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RTDNA President and CEO Dan Shelley Announces Upcoming Retirement, Tara Puckey to Take Over

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The President and CEO of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), Dan Shelley, has announced he will retire from the position at the conclusion of 2025.

Shelley has dedicated more than 25 years of service to the organization that promotes ethical journalism in the media space.

“It has been the honor of my career to serve broadcast and digital journalists through my roles at RTDNA,” Shelley said. “Throughout my travels around the world on behalf of our association, I have been heartened to see the insatiable thirst for truth and transparency among people even in autocratic societies. During my travels around this country – in the U.S. and state capitols, at journalism schools and professional conferences, and with the general public – I have proudly been a standard bearer for those same principles.

“Now, though, after 45 years working tirelessly, day after day, I have decided it’s time for a new generation of RTDNA staff leaders to finish building our association’s bridge to the ever-changing landscape of what our business will be in the future,” Shelley concluded.

The organization has named RTDNA Executive Director Tara Puckey to succeed Dan Shelley as President and CEO of the organization. She will take the reins effective January 1st after a vote was held by the RTDNA Board of Directors last month.

Puckey has been with the organization since 2018, when she first joined as Director of Strategic Initiatives before being promoted to Chief Staff Officer in 2020 and Executive Director in 2022.

“I’ve spent most of my career serving the inspiring journalists who work each and every day to hold the powerful accountable and tell the stories of their communities,” Puckey said. “It’s an incredible honor to take the torch from Dan — and a challenge because of the standard of excellence he set — but I am thrilled to continue this work with the smart and talented RTDNA staff and leadership.”

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President Donald Trump: FCC Chair Brendan Carr Should ‘Impose Maximum Fines’ on CBS News for Negative Coverage on 60 Minutes

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President Donald Trump has long been a critic of CBS News and has gone as far as to sue the network for an interview with his opponent in the 2024 presidential election — Kamala Harris — that appeared on 60 Minutes. He’s now calling on FCC chair Brendan Carr to levy fines on the organization.

In a Sunday post to Truth Social, the President shared his displeasure with a pair of stories covered by 60 Minutes. The first was an interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that included correspondent Scott Pelley saying that Trump had re-written history by staying that Ukraine — not Russia — had started the war between the two countries.

An additional story focused on the sentiments of Greenland citizens who oppose Trump’s attempt to take over the island nation.

“Almost every week, 60 Minutes … mentions the name ‘TRUMP’ in a derogatory and defamatory way, but this Weekend’s “BROADCAST” tops them all,” President Donald Trump wrote. “I am so honored to be suing 60 Minutes, CBS Fake News, and Paramount, over their fraudulent, beyond recognition, reporting. They did everything possible to illegally elect Kamala, including completely and corruptly changing major answers to Interview questions, but it just didn’t work for them. They are not a ‘News Show,’ but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as “News,” and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing.

The President continued by stating “They should lose their license! Hopefully, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), as headed by its Highly Respected Chairman, Brendan Carr, will impose the maximum fines and punishment, which is substantial, for their unlawful and illegal behavior. CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

CBS News has continually denied claims that it acted nefariously in the editing of its interview with Kamala Harris. It has released the full transcripts which it purports shows no manipulation of the content and believes the edits to the interview were for brevity and clarity.

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Bob Fescoe: Jim Nantz ‘Nailed It’ on Masters Tournament Broadcast

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As Rory McIlroy delivered a putt to win the Masters Tournament in a sudden-death playoff and subsequently became the sixth golfer in history to attain a career Grand Slam, CBS Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz delivered a memorable call documenting the action. Nantz declared that McIlroy now had his masterpiece, and the call received plaudits from industry professionals and users on social media since the culmination of the tournament. Dusty Likins, the co-host of Fescoe and Dusty on 96.5 The Fan, recalled that his colleague Bob Fecsoe sent a text on a group chat asking if the broadcast was going to let Nantz speak.

Fescoe acknowledged the message and qualified such by explaining that viewers heard Nantz when it was most important. Earlier in the show, he had extolled his final call of the tournament leading into larger discussion about the proceedings. As the show revisited the topic in its second hour, Fescoe pointed out another nuance to the overall presentation and how it could potentially be implemented into other competitions.

“Imagine doing an NFL game like that, right, ‘Now let’s go down to the 20-yard line where have another announcer,’ and he’s taking it from that perspective or just different places in the stadium,” Fescoe said. “I like that feel. Obviously, it’s a golf course, there’s different holes, you can’t be on every one. I get all of that, but that’d be kind of fun for a baseball game, like, ‘Now let’s go to the outfield where we have Denny Matthews standing by.’”

As a part of his role on the broadcasts, Nantz appears inside Butler Cabin with Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley to interview the Masters Tournament champion before they are presented with the coveted green jacket. While Nantz has broadcast 40 editions of the tournament and has expressed a desire to potentially reach the 100th playing of the Masters in 11 years, Fescoe enjoyed what the CBS Sports broadcaster expressed alongside McIlroy towards the conclusion of the presentation.

“At one point, he said, ‘I feel like America’s spent watching this,’ and I was like, ‘Hell yeah, I’m spent watching this,’” Fescoe said. “He nailed it. It kind of drains you like a Chiefs game or a Royals baseball playoff game where you’re living and dying on every single pitch or a Chiefs game where you’re living and dying on every single play. That’s kind of how I felt towards the end of that tournament.”

Metrics for CBS Sports broadcasts within the final two rounds have yet to be divulged, but the play ended with a thrilling playoff between Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose with the Masters championship hanging in the balance. Although Fescoe admitted that he does not watch golf, he articulated his passion for big moments in sports and affirmed that it is what the public received on Sunday. The question moving ahead, he later averred, is how baseball in June or basketball in December can hold similar meaning, although he admitted that it could be simply impossible. In the end though, he remembers exhaling when the tournament ended and could not imagine what the athletes feel in those instances.

“We love sports for the way that that match ended yesterday where you’re living and dying on every single shot and every single moment in that,” Fescoe said. “If you’re not a golf fan, which I’m not, that’s fine, but I was a sports fan yesterday, and it was more about sports yesterday than it was about golf yesterday because it gave us the moments we want in every sporting event.”

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SiriusXM Busted Open Radio Announces Road Shows For WrestleMania 41

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SiriusXM program Busted Open, hosted by Dave LaGreca and former WWE superstars Mark Henry, Bully Ray and Tommy Dreamer, will air a series of special broadcasts from Las Vegas from April 17 to 21 as the wrestling world descends on the city for one of its biggest WrestleMania events ever. The popular wrestling show will deliver six live episodes from various venues on the Las Vegas Strip, leading up to WrestleMania 41 weekend at Allegiant Stadium on April 19 and 20.

The special programming begins Thursday, April 17, with a taping of Busted Open: The Master’s Class featuring wrestling legend Ric Flair. The show will be recorded at the rooftop Legacy Club at Circa Resort & Casino from 4 to 5 p.m. PT. The podcast taping will be open to fans who made the trip for the annual event with the episode available later that day on the Busted Open podcast feed.

On Saturday, April 19, the crew will host the annual Busted Open WrestleMania party at Intrigue at Wynn Las Vegas. The live show runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. PT (2 to 4 p.m. ET) and will feature several special guests, including WWE Superstar Natalya.

Throughout the week, LaGreca, Henry, Bully Ray and Dreamer will also broadcast their daily show live from the SiriusXM Studios at Wynn Las Vegas. Those shows will air April 17, 20 and 21 from noon to 3 p.m. ET (9 a.m. to noon PT).

On April 18, Busted Open will broadcast live from “WWE World” at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 3 to 6 p.m. ET (noon to 3 p.m. PT).

Busted Open airs daily from 9 a.m. to noon ET on SiriusXM Fight Nation (channel 156), offering news, analysis and interviews from the world of professional wrestling. The show is available to SiriusXM subscribers and as a podcast on YouTube and major streaming platforms.

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Music Radio Mourns The Passing Of ‘Jed The Fish’

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Jed the Fish, an early supporter of New Wave and Alternative music, has passed away at the age of 69. Edwin Jed Fish Gould III passed peacefully at his Pasadena, California home. He had been battling lung cancer.

He hosted the nationally syndicated “Out of Order” from 1994 to 2013. He was twice awarded the Billboard Modern Rock Personality of the Year award and was once referred to as  “the best pure disc jockey in Los Angeles.”

He also worked at Los Angeles stations 95.5 KLOS and 106.7 KROQ, where he hosted afternoons from 1978 to 2012.

His credits also include films, and he produced El Centro’s debut album.

Keith Cunningham, Master of Mayhem, 95.5 KLOS and Barrett Media Rock Columnist, said, “While I was only fortunate enough to cross paths and work with Jed on a handful of occasions, there’s no denying he was an early pioneer in “personality radio.” I’ve interviewed many who claim Jed was a huge influence on who they became as an entertainer. Much more importantly, I saw a man with a gentle soul who loved music, people and animals. RIP, radio and music lost a legend.

On Linkedin, he wrote of his time at KROQ, “My decades at KROQ are the core of my radio experience. “Right place at the right time. We were leading the way but had no idea. Looking back, it’s plain the influence of this powerhouse reached beyond radio. TV, movies and now the sorts of attitudes and intensities displayed online owe much of their processes to KROQ… Any music lover who grew up in SoCal will tell you KROQ was their buddy for much or most of their lives. You can tell I now take pride in what I did. But I really tried not to while I was doing it… I did have some terse and morally contradictory episodes at KROQ, but I was treated well by executives and colleagues alike. I found very little feedback would stick in my head better than the other way. [Program director] Kevin Weatherly helped me be a better me. This vast experience raced by like all good things. Driving to work, at least 10 times a month, I would remember how lucky I was; that this could all be over any minute. Like the end of the Sopranos.”

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Dan Le Batard: Golf Is the Only Sport Where the Camera Is So Close to the Emotions of It

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Rory McIlroy’s win at the 89th Masters on Sunday was a milestone achievement for the 35-year-old golfer, as he finally has won a career Grand Slam in the sport of golf, capturing the lone missing major tournament win. While the final viewership totals have yet to be released, you can be assured millions of people were watching as Rory sank a birdie putt on the first playoff hole. At the same time, the network’s camera crews were focused on all the raw emotions of the moment.

On Monday, Dan Le Batard was joined by ESPN Around The Horn host Tony Reali to discuss the moments following McIlroy’s victory and, more broadly, the access that the sport of golf presents to capture moments like that—something rarely seen in other sports.

“You can say that they nailed it, but there just isn’t another sport that has the time, space, and setting to be able to put a cameraman closer to the emotion than any other human being,” said Le Batard. “This shot doesn’t exist anywhere else in sports.”

Furthermore, while discussing the camerawork of McIlroy walking to the clubhouse following his victory—with tears in his eyes and emotions overflowing—Reali agreed with the sentiments. He added that no other golfer would have fit that approach to the work done.

“He was perfect for the role,” noted Reali. “I got to go get fitted for a green jacket. That’s a great out, that’s an incredible out.”

Additionally, Reali said the moment shot and presented by CBS Sports was cinema, noting that with live television, it’s rare to get that type of moment.

“Just give them the Emmy right now,” joked Reali.

Later in the conversation, Le Batard noted the difficulties surrounding not only capturing, but appreciating a moment like the one McIlroy made—especially given his history filled with choking away victories at this tournament.

“The idea that you can be close enough to see the humanity and his relief because it’s joy but it’s also relief,” said Le Batard. “You’re seeing in that moment a person who is as happy as he can be, and as grateful as he can be. And you’re capturing the intimacy of that up his nostrils.”

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620 WTMJ Pairs Steve Scaffidi, Kristin Brey As Part of Lineup Shuffle

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620 WTMJ has announced a lineup shuffle at the Good Karma Brands Milwaukee news/talk station. In the process, it will pair Steve Scaffidi and Kristin Brey, already members of its team, in the new offerings.

Beginning on Wednesday, April 16th, Scaffidi and Kristin Brey will combine to form a new midday show called Point Taken. The new program will air from 10 AM to Noon.

“Steve first invited me to come onto his show back in 2020 and we hit it off immediately. He is largely the reason I have a career in radio at all,” Brey said. “After years of being a guest on each other’s shows or a fill in host, I am so excited that we finally have the chance to tussle with the biggest political stories of the day with each other every weekday.  We rarely agree but we always have fun and I think that’s the kind of energy that makes good radio and interesting conversations.” 

“I’m thrilled to finally be able to work with Kristin on a daily basis,” Scaffidi added. “We recently launched our podcast, You Need to Listen, but having two hours with her each weekday morning will offer our fans and listeners a chance to hear our unique perspectives on the news of the day.”

Currently, Scaffidi hosts the Political Power Hour from 9-10 AM on 620 WTMJ, while Brey was previously paired with Brian Noonan for Spanning the State from 1-3 PM until his exit earlier this month.

As part of the lineup shuffle, The Upswing, a politically-focused show hosted by Jeff Sherman from 10-11 AM, will move to the weekend lineup and also be produced as a weekly podcast.

Wisconsin’s Morning News will air from 6-10 AM with Vince Vitrano and Eirk Bilstad anchoring the program. After Point Taken with Scaffidi and Brey airs from 10 AM to noon on 620 WTMJ, Wisconsin’s Midday News with Greg Matzek and Jessica Tighe will air from Noon until 3 PM, which will be followed by Wisconsin’s Afternoon News with John Mercure and Julie Fello.

“We are extremely excited to be evolving our lineup to best serve fans across Wisconsin with trusted and relevant news content that will center around the biggest, most impactful stories each day,” Good Karma Brands Milwaukee Market Manager Greg Scalzo said. “Our team is committed to meeting fans where they are with credible information and analysis that they can trust and engage with.” 

“We have a lineup full of extremely talented hosts and are excited to continue to showcase their abilities as part of this new lineup,” added WTMJ Director of Content Mike Spaulding. “There’s a desire now more than ever by our fans to be plugged into the current events happening in Wisconsin and across the country and believe this lineup gives us the best opportunity to do that.” 

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American Urban Radio Networks Promotes Carrie Cleary And Tracy Lee

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American Urban Radio Networks (AURN) has announced leadership promotions in Pittsburgh.

The networks, which caters to African American Audiences, has promoted Carrie Cleary to Vice President of Program Operations and Traffic. She will direct AURN’s programming operations and traffic initiatives.

Tracy Lee has been named Senior Director of Program Operations, Traffic, and Affiliations. Previously, Lee managed the network’s day-to-day operations and affiliate relationships.

Lenore Williams, Senior Vice President of Program Operations and Affiliations, said, “Both Carrie and Tracey exemplify the leadership, dedication, and passion that drive our success. Their deep experience and dedication to AURN’s mission have made them invaluable assets to the team. These promotions are not only well deserved but also pivotal as we expand our impact and continue to lead the industry in service to our affiliates and advertisers.”

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Kenny Albert to Serve as New Television Voice of New York Rangers

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Kenny Albert has been named the new television play-by-play announcer for New York Rangers hockey, an industry source confirmed to Barrett Media on Monday. Albert, who has called Rangers games on the radio since the 1995-96 season and occasionally fills in on television broadcasts, is now joining the MSG Networks broadcast booth as Sam Rosen retires at the end of the season.

Alex Faust, former play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Kings who has split radio duties with Albert and Don La Greca in recent years, is expected to fill in on television as needed. Mollie Walker of the New York Post was the first to report Albert moving into the role held by Rosen on the broadcasts starting next season. Furthermore, Peter Baugh of The Athletic has reported that Faust will replace Albert as the radio play-by-play announcer for the team.

“It is an incredible thrill and honor to be named the third lead Rangers television play-by-play voice of the last half century,” Albert said in a statement. “I grew up watching Jim Gordon call Rangers hockey, and Sam Rosen has been a friend and colleague for three decades. Sam has been the soundtrack for generations of Blueshirts fans…the memories of his calls will last a lifetime!

“I have enjoyed each and every second calling Rangers games on the radio for 29 seasons – the last 20 with Dave Maloney. Madison Square Garden has been my second home since I was a youngster, and I am so grateful to MSG Networks and the Rangers organization for this tremendous opportunity.”

In addition to his role with MSG Networks, Albert is the lead play-by-play announcer for the NHL on TNT broadcast property and previously called the Stanley Cup Final. Furthermore, he is a play-by-play announcer for FOX Sports NFL broadcasts and has worked with analyst Jonathan Vilma for the last five seasons. Albert became the first play-by-play announcer to broadcast 500 regular season or postseason games for the same network last year and is an original voice for the franchise that launched in 1994.

“For the past 40 years, MSG Networks, the Rangers and Rangers fans have been privileged to have had Hall of Famer Sam Rosen, truly one of sports broadcasting’s all-time greats, in the booth calling Rangers games,” Andrea Greenberg, president and chief executive officer of MSG Networks, said in a statement. “Nobody is better suited to succeed Sam than Kenny Albert, who has established himself as one of the most accomplished and preeminent sports broadcasters of our time and has been a member of our MSG Networks broadcast crew for the last 30 years. We’re very excited about Kenny’s continued association with the Rangers as our principal television play-by-play announcer.”

Rosen has been the play-by-play announcer for Rangers games on MSG Networks for the last 40 years and has worked with analysts Phil Esposito, John Davidson and Joe Micheletti over that tenure. The Rangers organization honored Rosen in a pregame ceremony last month, and he was named the recipient of the prestigious Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Rosen was also the winner of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2016 and is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and New York State Hockey Hall of Fame. Throughout his broadcast career, he called 12 Stanley Cup Final series on NHL Radio and football games for FOX Sports over 23 seasons as well.

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Aircheck: Booker aka Romeo 2001 Top 40 Q95.5 Detroit

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In 2001, Booker held down evenings at Top 40 Q95.5 Detroit. He would work his way to Z100 New York, where he changed his name to Romeo.

Before the days of advising talent not to make listeners jump through hoops to win prizes, Booker was doing things that would likely send the legal department into cardiac arrest today.

A word of caution. If you have a weak stomach, you might want to skip the first part of the video, where a listener joins the show to drink two-week-old milk to win backstage passes to see Uncle Kracker.

He is also making calls overseas with a listener trying to get someone on the other end of the call to say, “Bare Naked Ladies.”

It’s entertaining and funny, but it now sounds dated in the current litigious society.

From California Airchecks, here’s Booker from 2001.

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