Al Allen, a Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame honoree who worked in broadcast news in Detroit for over 50 years, passed away this past Tuesday (2/4) at the age of 79. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, his family moved to Detroit and he started reporting at Mumford High School for the student in-house broadcast, “Spotlight on Mumford.”
This week, Krol Communications Inc. has announced announces that it has appointed Roy Moore as Program Director for its WRSR-FM (Flint/103.9 The Fox). This marks a return to Krol Communications by Moore, after having taken a pause from radio to pursue other opportunities.
Scripps Media’s WXYZ-TV/WMYD-TV (Detroit) has announced the kickoff of the 2025 “If You Give A Child A Book” campaign. Employees at the stations along with the Scripps Howard Foundation, have made it their mission to get high-quality books to the children in their community.
Nexstar Media’s WXSP-TV (Grand Rapids) has announced that it will air three Laker basketball doubleheaders this month, starting this Saturday, February 8, with the games against Ferris State.
Last week, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the American Music Fairness Act (see their Press Release for more details), with a companion bill to follow in the House. If adopted, this legislation would impose a new music royalty on over-the-air radio stations.
Cumulus Media has announced that it has appointed Cody Welling as Regional Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Flint/Saginaw, MI. This marks a return to Cumulus Media for Welling, who was previously Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Media’s five stations in Shreveport and Bossier City, LA
Posting on social media, the organization notes, “A proud Michigander, Jamie has a deep love for nearly every corner of the state. Her passion for storytelling began in Sault Ste. Marie and led her to a broadcasting career at WNMU at Northern Michigan University. After graduating, she moved to Cadillac and spent 17 years as a news producer in local television.”
Graham Media’s WDIV-TV (Detroit) has announced that morning anchor Jason Colthorp will be taking on the role of host for the esteemed Sunday program “Flashpoint.” The program had been hosted by Devin Scillian for more than two decades, before he announced his retirement at the end of 2024.
Interlochen Public Radio has announced that Christy L’Esperance has joined Classical IPR as the Morning Host and Producer of Programming for children and families.
Given the value of the Super Bowl franchise, it is not surprising that the NFL is extremely aggressive in protecting its golden goose from anything it views as unauthorized efforts to trade off the goodwill associated with the mark or the game. Accordingly, with the coin toss almost upon us, advertisers should take special care before publishing or engaging in advertising or other promotional activities that refer to the Super Bowl.