Broadcasting Industry News
West Michigan Christian Radio Pioneer Les Lanser Dies
The MAB has learned that longtime West Michigan Christian radio owner Les Lanser passed away July 30th at the age of 91. Lanser, along with his family, own WPNW-AM/WJQK-FM in Zeeland.
Read MoreJeremy Baldwin Named New WEMU-FM Jazz Host
Last Friday (7/31), WEMU-FM (Ypsilanti) General Manager Molly Motherwell announced that longtime music host, Jeremy Baldwin, has accepted the position of Senior Music Announcer, taking over for Michael Jewett who retired at the end of June.
Read MoreFormer Michigan Air Talent/Programmer Craig Russell Passes at 56
Russell spent most of his career in radio here in Michigan, working at stations such as WKPK-FM (Gaylord), WFCX/WFDX-FM (Traverse City), WFGR-FM (Grand Rapids), WKHM-FM (Jackson), WUPS-FM (Houghton Lake) and WHMI-FM (Howell). He also held positions in his long career in Rapid City, South Dakota.
Read MoreDuke Wright Named ‘Legend’ Inductee to Radio Hall of Fame
This past Monday (8/3), the Radio Hall of Fame announced the selection of nine 2026 Legends inductees. These individuals have received induction by the determination of the Radio Hall of Fame 2026 Nominating Committee, who annually meet to determine inductees who contributed with greatness to the radio industry and have since passed away.
Read More2026 NAB Marconi Radio Award Finalists Announced; Four in Michigan!
The finalists in various categories include WJR-AM (Detroit), WIOG-FM (Saginaw) and WDZZ-FM (Flint). In addition, WLEN-FM (Adrian) President, CEO and General Manager Julie Koehn received a nomination in the Legendary Radio Manager of the Year category.
Read MoreWXYZ-TV and The Spot Detroit 20 Name Tina Nguyen as Sports Anchor
Nguyen joins WXYZ and The Spot Detroit 20 from FOX 32 Chicago, where she served as Sports Anchor and Reporter. During her time there, Nguyen covered Chicago’s biggest sporting events including the MLB All-Star Game, the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams, the Cubs’ postseason, and iconic local teams including the Bulls, Blackhawks, and White Sox.
Read MoreBill Gallagher, Longtime WJBK-TV Reporter Dies
Bill Gallagher, a beloved former reporter for WJBK-TV (Detroit) who spent decades covering news for the station, has died. Gallagher, 79, had been dealing with “a number of health issues,” the station reported Friday, July 24, and had been living at home in Lewiston, New York, under hospice care.
Read MoreWXYZ-TV Hosts Day of Giving to Benefit Forgotten Harvest
It’s a need that Mike Murri, Scripps regional vice president and general manager of WXYZ and WMYD, hopes the station’s Day of Giving will address. “What stands out to me is that people in the past that have given to Forgotten Harvest now find themselves recipients. You never know when this will strike your family or when you’ll have a need.”
Read MoreFormer WSGW Reporter Bill Hewitt Passes at 78
Bill Hewitt, longtime WSGW-AM/FM (Saginaw) reporter, producer and anchor died this past Monday (7/20) at Bay City Comfort Care. Known for his early-morning shifts and steady voice, he helped keep mid-Michigan listeners informed for decades.
Read MoreWCSG Says Goodbye to Longtime News Anchor Joel Hill
After 30 years of service to the WCSG-FM (Grand Rapids) and Cornerstone University, the voice of WCSG news and longtime anchor Joel Hill is stepping away from the microphone to begin a new career path as Associate Professor of Communications at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
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