Rick Gevers & Associates

April 14, 2024

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 UPDATE #2:

Exclusive!

Sean M.

SEAN McLAUGHLIN has been named Vice President of News for Graham Media.

He’ll start next week and be based in Detroit, where the company owns WDIV-TV (NBC),

As you know, he just finished a ten year run as VP of Local Media for Scripps.

I’m told the news release should be out shortly…and will bring it to you when it is…as long as my return home from NAB doesn’t interfere!

regards,

Rick Gevers

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 UPDATE:

One of the longest tenured careers at a network o-and-o in a large market will end this summer.

Graves

After 22 years as VP/News for ABC’s WLS-TV in Chicago, JENNIFER GRAVES will retire in late June. We have Jennifer’s note to her staff, General Manager JOHN IDLER‘s email to the station, and the news release posted to the station’s website.

Jennifer first joined WLS as an EP in 1992, moved to Assistant ND in 1998, and to VP/News in 2001. Jennifer also worked in Atlanta, St. Louis, and Columbia, MO.

Graves

Frank W.

And while Jennifer’s 22 years as ND at WLS is remarkable, it falls just short of FRANK WHITTAKER’s 24 years at WMAQ-TV (NBC). a run that ended in late 2022.

For perspective, during that time frame of 22-24 years, Chicago’s other three main news operations have had 2,932 news directors.

Or something like that.

More this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

There’s a news director change in a top ten market to share today.

Burgess

Staffers at Cox Media’s WFXT-TV (FOX) in Boston were told this morning in a meeting that news director SARAH BURGESS had decided to leave the station. She’s a 19 year veteran of the station and has been the news director since May, 2018. She’d been Managing Editor before her promotion and had earlier worked for another Boston station and in Las Vegas.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

Hello from Las Vegas and the NAB and BEA conventions. Hope to see some of you here.

Just ONE new ND in this week’s report, and TWO new openings, both in Idaho. Our list of open ND jobs increases to 36 stations. TWO of those openings are featured in Paid Help Wanted ads.

Sciline has a number of interview opportunities AND is offering a crash course on science essentials for news editors.

No GM changes, but THREE new obituaries and more details about the lives and careers of TWO former NDs whose deaths we first reported last week.

And lots of items in Names in the News:

IRE announces its awards winners.

New owners for longtime industry publication.

A longtime newsman wants your input on a research project about burnout and YOUR job satisfaction.

And a Sacramento newsman returns to his former station as the AND.

Read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Atwood

KESQ-TV, Palm Desert, CA…KADE ATWOOD transfers within News Press & Gazette to become the next ND for this ABC affiliate. Kade’s been the ND for NPG’s KIFI-TV (also ABC) in Idaho Falls since last September. He’s a former ND for KMVT-TV in Twin Falls, ID, for 3 1/2 years, before 18 months as the Assistant ND for KSNV-TV in Las Vegas. He’s replacing REBECCA JOHNSON who left in March after 7+ years.

And because we value accuracy in this space, I wanted to correct some minor misstatements in last week’s post about ROD HISSONG’s move to ND at WAND-TV in Decatur, IL. Rod was EP at sister Block station WDRB-TV in Louisville for 2 1/2 of this four years there, and he was the weekend anchor at WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne, not the main anchor as we told you.

SciLine Crash Course:

Science essentials for news editors

Tuesday, April 23 (2-3 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

SciLine is offering a free, one-hour, Zoom-based science “crash course”—designed specifically for editors. Former longtime Washington Post science reporter Rick Weiss and Ph.D. neuroscientist Dr. Tori Espensen will together lay out key do’s, don’ts, and pitfalls to watch for when editing a news story that includes scientific information or sources with a 15-minute Q&A to follow.

Among the topics to be covered:

How even a small dose of science can strengthen almost any story and add to your outlet’s credibility;
Different kinds of studies and what each can—and cannot—reveal;
Flags to watch for as you assess the accuracy of your reporters’ science-based stories; and
Practical tips for identifying credible scientist-sources and guiding reporters to ask the right questions.

New News Director Openings:

KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID…as you learned just above, KADE ATWOOD is leaving one NPG station for another. The search is on for his replacement…you can learn more in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID…this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate is looking for a new news director. JOE MARTIN had been both the anchor and ND but has left (or is leaving) the station. More on his background in his station bio.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID:

Live in the closest metropolitan destination to Yellowstone National Park
Lead a team of journalists in the market’s #1 multi-platform newsroom.
Work for a family-owned company with terrific employee-focused benefits
Outdoor enthusiasts love the proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks, relaxing natural hot springs, and fly fishing on the Snake River

NPG of Idaho, including the legacy stations for the Idaho Falls/Pocatello, ID/Jackson, WY DMA and the dominant news leader in Eastern Idaho/Western Wyoming, has an exciting opportunity for someone to lead our news team as News Director. A year-round tourist destination and a quality-of-life few cities can match. We are family owned by News Press & Gazette, a diversified company committed to its people and successful news organizations.

The News Director will oversee and provide strategic direction to the station’s news operation consisting of broadcast and digital platforms. We are looking for a strong newsroom leader who considers recruiting, coaching in a pro-active and productive newsroom a priority.

The ideal candidate will be a visionary coach, and an effective communicator with a passion for the news business, with the ability to maximize resources, develop/manage department budget and make contributions as a member of the stations management team.

We provide a benefit package that includes Health, Dental, Vision, FSA, HSA, Company-paid Life & AD&D. Supplemental Life and Disability insurances are available, 401(k) with employer match, PTO, Employee Assistance Program, and Tuition Reimbursement, and other additional benefits.

Learn more and apply by clicking here!

News Director, KXNews, Bismarck, ND:

Calling all news managers looking to grow their skillset in a city with plenty of outdoor adventures. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has a News Director opening at KX News in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Our market covers half the state of North Dakota. KX News has studios in Bismarck and Minot.

The right candidate will be a strong mentor who understands the importance of local enterprise stories. We’re searching for a decisive decision maker with a track record of leading newsroom teams.

Learn more here!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 4/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 4/14/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 2/25/24)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 4/14/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 3/24/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (relished 4/14/24)
KWEX-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 4/14/24)
WFMZ-TV, Allentown, PA (Philadelphia market, listed 4/7/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 3/15/24)
WDCA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/15/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ, (2 openings, EP & DIgital EP. listed 4/7/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 3/15/24)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 4/14/24)
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)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 4/14/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 2/25/24)
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)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 4/7/24)
WSPA/WYCW-TV, Spartanburg, SC (listed 4/14/24)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (listed 4/7/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 2/25/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 3/15/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listing revised 4/7/24)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (PM EP, listed 4/7/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 3/15/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listed 3/10/24)
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 (relisted 4/14/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/24)

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 3/17/24:

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

Listed 3/3/24:

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

Obituaries:

Too many obituaries this week.

Longtime talent agent RICHARD LEIBNER died Tuesday. He was 85 and succumbed to cancer. This Variety obituary headline says he made news anchors into stars.

CAROL SNUFFER, wife of KFDX-TV (Wichita Falls, TX) news director MIKE SNUFFER, passed away March 31st at the age of 58. She suffered a second stroke in mid-March following one in 2020. Mike kindly sent me this note (including a photo). Our sympathy to Mike and their five children.

And KATHY ATCHISON, mother of one-tine news director turned Gray TV VP of Recruiting JENNIFER DALE died in mid-March after a long illness. She was 72

And we have two items with more details about the passing of two broadcasters whose deaths we reported last week.

DOW SMITH, who taught at Syracuse (and other places) after a long career as an ND and GM, is remembered in this tribute by current Syracuse Dean Mark Lodato.

And we have this full obituary for former Grand Rapids and Columbia, MO, ND DAN SPAULDING who died last Sunday from congestive heart failure. Dan (along with wife TRISHA) also taught at Missouri.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) announced its 2024 Award winners this week. Check out the full list of winners with links to some terrific work. Full disclosure: I am on the IRE board of directors.

Two broadcast industry veterans have bought the online newsletter NewsBlues. Former Meredith executives PATRICK McCREERY and GARY BROWN also purchased Talent Dynamics in 2022. Here’s the news release about the purchase, and a note they sent to subscribers which is a good read. I wonder what competing publication they are talking about? (Actually, I don’t wonder.)

Mahaney

Like the weather, everyone complains about job burnout…but is anyone doing anything about it? Well, someone is trying: that’s longtime journalist CHIP MAHANEY. Chip, who’s now the Emerging Talent Leader for Scripps, is working on a master’s degree at Kent State and is doing a research project on how news directors feel about their own job satisfaction and job security for his thesis. You need to be a current local ND to participate, which you do can by clicking here.

Adam S.

KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento has filled its open Assistant ND job by hiring ARAM SARKISSIAN. It’s a return to KMAX for Aram who was a producer on the KMAX morning show two decades ago. This staff note by ND PETE SAIERS explains what Aram has been during in the interim.

General Manager News and Notes:

No changes this week to the best of my knowledge. Please let me know if you know of something I’ve missed.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 14, 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
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
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
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
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 **
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th St. Springdale, AR 72762
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 97504A
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above!)
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
KIFI-TV 1915 N. Yellowstone Hwy. Idaho Falls, ID 83401 (see ad above!)
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
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. N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
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