LayOffs Spreading At Alpha Media

Alpha Media, which operates more than 200 local radio stations in 44 markets, has recently laid off staff at stations in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota1. The layoffs have impacted radio stations in Mankato, Austin/Albert Lea, and Luverne, among other cities in these states. While Alpha Media has not officially commented on the purge, reports indicate that the layoffs include on-air talent at these stations.

 Additionally, the staff of SouthernMinnesotaNews.com has also been affected. Market manager Theron Hayse confirmed the layoffs to Bring Me the News.

In Minnesota, the impacted stations include:

• Mankato: Mix 99.1, Country 103.5, River 105, and Rock 95.
• Austin: KAUS-1480 and 99.9 Quick Country.
• Albert Lea: KATE-1450 and 94.9 The Breeze.

Outside of Minnesota, on-air staff have been laid off at stations in Mason City, Grinnell, and Fort Dodge, Iowa, as well as three South Dakota markets: Brookings, Watertown, and Madison. The company has not publicly outlined the reasons for the layoffs or what comes next for its stations. However, there are indications that Alpha Media stations will shift programming toward national syndication