November 12, 2023
Greetings:
We need to start with an important correction from last week’s newsletter.
We reported that KUVN-TV (Univision) in Dallas had a news director opening.
That is incorrect.
The opening is actually at KNVO-TV in McAllen, TX.
Apologies to everyone at KUVN and CALIXTO GONZALEZ who remains the ND there.
Moving on, this week brings news of TWO new news directors and departures of TWO others news directors.
Our always unofficial list of stations with open ND jobs stands at 34. TWO of those stations are advertising their openings, 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.
There are TWO new GMs to tell you about both at Pennsylvania stations owned by Sinclair.
Sinclair is making less positive news in Oklahoma, where it is sending newscast production away from KTUL-TV in Tulsa to Oklahoma City.
That’s in Names in the News, where we also have stories about a new newscast model in Cincinnati, a new CBS News VP who’ll oversee data journalism, the finalists for the duPont awards, a retirement of a 30+ year DC area news director you’ve probably never heard of, and we’ll tell you about the newest member of the IRE Board of Directors.
It’s someone you’ve heard of.
Newly Named News Directors:
Movesian
WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo, MI…KARIN MOVESIAN has assumed additional duties as news director for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. She’s remains ND for Sinclair’s WEYI-TV (NBC) in Flint/Saginaw, MI, a job she took in September, 2022. (I’m told the new role at WWMT actually began in May.) Karin’s been an ND in St. Louis, Kansas City, Las Vegas, and for WNEM-TV (CBS) in Saginaw. She replaced MATT JOHNSON who returned to the American Heart Association
KTVH-TV, Helena, MT…this Scripps owned NBC affiliate has hired a new news director yet, but the announcement of WHO that person is has not yet been revealed. We”ll tell you who when that happens. They’ll replace ERIC JOCHIM who will reman as an EP there.
New News Director Openings:
Moreland
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA…SHANE MORELAND resigned as news director here this week. Shane’s been here for six years and has served as ND in several others. You’ll learn on his Linkedin page that he also worked as a GM once and in news management jobs in several other markets. He told me he’s looking for ‘something new’. WRIC is owned by Nexstar and is an ABC affiliate.
Overacker
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY…DAVE OVERACKER left this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate on Friday. He’s been news director there since April, 2019 and had worked at the station (in his hometown) for 31 years, starting as a photographer and working his way up to news director. He posted this on his Twitter account.
KNVO-TV, McAllen, TX…we mentioned above there’s an ND opening here.
Thanksgiving story idea for your viewers: Food waste
The holidays can be bountiful for many, but also difficult for those facing hunger or food insecurity. Your viewers may be wondering:
- How can families reduce the amount of food they throw away?
- Who is most affected by food insecurity and hunger?
- What is the environmental impact of food waste?
- Book your Zoom interview with Dr. Meredith Niles (U. of Vermont) to discuss the latest research on food waste and hunger. Interview slots are available between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET on Monday, November 13th.
More from SciLine: FREE training opportunities:
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.
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?
We’ve got a News Director opening in Washington State!
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)
Names in the News:
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 in this story from The Tulsa World.
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 has more.
Curtis C.
You may not be familiar with the name CURTIS CRUTCHFIELD. I wasn’t, either, but learned that he’s retiring as news director after more than 30 years at Prince George’s County Community Television. (that’s a Washington, DC suburb). During that time he’s mentored and trained many journalists. WRC–TV (NBC), which has a relationship with the station, profiled him.
THIRTY entries were announced this week as finalists for the 2024 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards. It was good to see that a number of local television stations were included. Check out the entire list here.
Kelly
CBS News and Stations has hired JOHN KELLY as Vice Presdient of Data Journalism, a new position. He comes from ABC, where he held a similar role for both ABC News and the ABC owned stations. There much more information in this news release.
You may remember last week I was bemoaning the lack of items for Names in the News and beseeching you to send along your items.
I should have looked in the mirror as this was available, but I forgot. 😉
Click on the image for details.
General Manager News and Notes:
Sinclair named general managers for two of its stations in Pennsylvania.
JASON WILDENSTEIN moves from WJAC-TV (NBC) in Johnston-Altoona-State College to WHP-TV (CBS) in Harrisburg. He’ll be succeeded at WJAC by JASON CHAVIS, who’s been the General Sales Manager there
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 12, 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
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
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)
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
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
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
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