Fox News Chief National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin received a First Amendment Award at the RTDNA’s annual dinner and spoke about leaving the Pentagon press corps last year.
In her acceptance speech, Griffin — who has spent the past 30 years with the network, 18 working the national security beat — shared the reasoning behind joining the walkout of other Pentagon reporters that took place on October 15th.
“We walked out and protested the strict reporting guidelines and restrictions imposed by the new Pentagon leadership,” Griffin said. “They had already kicked out some reporters from CNN, Washington Post, NBC, New York Times, and Politico, out of those workplaces and they had severely curtailed already our movements within the building, even threatening our sources who normally were authorized to speak to the press, in fact encouraged to. They subjected them to polygraphs. It had a real chilling effect on all of us and on our sources.”
Griffin added that she remains worried about the way the Defense Department continues to be covered, the actions taken by the department’s leadership, and what it means for national security coverage in the future.
“I’m concerned that during this time of war, that news organizations, which have reported uninterrupted from inside the Pentagon since 1947, are no longer given that access,” Griffin said. “I’m very grateful to my bosses at FOX News, Jay Wallace, Brian Boughton, Kim Rosenberg, and Doug Rohrbeck, who are here with me tonight. They did not hesitate to stand united with the rest of the news organizations and fight for press access. They continue to do so every day. Tonight, I accept this award on behalf of all of my colleagues who make up the Pentagon Press Corps. Our work continues. We won’t stop.”
Boston sports radio listeners spent part of Friday morning celebrating Courtney Cox as she signed off from The Greg Hill Show ahead of maternity leave, prompting an outpouring of support from colleagues, listeners and members of the Boston sports media community.
Cox, who joined the morning program on WEEI several years ago, used her final appearance before the leave to reflect on her experience with the show while also acknowledging the overwhelming encouragement she has received throughout her pregnancy.
“Thank you, and I’m gonna miss you guys,” Cox said. “You know, it’s fun every day. Yeah, Wiggy always says it, but it doesn’t feel like work.”
Throughout the broadcast, host Greg Hill and the rest of the show’s cast took time to recognize Cox’s contributions to the program, highlighting the personality and perspective she brought to discussions that range from Boston sports headlines to the personal stories that often resonate with listeners during morning drive.
While the show maintained its usual rhythm of humor and sports commentary, the morning also included several emotional moments as Cox thanked the audience and her colleagues for the encouragement she has received in recent months.
As the conversation turned toward her pregnancy journey, Cox admitted that the level of support from listeners has occasionally left her struggling to express her appreciation on-air.
“It’s hard when you can’t control it. When it’s like you can’t even get a word out, because you know the tears are going to come out,” Cox said.
The emotional response underscored how closely Cox’s personal milestones have resonated with the audience, many of whom followed her updates about preparing for motherhood during recent broadcasts.
Hill and the rest of the cast continued to praise Cox during the show, noting that her ability to share both humor and vulnerability helped deepen the program’s connection with listeners across Boston.
At several points during the broadcast, callers phoned in to offer congratulations and well wishes, reinforcing the bond Cox built with the audience during her time on the morning program.
The sendoff ultimately felt less like a farewell and more like a celebration of a major life moment, as the show’s hosts and listeners expressed excitement about the next chapter awaiting their colleague.
Congratulations Coco! We will miss you! Bittersweet goodbyes and huge congrats to future great parents, Courtney and Santo ! Good luck and best wishes @coxcourtney ! We can't wait to meet the baby boy and are all rooting for you! pic.twitter.com/eR3YOUdAA9
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Changes are continuing at 1110 KFAB. A new midday show hosted by Jean Stothert is joining the daily lineup for the iHeartMedia Omaha station.
Stothert has been added in the 10a-11a window for a new show called The KFAB Comment Line with Jean Stothert. The show harkens back to a former show hosted by former host Walt Kavanaugh, who hosted a show with the same name before retiring in 1992. He spent nearly 40 years with the station.
Jean Stothert is a familiar face to Omaha listeners. From 2013 to 2025, she served as the Mayor of Omaha. Stothert — a Republican — lost her bid for re-election to John Ewing Jr. last year.
In the introduction of Stothert to the audience, she shared her excitement for the opportunity.
“I love coming to the studio,” said Stothert. “I love everybody there, but this is definitely a different role for me, and I’m going to enjoy it. And I think everybody else will too.”
She added that while she’s excited to take calls from listeners, she’ll have plenty to say, too.
“This is a chance for the listeners to speak up and sound off about things going around town, around Omaha, the state, the world, and the impact here in Omaha. I will tell you plenty of things,” the new 1110 KFAB host said. “I have plenty to say. We’re going to be interviewing guests from time to time, and we really want to hear what you have to say, too. I do believe I have a lot of knowledge about what is going on in Omaha, and I should, I mean, after 12 years of being mayor … We’re here to take your calls, to let you speak, and then I will have plenty to say, too.”
Her addition to the lineup comes after a host of changes for 1110 KFAB. Late last year, long-running morning host Gary Sadlemyer retired after nearly 50 years at the station. He was replaced by program director and former midday host Scott Voorhees in the daypart.
Later, afternoon host Emery Songer exited his role to focus on his show with 1040 WHO in Des Moines. He was replaced by former host Chris Baker, who returned following his exit in 2021.
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Former 1130 WISN morning host Jay Weber has shared details of the upcoming launch of his podcast with iHeartMedia Milwaukee.
Weber retired in December after spending 35 years with 1130 WISN. Of those 35 years, 18 were spent in morning drive at the Milwaukee news/talk outlet. At the time of his exit, Weber hosted the highest-rated morning show in the state, regardless of format.
Upon his exit, Weber shared that he would start a new podcast with the company that would release “in Spring 2026.”
We now have more concrete details about the launch of the show. In a response to a commenter on X, Weber revealed the start date of his new show.
“It starts April 7th and will probably be posted around 11 AM or mid-day on Tuesdays and Fridays,” Weber wrote.
Jay Weber isn’t the first 1130 WISN personality to step away from the station’s on-air lineup and launch a podcast. When Mark Belling retired in 2024, he followed a similar path, launching a digital program.
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Allie LaForce will remain a prominent presence across TNT Sports’ coverage after agreeing to a new multiyear contract extension that ensures the veteran reporter continues contributing to several of the network’s highest-profile properties, including the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Big 12 football coverage and the women’s basketball league Unrivaled.
LaForce has built a long-standing relationship with TNT Sports that dates back more than a decade. She first joined the network in 2015 before transitioning into an exclusive role three years later, and her latest agreement further solidifies a partnership that has grown alongside some of the network’s most visible live sports programming.
Throughout her tenure, LaForce has become one of the most recognizable sideline reporters in sports television, contributing regularly to Turner’s coverage of March Madness while also appearing on a variety of studio and event broadcasts tied to the company’s expanding college sports footprint.
“TNT Sports really has become a family to me,” LaForce said in an interview with The Sports Business Journal. “The emphasis on college sports kind of takes me back to my beginning as a sports journalist. That they were doing Big 12 football kind of lets me jump back into the college football scene.”
Beyond traditional broadcast assignments, LaForce has also taken a strong interest in the continued growth of women’s sports, particularly the rising visibility of Unrivaled, the new professional women’s basketball league that has generated attention for its energy and fan engagement.
According to LaForce, the crowd atmosphere inside the arena rivaled, and in some ways surpassed, environments she has experienced at NBA games.
“The loyalty, the excitement and the energy from the fans was greater than what I had witnessed in the NBA,” LaForce said. “There was such a variety of old and young and women and men and celebrities. It was inspiring because people weren’t just looking for something to do. They specifically sought out this event.”
LaForce’s new contract extension ensures that viewers will keep seeing her on some of TNT Sports’ most visible broadcasts for years to come.
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For more than two decades, Emily Jones stood as one of the most familiar figures connected to the Texas Rangers television coverage. That run is now over after the club’s newly announced broadcast lineup did not include Jones among its on-air contributors.
The team’s television home, Rangers Sports Network, revealed its broadcast roster Thursday while outlining several adjustments ahead of the upcoming season. Jones, who first joined the organization’s coverage in 2005 as a pre- and postgame host before later moving into a field reporting role, will not appear on game telecasts for the first time since she began working with the club more than 20 years ago.
Although her on-air presence will end, the Rangers plan to keep Jones involved with the organization in a different capacity moving forward.
The club said she will serve as a “host/ambassador,” a role expected to include appearances tied to sponsorship initiatives, partnership programs and charitable events connected to the franchise. Team officials also indicated that Jones is currently involved in developing several special projects, though details about those initiatives will be shared at a later date.
“Emily has always been a valued member of the broadcast team and she was there to cover some of the biggest moments in team history,” the Rangers said in a statement announcing the change. “The club is excited that Emily has agreed to remain part of the Rangers’ family and maintain a connection with fans in this new role.”
Jones earned six regional sports Emmy Awards during her tenure covering the team, building a reputation as one of the most recognizable personalities associated with the Rangers’ television broadcasts. In recent seasons, however, she began scaling back her schedule as she shifted time toward family commitments and outside projects.
That transition led the network to bring in Laura Stickells during the 2025 season as the primary field reporter, while Jones continued to appear periodically.
Jones still worked approximately 20 games in that role last year, yet the newly released 2026 broadcast lineup confirms she will not appear on telecasts this season. Stickells will return as the primary field reporter for a second consecutive year, while the network could add a part-time reporter to handle coverage when scheduling conflicts arise.
In a lengthy post shared on social media Thursday, Jones reflected on her time with the organization and expressed gratitude to those she worked alongside during her lengthy tenure.
“Thank you to the organization who allowed me to be unapologetically me, even when it wasn’t conventional or popular,” she wrote. “Thank you to the broadcast and production crew who made me look way better than I ever was.”
Jones also thanked players, coaches and staff members for welcoming her inside the clubhouse environment during her career, noting that the relationships formed throughout those seasons represented her most meaningful accomplishment.
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Two of the most recognizable voices in Philadelphia sports radio recently offered a candid assessment of the current state of the format and the station where each built a legendary reputation. Former 94 WIP hosts Angelo Cataldi and Howard Eskin shared their thoughts during a recent episode of The Howard Eskin Show, reflecting on how the industry — and the tone of sports talk in Philadelphia — has evolved since their time behind the microphone.
Cataldi, who retired in 2023 after more than three decades hosting mornings on WIP, admitted that he no longer listens to the station that helped define his career. According to the longtime host, tuning in became more frustrating than enjoyable as he heard approaches to the format that clashed with his own philosophy.
“I stopped listening,” Cataldi said. “I don’t listen at all anymore. The reason is because I would hear something that I would go, well, no, that’s not the way you should do it. I did it for 33 years. I know how to do it. It got to the point where it was just so frustrating for me that I don’t listen.”
Beyond his personal listening habits, Cataldi believes the tone of sports talk in Philadelphia has softened compared to the environment that once defined the city’s sports media landscape.
“People emailed me all the time,” Cataldi said. “The Phillies would lose a big playoff game and the next day the host would talk about how nobly they fought. That’s not the Philadelphia I was in. When you don’t win here, you should pay a price.”
Eskin, who spent decades as a fixture in Philadelphia sports media and also hosted shows on WIP, broadened the discussion to include the overall health of radio as a medium. While acknowledging that sports talk radio provided both men with successful careers, Eskin suggested the industry faces mounting challenges as audiences shift to digital platforms.
“People don’t want to turn the radio on anymore,” Eskin said. “Radio is a dying business. It’s sad because both our careers were great for sports talk radio, but it’s a business that’s almost dead.”
He also expressed concern about the financial realities for younger employees entering the field, claiming that some producers at WIP earn wages that make it difficult to build a sustainable career in radio.
“I found out within the last week that WIP pays a lot of producers $13 an hour,” Eskin said. “Nothing against McDonald’s, but you can make more money at McDonalds. The kids want to get into radio, and I understand that, but that’s so unfair to them. Just be fair to him. That’s all. Just be fair.”
Despite his strong opinions, Eskin said he avoids discussing the station with his son, Spike Eskin, who currently hosts afternoons on WIP.
“We don’t talk about it,” Eskin said. “He’s a smart guy and he knows what he’s doing. He plays the radio game the way they play it now, which I don’t totally agree with. We don’t discuss it”
Ultimately, Eskin believes the challenges facing WIP mirror a broader issue throughout the industry: a shrinking pool of standout on-air talent.
“They have some good people there [94 WIP],” Eskin said. “But they don’t have enough good people there, and they’re not alone. Talent doesn’t exist the way it used to in talk radio. It’s just the way it is”
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Lotus Communications has announced new promotions for Andrew Adams and Jeff Connell for its Seattle cluster.
Adams will serve as the General Manager of the company’s Seattle operations. He joins Lotus after previously serving in a similar role for Stephens Media Group in Spokane. Adams also spent 13 years leading the Salem Media operations in Seattle, and also worked at Mapleton Communications.
“Andrew is a positive and supportive leader who is deeply focused on helping people succeed,” said Lotus Chief Operating Officer Jim Kalmenson. “His management style centers on supporting sellers, strengthening teams, and building smart, effective creative packages that help advertisers achieve real results. Radio has been part of Andrew’s life for decades. He started in the business while attending his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin, and has continued in the industry ever since. He truly cares about our industry and believes deeply in what we do.”
Meanwhile, Jeff Connell has been elevated to the role of Director of Operations and Brand Management. He has worked as the Regional Program Director for 101.5 Hank-FM in Seattle, as well as 107.1 Hank-FM in Boise. He also helped lead the cluster’s marketing and promotions efforts.
“Jeff has been an integral part of the Seattle team and has played a key role in strengthening the Hank FM brand while helping advance collaborative programming, marketing, and promotional initiatives across the cluster,” Kalmenson said. “In this expanded role, Jeff will provide leadership across programming, production, marketing, digital content, and promotional strategy for all Lotus Seattle stations.”
Connell will also add oversight to 570 KVI and Northwest NewsRadio as part of his duties.
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Slipstream has acquired Los Angeles-based production music library Megatrax, a move that significantly expands the company’s global catalog and strengthens its footprint in international markets, particularly across Latin America.
The transaction grows Slipstream’s music catalog to more than one million tracks available for commercial licensing worldwide while bringing one of the industry’s most established production music libraries under its expanding distribution umbrella.
Company executives say the deal aligns with Slipstream’s broader strategy of consolidating premium music catalogs while modernizing the way clients license and access music for creative projects.
Although Slipstream now owns Megatrax, the Hollywood-based company will continue operating independently while its catalog gradually integrates into the Slipstream licensing platform during the coming months.
That transition period allows Megatrax to maintain its established relationships with composers, agencies, and media producers while the companies combine their distribution infrastructure and licensing tools.
“This acquisition reflects our long-term consolidation strategy,” said Dan Demole, CEO of Slipstream. “Megatrax is a highly respected, composer-led catalog with decades of history in television, film, and advertising. By integrating it into our proprietary licensing platform. We can modernize distribution, expand directly into Latin America, and improve Slipstream’s offering to our clients around the globe.”
Megatrax was founded in 1991 and headquartered in Hollywood. The company built its reputation supplying music for television productions, film projects, and advertising campaigns. The company also provides music for other media content requiring professionally produced soundtracks.
The company’s catalog now includes more than 200,000 tracks. This collection includes creations by composers, songwriters, and musicians. Elements from a wide range of genres and styles designed for production use.
Slipstream leadership said the acquisition reinforces its commitment to professionally composed music. The move comes as artificial intelligence tools continue reshaping content production workflows across creative industries.
The company said it plans to continue investing in music intellectual property created by human composers. It will also expand global distribution channels that deliver those works to producers, advertisers, and media companies.
The Megatrax purchase marks the latest step in Slipstream’s aggressive expansion strategy during the past two years. In 2024, the company acquired Anthem Entertainment’s production music division. This included well-known catalogs such as Jingle Punks, 5 Alarm Music, and Cavendish Music. Those additions significantly increased Slipstream’s presence across North America and Europe while expanding its overall licensing inventory.
Executives say Megatrax also provides an important strategic foothold in Latin America. A region that continues to experience rapid growth in both media production and brand marketing.
“Latin America is one of the most dynamic growth regions in media and brand marketing,” says Jesse Korwin, chief revenue officer at Slipstream. “Megatrax brings established relationships and a catalog that reflects authentic, region-specific genres across multiple Latin American markets. There is rising demand for culturally specific music across traditional advertising, television, and digital streaming platforms, and this positions us to meet that demand at scale.”
Megatrax co-founders Ron Mendelsohn and JC Dwyer said the partnership ensures the company’s catalog remains competitive as the music licensing landscape evolves.
“For more than three decades, Megatrax has been committed to providing our clients with high-quality music coupled with top-tier customer service,” the pair said in a joint statement. “Joining Slipstream positions our label for the future. It also allows our catalog and composers to benefit from modern licensing infrastructure, global reach, and a company built for the evolving needs of producers and brands.”
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The war of words between Ben Shapiro and Megyn Kelly continued on Thursday, with Candace Owens joining the conversation.
Both Shapiro and Kelly have been trading barbs in recent weeks, following Shapiro’s December comments that Kelly was a “coward” for failing to call out comments from Owens for what he labeled as a “logical absurdity.”
At the time of his original comments, Shapiro stated he believed Megyn Kelly was his friend. Kelly has shared similar sentiments in the months that have followed, but has routinely taken shots at The Daily Wire co-founder for calling her out.
The feud reignited on Thursday with Shapiro taking Kelly and Piers Morgan to task for their recent comments and platforming guests he believes are anti-Israel and could be described as Nazis.
He, again, called Megyn Kelly a “coward”, while labeling Piers Morgan a “clickwhore.”
In response, Ben Shapiro lambasted Megyn Kelly for continuing to stay close with Candace Owens, who has repeatedly suggested that Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk was involved in the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk.
“Don’t worry, Megyn. I’d never ask you to protect me. You won’t even protect Charlie Kirk’s widow from the monster accusing her of murdering Charlie,” wrote Shapiro.
Don’t worry, Megyn. I’d never ask you to protect me. You won’t even protect Charlie Kirk’s widow from the monster accusing her of murdering Charlie. https://t.co/EBATwm57os
“You think protecting Erika means calling out Candace; I think if you don’t wish to call attention to a negative attack, don’t call attention to it,” she said. “Does that work for you Ben? May I have your approval now? No, I don’t think so.”
Kelly added that she has been disappointed with how Shapiro has handled the entire feud.
“You handled your anger toward me in the most despicable way possible,” she began. “Did you call me? Text me? Raise it with me privately after all we had been (through) together over the years? No, you attacked me on stage at the Turning Point event without so much as a heads-up. (Because) you were too chicken (expletive) to say it to my face.
“I texted you afterward and you never responded. You didn’t have the balls to have a face-to-face talk or even a text or call about it,” she continued. “You are the coward, Ben. And your moral preening, priggish lectures, and holier-than-thou judgments are the reason you are losing fans and, more than that, friends, at a record rate.”
You think protecting Erika means calling out Candace; I think if you don’t wish to call attention to a negative attack, don’t call attention to it. Does that work for you Ben? May I have your approval now? No, I don’t think so.
That is when Candace Owens inserted herself into the conversation. She took issue with Shapiro’s attempts to paint Megyn Kelly and herself as the bad people in the situation. Owens argued that Shapiro’s exhibited “behavior of a maggot rotting on a corpse.”
“It is genuinely one of most despicable things that I have ever seen in politics that Ben Shapiro— WHO CHARLIE KIRK COULD NOT STAND AND WHO CHARLIE KIRK HIMSELF ROUTINELY EXPRESSED WAS A TERRIBLE HUMAN BEING—has so shamelessly tried to reimagine himself as a guardian of Charlie’s legacy,” Owens wrote. “EVERYONE in politics knows Charlie hated Ben. Everyone. Not a single person will dispute this narrative.”
Owens continued by stating that no one believes Shapiro cares about Kirk’s legacy.
“You can’t keep stealing what other people build because your daddy told you that you were special,” she concluded. “No one on either side of the Atlantic is buying that you give a single shit about Charlie’s legacy or family.”
You can’t keep stealing what other people build because your daddy told you that you were special. No one on either side of the Atlantic is buying that you give a single shit about Charlie’s legacy or family.
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