CA Radio: Bloodbath At KTIP Follows Sale Announcement

News/Talk KTIP AM 1450 in Porterville CA has parted ways with longtime station operations manager and lead on-air personality Kent Hopper, according to the Visalia Times-Delta.

Hopper was the local news and talk show host for 17 years at the Porterville-based radio station.

"I am still shell shock," Hopper said. "I am hurt."

Hopper's wife, Kathy, and his son, Kyle, were also let go from the station. Kathy Hopper was the station's traffic manager while Kyle Hopper was in charge of the station's website, and live videos.

There are more personnel moves.

Pamela Whitmire, who goes by PK the Redhead, left the station. On Friday, Brian Martinez, the station's assistant operations manager, was fired. Also on Friday, Jesus Solis, who worked on the station's IT department, quit.

The news about the station's sale and personnel moves came suddenly, she said. Nobody at the station knew KTIP was for sale or had been sold. There was a meeting with the new owner and, for a while, it looked like no charges were going to happen.

KTIP 1450 AM (1 Kw)

Kent Hopper said he is proud he helped transform KTIP from an outlet reporting lunch menus at schools and senior centers to one with hard news, featuring interviews with local officials and dignitaries.

"It got people to understand what's going on," he said. "It was more news, more news, more news."

Jose Arredondo, the owner of Tulare's KGEN 94.5 FM, 1370 AM, is acquiring the 70-year-old KTIP.  A call to KGEN seeking comment was not returned.

Kent Hopper said he does not know what's next for KTIP. Arredondo may change the format to Spanish-language programming or remain with news.

"My true hope is that he hires us back when he takes over," he said.