March 24, 2024

Sunday Mar 24, 2024

Greetings:

Yet another busy week with lots of news.

There are TWO ND openings.

And there are FOUR new NDs to tell you about.

34 stations remain on our list of openings, with TWO of those openings among our SIX Paid Help Wanted ads. We have new ads this week for ND jobs in Kansas City and Albany, NY. And Sciline is offering a chance to learn more about the eclipse which is coming soon.

We have details on the passing of longtime ABC TV executive DON DUNPHY: we told you last week he had died but had few details. And we have obits for a groundbreaking female NBC news executive and the sudden passing this week of a Louisiana operations manager.

There are TWO GM moves listed below.

Also below, the FCC wants a New York city station to get a new owner, a former Utah VP News takes a new job, AP and two newspaper chains may be headed for a split, and a Louisville station says it’s going to quit sending out alerts via text.

As to basketball…I can proudly report that I have not made ANY incorrect picks in a tournament bracket.

Easy to say when you don’t fill one out.

Newly Named News Directors:

Duran

KCSO/KSNO-TV, Sacramento/Fresno, CA…CANDY DURAN will oversee both these Telemundo newsrooms. She’s currently an EP for the Univision station in Fresno, KFTV, a job she’s held since last October. More details in this story from Media Moves. Candy’s also worked in San Francisco and Midland, TX. She replaces ALDOLFO SEGURA who transferred to KUAN-TV in San Diego as VP/News last August.

Sutton

WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…KERRI SUTTON is joining this Hearst/NBC affiliate as its next news director. Kerri (then KERRI CAVANAUGH) most recently was ND for WFOR-TV (CBS owned) in Miami, leaving in August after a long personal leave. She’s also been an ND in Indianapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, and Grand Rapids and also worked for Magid. She replaces BAYLOR LONG who returned to Hearst’s Pittsburgh station, WTAE-TV after 2 1/2 years here.

Payne

WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA…CHRISTOPHER PAYNE will be the next news director for this Lockwood Broadcast Group FOX affiliate. This news release from the station has more, including the cities in which Chris has worked, but no details about his most recent position. He replaces MARK ROSEN who was ND here for three years…and has also been an ND at TWO other Augusta stations.

Corder

KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA…assistant news director JILLIAN CORDER is being promoted to news director for this Gray TV owned NBC station. She’a also been anchoring the 6:00 news. She first joined KPLC in 2015, coming from KNOE-TV in Monroe, LA. Jillian replaces LETITIA WALKER who left earlier this month to become ND for WBRZ-TV (ABC) in Baton Rouge, LA.

New News Director Openings:

Prywitch

KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO…our Monday UPDATE brought you news that AUDREY PRYWITCH will retire at the end of May, bringing to an end a 23 year career here, the last 16 as ND. GM KURT KRUEGER’s note to the staff provides lots of background. She joined KTVI in 2001 as Assistant News Director, having earlier worked for another St. Louis station, as well as in San Diego, Miami, Cincinnati and West Palm Beach.

Raffaele

WNYT-TV, Albany, NY…MICHAEL RAFFAELE is leaving this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate to return to Harrisburg, PA. Michael and his wife used to live there. Michael was at WNYT for three years. He’s been an ND in several other places, and began his career in newspapers. You can get all those details on his Linkedin page. And you can learn more about this opportunity by checking out the Paid Help Wanted AD just below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO:

Want to live in a vibrant, growing city that is home to the Super Bowl Champions?

Nexstar Inc. seeks an experienced, driven broadcast professional to serve as News Director for WDAF FOX4.

We are the news leaders in the Kansas City market with more than 70 hours of live news programming each week. You will lead and supervise all aspects of news, weather, and sports on FOX4 and all digital platforms.

We are looking for someone who has passion for the industry, the vision and willingness to innovate the news product, and the mindset to grow collaborative winning teams.

Apply here: Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)

News Director, WNYT-TV, Albany, NY:

NBC News Channel 13 in Albany, NY is looking for a News Director to help lead our news room operations.

WNYT-TV is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting-a premier family-owned mid-sized media organization.

In this role, you would be in charge of the news broadcasts as well as having a key role in the recruitment and training of news producers and on-air talent.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about objective journalism, believes in treating people with respect and dignity and wants to be an active member of their community. This is a rare opportunity at this 100-Year old legacy organization.

Albany, NY is the bustling capital of the Empire State. The seat of government for the fourth largest state in the country, there is no shortage of news stories-whether government focused, breaking news or investigative focused.

Only 2 hours to New York City or Boston, you are close to all of the amenities of these great cities without the high costs of living there. In Albany, you can be in the heart of the city in a top 60 market one moment and then be in the mountains or near a lake within a few minutes.

Come see why Albany is a great place to live and work!

To apply for this opportunity, please visit our career website: WNYT News Director.

Senior Director, CNN NewsSource, Sales and Affiliate Relations:

CNN NEWSOURCE SEEKS A SALES AND AFFILIATE RELATIONS SENIOR DIRECTOR.

Our new team member will focus on helping our local news affiliates tell their stories, leading new business generation and account service. Every great story hW

Check out the details here!

Assistant News Director, WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA:

WBRZ is seeking an innovative, energetic newsroom leader to join the journalism team as Assistant News Director.

This position mentors and coaches young journalists and works closely with MMJs and reporters on daily assignments and investigations. Previous experience as a reporter/MMJ or anchor is helpful.

This is a great opening for a reporter who is looking to move into a newsroom manager role. WBRZ owns investigative journalism and breaking news. This newsroom thrives on urgency.

Catapult your career by joining the WBRZ News management team. WBRZ prides itself on being authentically local and is the area’s only locally owned and operated TV news station. It has been so since signing on in 1955.

Send resume, brief cover letter and an outline of your news philosophy to Letitia Walker, Director of News, via email to lwalker@wbrz.com or mail to WBRZ-TV, P.O. Box 2906, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Pre-employment drug screening required. EOE.

Station Manager, KXXV/KRHD-TV, Waco/Bryan, TX:

KXXV/KRHD, the Scripps ABC stations in Waco, and Bryan, Texas, is searching for a Station Manager to lead local operations.

The Station Manager will report into and collaborate with the Regional VP/GM to oversee local market operations and execute local media strategic initiatives in an assigned station. Oversee department head leaders and manage day-to-day operations of the station while serving as a functional leader in own area of expertise.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Lead and implement the local media strategic plan, including the content & brand strategy, for assigned station.

Act as co-leader in generating ratings and revenue, including developing strategic plans and operational plans for the station’s growth in multi-platform content delivery and revenue generation.

In partnership with the Regional VP/GM, support development of and ensure responsible financial stewardship to the station operating and capital expense budgets.

Continue to serve as the leader and subject matter expert for one of the station’s functional areas, while overseeing a team of department head leaders of other functional areas.

Lead a culture consistent with Scripps values, with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and developing employees at all levels.

Responsible for all aspects of financial statements and ensuring station compliance with Scripps policies.

Enforcing all FCC, EEO, SOX and other appropriate rules and regulations.

Other duties as may be assigned.

Apply Here:

Senior Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

The WINK Senior Executive Producer will oversee the development and training of producers and Executive Producers at Southwest Florida’s leading news operation.

WINK is looking for a leader capable of teaching and mentoring producers, as well as developing Executive Producers on our dayside team. Passion is important for this role, but more important is a sense of purpose.

The top candidate will be someone who demonstrates the ability to lead and teach. Creativity, strong news judgment, superb writing skills and excellent showcasing and production skills are a must.

The Sr. EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product, which includes Executive Producers, Producers and Associate Producers.

Integrating social media into the newscasts is an emerging growth area in which the Sr. EP must embrace and lead by example. The Sr. EP must be able to step in and actually produce a newscast. The Sr. EP is the chief advocate for the practical execution of research strategies designed to meet audience expectations. This senior leadership position will help lead a team of experienced journalists that produce more than 70 hours of local news a week.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Southwest Florida is often praised as being one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world with miles of white-sand beaches and a dynamic community. Broadcast Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are a drug-free and smoke-free environment.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WRC-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/10/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 2/25/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 3/24/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 2/25/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 3/15/24)
WDCA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/15/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 3/15/24)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/3/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/24/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 3/15/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 2/25/24)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 2/5/24)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer, listed 2/4/24)
KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 3/15/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 3/15/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 3/3/24)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/4/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 2/25/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 3/15/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (listed 2/4/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 3/15/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listed 3/10/24, see ad above!)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 2/4/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 2/18/24)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 2/25/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/3/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, listed 2/25/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/24)
WMBB-TV, Panama City, FL (Digital EP, listed 1/21/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 3/17/24)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 3/17/24)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/17/24:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Director of Special Projects)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)

Relisted 3/15/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/10/24:

KXXV/KRHD-TV. Waco/Bryan, TX (Station Manager, see ad above!)

Listed 3/3/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Operations Manager)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

SciLine has an exciting media briefing, and several 1-on-1, Zoom interview opportunities with scientific experts over the next few weeks. Be sure to sign up and tell your colleagues on these beats.

SciLine Media Briefing:

2024 solar eclipse: science and story ideas

Tuesday, March 26 (3-4 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

On April 8, thirteen U.S. states will experience a total sola r eclipse—a chance to observe the moon passing in front of the sun, blocking its face from view. SciLine’s next media briefing will cover need-to-know essentials for reporters preparing their eclipse coverage, including what scientists can learn from eclipses, how people can view them safely, effects for birds and other animals, and the social science behind why these types of celestial events are so awe-inducing. Three scientists will make brief presentations and then take reporter questions on the record. SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate the briefing.

Dr. Shannon Schmoll, Michigan State University
Dr. Andrew Farnsworth, Cornell University
Dr. Paul Piff, UC Irvine

REGISTER NOW

Obituaries:

Dunphy

We have an obituary for DON DUNPHY, JR. whose passing we shared last week, albeit with few details. Don, who spent more than 40 years at ABC, may be best known to this audience as the head of affiliate news service ABC NewsOne. Don was also the son of legendary boxing announcer DON DUNPHY. More details on his life and career in this obituary.

Dukert

BETTY COLE DUKERT, who rose from a secretarial job to EP of NBC’s Meet the Press, died March 16th of complications from Alzheimer’s. She was 96. Despite her journalism degree from Missouri, she had to start as a secretary before moving to an associate producer position. This Washington Post obituary is worth your time, as is this appreciation of her written by another former MtP EP, BETSY FISCHER MARTIN.

Meche

Sad news from Lake Charles, LA, where longtime KPLC-TV (Gray/NBC) Operations Manager JULIE MECHE died suddenly this week at the age of 58. Julie worked earlier this week with no signs of illness. She began at the station as a camera operator and worked her way up to director and later operations manager. The station reported on her passing on air and on its website.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Bodley

Longtime Salt Lake City broadcaster RENAI BODLEY is stepping down as President of KPCW-FM, to return to her home town of Roanoke, VA. She’ll be the chief advancement officer of WVTF-FM. Renai spent seven years as President and GM of KPCW. She started there as a reporter after a 16 year career as VP/News for KSTU-TV (FOX). She’s also worked in Richmond, VA, Washington, and Miami.

The FCC has ordered Mission Broadcasting to sell WPIX-TV in New York and fined it (and Nexstar, which operates WPIX). It’s complicated, of course, but here is a story from Broadcasting and Cable AND Nexstar’s response. If Nexstar were to buy WPIX, it would have to divest other stations to stay under the ownership cap.

Of note: Two major newspaper chains, Gannett and McClatchy, plan to dramatically cut back their relationships with the Associated Press. AP says the moves will not have a material impact. More from the NY Times.

Also interesting, Block Communications owned WDRB-TV (FOX) in Louisville says it will stop sending news alerts via text, blaming increased charges from phone companies. More here.

General Manager News and Notes:

JAMIE RICKS has been been promoted to General Manager of Fort Myers Broadcasting Company in (where else?) Ft. Myers, FL, which owns CBS affiliate WINK-TV along with radio stations and a magazine. He’s been the sales manager there. The man he’s replacing, JOE SCHWARTZEL, told the staff about the change in this email.

RAUL RODRIGUEZ returns to TV as Senior VP of the Entravision stations in Reno, NV.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 24, 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
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37228
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit Kansas City, MO 64108 (see ad above!)
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WXIX-TV 635 W 7th. Cincinnati, OH 45944
WHP-TV, 2300 N Cameron St Harrisburg PA 17110
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204 (see ad above!)
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WTOC-TV 1511 Chatham Center Dr. Savannah, GA 31405
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WAND-TV 904 W. South Side Drive. Decatur, IL 62526
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
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KESQ-TV 31276 Dunham Way Thousand Palms, CA 92276
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
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
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
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

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