Obituary
Kelly Rossman-McKinney Dies After Cancer Battle
Longtime Lansing-based pubic relations professional Kelly Rossman-McKinney passed away this past Tuesday (11/9) at age 67. Rossman-McKinney began her career as a legislative secretary in 1979 and worked in both the Michigan House and Senate before joining the administration of former Governor James Blanchard to serve as the communications director for the newly created Michigan…
Read MoreFormer Congressman Dale Kildee Has Died
Former Michigan Rep. Dale Kildee, who represented his hometown of Flint and the surrounding area in Congress for 36 years, died Wednesday (10/13) at 92. His death was announced by his nephew, Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI 5th District), who succeeded him after his 2012 retirement. Dale Kildee, also a Democrat, was elected to the House…
Read MoreWilliam Palmer Pyle: 1937-2021
As we announced last Friday at press time, W. Palmer Pyle, former President and Founder of Northern Star Broadcasting, passed away September 30th, 2021 in Glendale, Arizona, surrounded by his loved ones. He was born on June 12th, 1937, in Keokuk, Iowa to William and Cathryn [Johnson] Pyle, and was the oldest of three boys.…
Read MoreFormer WNEM News Anchor Passes
The MAB has learned that former WNEM-TV (Saginaw) News Anchor Allison Payne passed away September 1 at age 57. Payne began in television news as an intern at WNWO-TV (Toledo). Within months was promoted to main anchor of the station’s late evening newscast. Payne later moved to WNEM-TV as the co-anchor of the 6 and…
Read MoreRetired MSU Journalism Professor William (Bill) Cote, who directed CNS, Dies
Dr. William E. Coté, a retired journalism professor who influenced the careers of hundreds of Michigan State University students and a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, died this past Monday (8/30) at age 81. Coté was born July 14, 1940 in Jackson, MI, the son of Mervin and Maybelle (Crosthwaite) Coté. He…
Read MoreDennis Mitchell: 1963-2021
Flint area broadcaster Dennis Mitchell passed away August 17 at age 58, after a long battle with cancer. Mitchell was the morning show host at WQUS-FM (Lapeer/Flint/) in the early 2000s. He later worked for WRSR-FM (Owosso/Flint) and also served as the Commercial Production Director for Cumulus Broadcasting Company’s Flint radio group. Mitchell, born Dennis…
Read MorePeter C. Cavanaugh Passes at Age 79
The MAB has learned that Flint radio legend Peter C. Cavanaugh passed away August 13 at the age of 79. His family posted word of his death on Facebook. Cavanaugh influenced Flint radio for decades, working at Top 40 WTAC-AM 600 beginning in 1964 and moved on to be the General Manager of WWCK-FM during…
Read MoreFormer West Michigan Radio Personality Michael Sirianni Dies at 63
The MAB has learned that Michael Sirianni, a popular West Michigan radio host, passed away July 20 after a decades-long fight with MS. During the 80s, 90s and early 2000s he worked at various West Michigan stations including WLHT-FM, WJFM-FM, WODJ-FM, WLAV-FM, WOOD-FM and WCSG-FM. Sirianni started his broadcasting career at WTRU in Muskegon. He…
Read MoreNorthern Michigan Broadcaster Dave Fortin Passes
Veteran northern Michigan reporter/anchor Dave Fortin has passed away. Fortin died July 21 at age 81. Fortin was on the television screen for over five decades. His career started at WPBN/WTOM-TV (Traverse City) in 1963 as a news anchor, reporter and sometimes a meteorologist. During his time at the station, he was known for always…
Read MoreCarl Levin: 1934 – 2021
Former Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), a 36-year veteran of the Senate has died at the age of 87. The Levin Center at Wayne State University announced the late senator’s death Thursday evening, calling him “a dearly beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, and life-long public servant.” In 2014, Levin was presented with the MAB’s…
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