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Jason Rantz: News/Talk Radio Hosts ‘Develop A 6th Sense’ of Judging Character of News Subjects

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770 KTTH host Jason Rantz is an experienced news/talk radio. He says that experience has given him a great judgment of character when discussing newsmakers.

During The Jason Rantz Show, the Seattle-based host was discussing a story of a local woman being carjacked. Police in the area had made a plea for the criminal to turn himself in.

Rantz joked that it’s unlikely they’ll voluntarily surrender, but did note the reasoning why he feels that way comes from a deep understanding of the human psyche he’s developed from his years as a news/talk radio host. He argued that most people in the format have the same ability.

“That’s just a hunch that I have. At some point, you develop a sixth sense when you do things like this and talk about things like this for a living,” said Rantz. “Something tells me he’s probably not going to turn himself in.”

He later gave credit to CNN anchor Jake Tapper for having similar abilities by stating that he was “revolted” by the “online smear” of J.D. Vance by Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) in his introduction by alluding to the viral meme that Vance had been sexually intimate with his couch.

100.3 The Bull, Houston welcomes ‘Sounds Like Texas With Zakk United’

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Audacy Country KILT (100.3 The Bull)/Houston has added a new local show. “Sounds Like Texas” with Zakk United (Wills). The show will air weekly on Sundays from 6 pm to 8 pm CT beginning August 11.

As President of Content and Programming for Texas Country Network (TXCN), Wills brings over a decade of experience working with content creators and telling stories of Texas music and culture.

Wills said, “The integration of TXCN with Audacy is beyond Texas-sized. This collaboration ensures excellent content and the perfect platform for Texas artists to showcase our music scene to the world. Returning to 100.3 The Bull is more than a homecoming–it’s an honor, a pleasure, and a privilege to be back on this legendary signal, the best Country radio station in America with some of the greatest broadcasters. I can’t thank Sarah Frazier, Melissa Chase, Nick Russo, and the entire Audacy team enough for making this happen!”

Mellisa Chase, VP of Programming Audacy Houston, said, “100.3 The Bull is proud to champion local culture and musicians with ‘Sounds Like Texas With Zakk United.’” Zakk is a fifth-generation Texan and the president of content and programming for the Texas Country Network (TXCN), the official broadcast partner of the Texas Country Music Association. We are certain that his authenticity, expertise, and top-tier talent will curate a compelling Sunday show for our listeners.”

Listen to the show here.

Dom Giordano: I’m Fine With Someone of My Audience Listening Because They Hate Me

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It is no secret that not every news/talk radio listener is in lockstep with a given host. 1210 WPHT host Dom Giordano is fine if some listeners tune in because they hate him.

On Thursday, Giordano was railing against left-wing voters when he stated that not one person who listens to his show would label themselves a “progressive.” When a producer asked if the host believed anyone listened to his show because they hate him, he recanted.

“True. They’re seething right now,” Giordano said with a chuckle. “I’ve experienced that.”

He then shared an anecdote of a listener who openly flaunted their hatred for Giordano, before they took things too far.

“I wonder if he’s still out there. When the police showed up — because he was harassing and brought up (my family) — they said ‘Just don’t listen, and you won’t get angry.’ He said, ‘I have to listen.’ He was mad because I said certain neighborhoods didn’t put up flags after 9/11. I said other neighborhoods put up more flags. That set him off on a two-year tirade. The dignitary squad had to go out and calm him down. ‘Well, don’t listen. You know what hours he’s on. Just don’t have the radio around.’ He said, ‘I have to listen.’ No choice.”

Dom Giordano joked that those listening that hate him are helpful in the time spent listening metrics in the Nielsen ratings.

Rowdy Gaines, NBC Swimming Analyst, Announces 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Will be His Last

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The voice of swimming has announced he has one more Olympics left in him. NBC swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines announced on his X account, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles will be his last as a broadcaster. Gaines and his partner Dan Hicks have formed one of the best Olympic duos in broadcasting.

Gaines has been a part of each Olympics for NBC since 1996 in Atlanta. He has also worked many of the other championships in swimming including the World Championships and the NCAA Championships.

“I’m still here!” Gaines posted on Instagram. “Don’t forget to watch Open Water swimming starting on 8/8-8/9 with the amazing Mary Carillo on Peacock. And yes, @la28games will be my last, so please continue to support swimming with Worlds, NCAA, Nationals, and so so so much more! Cause after 2028, I’m riding off into the sunset of full time grandparent!”

Gaines won three gold medals at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, so it is only fitting that will be the location of his final Olympics as part of the NBC crew.

Stan And Haney To End 33-Year Run At 96K Rock, Fort Myers

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Stan and Haney afternoon hosts at Beasley’s WRXK (96K Rock)/Fort Myers will retire at the end of August. Their retirement ends a 33-year run. The duo joined WRXK in 1993

Stan Nawalaniec told listeners, “I love this show. This is who we are. It’s our identity. We have done it our entire adult lives, and for most of our adult lives we have done it in this building. I just want you guys to know we love ya! Thank you for just the best audience that we could ask for. Thank you.”

AJ Lurie, Fort Myers VP-Market Manager, said, “This sadly marks the end of an era as we say farewell to Stan & Haney, who have been the heart and soul of 96K Rock for over 30 years. While we will miss their presence on the airwaves, their contributions will always be remembered. Thank you for an incredible journey and for being such an integral part of our community.”

You can send Stan & Haney a message here.

ESPN Houston Hosts John Granato and Lance Zierlein Named to Texas Radio Hall of Fame

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ESPN Houston hosts John Granato and Lance Zierlein can now add ‘HOF’ to their autographs. The two have been named as part of the 2024 class of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. Station GM Todd Farquharson made the announcement live on the air.

The station posted a congratulatory message to the two longtime hosts on their social media. “Congratulations to John Granato and Lance Zierlein for being inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame!” the post said. “They have had a stellar career entertaining sports radio listeners for over a quarter of a century. They are truly deserving of this recognition. We at Gow Media congratulate them on this well-earned accolade!”

“We are honored by this and will weaponize it to try and win arguments with family members, listeners, and people on Twitter,” Zierlein quipped on his X account. “In all seriousness, we are really thankful for this recognition.”

Granato has been with the station since day one, when it was on AM as 1560 The Game before moving to the FM dial.

The two started as a pair at 610 KILT from 1997-2007 before reuniting with Gow Media in 2017.

Audacy Shrinks Operating Losses in Second Quarter Financial Results

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Audacy mitigated its operating losses in the second quarter compared to 2023 as net revenues were up for the radio giant.

Net revenue was up to $301.6 million compared to the $298.5 million it featured in the same quarter last year. Radio revenue fell by 3% while digital revenue grew 12%.

The biggest success for Audacy came in the operating loss category. During April, May, and June of last year, the company lost $135.3 million. During that same time period in 2024, it lost $3 million.

Audacy also says it is preparing to exit the pre-packaged bankruptcy proceedings it initiated earlier this year. By doing so, 80% of its debt will be eliminated. The company claims the process should be completed — with FCC approval — to occur during the third quarter of this year.

“Our accelerating financial performance reflects our significant revenue share gains, low-teen growth in digital advertising, high single-digit growth in network radio, and prudent expense reductions, offsetting continued weakness in traditional ad markets,” said President and CEO David Field.

Pacing for the third quarter projects the company to show growth in the single-digits with broadcast radio revenue expected to continue to drop.

Joel Burke Exits Southwest Media Group, Texas

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Joel Burke has left as Market Manager for Southwest Media Group’s stations in Borger, Pampa, and Dumas, TX. Burke joined the company earlier this year.

Previous stops include KORA Bryan-College Station, KASE & KVET Austin, and KYGO, Denver.

Southwest Media Group company owns and operates radio stations and digital news operations in three markets in Texas and Oklahoma.

Missouri State Radio Play-by-Play Voice Art Hains Sets Retirement Date

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Art Hains, the longtime voice of Missouri State athletics has announced his retirement date according to a report from the Springfield News-Leader. Hains says his final call will come on September 13, 2025, which will be the school’s first home football game as a member of Conference USA which also happens to be against SMU where Hains went to school.

“My first college broadcast was of an SMU basketball game in 1976,” Hains said in a release. “So my last will be an encore game when SMU comes here next year to play the school I have loved since 1977.”

Haines has been recovering from the effects of West Nile virus, which he was diagnosed with in 2002. Haines was in a coma and has had a long road to recovery after there was uncertainty as to whether or not he would make it through. He continues to rehab but is currently bound to a wheelchair.

“As Ricky Ricardo once famously said ‘The time has come.’ And so it is for my time as Voice of the Bears, a title I have cherished for the last 44 years,” Hains said. “Unfortunately, due to my physical limitations, it’s become more difficult to prepare for and describe the games the way I once did. The time comes for everyone, and this being our last year in the MVC, I’ll just go out with The Valley.”

Hains started doing play-by-play for the school in 1977 at the age of 21. He spent a few years in Texas before moving back home and has been the voice of the school ever since.

Hains has also worked as a host on the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network.

Saga Communications Sees Slight Dip in 2nd Quarter Revenue

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Saga Communications has announced its second-quarter financial results, and the radio broadcaster saw a slight dip in revenue for the period.

During the three-month window, Saga saw its revenue fall from $29.18 million to $28.74 million, a decline of 1.5%.

Saga Communications has leaned heavily into the digital space by creating local news sites in many of its smaller markets. That helped the company’s bottom line as revenue grew 159% for the quarter, topping $344,000.

“Saga is moving full steam ahead with online news and local news and community sites in 18, soon to be 19 total markets once our newest acquisition, Lafayette, Indiana, is onboarded,” CEO Chris Forgy said.

Those new websites have also contributed to growing expenses, however. Operating costs rose 5.1% during the April, May, and June timeframe, up to $23.5 million.

For the total quarter, the company saw a net income of $2.5 million, down from $3.55 million during the same window in the previous year.