November 17, 2024
Greetings:
A very busy newsletter which explains our later-than-we-try-to publish situation.
FIVE new ND openings, with TWO jobs filled.
That means there are now 42 stations on our long list, with TWO of those openings featured in paid help wanted ads. And our friends at Sciline are back with several good interview opportunities.
By the way, ONE of those filled jobs was filled a LONG time ago. Apolgies for that but it does remind me to remind you that we rely heavily on your tips.
We are grateful for those tips, but we do NOT pay for them. 🙂
In Names in the News, RTDNA rescinds a National Edward R. Murrow Award, a three time ND is retiring this Friday, and a 100 birthday celebration for a long-ago (duh!) news director.
Lots of other news this week, including new people running THREE stations, TWO in top 20 markets.
Read on!
Newly Named News Directors:
Jacoby
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC…a move within Gray TV returns MARYBETH JACOBY to Columbia, SC, this time as news director for this NBC affiliate. Earlier in her career she was the ND for WLTX-TV, Tegna’s CBS affiliate there, for ten years. Details in this Linkedin post (which includes a picture of her dog!) from GM ROBBY THOMAS. Marybeth replaces BRAD HYATT who left last months after six years as ND.
Roush
KQTV, St. Joseph, MO…we are inexcusably late in telling you that CHRIS ROUSH is the news director for the Heartland Media owned ABC affiliate. And…according to his Linkedin bio…he’s held that job for more than a year. Chris was apparently promoted from his previous role as sports director here, a job he’s held twice.
New News Director Openings:
Varner
KSTP/KSTC-TV, Minneapolis, MN…we told you in our Monday UPDATE that KIRK VARNER’s long career in our business is nearing its end. He told his staff in Monday’s morning meeting…and via this follow up email…that he is retiring at the end of January. Kirk’s been the ND for this Hubbard Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate for almost six years. His LinkedIn page details his varied career.
Wood
KSL-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…LEONA WOOD is leaving this Bonneville International owned NBC affiliate. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints owns Bonneville International.) Leona’s been the Director, News and Lifestyle Content here for more than eight years. She’s held news management positions in Phoenix ands Spokane and also worked in Seattle.
WHNS-TV, Greenville, SC…as you learned above, MARYBETH JACOBY is leaving this Gray TV owned FOX affiliate to return to Columbia, SC, to become ND for Gray’s WIS–TV (NBC). She’s been the ND here since 2021. Learn more about this opportunity…and find out how to apply…in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.
Truett
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…another Gray TV owned station, another opening. Here it’s because MIKE TRUETT has left this CBS affiliate after not quite 18 months as news director. Earlier Mike was an ND in Springfield, IL. and also worked in Mobile, AL, Champaign, IL, for two stations in Memphis, and in the Peace Corps.
Kirby
KIDY-TV, San Angelo, TX…JOHN KIRBY has left this Tegna owned FOX/MY Network operation after less than a year as news director. John told me he was tired of the three hour commute from Lubbock. He’s a former ND in Grand Junction, CO. While John had the title of news director, the position is now described as News Content Manager.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
News Director, WHNS-TV, Greenville, SC:
Fox Carolina is located in Greenville, South Carolina, consistently named one of the best small cities in the US. Our DMA (#36) includes Asheville, NC, and offers a competitive news environment. Fox Carolina is emerging as the news leader, producing 13 hours of news each weekday. Our team of award-winning professionals thrives in a fast-paced, yet fun, environment.
Greenville has an amazing downtown scene, revolving around the Reedy River, five-star restaurants and breweries, and miles and miles of walking trails. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Upstate and Western North Carolina offer lakes, mountains, and historical landmarks all within a short drive. Greenville continues to be named a top small city, a top foodie city, and one of the best places for young professionals in the country.
WHNS/Fox Carolina is seeking an innovative, passionate News Director with experience leading teams and growing talent.
Qualified candidates for News Director must have a keen understanding of strategic news content, multi-faceted digital operations, and the value of full social engagement by the entire team. We are looking for a leader who embraces creative storytelling and can utilize consumer analytics to guide
content creation ensuring that our digital presence resonates with our audience’s interests and needs.
The News Director oversees all content operations and is a leader in the strategic vision for station viewership growth. The ideal candidate has excellent news judgment and strong management skills to own the big story each day.
Click here to learn more about this opportunity and to apply!
News Director, NBC Montana:
Would you like to see mountains on your way into work, or the northern lights on the way home? Maybe run late because a herd of Elk blocked your commute?
NBC Montana is seeking an experienced, hands-on news leader with strong multi-platform skills and a bold style to lead one of the strongest local newsrooms in the country.
Our mission is to produce impact stories with a distinctive focus on accountability reporting.
Check it out and apply by clicking here.
Interview an Expert
Zoom – All SciLine events are free
Lots of free opportunities for reporters in the next two weeks at SciLine!
Reserve your interview slot or sign up for training to add some science to your news stories.
Nov. 19 (2-4 p.m. ET): Expert available: Employees returning to office: We have 15-minute Zoom slots available to interview Dr. Wen Fan – a sociology expert in remote and hybrid work and their impacts on employee culture and equity: https://bit.ly/4fv45GU
Nov. 20 (3-5 p.m. ET): Expert available: Nuclear power plants: We have 15-minute Zoom slots available to interview Dr. Matthew Memmott– an energy expert on nuclear energy: https://bit.ly/3OhyXyB
Nov. 21 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Crash course: Science essentials for local reporters: https://bit.ly/3YTxNP3
Nov. 25 (1-3 p.m. EDT): Expert available: Grocery costs: We have 15-minute Zoom slots available to interview Dr. Dawn Thilmany – an agricultural and resource economics expert on how and why grocery prices rise and fall: https://bit.ly/4hTkfMa
SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 9/29/24)
KTVI/KPLR-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 9/29/24)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 11/17/24)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 9/29/24)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (listed 11/3/24)
WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (relisted 11/10/24)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 11/10/24)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 11/10/24)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 11/10/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 11/3/24)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (listed 9/22/24)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 9/29/24)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN & VA (relisted 10/13/24)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
Spectrum Noticias, New York, NY (Senior EP, listed 10/27/24)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM Broadcast EP, relisted 10/6/24)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 11/3/24)
Spectrum News, Tampa, FL (National EP, listed 9/29/24)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 10/13/24)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (listed 10/13/24)
Spectrum News, Orlando, FL (relisted 10/27/24)
WESH-TV, Orlando, FL (relisted 10/20/24)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 9/29/24)
Spectrum News 1, Raleigh NC (relisted 11/17/24)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 9/29/29)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Senior Content Producer, listed 11/10/24)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (Digital EP, listing modified 10/6/24)
WYFF-TV, Greenville-Spartanburg-Ashville, (listed 10/20/24)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 9/29/24)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (EP Lifestyle Show, listed 11/10/24)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (relisted 10/20/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem NC, (Weekend EP, relisted 10/20/24)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 10/20/24)
WDSU-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 10/20/24)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (listed 9/29/24)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 11/17/24)
WQAD-TV, Moline, IL (listed 9/29/29)
KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT (relisted 9/2/24)
More News Management Openings:
Relisted 11/17/24:
Spectrum News, Austin, TX (Managing Director)
Listed 11/3/24:
KGW-TV, Portland OR (Digital Director)
Listed 10/27/24:
WGNO/WNOL-TV, New Orleans, LA (Digital Content Manager)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Webmaster & Content Dir.)
Listed 10/20/24:
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 9/29/24:
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (Digital Director)
Listed 9/22/24:
KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (Digital Content Manager)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Digital Director)
Names in the News (and other stuff):
RTDNA has rescinded a National Murrow Award given to National Geographic. Details here.
Hanson
In more pleasant RTDNA news, the organization announced the creation of the GARY L. HANSON International Reporting Fellowship. It honors Gary, a longtime ND in Youngstown, OH, and a one time chair of RTDNA, who finished his career training the next general of journalists at Kent State University. He died in 2017 at the age of 66 after a long battle with cancer.
Hair
Tuesday’s UPDATE told you that PRINCELL HAIR is leaving his job as President of Allen Media Group after two years. Here’s a brief email he sent me discussing his future plans. (I warned you. it’s brief!) Many of you know Princell, who’s held a number of very significant jobs on both the local and network level.
Polly
POLLY VAN DOREN-ORR is retiring after 43 years in our business.. She’s currently the evening executive producer for Nexstar’s WDAF-TV (FOX) in Kansas City. But as you’ll learn in this note, she’s a three time former ND and has some definite plans on how to spend her retirement, including her tole as grandma.
Long ago Louisville (WHAS-TV) News Director JAY CROUSE was feted on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
News Director turned GM CARRIE STARNES of WRCB-TV in Chattanooga was profiled in the local newspaper.
General Manager News and Notes:
TERESA MORGAN, a 20 year veteran of the station, has been named VP-GM of Scripps’ WFTS-TV (ABC) in Tampa.
Speaking of Scripps, KEVIN JAMES is the new station manager for KNXV-TV (ABC) in Phoenix. It’s a return to Phoenix for Kevin, who earlier worked for KPHO/KTVK-TV. He’s been the Director of Sales for CBS’s KTVT/KTXA-TV in Dallas.
Cox has promoted OMESH SOMARU to be General Manager for its Jacksonville, FL, operations, WJAX/WFOX-TV. He’s been the Direct of Sales there and replaces BOB LONGO. (Cox owns WFOX and operates WJAX for Hoffman Communications.)
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 17, 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
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, Texas 77057
KIAH-TV 7700 Westpark Drive Houston, TX 77063
KOMO-TV 140 4th Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave. St. Paul, MN 55114
KSL-TV 55 North 300 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180
WOAI-TV 4335 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX, 78229
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court. Greenville, SC 29615 (See ad above!)
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman Street. Harrisburg, PA 17110
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WATN-TV 1725 Shelby Oaks Dr N. Memphis, TN 38134
KFSN-TV 1777 G St, Fresno, CA 93706
KATV 10 Turtle Creek Lane Little Rock, AR 72202
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North Wichita, KS 67219
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25301
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WCIV-TV 88 Allbritton Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KTBS-TV 312 E. Kings Highway. Shreveport, LA 71104
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Drive Carterville, IL 62918
KIVI-TV 1866 E. Chisholm Dr. Nampa, ID 83687
WNCT-TV 3221 South Evans Street. Greenville, NC 27834
WANE-TV 2915 W. State Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46808
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Macon, GA 31201
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road, Rockford, IL 61101
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
WJET/WFXP-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WTRF-TV 96 16th St, Ste 2, Wheeling, WV 26003
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
KECI/KCFW/KTVM-TV, 340 W. Main St. Missoula, MT 59802 (see ad above!)
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Ave N., Billings, MT 59101
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 S, Broadway St. Eureka CA 95503
KIDY-TV5 S. Chadbourne San Angelo, TX 76902
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
**: Spanish language station