Mid-West Family Broadcasting is shifting formats and call letters on several signals in Southwest Michigan and Northeast Indiana. The changes, which have taken place this week, have “97.5 Y-Country” WYTZ-FM (Bridgman/Benton Harbor) taking the call letters and moving up the dial to 99.9, the former home of modern rock “Live 99.9” WQLQ-FM (Benton Harbor).
While there are only a few regulatory deadlines scheduled for broadcasters this March, with more coming in April, as has occurred so many times in the last few years, we need to remind you that even the FCC deadlines in late March and early April could be postponed if there is a federal government shutdown, as the federal government is funded only through March 14.
The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame has named 11 new inductees including Cynthia Canty, former “Stateside” host on Michigan Public and Jam Sardar, News Director at WLNS-TV (Lansing).
WBKB-TV (Alpena) has announced that Sumner Moorer as the new Anchor and Managing Editor for the news department in Alpena, Michigan. She brings three years of experience with her to help deliver local news, grow other journalists, and serve northeast Michigan.
This past week, WKAR Public Media (East Lansing) General Manager Shawn Turner took his pen to the station’s website to share important points about his stations in light of recent efforts to eliminate federal funding for public media. With permission, the MAB is reprinting his editorial:
As Wayne State University’s WDET-FM (Detroit) celebrated the end of its 75th year last Thursday (2/20/25), News Director Jerome Vaughn unveiled an audio history project that commemorates the station’s history and longstanding dedication to public news that serves Detroit.
Sandusky-based Sanilac Broadcasting (WMIC-AM/WBGV-FM/WTGV-FM) has shared the news that long-time dedicated announcer. Norton Schramm, who was Sports Director at that stations for nearly 40 years, passed away on last Saturday (2/22/25).
The E.W. Scripps Company has promoted the leaders of its Detroit and Salt Lake City stations, respectively, to the twin roles of Regional Vice President of Local Media. Mike Murri, VP/General Manager of WXYZ-TV/WMYD-TV (Detroit) has been promoted as was Merri Hanson, VP/General Manager of KSTU-TV (Salt Lake City).
Queen Bee’s Knees has announced that Matthew Fitzpatrick, Creative Services Director at WBKB-TV (Alpena) will expand his role in the company to also oversee MY UP Now in Marquette as well.
Broadcaster George Blaha, known as the “Voice of the Pistons” for almost five decades, has been given the highest honor for media by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame announced on Friday (2/14) that Blaha is a recipient of the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award for electronic media.