After announcing he would exit 1010 WINS after serving as the station’s morning news anchor since 1995, the next destination for Lee Harris has been announced.
Harris is joining NewsNation as its new Director of Integrated Operations and will oversee the development and distribution of the network’s audio content.
“It took an incredible opportunity to convince me to leave 1010 WINS after nearly 30 years,” said Harris. “But Sean Compton and Michael Corn showed me that at NewsNation I will be helping to fundamentally change the way news is covered and presented in this country and this is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
Harris has been with 1010 WINS for the past 31 years and has won an Edward R. Murrow Award for his work.
In addition to being responsible for the network’s audio division, the company says he will also contribute to its news writing efforts as well as its special programming.
“As we recently celebrated the milestone of becoming a 24-hour news network weekdays, we are continually looking for ways to grow the NewsNation brand across our linear and digital platforms,” said Nexstar’s President of Networks Sean Compton. “I am thrilled that Lee Harris is going to be leading these efforts as we further expand the network’s reach with viewers and listeners across the country.”
Joe Bartlett, the News Director of 710 WOR, has announced his retirement after serving as a full-time station air staff member for 37 years. His final day on-air will be on Wednesday, May 31st. Although Bartlett had considered retiring during the pandemic, he ultimately decided against it until now.
Throughout his time at the station, Bartlett was involved in 11 talk shows and provided coverage on some of New York’s most noteworthy events, such as the September 11 attacks. He was also the host of the famous WOR Saturday Morning Show and, until his retirement, served as the anchor for Len Berman and Michael Riedel in the Morning.
“I loved my job and have been fortunate to have been part of this great station for all these years,” said Bartlett. “I could have gone on much longer, but the time had come when I just needed more free time. Sadly, this is not a job you can do only six months a year.”
Upon retiring, Joe eagerly anticipates having additional spare time to engage in his favorite pastime of golfing, visit his grandchildren, and cheer on his beloved football team, the NY Giants. In the interim, Bartlett has relocated to South Carolina with his wife.
“It’s rare in this business to encounter as versatile a radio personality as Joe: anchor, news director, and talk show host…not to mention an all-around nice guy,” said Tom Cuddy, 710 WOR Program Director. “He will be missed not just by our listeners but by our staff.”
According to a report released on Monday, Rupert Murdoch had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a few weeks before Tucker Carlson was dismissed. During the call, they talked about the Ukraine War and the one-year anniversary of the deaths of Fox News journalists in Ukraine last March.
Semafor reported the call resembled the one Zelensky had with Lachlan Murdoch, the Executive Chair and CEO of Fox Corp., on March 15th, which Zelensky disclosed during a national broadcast.
The website said these discussions occurred shortly before Tucker Carlson was dismissed from his position at Fox. He had been vocal about the billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars that went toward supporting Ukraine. Fox executives had been made aware of objections from senior Ukrainian officials regarding Carlson’s coverage. Still, during the calls with the Murdochs, President Zelenskyy did not bring up the matter, as per a source familiar with the call details.
Carlson had previously referred to Zelensky as a “dictator.” The Washington Post stated that Rupert Murdoch was unsettled by Carlson’s position on Ukraine, particularly after a segment on Carlson’s show referred to Zelensky as a “Ukrainian pimp.”
In addition, Semafor reported that the editorial pages of The New York Post and The Wall Street Journal, seen as Murdoch family spokespersons, have regularly criticized Republicans who oppose the war. The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board labeled DeSantis’s characterization of the war as his “first mistake.”
As per the report, “more moderate pro-Ukraine members of the Republican caucus,” such as Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), have expressed their relief over Carlson’s departure. The report stated they are pleased that the loudest voice against U.S. support for Ukraine will be reduced now.
A senior congressional aide from the Republican Party told Semafor that Carlson had made several members apprehensive, leading them to withhold their full support towards Ukraine. They added that Carlson’s exit could diminish the most vigorous opposition to U.S. support for Ukraine.
Benjamin Hall, a Fox News correspondent, received a warm welcome on Monday when he returned to work at the State Department briefing room after a remarkable recovery from a catastrophic injury sustained covering the Russian attacks on Ukraine. The events followed an emotional return to the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this weekend.
Hall spoke to Martha MacCallum about the emotional journey of his recovery, revealing that he had to find something to fight for in the wake of his injuries. He was determined to return to his previous work and life, and returning to the briefing room was a testament to his tenacity.
“For me, it was about getting back to work; it was about getting back to things I was doing before. So today, back at the State Department, it felt like that; it was about returning,” he said. “The State Department was so helpful to get me out of Ukraine and back to the U.S. It was a warm welcome today. Of course, I also got to interview Secretary Blinken today, which certainly was very interesting.”
Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson of the State Department, initiated the round of applause upon Hall’s arrival, which the journalists quickly joined in attendance. According to Fox News, Hall was severely injured when a missile hit the vehicle he was traveling in during the initial phase of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in March 2022.
Although Hall survived the attack, Fox News photojournalist Pierre Zakrzewski and Ukrainian journalist Oleksandra “Sasha” Kuvshynova lost their lives. Hall underwent approximately 30 surgeries and suffered permanent disabilities, including the loss of a leg and foot on opposite sides and the loss of function in one hand and an eye.
“It was quite emotional today. One of the things you go through when you have some of the injuries like I had you had to hold something up ahead of you. What were you fighting for? Where do you want to get back to?” Hall added.
Ben Shapiro, the co-founder of The Daily Wire, criticized the White House Correspondents’ Dinner via a series of tweets on Monday. He pointed out the dangers of the media becoming too comfortable with Washington politicians.
The dinner, which took place on Saturday, was attended by various media executives and personalities from major outlets such as MSNBC, CNN, Fox News, Newsmax, and The Washington Post, among others.
Shapiro believes that the WHCD is a clear example of why Americans feel disconnected from the Washington DC elite class, who are supposed to serve as checks and balances on one another but are part of the same group.
“The WHCD is perhaps the best example of why Americans feel alienated by the Washington DC elite class – all of whom are supposed to be checks and balances on one another, but are actually all part of the same blob,” Shapiro wrote in a Twitter thread.
The event was graced by political figures from the Republican and Democratic parties, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, alongside notable personalities from different fields, such as Hollywood actress Chrissy Teigen and Brittany Griner, a WNBA star who had previously been imprisoned in Russia.
“‘Hey look, it’s Joe Biden openly joking about the fact that he takes no questions – and the press are laughing uproariously as they give an award to a ‘journalist’ who writes sop pieces about him!'” Shapiro added.
During the dinner, President Biden joked about Fox News resolving its defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems and the departure of Tucker Carlson. The Aldo Beckman Award for Overall Excellence in White House Coverage was presented to Washington Post journalist Matt Viser for reporting Biden’s religious beliefs.
In the present tumultuous political climate of America, there is a dire need for leaders of the caliber of Tucker Carlson. Given the widespread prevalence of media censorship and disingenuousness, it may be prudent for Carlson to pivot from his career in media and pursue a presidential campaign.
His potential to significantly impact American politics simply cannot be overlooked if he decides to run for office. Moreover, it is worth recalling that President Ronald Reagan, a former entertainment personality, successfully transitioned to politics and thrived in his presidency.
Carlson’s deep commitment to traditional conservative values such as limited government, individual freedom, and free markets, along with his unique ability to challenge the status quo, make him a strong contender for the presidency. In these trying times, America needs a leader willing to stand up for what’s right, and Carlson has demonstrated that he is that leader.
Notably, both Reagan and Carlson have built a populist following and have successfully connected with working-class Americans. They have both been outspoken in their criticism of the political establishment and have been champions for the concerns of ordinary Americans against the interests of the elites. With such similarities, it’s no surprise that Carlson’s potential presidential bid has generated significant excitement among conservative voters.
There are several compelling reasons why Tucker Carlson should consider a serious presidential run. His background in media, unique political viewpoints, and deep commitment to traditional conservative values could position him as a formidable presidential candidate. Carlson’s clear stances on immigration and trade align closely with the working-class population. His willingness to challenge conventional foreign policies could provide a significant advantage in a presidential race.
If Carlson chose to enter the political arena, he would bring fresh perspectives to the stagnant Washington establishment. Carlson has a history of questioning the status quo and highlighting issues mainstream politicians ignore on both sides of the aisle. His capacity to scrutinize those in power and challenge the establishment could help restore trust in the U.S. Constitution.
Moreover, his outsider status could be an asset in a political system often dominated by career politicians. The decision of Tucker Carlson to step away from the media industry and enter politics could be the change that many Americans are demanding from their leaders.
Carlson’s extensive experience as a media personality has honed his exceptional communication skills, making him an ideal messenger for his message. In contrast, President Joe Biden has faced criticism for his poor communication skills and reluctance to engage in impromptu press interactions.
Carlson’s background in delivering monologues on his show, covering a broad range of topics, has undoubtedly prepared him well for the rigors of the campaign trail. His ability to express his views with clarity and precision would set him apart on the national stage.
Many blue-collar Americans believe the present political system fails to address their concerns adequately. Carlson has a tremendous opportunity to gain a substantial following by tapping into this sentiment and potentially launching a robust presidential campaign. His unwavering commitment to challenging the political establishment and advocating for the interests of everyday citizens renders him an exceptional candidate to represent this burgeoning segment of the electorate.
Tucker Carlson’s Twitter video has garnered remarkable attention, surpassing the viewership of his previous primetime show. Carlson has garnered a significant following among Americans who feel marginalized or ignored in today’s political landscape, thanks to his ability to tackle controversial issues and question established norms.
Carlson’s audacity in confronting powerful interests and established power structures could make him a formidable contender in a presidential race that seeks to shake things up and chart a new course for the country. He possesses the potential to attract a wide-ranging base of voters dissatisfied with the status quo, transcending partisan divides, and cultivating a fervent support base.
Undeniably, Carlson commands immense respect from conservative Americans, vigorously advocating for traditional conservative values such as limited government, individual freedom, and free markets. With Carlson at the helm, traditional values and priorities will be unequivocally represented in government, and the voices of conservatives will be resoundingly heard.
Should Tucker Carlson run for president and disengage from the media, he could substantially influence politics. Such a move would compel the press to accord him significant attention, potentially challenging established mainstream networks. With his esteemed standing and substantial impact, Carlson could affect fundamental changes in the political sphere by taking this crucial step.
A Tucker Carlson presidency in the United States is an unpredictable but intriguing prospect. Carlson’s unique perspective could disrupt the status quo in unimaginable ways if elected. Despite the risks associated with selecting an unconventional figure, the potential benefits of having a president who defies the establishment and thinks outside the box are exhilarating.
In the summer of 2012, Kayla Braud and the University of Alabama Crimson Tide softball team achieved their ultimate goal by winning the Women’s College World Series. It was the culmination of years of hard work, persistence and dedication to the game of softball; a crowning triumph in a career awash of mesmerizing feats and outstanding accomplishments.
From her sophomore to senior years in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Braud was named as an All-American softball player with a career batting average of .471, the second highest mark in program history. Furthermore, she realized excellence in the classroom and in the community, graduating magna cum laude and being honored as the recipient of the 2013 Senior CLASS Award. At a glance, these accolades encompass an ideal college career positioning a graduate well for professional success. However, there is a semblance of regret for Braud because of a decision she made early as an undergraduate student.
“I was always interested in broadcasting in college; in fact, I tried to change my major to broadcasting in my sophomore year,” Braud said. “My academic adviser told me not to because no one makes it in broadcasting. I ended up getting my degree in public relations instead.”
Although she wanted to craft a career in sports media, Braud was preparing to take a job with Nike, a company with whom she had interned in brand marketing during the summer after graduation. But broadcasting had a hold on Kayla. She was fascinated watching softball analysts like Jessica Mendoza, Michele Smith and Amanda Scarborough.
As if by fate, Braud received a phone call from an ESPN producer that summer where she learned of the SEC Network, and was told that the venture needed a softball analyst who played in the conference. Once she was formally offered the job, Braud did not think twice, responding with an emphatic, “Hell, yes.”
From the moment she joined the SEC Network in 2014, Braud received chances to refine her craft as a game analyst and was paired with Michele Smith in the booth. It was a stark transition for her in moving from corporate offices to the broadcast booth.
“It was like trial by fire,” Braud said. “I didn’t really know what to expect; I didn’t really know how calling a game would go. The transition was challenging but, man, the first day that I did the job and I went in the booth, I knew it was for me because I got an adrenaline rush. It kind of felt like playing again.”
In preparing for a typical broadcast, Braud took a similar approach to what she used to do as a player. Centered around watching game film, she looks at 20 to 30 at-bats for each player to try to get a feel for their skill at the plate and adjustments they have made or need to make for more effective performance. In addition to watching previous games and reviewing statistics, Braud also prepares by conversing with teammates, coaches and other personnel to gather a more comprehensive picture.
“My style lends itself to a little more of a casual viewer,” Braud said. “I’m definitely not as polished as maybe most analysts out there, but I keep it fun and I’m going to bring up really good intelligent points when I can.”
Aside from solely focusing on softball broadcasts and their concomitant personalities, Braud thinks about her job in a broader sense and continues to examine a wide array of programming to guide her analysis. She listens to a litany of play-by-play announcers and thinks about new ways to enhance the presentation of softball.
“I listen to Kirk Herbstreit every Saturday,” Braud said, “and I listen to some of the best basketball analysts. I pick up what they’re doing and take little nuggets from each person and their analysis and what I like.”
Outside of the broadcast booth, Braud also appears on select studio programming for the SEC Network, including on the show Rally Cap. These shows tend to focus on more than just one matchup, rendering the preparation process more broad in scope. Braud and other analysts are forced to concisely divulge their points to generate a compelling and entertaining discussion. This requires them to genuinely have a thorough understanding of what it is they are talking about on a daily basis and be comfortable with industry jargon.
“I took it as a challenge,” Braud said. “I don’t think it was necessarily intimidating. It kind of felt like you’re breathing through a firehose a little bit. It just made me hungry to do more.”
Maria Taylor, who currently works with NBC Sports as host of Sunday Night Countdown, used to host SEC Now on the SEC Network as one of its inaugural personalities. She proved instrumental in helping Braud assimilate into sports media through teaching her essential tasks. In exchange for her knowledge and expertise, Braud explained the ins and outs of softball to Taylor, a nuanced sport with various similarities to baseball.
An aspect of the job that was difficult if not near impossible to teach Braud was in critiquing players. Having played softball for the better part of a decade, Braud is cognizant of the daily grind and balance student athletes have in juggling their responsibilities both on and off the field. At the same time though, the way in which she diligently carries out her role and ensures honest and worthwhile analysis is by being forthright and straightforward in her breakdowns.
“The audience needs to know what went wrong and why it went wrong, so we need to do a good job in documenting the game and holding these kids and teams to high standards,” Braud said. “I’ve tried to be a little bit more fair in terms of my criticism and recognizing that if I had made an error [at the] time, I would have been pretty hard on myself.”
For most athletes immersed in the thrill of competition, rivalries are unequivocally evident across conferences and can serve as a motivating factor to hold oneself to higher standards. Braud specifically remembers her time facing Madison Shipman, a shortstop for the University of Tennessee Volunteers softball team, over the three years their SEC careers intersected. Both are three-time All-Americans and are regarded as top players in their programs’ history, and they were surely squared off on the field. Yet when Shipman joined the SEC Network as an analyst in 2018, she quickly gravitated towards Braud who decided to pay it forward and guide her in the transition process.
“We never once communicated and never once acknowledged each other off the field,” Braud said of Shipman. “That’s just kind of how it was back then; there was no social media, [and] you didn’t really get to know your opponents at all.”
Following years of requesting to broadcast an Alabama vs. Tennessee game together, Braud and Shipman received the chance this past March alongside play-by-play announcer Eric Frede. The former rivals turned friends wore their softball jerseys and divided their time between the broadcast booth and reporting from different vantage points from around the stadium. ESPN dubbed the broadcast as the Throwback Throwdown game, and both commentators reflected on the time as one of their most memorable moments in the booth thus far.
“It was a really nice balance of calling it back to our careers and the incredible runs both of our teams went on,” Braud expressed. “It laid the groundwork for these two programs and here they are now; here’s how far they came. It was just really cool.”
Women’s sports have grown across the board over the last several years, achieving record viewership. Braud has noticed college softball being televised more often than before, reminiscing on how her team was only on a major network two to three times per year.
“These kids are on TV every single weekend, and they’re getting to show this product to tons and tons of fans [and] to people across the country and they love it,” Braud said. “It’s a short, quick game that’s enjoyable to watch. As a broadcaster, we want people to enjoy the game by also being fun and making the game enjoyable and giving expert analysis to the people at home.”
Over the years, Braud has broadcast various softball tournaments with ESPN and the SEC Network, sometimes on short notice. When one analyst had to pull out of a superregional game, she was called upon at the last second to join the broadcast for the Lafayette Leopards super-regional matchup against the University of Louisiana Ragin’ Caguns. Additionally, she is frequently featured on coverage of the SEC Softball Tournament, sometimes finding herself at the ballpark from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. at night immersing herself in the game she loves.
Braud is also breaking boundaries in the industry by expanding her analysis to more than just softball. Through a conversation she had with her broadcast agent in which she expressed an eagerness to work past the end of the softball season (usually June), Braud landed a chance to contribute to Seattle Mariners broadcasts on ROOT SPORTS. A majority of her work takes place in the studio, but Braud has also appeared throughout the course of the game. Just recently, she spoke about the sabermetrics instantiated in the modern game and how to best follow the action.
“From an analyst perspective, I can watch the game and I know confidently how I would approach a situation [and] what that fielder or hitter is feeling like,” Braud explained. “That being said, the biggest difference in baseball is the pitching, so that’s been kind of learning and doing a lot of film work on pitchers around the league.”
Although Braud is comfortable in her role, she urges viewers to broaden their horizons and focus more on the analysis rather than determining credibility based on one’s gender, race and/or ethnicity.
“You hear from a lot of women in this industry who are covering a men’s sport, ‘I’ve got to work 10 times harder to prove I know what I’m talking about,’” Braud said. “That’s a shame – these women are intelligent [and] successful. I think when we compare that to the men’s game – whatever it is – I think it does a disservice to what these hard-working women are doing every single day.”
While it is difficult not to think about where her burgeoning career could take her in the future, Braud prefers to stay focused on the here and now through committing to getting better and refining her craft each day. Akin to the way she thought about improving as a player, she is aware that achieving her goals is a process, and one she faces with the utmost determination.
“This Mariners thing, this baseball thing is something new, and I’m just excited to try it and see where I can go with it. I don’t have any big, major goals. I’m not one of these people who says, ‘I need to be on ABC Primetime’ or whatever. I’m more about working as hard as I possibly can and seeing where that takes me. The goal is to continue in this industry and make a name for myself.”
The NFL Draft in Kansas City was another sign that the event is no longer suitable for a concert hall or arena setting.
Hundreds of thousands of football fans gathered in Kansas City and were passionate about the draft from the first round on Thursday night to the final pick on Saturday afternoon.
On his podcast on Monday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said the trend with the draft has now to stage it in major gathering spaces in NFL cities to make it a festival-type atmosphere.
“Not only is the NFL moving cities, going to a different city every year, but I believe that we’ve seen the last – for the foreseeable future – of the indoor drafts,” Schefter said. “Because there are too many people that want to be there! They can’t stick it inside anywhere. It’s got to be outside with hundreds of thousands of people.”
Adam added that nine cities were following NFL officials around in Kansas City, vying for the opportunity to host the draft in 2025 and beyond. Next year’s draft is in Detroit, where a countdown clock has been hyping fans up for two years.
Schefter said the success of the draft in city settings, with Nashville in 2019 being the new precedent, poses an opportunity for cities that wouldn’t otherwise host a Super Bowl to host one of the league’s marquee events.
“We may see it in Green Bay in future years at some point, where they use Lambeau Field,” he said. “That would actually be a little bit limiting. I don’t know if you could open that up and make it such that there would be hundreds of thousands of people at Lambeau Field. But that’s where this is going.
“It’s become the offseason Super Bowl – the NFL’s Coachella – where cities that wouldn’t be awarded a Super Bowl, like Green Bay, because there aren’t enough hotels and nobody wants to travel to Green Bay in February,” Schefter added. “This has become the NFL’s answer to say, well we’re not going to give you the Super Bowl, but we are gonna give you this draft. And the cities, I believe, love that.”
There weren’t a ton of big surprises in this year’s NFL Draft, but among the big storylines entering the second day of the event was the fact that quarterback Will Levis went undrafted through the first round.
Levis didn’t have to wait too long on Day 2 to hear his name called. The Tennessee Titans selected Levis at 33rd overall with the second selection of Friday’s festivities.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Levis, who rose to prominence at Kentucky. In Houston on Sports Radio 610, morning show host Seth Payne told Clint Stoerner and Ron Hughley that in doing his own research on Levis he didn’t understand what all the hype was about.
Payne said he listened to former quarterbacks in the league talk about Levis, and they didn’t sound sold on the quarterback being a high first-rounder.
“I’m watching with a relatively untrained eye,” Payne said Monday. “So I started just going to the various ex-quarterbacks like Orlovsky. All Orlovsky was doing was making excuses for him.”
Payne added that even guys like Kurt Warner weren’t all in on the idea of Levis being ready to take first-team snaps.
“Not a single one of them was genuinely excited about Will Levis,” Payne said. “You could see them make a lot of excuses for him. So I just didn’t get it.”
Online sports betting went live in Massachusetts on January 31 and one of the first local sports betting shows in Boston made its debut on Monday on talk radio station WRKO AM 680.
The Gambler With Adam Kaufman will be heard live on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 p.m.-midnight on WRKO and on the iHeartRadio app.
Kaufman is the sports director for iHeartMedia Boston and can be heard giving morning sports reports on WBZ News Radio 1030. He will be joined by Dan Watkins and Brian Antonelli who will contribute to the show.
“There’s no greater platform than live sports talk radio and, since January, there’s no greater obsession in and around Massachusetts than sports betting,” Kaufman said in a statement. “I’ve been fortunate to spend many years of my career working in both areas and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have them intersect now. Boston is ready for a nightly gambling show. I’m honored to host it and can’t wait to sweat bets with listeners, industry experts, and our incredible team.”
