Broadcasting Industry News
WOOD-TV’s Ken Kolker Retires After Decades in Journalism
WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) investigative reporter Ken Kolker has retired from the station this past week, following a long career in journalism. pursued stories with the conviction that journalism could do more than document events. At its best, he believed, it could change lives.
Read More1950s-1960s Detroit TV Kids Host Johnny Ginger Passes
WXYZ-TV reported on July 9 that Galen Grindle, the Toledo-born entertainer who became a Detroit television legend under the stage name Johnny Ginger, died on July 5.
Read MoreMichigan Public to Bring The Moth Mainstage to East Lansing
Michigan Public and Wharton Center for Performing Arts have announced that The Moth Mainstage will return to East Lansing this fall! The event will feature a lineup of writers, performers, and other unique national and Michigan storytellers, each with a ten-minute story to tell live without notes.
Read MoreRadio Roger Signs Off: R.I.P. Roger Hoppe II
The MAB is sad to report the passing of longtime Michigan broadcaster Roger Hoppe II. Hoppe passed away at age 57 early this past Monday morning (7/6) from prostate cancer. Hoppe had owned stations in Bear Lake and Beulah, Michigan as well as well as stations in Craig and Limon, Colorado. Radio’s Best Friend, Art Vuolo, Jr. shares his memories of his friend.
Read MoreiHeartMedia/West Michigan’s Kim Lozano Retires
Longtime iHeartMedia/West Michigan Media Account Executive Kim Lozano has retired as of June 30. Lozano was Senior Account Executive as well as General Sales Manager for WOOD-AM/FM.
Read MoreNexstar Media Foundation Announces Honorees for “30 Days of Giving” Initiatives in Mid and West Michigan
Nexstar Media Group announced this week the recipients of its “30 Days of Giving” initiative. On Monday (6/22) Nexstar Media’s Charitable Foundation said it is making a $5,000 contribution to both the Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County.
Read MoreLenawee Broadcasting’s Julie Koehn Elected to NAB Leadership Position
Julie Koehn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lenawee Broadcasting Company and Southeast Michigan Media, Lenawee MultiMedia Network has been elected Second Vice Chair of the Radio Board for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), one of the broadcasting industry’s most influential organizations.
Read More2026 Regional EMMY® Winners Announced
Michigan broadcast stations and networks receiving awards included FanDuel Sports Network, WCMU-TV, WDIV-TV, WGVU-TV, WILX-TV, WJBK-TV, WKAR-TV, WLNS-TV, WNEM-TV, WOOD-TV, WTVS-TV, WWJ-TV, WWMT-TV, WXMI-TV, WXYZ-TV and WZZM-TV.
Read MoreBlake Hansen named WZZM-TV Chief Meteorologist
TEGNA’s WZZM-TV/13 ON YOUR SIDE (Grand Rapids) announced Monday (6/22) that Blake Hansen has been named the station’s Chief Meteorologist. Hansen joined the station in October 2021 as the weekend morning meteorologist. In December 2024, he moved into the weekday evening meteorologist position, where he’s delivered the forecast alongside anchor Juliet Dragos.
Read MoreCentral Michigan University Announces 2026 Inductees to Media Hall of Fame
Central Michigan University’s School of Communication, Journalism, and Media proudly announces the next seven inductees into its Media Hall of Fame. The group includes alumni and retired faculty who have had distinguished careers in the fields of journalism, communication, public affairs, advertising, television, and academia.
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