Northeast
Federated Media’s N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) celebrated their 100th anniversary on Monday March 31. From humble beginnings on 1320am at 500 watts, WOWO moved to 1160am in 1928 and to 1190am when NARBA happened. In the mid-1950s, it became a 50,000-watt powerhouse.
The station celebrated on-air with former jingles, historical audio clips, and an in-person with a reception at a downtown Fort Wayne event venue. WOWO also received 100th Anniversary proclamations by the city, county, and state, along with resolutions read by the Indiana political delegation in Washington, DC.
In other WOWO news, they add The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton show, succeeding Dan Bongino in afternoons (Noon until 3:00pm). WOWO also adds Brownfield Ag News radio.
Brian Walsh’s News/WGL (1250am, Fort Wayne) and FM translator W288EI (105.5fm, Fort Wayne) news anchor Will Lentry retired after a 48-year broadcasting career. Before WGL, Mr. Lentry worked in Florida (WSHE/WSRF in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, WMYR/WHEW in Fort Myers, and WLAZ/WRGI in Naples), South Carolina (WFXH/WHHR, and WIJY, all on Hilton Head Island), and in Lexington, Kentucky (separate tours at WVLK and WVRB). Mr. Lentry started at WGL during the 2020 pandemic.
Where Are They Now? Former WANE-TV digital content producer and reporter Natalie Clydesdale joins as a reporter for WKYC-TV in Cleveland, Ohio.
Northcentral
Congratulations to Greg Giczi on his retirement from WNIT-TV. He began his broadcasting career as a part-time weekend receptionist at WNDU-TV (Channel 16, South Bend). Then, he was in the Navy reserves. After that, he worked for Valley Cablevision and Indiana Cablevision. He returned to WNDU-TV in 1978 and was promotions manager, then operations manager, and finally VP of operations. He worked on the rebranding of what was then WNDU-FM (92.9fm, South Bend) to their current U93 branding. From 2003-2008, he led KAET-TV (Arizona PBS) as their GM. He returned to South Bend in 2013 and was President and GM of WNIT-TV until his recent retirement. (hat tip to Kathy Borlik at The South Bend Tribune).
Succeeding Mr. Giczi is Amanda Miller Kelley, rising from WNIT-TV Director of Development.
Sound Management’s Classic Rock/WYXX (97.7fm, Goshen) returns to the WZOW call letters, which were on that frequency since its 1977 sign-on until 2006, and then again sporadically over the last 20 years.
Weigel Broadcasting's ABC affiliate/WBND (Channel 57, South Bend) anchor Brianna Clark adds the 5pm, 5:30pm, and 6:00pm newscasts alongside Brian Conybeare. Ms. Clark will continue anchoring Night Team. Also, WBND welcomes Jordan Tolbert as reporter and fill-in anchor. Ms. Tolbert last worked in Sacramento, California as a morning anchor and traffic reporter for KXTV-TV.
Northwest
Kadie Daye moves from nights to mornings at Adams Radio’s Country/WLJE (105.5, Valparaiso). Ms. Daye also hosts middays for sister AC/WZVN (107.1fm, Lowell). Ms. Daye last co-hosted mornings in Buffalo, New York at WYRK.
Eastcentral
Noah Shubert becomes News and Sports Director at Hot AC/WFMG (101.3fm, Richmond). He graduated last year from Christopher Newport University.
Central
Veteran Indianapolis broadcaster Mark Robertson died after a long-term illness. In the 1980s, he was a broadcaster in Jasper and Greensburg, before moving to Indianapolis and joining WFMS for Nights as “Mark Roberts”. He then moved to WGRL (mornings, as “Smokey Roberts”), and then in the 1990s, he worked for Bill Shirk’s then-WGGR (106.7fm, Greenwood).
Congratulations to meteorologist Kevin Gregory on his retirement after a 35-year career at Scripps' ABC affiliate/WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis). WRTV looked back at his career in an online tribute.
After six years as MD/afternoons at Radio One’s AC/WYXB (105.7fm, Indianapolis) Eric Allen exits. Before joining “B105.7”, he worked for 14 years for K-LOVE and Air1 in both programming and on-air roles. Mr. Allen is now the GM and on-air at WCIF in Melbourne, Florida.
Urban One’s N-T/WIBC (93.1fm, Indianapolis) welcomes Jarett Lewis to the news team. Mr. Lewis last worked as a reporter in Houston, Texas for KTRH radio.
The Bob and Tom Show, based in mornings at iHeart’s Classic Rock/WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis) launches a new version of their show (“Bob & Tom Plus”) which allows affiliates to add local content, promotions, and music.
Where Are They Now? Former Cumulus/Indianapolis OM Chris “Boomer” Layfield now is OM for the VOX AM FM Digital cluster serving Burlington, Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York. Mr. Layfield also programs their WCPV and does afternoons on WEZF.
Westcentral
Nexstar NBC affiliate WTWO-TV (Channel 2, Terre Haute) and Mission Broadcasting ABC affiliate WAWV (Channel 38, Terre Haute) began weekday local news at Noon, with their new “Your Local News Leader” branding across all local newscasts.
Southwest
Sarah Robinson exits as Digital Sales Manager for the Townsquare Media/Evansville radio stations and becomes Sales Director for the Quad City Times and Dispatch-Argus in Illinois & Iowa.
Gray Media’s NBC affiliate/WFIE-TV (Channel 14, Evansville) reporter and anchor Haley Kerby will exit on June 20. Ms. Kerby joined WFIE two years ago.
Where Are They Now? Former Midwest Communications/Evansville OM Rusty James joins 7 Mountains Media as GM of their Frankfort, Kentucky cluster.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there is something we need to add to the calendar, please let us know. Please also e-mail us if you have updated information.
May 18: In 2006, former WOWO PD Chris Rathaus died at age 63. Rathaus was PD starting in 1974. He later moved on to Tampa (WDAE), Miami (WQAM), West Palm Beach (WRMF/WJNO) and onto Sirius Satellite Radio.
May 19: In 1975, 100.9fm in Portland signs on as WPGW-FM, and remains so today. In 1995, WTLC(AM)/WTLC-FM air personality Collette M. Bates-Elkins ('Collette Vaughn') died at age 44.
May 20: In 2012, WISH-TV GM (1954-1980) Robert B. McConnell died (Age 91). Mr. McConnell also served as VP/GM of Universal Broadcasting (WHBU/Anderson, WANE/Fort Wayne), and President of Anderson Broadcasting Corp.
May 22: In 1964, 1550am in Corydon signs on as WPDF. Today, it's WOCC.
May 23: In 1958, 1300am in Terre Haute signs on as WMFT. In 2014, 1300am went silent, and the owners turned in the 1300am license to the FCC. In 2014, WXXR (X95.9) Terre Haute flips format and becomes Classic Country WDKE ('95.9 Duke FM')
May 24: In 1989, 102.9fm in Delphi signs on as WNJY. Today, it's WXXB. In 2006, 89.9fm in Wakarusa signs on as WYBV ('We're Your Bible Voice'), and remains so today.
Employment Opportunities
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Hoosier Ag Today and Michigan Ag Today are in search of the next member to join their award-winning team of farm broadcasters to cover agriculture news events and produce content for the network’s 70+ Indiana radio stations, 25+ Michigan radio stations, and digital platforms. The ideal candidate would have experience in radio/TV news reporting in audio, video, and social media formats. Experience in the agriculture industry is a plus but not required.
We are looking for an individual who can stay on top of the ever-evolving agriculture and media world. This candidate must be able to thrive in a work-at-home environment as well as out in the field gathering content. Excellent communication and organizational skills are required. Responsibilities may require evening/weekend hours to attend events and meet deadlines.
You’ll be building relationships and maintaining contacts with the many ag leaders throughout Indiana, Michigan, and across the U.S. Those relationships will grow as you produce insightful and meaningful news content to help us further grow our radio networks and online platforms. The ideal hire will also demonstrate the ability to work with our clients and be able to assist with their needs as necessary.
Benefits include a company match IRA retirement program. The company will also provide you with paid membership to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, travel reimbursement, and equipment for a home studio.
Hoosier Ag Today LLC was founded in 2006 for the specific purpose of serving the informational needs of the Indiana agricultural community. Our company has 19 years of experience operating state agricultural networks. HAT is employee owned and operated. Please send resumes, writing samples, and audio samples to Hoosier Ag Today President Eric Pfeiffer at eric@hoosieragtoday.com.
Hoosier Ag Today LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer
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Position: Part-Time Digital & Social Media Assistant
Location: Henson Media (Group of Radio Stations)
Henson Media is looking for a creative, motivated individual to assist with digital content, website updates, and social media management across our group of radio stations. This part-time position is perfect for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced, media-driven environment. Strong writing and communication skills are essential. Knowledge of sports is a big plus!
Interested applicants should send a resume and brief cover letter to EdHenson1@bellsouth.net
Henson Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
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