KOLT Action: Here are select Nielsen Audio Spring 2026 (4/2-6/24) two-book per year diary ratings for subscribing stations compared with their last books (Spring 2025 and Fall 2025). Ranks (in parentheses) are also among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

And Rue Jackson: Here are select Nielsen Audio Continuous Diary Measurement (CDM) ratings for June 2026 (three-month rolling average, 4/2-6/24) compared with April and May. Ranks (in parentheses) are among subscribers. Unless otherwise noted, all figures are Persons 12+, Monday-Sunday, 6am-midnight.

KRMD's Simmons Exits: A new round of layoffs at Cumulus has claimed the job of KRMD/Shreveport PD/midday host and Urban sister KMJJ PD/afternoon host Anthony "Big Ant" Simmons. He added KRMD to his existing role with the company in 2023 (CAT 7/24/23). In a Facebook video, Simmons says, "Radio as a whole, [and] Cumulus, is going through a restructuring, and my number came up. I am blessed to have been in this market for over 11 years ... I am extremely blessed that Cumulus gave me the opportunity to become the first black program director for ... KRMD." Simmons had been with the cluster since 2014, with previous stops in Minneapolis and Huntsville, AL. Reach him at 612-226-2268 and here.

A Worthy Kautz: As reported via Breaking News, former BMLG/Hybe Pres./Strategy & Operations Andrew Kautz has launched Kautz & Associates with clients he says include "labels, founders, and investors, as well as artists and their teams." He adds, "All of them get the same thing: my full attention. I look forward to helping a select few make the most of it.” Kautz joined Big Machine in 2005, and was elevated to COO in 2013 (CAT 2/1/13). Reach him here; more about the company here.

Sun City Switch: iHeartMedia's KSD/St. Louis-based Dusty Panhorst is now heard in middays on the company's KHEY/El Paso. That role had been filled for nearly 20 years by Country Radio Hall of Famer Bob Pickett, who remains afternoon host at sister KVET/Austin.

Cow Comes Home: Magnum Communications is purchasing a translator and three Wisconsin stations, including WCOW/LaCrosse, from Sparta-Tomah Broadcasting, pending FCC approval. Magnum currently operates 20 stations and 18 translators in Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota and northern Illinois, including WQCC/LaCrosse. Magnum's Reid Magnum says, “In June, when my dad was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame, he spoke in the video about WCOW being the very first radio station he was ever in at age four. His uncle, Len DeSomer, was an announcer at WCOW in 1967."

Every Little Wing: Russell Dickerson and wife Kailey Dickerson will receive the 2026 Angels Among Us award night one of the 36th annual Country Cares Seminar, taking place in Memphis Oct. 20-21. The following day will open with a breakfast session and a performance by Anne Wilson and close with performances by Hardy and Lauren Alaina. The award recognizes outstanding commitment to the children and families of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

• WJLS/Beckley, WV West Virginia Radio 19.8 - 21.8
  Largest share since 2020.
• KUKN/Longview, WA Washington Interstate 12.3 - 12.7
• WMEV/Marion, VA Bristol 11.3 - 14.1
• WKYQ/Paducah, KY Bristol 22.2 - 24.3
  Largest share since 2019.
• KONY/St. George, UT Canyon Media 15.3 - 16.1

Life Note: Sony Music Nashville Dir./Radio Marketing & Promotion Ali O'Connell is recuperating from surgery following a recent breast cancer diagnosis, and awaiting pathology to determine her radiation schedule. O'Connell is sharing her story because, she says, "I want to use my voice to talk about early detection ... The biggest takeaway would be to go to the doctor, make the appointments, listen to your body, do the screenings [and] be your own advocate! If my journey can encourage at least one person to go get their mammogram or a doctor's appointment they have been putting off, then I’ll be forever grateful. Early detection saves lives!" Reach O'Connell here.

Stories Of The Week: Search for news and people in the archives at countryaircheck.com.

• Cumulus' Bob Walker explains how Xperi’s DTS AutoStage is challenging misconceptions in Country Aircheck Weekly.
• WLHK/Indianapolis' Nick Jordan departed. (8/4)
• Mason Stanfield joined Cumulus/Reno, NV as OM and PD/morning host for KBUL. (8/3)
• Chris O'Kelley was named interim PD for WKXC/Augusta, GA, and Blaine "Cody" Jackson added afternoons. (8/3)

ICYMI: Jelly Roll reportedly told the audience at his Salt Lake City concert last week that his Colorado Springs show July 30 would be his last "for a year or two," adding, "I’m fixing to take some time off and heal. Thank you for the opportunity.” No official word on the hiatus.

Country Aircheck Today Top 5: Here are the Top 5 songs for August 4, according to Mediabase.

1. ELLA LANGLEY & MORGAN WALLEN/I Can't Love You Anymore (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers/Big Loud) 4601 points
2. LUKE COMBS/Be By You (Columbia) 4277 points
3. MORGAN WALLEN/Don't We (Big Loud) 3677 points
4. BAILEY ZIMMERMAN/Chevy Silverado (Atlantic/Warner/WRN) 3633 points
5. JASON ALDEAN/Don't Tell On Me (Macon Music/Broken Bow) 3401 points

Country Aircheck Top Point Gainers: Here are the top point gainers for August 2-4, compared with the same days last week, according to Mediabase.  

1. MORGAN WALLEN/Been By Now (Big Loud) +1368 points
2. ELLA LANGLEY & MORGAN WALLEN/I Can't Love You Anymore (Sawgod/Col. NY/Triple Tigers/Big Loud) +902 points
3. STELLA LEFTY/Boston (Sandlot/Atlantic Outpost) +632 points
4. LUKE COMBS/Rethink Some Things (Columbia) +554 points
5. GEORGE BIRGE f/LUKE BRYAN/Ride, Ride, Ride (Records Nashville/MCA) +478 points

Tomorrow's Birthdays (8/6): Amy Paige, Mark Dufresne, Peggy and Patsy Lynn, Lisa Stewart, Erin Austin, Kathy Best, Damon Moberly, Jim Mayo, Brad Helton.