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Hannah Lane’s Career Began With Tickets To Morgan Wallen

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US 96.3 Jackson, MS “Nate, Traci & Hannah Lane” morning co-host Hannah Lane has recently exploded onto the Country radio scene. When talking to the Baton Rouge native, it is easy to see why. Her enthusiasm for the radio industry, Country music, and life comes through loud and clear.

Lane came to radio in a non-traditional way.

“I went to school for pharmaceutical sales; that was my plan. I worked at a boutique in my hometown for about six and a half years. And I did all the videos on Facebook Live. I was known as that in my little hometown.”

“And one day this girl walks in. Her name is Brittany Rose. She works at 100.7 The Tiger in Baton Rouge. She said, ‘I’m shopping for an outfit. It’s my birthday tomorrow and we’re going to see Morgan Wallen.’ I was like, I’m so jealous of you.”

“She said I work for the radio station here. We might have extra tickets. I said, no you do not. She says yeah, I do blah blah whatever. I thought people tell you that, and she’s never going to call me. The next day, she messaged me on Facebook and told me she was going to bring us the tickets. I sat in the nosebleeds at Morgan Wallen, and it was the best night of my life. That is how my radio career started.”

From there, it was a weekend shift on The Tiger, which led to her morning show co-host position at US 96.3.

“They ended up needing somebody to take pictures for them in Nashville for Sharla McCoy’s live broadcast. It was very last-minute. Thank God Sharla has the heart that she has, because she said, you know what, let her come.”

“I came in, I started talking to everybody because I would talk to a wall that talks back to me, and that is how I met (her current co-hosts) Nate and Traci. They offered me a morning position, and it took off from there.”

The past year has been a bit of a whirlwind for Lane.

“I’ll never forget people looking at me and saying we’re going to take a chance on you and we’re going to make it work. This past year, there are no words to explain it. I’ve gotten Women To Watch in Radio; I won 30 and Under Rising Superstar. Then I was named one of the top five New Faces in Country radio for CRS. I became the first-ever mentee in Mississippi for Women Inspiring Women.”

All that led to a chance to check something off her bucket list.

“I’m about to go host the stage at the Grand Ole Opry.”

That came about when the Grand Ole Opry’s SVP/Executive Producer, Dan Rogers, came to the McCoy interviews.

“I was just talking to him. I was so amazed at what he does, and I said what a bucket list item to host the Opry. That’s something I really want to do in my career, obviously down the road. He literally looked at me and said, ‘we’ll make it happen.”’

“They let me pick a date, and I still can’t believe that it’s coming out of my mouth that I’m going to be hosting the first day of the Opry 100-year celebration. It’s just crazy.”

“You know, when you don’t feel like something’s real yet. It’s hard to wrap your head around the fact that it’s happening. I’ve read all the comments, and I do try to like comment back to everybody because I feel like if you take the time to support me, I want to take the time to get back to you or at least acknowledge that you’re on my Facebook.”

With Lane’s career screaming down the fast track, what advice can she offer other young talents thinking about radio as a career?

“It takes people to want to sit there and help you learn it. Help you like it or let you make mistakes. If people were mad if you made a mistake or something, I wouldn’t have had so much Joy and excitement that I do working with Nate and Traci.

Photo US 96.3 Website

“I got to come into a company, and I don’t say this lightly, where our owner, Clay Holladay, has been one of my biggest supporters. And I go in and I’m very bold, I have a big personality.”

“I think sometimes people try to dim that a little bit, but I walked into this company and I don’t feel like anybody tried to dim that. I feel like they took it and maybe tried to contain it a little bit. This is the direction we need to go.”

“You can’t walk into a building thinking that you don’t belong. Don’t be cocky. Don’t be arrogant. When you start, have that confidence in yourself. Sometimes, our generation thinks that we know everything. Not open to learning. A big thing for me was that I do belong here, but I’m open to learning just as much as I’m open to teaching things.”

“I’ve had two great companies that have just helped me and the community of Country music. There have been so many people who have just been so kind to me and have been really encouraging. It’s been super cool to see.”

“Take a chance on yourself, because if you don’t, you never know where it can go. I wouldn’t be here today if people didn’t take a chance on me, or if I didn’t take a chance on myself and make a move.”

Follow Hannah Lane on Facebook here.

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NBC News Elevates Kelly O’Donnell to Chief Justice and National Affairs Correspondent: Report

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NBC News has announced that Kelly O’Donnell will be named NBC News’ chief justice and national affairs correspondent, promoting the veteran journalist to one of its most prominent roles covering the Justice Department. According to a report by Deadline, O’Donnell, who has served as NBC’s senior White House correspondent for the past four years, brings more than 30 years of political reporting experience to her new assignment. Her career has included extensive coverage of the White House, Capitol Hill, and eight presidential campaigns.

O’Donnell follows in the footsteps of longtime Justice Department correspondent Pete Williams, who praised her qualifications for the role. “She understands how much the White House and the Justice Department are working together and brings her solid reporting chops to one of the most important beats in town,” Williams said in a statement.

“Kelly brings three decades covering the White House, Capitol Hill and eight political campaigns to this new assignment, with the tenacious and precise reporting that has made her one of the most respected journalists in Washington,” said Chloe Arensberg, NBC News’ Washington bureau chief, in a memo to staff.

O’Donnell’s credentials include leadership roles both inside and outside the newsroom. She served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association from 2023 to 2024 and previously led NBC’s Capitol Hill coverage during a period that spanned three speakerships and several Supreme Court nominations.

In addition, she covered the Supreme Court from 2022 to 2023, making her, as Arensberg noted, “the rare reporter to cover all three branches of government.”

A member of the NBC News team since 1994, O’Donnell has reported on many of the most consequential events in recent history. Her work includes coverage of 9/11, the Oklahoma City bombing, the Columbine school shooting, and the O.J. Simpson case. During the Iraq war, she was embedded with the Third Infantry Division in Fallujah in 2003 and flew on a classified combat mission over Iraq during the air assault on Baghdad.

Over the course of her career, O’Donnell has received two Emmy Awards and the Northwestern Alumni Medal for career achievement. She began her career in broadcast journalism at WJW-TV, then a CBS affiliate in Cleveland, where she worked as an anchor and reporter.

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Fred Toucher: Stephen A. Smith ‘is on ESPN 23 Hours a Day Live’

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During a recent episode of First Take, ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins conveyed that he does not believe Minnesota Timberwolves superstar guard Anthony Edwards can be the face of the league. In his opinion, those who hold this title need to be family men, referencing how Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James and Stephen Curry have all been married with kids while playing. Fred Toucher spoke about Perkins’ take on the Wednesday edition of Toucher & Hardy on 98.5 The Sports Hub, but he prefaced such by reflecting on the current state of ESPN specifically through the lens of commentator and analyst Stephen A. Smith.

Smith, who signed a new contract with ESPN that is reportedly for five years and worth more than $100 million, has been a member of First Take since 2012 and appeared alongside Perkins. Both commentators are currently on the road following the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves to take part in editions of NBA Countdown with Malika Andrews, Bob Myers and Michael Malone. Toucher began his discourse by explaining how Perkins was on “one of the shows with Stephen A. Smith” and has become a star who goes to the studio.

“Stephen A. Smith, to his credit, is very talented, and by that talent, he is on ESPN, as we’ve discussed, he’s in a green-screen prison,” Toucher said. “He is on ESPN 23 hours a day live. I don’t know what show this is on, and I’m not being cute. I couldn’t tell you, you could put a gun to my head.”

Toucher explained that they no longer put ESPN on the television and was not sure if Mike Greenberg was still hosting the morning program. Jon Wallach, anchor at 98.5 The Sports Hub, confirmed that he is still hosting Get Up, leading Toucher to articulate that he knows Smith’s show airs afterwards.

“I think Stephen A. Smith is great that he’s got podcasts and radio and everything else under the sun,” Toucher said. “And by the way, this man has made his fortune in his late 50s, early 60s. This is a guy who was on the grind for a very long time. He was just some Philadelphia Inquirer columnist for a long time.”

Toucher mentioned how it is cool to see some of the high-priced talent at ESPN achieving success in their 60s, referencing Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo and his weekly appearances on First Take. From there, he assured listeners that the people on air do not arrive over-prepared and commented on how Smith had a phone in front of him while Perkins was delivering his take to the audience. Yet Toucher also underscored how he never sees the shows because he is usually sleeping and not at an airport traveling for work.

“These are not on TV to be watched on TV,” Toucher said. “These are on TV to be consumed on the internet later, but have you noticed that they have phones on live TV in front of them. It’s not like Adam Schefter during the Draft or something.”

Toucher also proceeded to criticize First Take in having NBA veteran forwards Marcus and Markieff Morris in their own boxes on the screen despite appearing live in the studios. Earlier in the segment, he questioned Smith’s age after recollecting that he was reading him in the newspaper as a kid. Toucher concluded the discussion surrounding Smith by emphasizing the investment that has been made in him as he also continues to operate his own production company and partake in external ventures.

“The entire budget, as it rightly should, has gone into Stephen A. Smith,” Toucher said. “That I can tell you because it’s a real cheap affair.”

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Tony Reali Reveals Meetings With Two Networks in Interview With ‘The Ringer’

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The final episode of Around the Horn aired last Friday as ESPN put on a massive lineup of panelists from the 23 years the program aired on the network. Additionally, all shared emotional messages of gratitude for the over 4,900 episodes of the program that made air since its debut in November of 2002. Meanwhile, the remaining questions from the end of the program include the reasoning behind its cancellation and what host Tony Reali will do next.

Reali spoke to The Ringer in the days leading up to the finale of Around the Horn and revealed he’s spoken to several networks, including NFL Network and NBC. Moreover, Reali revealed on The Dan Patrick Show that his contract is up in August with ESPN.

The former Around the Horn host told The Ringer, while reflecting on his short stint with ABC’s Good Morning America, how making that decision held him back from pursuing opportunities in the digital space.

“I may have been wrong for some time when I thought, ‘I don’t need a podcast. I have an international television show,’” Reali said to The Ringer. “I took pride in that, and I carried the weight of that. And that may not have been the best career decision, but it was the right heart decision for me.”

Since the finale, Reali has been bombarded with ideas of what his next steps could entail, including hosting another game show, Yankees postgame, or maybe NFL RedZone.

As a point of context, Scott Hanson, who has hosted NFL RedZone since its inception in 2009, is currently a free agent after his contract with the NFL Network expired following the 2024 NFL season. However, it is being reported that he will likely return to the NFL Network, especially following last week’s news that Hanson will return to NBCUniversal’s coverage of Gold Zone on Peacock for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

Furthermore, Reali told Barrett Media earlier this month that he is in the process of launching his own website—a public domain that will provide the audience with an outlet and a chance to assist aspiring sportscasters in their career endeavors. In addition, he has also considered creating parenting content, hosting a game show and children’s television program, and producing videos for his own YouTube channel.

Finally, he told The Ringer that he wished Around the Horn was allowed more time on ESPN.

“I’ve loved working for this network because we can do amazing things with different people,” Reali said. “Somebody can be wearing a cowboy hat when the Cowboys lose, and someone else can be pouring out their heart in a show. I think that’s important for any network. I thought we served that purpose.”

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Formula 1 Grand Prix Monaco Garners Largest Audience in Event History on ABC

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Amid the final season under its existing media rights contract with ESPN, Formula 1 attained a viewership milestone over the weekend with the Monaco Grand Prix being televised on ABC. The race garnered the largest live U.S. television audience ever recorded for the event, averaging 2.3 million viewers for the race-only portion of the broadcast that aired between 9 and 11:30 a.m. EST. Compared to last year when the event averaged nearly 2 million viewers, viewership for the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix was up by 15%. Furthermore, the broadcast peaked with 2.6 million viewers during the 10:30-10:45 a.m. EST quarter hour. An average of 917,000 viewers fell into the Persons 18-49 demographic as well.

The Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix is the third most-viewed event for the entity on television in the United States. The only two races to finish ahead in average viewership emanated from Miami, Fla. last year and in 2022, averaging 3.1 million viewers and 2.6 million viewers, respectively. It should also be noted that the broadcast of Formula 1 Qualifying from Monaco averaged 933,000 viewers on ESPN this past Saturday, indicative of a 28% year-over-year increase in this regard.

ESPN has held the rights to Formula 1 since 2018 after a previous stint broadcasting the property for 13 years beginning in 1984. During last year’s World Championship season, networks of ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC combined to average 1.1 million viewers, tying the 2023 viewership average, and also reached about 30 million fans. Through the ongoing season, Formula 1 telecasts across these networks are averaging 1.3 million viewers, representative of an 18.2% year-over-year rise. If the figure stands, it would break the all-time viewership record for Formula 1 broadcasts from ESPN established in 2022 when races averaged 1.2 million viewers.

Formula 1 is owned by Liberty Media Corporation, a multiplatform conglomerate that named Derek Chang as its president and chief executive officer earlier in the year. Liberty Media and Liberty Sirius XM officially completed a split-off last September that resulted in the satellite radio provider becoming an independent company through the redemption of outstanding shares of Series A, Series B and Series C common stock in the latter in exchange for 0.8375 shares of common stock in “New Sirius.” This new company was then subsequently named “Sirius XM Holdings Inc.,” reducing shares outstanding by 12% through a reverse-stock split under which common stock shares were converted into one-tenth of a share of common stock for the entity.

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Boomer Esiason: I Had No Problem with Pat McAfee Hyping Up Indiana Pacers Fans

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As the Indiana Pacers were trying to close out Game 4 against the New York Knicks with a victory to arrive on the precipice of winning the Eastern Conference and earning a spot in the NBA Finals, a familiar voice was booming through the stands at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Former NFL punter and current talk show host Pat McAfee had the microphone and delivered a live wrestling-style promo in front of the crowd, calling out various celebrities rooting for the Knicks such as Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Timothée Chalamet. McAfee closed out his speech by shouting, “Let’s send these sons of b*****s back to New York with their ears ringing!,” eliciting a zealous reaction from the crowd.

On Wednesday’s edition of Boomer & Gio, WFAN anchor Jerry Recco played audio of McAfee hyping up the crowd and bookended such by emphasizing how there was a feel indicative of wrestling within his discourse. Morning show co-host Gregg Giannotti explained that it is something McAfee is very good at, something that is further substantiated by his role with the company as a commentator on its Raw property.

“Do you think because most people really like Pat McAfee and he’s got all these celebrities on his show – do you think he went up to those guys beforehand and is like, ‘Listen, I’m going to call you sons of b*****s. Just understand I’m doing this for my own brand. I like you guys’?,” Giannotti questioned as it pertained to McAfee. In fact, he surmised that such statements could perturb other people, resulting in co-host Boomer Esiason delivering his opinion as it relates to the situation that unfolded late in the game.

“It’s sports,” Esiason said. “You get competitive and you got fans of each team. I didn’t have a problem with any of it. I thought it was actually quite funny.”

Earlier in the day, McAfee hosted a live edition of his show outside of Gainbridge Fieldhouse featuring special guests such as Shams Charania and Peter Schrager. McAfee has hosted various episodes of The Pat McAfee Show on the road, including from Super Bowl LIV in New Orleans, La., the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. and various college campuses around the country. In addition to working on his program, which operates under a licensing agreement with ESPN, McAfee has also served as an analyst on College GameDay for the last two seasons.

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96.5 KISS-FM Cleveland Debuts New On Air Lineup

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96.5 KISS-FM Cleveland has revamped its on-air lineup with the return of LeeAnn Sommers, who will take over from 10 am to 2 pm.

Sommers will continue with her other cluster duties, which include mornings on Throwback 99.1 and afternoons at Country 99.5 WGAR. Krystle Elise exits the time slot.

Other changes include Allen Colon taking over 6 to 9 pm, which will cause the syndicated “The V-Bros to shift to 9 to 11 pm.

The station’s full lineup now includes:

Elvis Duran and the Morning Show, 6 am to 10 am.

LeeAnn Sommers 10am to 2 pm.

Ryan Seascrest 12 pm to 2 pm

The Jeremiah Show 2 pm to 6 pm

Allen Colon 6 pm to 9 pm.

The VBros 9 pm to 11 pm.

The New Hit List 11 pm – midnight.

Kayla all nite.

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CNN COO David Leavy Leaving To Rejoin Warner Bros. Discovery

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CNN COO David Leavy is returning to his former employer, Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a report in Variety. Leavy joined CNN in June of 2023 following his time as COO of Discovery from 2000 to 2022. He then moved to Warner Bros. Discovery as chief corporate affairs officer from 2022 to 2023 before departing for CNN.

Meanwhile, Variety obtained a memo sent to CNN staff on Wednesday from network CEO Mark Thompson announcing Leavy’s departure from the network.

“David arrived at CNN in tumultuous times and did a brilliant job stabilizing the company at a difficult moment,” said Thompson. “During the transition he led CNN jointly with Amy Entelis, Virginia Moseley and Eric Sherling and played a central part helping me into my role as chairman and CEO before, as COO, leading multiple organizations and teams across revenue, promotion, operations and data.”

However, exact details about Leavy’s new role with his former employer are not known. Nevertheless, Leavy is expected to stay with CNN through late June, according to Variety.

“David fell in love with CNN from the moment he walked in and has supported and championed our journalism and our great brand ever since,” said Thompson. “He’s always been a voice for change and confidence in the future.”

When Leavy joined CNN in 2023, he initially reported to former CNN CEO Chris Licht, who took over for Jeff Zucker. Licht left CNN shortly after Leavy’s hire, following a year of layoffs, low ratings and shrinking profits for the network. Subsequently, following Thompson’s arrival, Leavy was placed as a senior executive charged with maintaining all operations.

Reflecting on his time at CNN, Leavy said, “When David Zaslav first called me about moving over to CNN, the initial plan was a six-month assignment, and that quickly turned into a multi-year drive to help the company pivot, transform and reposition itself for a new multiplatform future,” in a memo obtained by Variety. “I am so thankful for the opportunity, have learned a great deal, and hopefully made a small contribution by bringing some leadership, stability and collaboration to CNN during a challenging and disruptive period in its history.”

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Black Information Network Creates First Ever Youth Engagement Initiative With Obama Foundation

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iHeartMedia’s Black Information Network (BIN) has announced multi-year collaboration with The Obama Foundation aimed at deepening community engagement and empowering youth. This landmark partnership—the first of its kind for BIN—unites BIN’s mission to inform, educate and elevate Black voices with The Obama Foundation’s commitment to cultivating civic leadership and driving lasting social change.

The 24/7 national audio news service dedicated to fact-based, objective news with a distinct Black voice, shares the vision centered on advancing equity, justice and civic participation for future generations alongside the foundation, according to a release.

“This powerful collaboration will deliver important, unbiased information to our audiences, promote civic engagement, and foster inclusive dialogue,” said Tony Coles, president of BIN: Black Information Network. “In today’s news environment, our responsibility is to ensure the stories, commitment and goals of civic and community leaders are heard by our listeners and carried forward by future generations.”

As part of the initiative, BIN will spotlight the Foundation’s key programs, including the Leaders Program, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Girls Opportunity Alliance, and the Obama Foundation Scholars. These programs aim to empower young leaders, expand educational and career access, and cultivate inclusive communities that support sustainable change.

Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation, echoed that sentiment. “The Obama Foundation is proud to partner with BIN in this unique collaboration to advance youth engagement,” she said. “Working together, we will amplify the critical work of the leaders striving every day to make a difference in their communities and elevate stories of progress, unity and justice to a wider audience, inspiring collective action for a more equitable future.”

Furthermore, BIN will help elevate the mission of the Obama Presidential Center—slated to open in 2026—by sharing stories focused on President Obama’s legacy, community-led efforts on Chicago’s South Side and broader national conversations around equity, democracy and change.

According to a release, this collaboration marks a significant step in both organizations’ ongoing efforts to empower the next generation of changemakers.

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Red Apple Networks Announces 4th of July Music Special Featuring “Cousin Brucie” Morrow, Tony Orlando

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Red Apple Music Networks has unveiled plans for a two-hour 4th of July Music Special, as the network continues to deliver top-tier entertainment and talent to radio audiences nationwide during the annual holiday. The patriotic special will be hosted by legendary radio personality Bruce “Cousin Brucie” Morrow and iconic 1970s pop star Tony Orlando.

Offered to radio stations on a barter basis, the program will celebrate America through music and commentary from two of the industry’s most beloved voices.

“Since the launch of the Red Apple Audio Networks, our affiliates have asked — and we have seen a need — for impactful, meaningful content,” said Chad Lopez, president of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. “Whether news or entertainment, we are proud to fill the content voids for radio stations across America.”

The first hour of the special will feature Cousin Brucie, while Orlando will host the second hour. The show will conclude with a heartfelt joint farewell from both hosts, capping off a program designed to resonate with listeners of all ages.

Red Apple Music Networks is the music division of Red Apple Audio Networks. Cousin Brucie’s Rock & Roll Party originates from flagship station 77WABC in New York and is syndicated on 23 stations nationwide. Meanwhile, The Tony Orlando Show also airs on 77WABC every Saturday night, further showcasing RAMN’s commitment to delivering big-name talent and nostalgic appeal.

Earlier this year, Morrow signed an agreement with the music radio arm of Red Apple Audio Networks to offer national syndication with Cousin Brucie’s Rock & Roll Party, hosted by the legendary radio personality. The weekly show marks the second syndicated music program from the network, originating from flagship station 77WABC in New York City.

“Cousin Brucie” began his journey at 77WABC during the early days of rock and roll, becoming a key figure in bringing legendary acts like The Beatles, Motown greats, 1960s soul icons, and surf rock trailblazers to the airwaves. A highlight of his career was interviewing The Beatles during their first visit to the U.S. in 1964. After spending time at SiriusXM, he made his return to 77WABC in 2020, shortly after the station was purchased by John Catsimatidis.

With this latest addition, Red Apple Music Networks continues to position itself as a dynamic force in music radio, combining classic voices with a modern approach to content distribution.

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