast. The right candidate will be part of a management team dedicated to innovative, authentically local storytelling.
The EP will be expected to be a newsroom leader, responsible for overseeing all aspects of our morning daypart. A strong editorial and control room leader, the right candidate will be a team leader and be able to foster a cohesive team dynamic on a daily basis. With multiple direct reports, this is an incredible opportunity for a seasoned professional and/or strong producer looking for the next opportunity.
If you are an innovative storyteller, with strong story showcasing abilities looking for a collaborative newsroom environment, please consider joining our team.
Click here to learn more and apply!
Special Projects Producer, News 12 New Jersey, Edison, NJ:
The Special Projects Producer’s main responsibility is to facilitate the production of on-air promos, sales tapes and marketing projects designed to promote awareness of network’s programming and strengthen its brand.
The SP Producer will juggle multiple projects while working closely with staff editors under very tight budgets and deadlines.
If you have 5+ years experience in broadcast or cable television production, we want to hear from you!
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 1/15/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23, see ad above!)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23, see ad above!)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 1/29/23)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/5/22, see ad above!)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/22/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/22/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 1/22/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA (Digital EP, listed 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 1/22/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 1/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (listed 1/29/23)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
KSNT-TV, Topeka, KS (Digital EP, listed 1/22/23)
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 1/22/23)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 2/5/23:
Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program, see ad above!)
Listed 1/9/23:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer, see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)
Obituaries:
Andy T.
The staff at KARE-TV, Tegna’s NBC affiliate in Minneapolis/St. Paul, is mourning the loss of sports producer ANDY TROWBRIDGE. He was just 35 years old when he died last weekend after a brief illness. A Minnesota native, he joined the KARE sports department as an intern…and never left. The station remembered him in this post on its website.
Bock
We now have a compete obituary for MIKE BOCK , the former head of Guy Gannett Communications whose passing we told you about last month. Mike was 73 and had also served as the general manager for the company’s Cedar Rapids station.
Names in the News:
Former ABC News Producer JAMES GORDON MEEK was arrested last week on child pornography charges. More in this story from Variety. He resigned from ABC after a police raid at his home last year.
Berg
Nexstar’s CHRIS BERG has been promoted to VP, Local Content Development. This note from Nexstar’s SVP of Local Content Development, SUSAN TULLY, explains both Chris’ new role and his old. Chris joined Nexstar in 2014 after six years as the Assistant ND for WFAA-TV in Dallas. He’s a former ND in Minneapolis (KSTP-TV) and Albuquerque (KOB-TV)
Prather
Broadcaster turned newspaper digital guru JIM PRATHER has also been promoted at The Las Vegas Review-Journal. He’s now the VP of Digital Strategy there. He first joined the R-J six years ago after 14 years as GM of KNTV (ABC) in Las Vegas. He’s a former GM in Milwaukee, where he was also ND for WTMJ-TV and held group news duties for Journal Broadcasting.
Due to an editing error, we had a bad link in this story last week which we correct below.
ABC and its Washington affiliate, WJLA-TV, are being sued by a Virginia family whose home was shown in a story about the ripple effects of January 6. It’s a good reminder to be careful about ‘wallpaper video’ but Poynter’s AL TOMPKINS is among several quoted that think there’s little chance the plaintiffs will prevail. Here is the correct link.
General Manager News and Notes:
Mennie
Tegna has posted a GM opening for its Jacksonville operation, WTLV/WJXX-TV. That job had been held for the last eight plus years by former news director and news executive ROB MENNIE. I’ve reached out to both Rob and a Tegna executive trying to learn about his future plans and haven’t heard back. I’ll let you know if/when I do.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 5, 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
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KIRO-TV 2807 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
KMGH-TV 123 E. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201 (see ad above!)
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
KFDX/KTJL-TV 4500 Seymour Hwy. Wichita Falls, TX 76309
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101
**: Spanish language station