Good Morning:
Northeast
Gray Television’s ABC affiliate/WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wayne) reporter Taylor Williams exits after two years. Before joining “21 Alive,” she worked as a reporter at Nexstar CBS affiliate/WANE-TV (Channel 15, Fort Wayne). Also, Lyric Powell joins WPTA as a reporter. Ms. Powell graduated from Chicago State University.
Allen Media Group’s FOX affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne) co-anchor Terra Brantley exits after more than two years there. Also, weekend anchor and reporter Drew Frey moves to the Sports Director and anchor role. Also, sports anchor, and reporter Maggie Kastraba exits after nearly a year.
Where Are They Now? Former then-WCKZ (102.3fm, Auburn) PD/midday jock Brian Michel now programs KOSI in Denver, Colorado. He also continues programming sister KYGO.
Northcentral
Gray Television's NBC affiliate/WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend) morning anchor Christine Karsten exits after just over three years. Ms. Karsten was also a reporter and anchor there from 2013 through early 2017. Ms. Karsten joined the St. Joseph County Police Department as Public Information Officer.
Mid-West Family’s Classic Rock/WZOC (94.3fm, Plymouth) flips call letters to WYRX-FM and becomes a simulcast of sister Rock/WIRX (107.1fm, St. Joseph, Michigan). The new on-air lineup:
Mornings: Bob and Tom (6am – 10am)
Middays: John Cruz (10am – 3pm)
Afternoons: Brock and Kiki (3pm – 7pm)
Nights: The Greg Beharrell Show (7pm – Midnight)
Weekends: Classic Rock University with Adam Reader (Saturday night and Sunday morning).
Northwest
Emmanuel Baptist Church of Hebron sells their CP for WPWM (90.9fm, Wheatfield) for $1.00 to American Christian Radio.
Eastcentral
Brewer Broadcasting’s Classic Hits/WQLK-HD2 (96.1fm, Richmond) adds the syndicated Anna and Raven Show to nights and Saturday evenings. WQLK-HD2 (“The Point”) also broadcasts on translator W269BP (101.7fm, Richmond).
Central
Congratulations to Dave Calabro, longtime Sports Director at TEGNA's NBC affiliate/WTHR-TV (Channel 13, Indianapolis) on his retirement after 32 years at 13Sports. Here’s his final signoff.
Doug Fairbanks died recently. Mr. Fairbanks did traffic/continuity for what was Hoosier Radio & TV, and subsequently for the Radio One radio stations in Indianapolis.
Where Are They Now? Former then-Clear Channel/Indianapolis Director of FM Programming Scott Jameson joins as Brand Manager for WJZ-FM in Baltimore, Maryland.
Southeast
New Albany Broadcasting’s WLRS (1570am, New Albany) and W223DK (92.5fm, Louisville, Kentucky) flip format from all holiday music to Oldies as Kentuckiana’s True Oldies. Programming will include Scott Shannon’s “True Oldies Channel” but will also include local broadcaster Joe Fedele, according to our friends at RadioInsight.com.
Southcentral
Tim Tolbert died in mid-January. Mr. Tolbert was 73. Mr. Tolbert started his radio career in the mid-1960s at age 16 in Paoli, Indiana (WVAK), followed by stops in Salem (WSLM), Jasper (WITZ), Paoli, again (WUME), French Lick (WFLQ), and volunteered at WBRO in Marengo. Here’s the complete obituary.
Southwest
Gray Media’s NBC affiliate/WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville) moves Robinson Miles to afternoons alongside Jamee French. Mr. Miles succeeds anchor Caroline Klapp who exited to join Gray sister station NBC affiliate/WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend) as an anchor and investigative reporter. Also, reporter Jacee Caldwell exits and joins Gray sister station WECT-TV in Wilmington, North Carolina as an 7:00pm weekday evening anchor and reporter.
Allen Media Broadcasting's WEVV-TV (Channel 44, Evansville) reporter Aaliyah Mulero exits after just over 18 months, and becomes an anchor for Allen sister station WSIL-TV in Carbondale, Illinois.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Also, errors do sometimes occur. Please e-mail us if this information is not correct!
February 3: In 2006, former WLBC(AM) (1340am, Muncie) PD Lee Allerton died. Age 86. In 2015, 98.3fm in Culver signs on as WYMR, and remains so today.
February 4: In 2000, Jim Leep died. Age 59. Mr. Leep lead (GM) what was then Religious/WGTC (102.3fm, New Carlisle). In 2005, two different radio stations flipped formats on opposite ends of the state. First up, WLRX (95.7fm, Nappanee) flips format from Hot AC ('Magic') to Rhythmic CHR ('Power'). Second, WLFW (95.3fm, Chandler) flips format from Oldies ('Oldies 93.5') to Country ('The Wolf').
February 5: In 1965, 97.3fm in Fort Wayne signs on as WKJG-FM. Today, it's WMEE. In 1998, IRW began.
February 6: In 2006, WUBU (106.3fm, South Bend) flipped format from Smooth Jazz to Urban AC.
February 7: In 1972, 91.9fm in Lafayette signs on as WJJE. Today, it's WJEF.
February 8: In 1960, 95.1fm in Fort Wayne signs on as WPTH. Today, it's WAJI.
Employment Opportunities
CLIENT MARKETING TEAM OPENING
If you’re looking for a fun and innovative workplace, consider this!
Brewer Broadcasting has an opening on their Client Marketing Team. Your day-to-day mission: develop community relationships, identify opportunities, and provide profitable marketing solutions to clients and prospects. We'll train and equip you with the tools to get results!
There's never been more opportunities to help local business owners and leaders uncover marketing objectives, brainstorm creative solutions using radio and digital assets, and create successful strategies and campaigns. That's what we do every day on the Client Marketing Team - and it is FUN! Come and join us!
The client marketing opening offers a competitive compensation plan with a commission guarantee and bonus, along with gas allowance, paid time off and insurance.
Now is YOUR time to join a team that values everyone at all levels. Join the team that embraces everybody. Join Brewer Broadcasting, a company with a long rich history of supporting their community.
Download the application HERE and return completed, along with your cover letter & resume, to amyd@kicks96.com
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
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