Labor Day 2025: Here's To The American Worker

 Labor Day, is a legal holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, and the Virgin Islands.

Canada also celebrates Labour Day on the same day.

What Labor Day Means

For most people, Labor Day means two things: a day off and a chance to say goodbye to the summer. But why is it called Labor Day? Labor Day is a day set aside to pay tribute to working men and women. It has been celebrated as a national holiday in the United States and Canada since 1894.

"Labor Day differs in every essential way from the other holidays of the year in any country," said Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime president of the American Federation of Labor. "All other holidays are in a more or less degree connected with conflicts and battles of man's prowess over man, of strife and discord for greed and power, of glories achieved by one nation over another. Labor Day...is devoted to no man, living or dead, to no sect, race, or nation."

Who started Labor Day?

Like most cultural events, there is still some doubt over its origination. Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor working men and women. But many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday.

Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear however is that the Central Labor Union adopted the Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union.

In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.

In the USA, governmental recognition first came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. The first state bill was introduced into the New York legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year,

Still, it wasn't until the May 1894 strike by employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company and the subsequent deadly violence related to it that President Grover Cleveland suggested making Labor Day a national holiday. On June 28th 1894, as a way of mending fences with workers, he signed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories.

There is a tradition of not wearing white after Labor Day. This fashion faux pas dates back to the late Victorian era. The Emily Post Institute explains that white indicated you were still in vacation mode, so naturally when summer ended so did wearing white.

Sources: US Department of Labor, PBS, US Census

Radio HIstory: Sept 1

➦In 1887…Inventor Emile Berliner filed for a patent for the lateral-cut, flat-disk gramophone he invented, a device better known as a record player.

A year earlier Berliner began experimenting with methods of sound recording. He was granted his first patent for what he called the "Gramophone" later in 1887. The patent described recording sound using horizontal modulation of a stylus as it traced a line on a rotating cylindrical surface coated with an unresisting opaque material such as lampblack, subsequently fixed with varnish and used to photoengrave a corresponding groove into the surface of a metal playback cylinder.

In practice, Berliner opted for the disc format, which made the photoengraving step much less difficult and offered the prospect of making multiple copies of the result by some simpler process such as electrotyping, molding or stamping. In 1888 Berliner was using a more direct recording method, in which the stylus traced a line through a very thin coating of wax on a zinc disc, which was then etched in acid to convert the line of bared metal into a playable groove.

Berliner also invented what was probably the first radial aircraft engine (1908), a helicopter (1919), and acoustical tiles (1920s).

➦In 1900...Don Wilson was born (Died from a stroke at age 81 – April 25, 1982). He  is remembered best as the rotund announcer and comic foil to the star of The Jack Benny Program.

Don Wilson

Wilson began his radio career as a singer over Denver radio station KFEL in 1923.By 1929, he was working at KFI, and shortly afterwards for Don Lee at KHJ, in Los Angeles. In a 1978 appearance on Tomorrow with Tom Snyder, Wilson claimed he was fired from KHJ because he had bought a Packard from Earle C. Anthony, the business arch-rival of Cadillac dealer Don Lee and owner of KFI and KECA.

Though best known for his comedy work with Benny, Wilson had a background as a sportscaster, covering the opening of the 1932 Summer Olympics. Don appeared in two Broadway shows in the 1930s, "The Passionate Pilgrim", which opened October 19, 1932, and "The First Legion", which opened October 1, 1934.

Wilson first worked with Benny on the broadcast of April 6, 1934, he possessed a resonant voice, a deep belly laugh, and a plump figure, all of which would become important parts of his character with Benny.

➦In 1934...CKLW radio Windsor moved from 840 KHz to 1030 KHz with 5000 watts.

CKLW first came on the air on June 2, 1932 as CKOK on 540 kilocycles.  The Station was built by George Storer and was sold to a group of Windsor-area businessmen led by Malcolm Campbell, operating as "Essex Broadcasters, Ltd." CKOK became CKLW and moved to 840 kHz in 1933, when Essex Broadcasters, Ltd. merged with the London, ON Free Press and its station CJGC (now CFPL), and became "Western Ontario Broadcasting", which was co-owned by Essex Broadcasters, and the London Free Press. The "LW" in the callsign is said to have stood for "London, Windsor", considered to be the two chief cities in the station's listening area.

In 1934, when London Free Press's station CJGC pulled out of the agreement, the station's ownership became wholly owned by Western Ontario Broadcasters. CJGC later evolved into today's CFPL 980, while CKLW moved from 840 to 1030 kc. in 1934, before settling on its present frequency of 800 kHz in 1941, thanks to a shuffle of frequency allocations.

CKLW for most of its history had a distinct American accent to its programming, and for a number of years served as the Detroit affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System, an affiliation that began with its switch from CBS to Mutual September 29, 1935, and which would last from then until its purchase by RKO General in 1963.

After RKO General took over the station and its FM sister (93.9) in 1963, CKLW began to shed the variety-format approach and, as "Radio Eight-Oh", began focusing more aggressively on playing contemporary hits and issuing a record survey. Davies, Knowles, Dave Shafer, Tom Clay, Tom Shannon, Larry Morrow (as "Duke Windsor"), Terry Knight, and Don Zee were among the "Radio Eight-Oh" personalities during this time. The station did well thanks to its huge signal, and beat the local competition in Cleveland, Ohio, though in the local Detroit ratings CKLW still lagged well behind competing hit outlet WKNR.

However, on April 4, 1967, CKLW got a drastic makeover with Bill Drake's "Boss Radio" format, programmed locally by Paul Drew. Initially known as "Radio 8" with PAMS jingles, within a few months the station's final transformation into "The Big 8," with new jingles sung by the Johnny Mann Singers, was complete, and the station was on a rapid ratings upswing. In July 1967, CKLW claimed the number one spot in the Detroit ratings for the first time, and WKNR was left in the dust, switching to an easy listening format as WNIC less than five years later.

Radio History: Aug 31

➦In 1916...Journalist Daniel Schorr born (Died at 93 – July 23, 2010). He covered world news for more than 60 years. He was most recently a Senior News Analyst for National Public Radio (NPR). Schorr won three Emmy Awards for his television journalism. Born in the Bronx, NY, he began his journalism career at the age of 13, when he came upon a woman who had jumped or fallen from the roof of his apartment building. After calling the police, he phoned the Bronx Home News and was paid $5 for his information.

Following several years as a stringer, in 1953 he joined CBS News as one of the recruits of Edward R. Murrow (becoming part of the later generation of Murrow's Boys).   Schorr died from an apparent "short illness" on July 23, 2010, at a Washington, D.C. hospital. He was 93 years old. Schorr's last broadcast commentary for NPR aired on Saturday, July 10, 2010.

➦In 1920...The first news program to be broadcast on radio was aired. The station was 8MK in Detroit, MI.

Circa 1920

8MK soon became WWJ and was founded by The Detroit News; the mixed letter/number calls were assigned to the station by the United States Department of Commerce Bureau of Navigation, the government bureau responsible for radio regulation at the time. The 8 in the call sign referred to its location in the 8th Radio Inspection District, while the M in the call sign identified that the station operated under an amateur license. It is not clear why the Detroit News applied for an amateur license instead of an experimental license. As an amateur station, it broadcast at 200 meters (the equivalent of 1500 AM).

8MK was initially licensed to Michael DeLisle Lyons, a teenager, and radio pioneer. He assembled the station in the Detroit News Building but the Scripps family asked him to register the station in his name, because they were worried this new technology might only be a fad, and wanted to keep some distance. Later that year, Michael and his brother Frank, also assembled the first radio in a police car in Toledo, Ohio (with Ed Clark who started WJR 760 AM in Detroit). They captured a prowler using the radio, making national headlines. RCA got the contract to install radios in police cars across the country.

➦In 1941... Great Gildersleeve, a spin-off of Fibber McGee & Molly debuted on NBC. The show continued to air to 1957.

➦In 1942...'The Adventures of Superman', the long-running radio serial which started in 1940 on WOR NYC, moved to the Mutual Broadcast System. It aired as a 15-minute serial, running three or, usually, five times a week. From February 7 to June 24, 1949, it ran as a thrice-weekly half-hour show. The series shifted to ABC Saturday evenings on October 29, 1949, and then returned to afternoons twice a week on June 5, 1950, continuing on ABC until March 1, 1951. In all, 2,088 original episodes of The Adventures of Superman aired on radio.

NJ Radio: Robby Bridges Exits As The Boss at 107.1 WWZY

Robby Bridges, a veteran radio programmer and morning host, announced his departure from Press Communications’ Classic Hits “107.1 The Boss” (WWZY Long Branch/99.7 WBHX Tuckerton, NJ) on August 29, 2025, after a four-year tenure as Program Director and co-host of “Robby and Rochelle in the Morning” with his wife, Rochelle Gagnon.

Bridges joined WWZY/WBHX in September 2021, initially as Program Director, taking over from retiring VP of Programming Jeff Rafter, and was promoted to VP of Programming in January 2023.

Robby Bridges

During his time, he shifted the station from Classic Rock to a full-service Classic Hits format, enhancing its market presence in the competitive Monmouth-Ocean area. 

He described his exit as “on my terms and by my choice,” expressing pride in the team and station built, stating, “It’s been truly something special.” He hinted at “new adventures” but did not disclose specific future plans.

His wife, Rochelle Gagnon, will continue hosting mornings at WWZY/WBHX. Bridges also hosts the syndicated “Robby’s Top 20 Countdown,” a two-hour weekly show featuring top 20 hits from a specific year in the 1980s or 1990s, which launched in 2025 on WWZY/WBHX and WEBE 108 in Bridgeport, CT.

Robby & Rochelle

Bridges’ extensive career includes roles as VP of Programming for MacDonald Garber Broadcasting in Traverse City, MI, Director of FM Programming for Cumulus Media Detroit, Operations Manager for Townsquare Media Portsmouth, NH, and Program Director for WEBE 108 (Westport, CT) and WFAS-FM (White Plains, NY), as well as Assistant Program Director at 95.5 WPLJ New York.  He also serves as a guest host for Scott Shannon’s “True Oldies Channel.”

No specific reason for his exit was provided, but his departure follows a successful run, with Press Communications CEO Robert McAllan noting in 2023 that Bridges’ leadership drove significant growth for WWZY/WBHX.

Memphis Radio: WDIA-AM, A Community's Lifeline

For over 75 years, WDIA in Memphis, Tennessee, has been America’s first all-Black radio station, earning fierce listener loyalty. For 42 of those years, host Bev Johnson has been its heart and soul.

“She’s connected to the community,” one listener told CBS News. Another called her “the queen.”

In a recent Eye on America segment, Johnson shared the secret to her enduring success and WDIA’s vital role, aired August 28, 2025.

“People want to be educated, and WDIA has always done that,” said Johnson, a Memphis resident since college. “I’m ‘your girlfriend’—listeners tell me everything.”

Launched in June 1947 at 730 AM, WDIA initially struggled with varied formats like country and classical, owned by two white men, per the National Civil Rights Museum. In 1948, hiring Nat D. Williams, a respected African American teacher and columnist, transformed it into a trailblazing Black radio station, per the Radio Hall of Fame.

Beyond music, iHeartMedia's WDIA became a lifeline for Black Memphis, covering overlooked issues like police brutality, housing inequities, and civil rights, Johnson noted. “We gave them information they couldn’t get elsewhere.”

The station championed Black-owned businesses and led charity drives, like the Goodwill Fund for school supplies, scholarships, and medical care for Black children. It also spearheaded fundraising to preserve the Lorraine Motel—where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968—helping establish the National Civil Rights Museum in 1991.

Today, Johnson hosts alongside experts like attorneys Monika Johnson and Ursula Woods, providing critical resources. “A lot of times, my guests share information our listeners can’t afford otherwise,” she said, noting Memphis’ one-in-five poverty rate, per the University of Memphis.

“Knowledge makes a difference,” said Monika Johnson. Woods added, “Bev truly understands the community—their needs, desires, and what makes them laugh. She makes everyone feel like family.”

After 42 years, Johnson remains committed. “I still have work to do, guiding folks with a little wisdom,” she said.

BIA Hopeful For Radio Revenue Lift In 2026

BIA Advisory Services indicates an optimistic shift for broadcasters in 2026 after a subdued 2025 forecast, with radio poised for a rebound in over-the-air (OTA) revenue and continued digital growth.

Politics is the primary catalyst, as BIA projects $7.9 billion in political ad spending across local media in the 2026 midterms—one of the biggest cycles yet. This includes all 435 House seats, 35 Senate races, 36 gubernatorial contests, and 30 attorney general positions, driving campaigns to saturate local markets.

Marketron CEO Jimshade Chaudhari, BIA VP of Forecasting and Data Analysis Senan Mele this week detailed expectations: radio OTA revenue to rise 1.83% year-over-year in 2026, flipping 2025's projected declines, while digital radio revenue grows 5.01% following a 4.5% increase in 2025.

➤Webinar Playback:  HERE

Chaudhari emphasized urgency, deeming the election “too large an opportunity to overlook” and advising sellers to bundle OTA, digital, and CTV packages while sharpening inventory tactics for peak demand.

Radio maintains a strong edge in local ads, per Nielsen, delivering a $10 return per dollar invested, affirming its efficiency.

Broadcasters may see a pre-2026 lift too, with BIA forecasting a 1.2% uptick in U.S. retail sales for the 2025 holidays, prompting earlier ad campaigns to target shoppers before a delayed Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

NFL Sees Record Revenue from Media Rights

A new S&P Global Market Intelligence Kagan study underscores football’s dominance in U.S. TV and streaming, identifying it as the most popular sport and forecasting record NFL media rights revenue for the 2025-26 season.

The study estimates that broadcasters and streamers have secured NFL media rights deals worth nearly $110 billion over 11 years, more than doubling previous agreements.  This surge reflects the NFL’s robust media presence and financial growth.

The report highlights the NFL’s strategic focus on 2029 media rights opt-outs and international expansion to meet Commissioner Roger Goodell’s goal of $25 billion in annual revenue by 2027.

Streaming platforms are deepening their NFL involvement. Netflix will broadcast two Christmas games annually from 2024 to 2026, valued at $150 million per year, while YouTube will stream its first exclusive game this season and has a multiyear deal for an annual Super Bowl Flag Football game.

Despite a 2.2% drop in domestic viewership in 2024, the NFL’s media presence grew through new rights partnerships and stronger streaming engagement, reinforcing its appeal to U.S. audiences, per the study.

Nashville Radio: Amy Paige Lands On Cimulus Media's WSM-FM

Amy Paige, a veteran Nashville country radio personality, moved to middays on Cumulus Media’s “95.5 WSM” (WSM-FM) in Nashville as part of a host swap with sister station “103.3 Country” (WKDF-FM). 

Previously, Paige had been hosting middays on WKDF since January 2022, following a nine-year stint at iHeartMedia’s “The Big 98” (WSIX-FM) from 2011 to 2020. The move saw Lucas Phelan, formerly in middays at WSM-FM, shift to WKDF’s midday slot.

Paige’s transition to WSM-FM, which has dropped its “Nash Icon” branding for a broader country format, aligns with her reputation as a natural storyteller with a passion for country music and deep Nashville roots. 

She expressed excitement about reconnecting with Music City listeners, having called Nashville home for over 15 years. Her career also includes stints at SiriusXM’s “Prime Country” and “The Highway,” as well as stations like WMZQ and WRQX in Washington, D.C., WYNY in New York, and WDRE in Garden City, NY.

The swap is part of broader changes at Cumulus Nashville, including WSM-FM going jockless earlier in 2025 and losing hosts Marty McFly, Lisa Manning, and Stewart James, with Big D & Bubba and Tyler Reese moving from WKDF to WSM-FM. 

Paige now hosts weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on WSM-FM, bringing her engaging style to a station emphasizing modern and classic country hits.

Madison Radio: Kitty Dunn Exits WMMM After 33-Years

Kitty Dunn, co-host of “Jonathan and Kitty in the Morning,” signed off from Madison’s 105.5 Triple M (WMMM) for the last time on Friday, ending a 26-year run alongside Jonathan Suttin, weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m.

Minutes after her final broadcast, Dunn shared, “Thank you for your loyalty and friendship. The music’s not going anywhere—turn it up and live life loud!” 

The duo, a Madison staple, has won or placed in Madison Magazine’s Best of Madison every year since 2003, often taking gold.

Dunn joined Triple M 33 years ago, initially working with John Urban before partnering with Suttin in 1999. “I feel the listeners’ love. Jonathan and I started liking each other around year 23 or 24,” she quipped. 

“Madison’s a great place for radio and music. I’m not leaving town, and I’m so grateful for the support.”

Suttin, likening their bond to a sibling rivalry, said, “Kitty’s been like my big sister, steering me right and picking on me—sometimes when I deserve it, sometimes not.” He called the departure “like a bad breakup,” admitting he’s navigating “all the stages of grief.”

Before WMMM, Dunn started in radio journalism. “Here, I got to do news while letting my wild personality shine—an amazing opportunity,” she said. “People warned my attitude would get me in trouble, but it’s also kept me employed.”

Suttin reassured listeners, “We’ll keep creating music, having fun, giving away concert tickets, and laughing or crying about the world. You’ll keep me in line.” He’ll continue hosting weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. on 105.5 Triple M.

Detroit-Windsor Radio: Alt-Rock Station 89X Is Back

After a five-year hiatus, the iconic alternative rock station 89X returned to the airwaves on Thursday, reviving a beloved fixture of the Detroit-Windsor music scene. 

Bell Media’s Windsor-based CIMX-FM (88.7), which had shifted to country as Pure Country 89 in 2020, relaunched as “Windsor’s Alternative” at 8:08 a.m. with Jane’s Addiction’s “Stop!”—the same song that launched the brand in May 1991.

The station, sporting a new logo, closed its country era with four Johnny Cash tracks, ending with “The Man Comes Around.” 

Program Director Brad Gibbs noted, “We’ve been teasing this for a week, and the city’s response has been incredible. It’s a full-circle moment.”

Known for events like the Night 89X Stole Christmas and 89X Birthday Bash, 89X cultivated a loyal cross-border following over nearly three decades. Its return is billed as “the relaunch of a movement.” 

The station posted on its New Rock 89X Facebook, “Windsor’s Alternative is back. Did you miss us? Because we missed YOU!

”Fans flooded social media with excitement. “Jane’s Addiction at 8 a.m. never sounded better,” one commented. Another wrote, “Welcome back, 89X! You’re my No. 1 preset now. Loved the Johnny Cash send-off for Pure Country.”

College Football Kicks Off

The 2025 college football season kicks into full swing this weekend, featuring three games between top 10 teams—the most such matchups this early in a season in the sport's history.

ESPN’s College GameDay Built by The Home Depot is back for its 39th season and kicks off the new year live from Columbus, Ohio, before the reigning National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes host the Texas Longhorns in a College Football Playoff Semifinal rematch. The premier college football pregame show will be live from outside St. John Arena on Ohio State’s campus for its 26th trip all time – the most of any school to host the show, beginning at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN and ESPNU.

The show marks a send-off for one of college football’s most beloved personalities as Lee Corso makes his final appearance after 38 seasons on College GameDay. Corso has been part of the show since it debuted in 1987, and he has entertained crowds on more than 70 college campuses and other game sites. 

Entering his final telecast, Corso has made 430 headgear picks all-time, including picking the Buckeyes a record 45 times. The 90-year-old will make his final headgear pick back where he began the tradition, donning Ohio State’s Brutus Buckeye mascot head in Columbus on October 5, 1996.

At night, No. 4 Clemson hosts No. 9 LSU (7:30 pm ET, ABC), while Sunday features No. 6 Notre Dame traveling to No. 10 Miami (7:30 pm ET). The first game showcases one of the season’s top storylines—the full-time debut of Arch Manning, scion of the dynasty that includes NFL greats Peyton and Eli. Also to watch are eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick’s first season at North Carolina, whether Alabama can return to the playoffs, and more.

Texas Most Valuable College Football Program

Despite no national championship in 20 years, the University of Texas Longhorns, a 132-year-old football program, is America’s most valuable college football team, valued at $2.38 billion, according to The Athletic’s recent estimates—nearly half a billion more than the second-place Georgia Bulldogs.

The Athletic’s valuation, described as a mix of “back-of-the-envelope math” and “common sense,” reflects the Longhorns’ financial dominance. Over the past three years, Texas averaged $183 million in annual revenue, peaking last season as the only program to exceed $200 million in sales. 

By contrast, Georgia averaged $147 million annually, and Ohio State, ranked third, posted $116 million.

The Athletic noted its boldest assumption with USC, whose $73 million average annual revenue suggests a $900 million valuation, but was adjusted to $1.4 billion to account for Big Ten revenue shares, USC’s brand strength, Los Angeles market, and other financial factors.

NYC Radio: Hot 97 Revamps Line-Up

Funkmaster Flex shocked his Hot 97 audience, announcing that his iconic 7 PM slot would end after Thursday, August 28, 2025, due to a major schedule shakeup. TMZ Hip Hop confirmed with multiple sources that, post-Labor Day, Flex will take over the 5 PM to 10 PM slot.

Nessa Nitty will shift to 1 PM to 5 PM, while the morning show adjusts to 6 AM to 11 AM. DJ Drewski will handle 11 AM to 1 PM, and DJ Camilo, previously at 4 PM to 7 PM, will now spin from 4 PM to 5 PM.

Veteran DJ Enuff and TT Torrez are exiting Mediaco's WQHT. 

Enuff, who joined Hot 97 in 1998 after being Notorious B.I.G.’s road DJ, served as Mixshow Coordinator and noon-hour DJ, also mixing on sister station 107.5 WBLS. His career began at WRKS-FM (98.7 Kiss-FM) as DJ Red Alert’s fill-in. Torrez, with Hot 97 since 2014 as VP/Artist & Label Relations and Music Director, hosted middays since April 2023. She previously worked at WCHH Charlotte, WNSB Norfolk, WUSL Philadelphia, WCDX Richmond, and Music Choice. DJ Enuff has been released into free agency.

Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of Summer 2025 Unveiled

As summer unfolds, listeners across the Northern Hemisphere curate the perfect seasonal soundtrack.

Spotify’s annual Songs of Summer tradition tracks this vibe—from early predictions to a midseason wildcard and the final end-of-summer reveal.

For the second consecutive year, Spotify’s global editorial team has selected not one but five defining tracks, reflecting the evolving, personal, and global nature of music listening. These picks blend streaming data, cultural impact, and editorial expertise to capture the season’s essence.

This year’s Top 5 leans into a softer, introspective mood, marking the least danceable and lowest-energy summer in a decade, based on Spotify’s analysis of track tempos, rhythm, beat strength, and regularity.

Spotify’s Top 5 Songs of Summer 2025 (Listed alphabetically by artist)

• “Ordinary” by Alex Warren
• “Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng, Shenseea
• “Love Me Not” by Ravyn Lenae
• “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter
• “back to friends” by sombrIntrospective Vibes, Global Reach

The 2025 lineup reflects a shift toward personal, emotionally rich tracks. 

Breakout stars like Alex Warren, Ravyn Lenae, and sombr dominate playlists with vulnerable, lyrical depth. Meanwhile, global hits like “Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix” soared on Spotify’s Top 50 in over 45 countries, blending introspection with international appeal.

Charlamagne Rips Former DNC Chair During Heated Interview

Radio host Charlamange Friday confronted former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime Harrison during a heated interview on The Breakfast Club.

Charlamagne criticized Harrison for not addressing former President Joe Biden’s mental and physical decline during the 2024 presidential campaign, accusing Democrats of lying to voters and damaging the party’s credibility. He argued that Harrison, as DNC Chair from 2021 to 2025, "could have and should have" urged Biden to step down, especially after Biden’s widely criticized June 2024 debate performance against Donald Trump, which highlighted concerns about his mental acuity. 

Charlamagne called the Democratic brand “toxic and disgusting” and pointed to the party’s handling of Biden’s decline as a factor in their 2024 election loss. He also referenced a book by CNN’s Jake Tapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, Original Sin, which alleges a cover-up of Biden’s condition, claiming Biden once shook Harrison’s hand without recognizing him.

Charlamagne grills ex-DNC chair about Biden, says he failed to 'tell the truth' https://t.co/9mTxmeEwYy #FoxNews

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) August 30, 2025

Harrison pushed back, calling the DNC’s supposed power to choose candidates “baloney” and arguing that Biden only withdrew on July 21, 2024, to avoid tearing the party apart. 

He admitted the party mishandled issues like immigration but denied having the authority to force Biden out, suggesting other Democrats should have challenged him in the primaries. Charlamagne dismissed this, noting that candidates like Rep. Dean Phillips, who ran against Biden, were marginalized by the party. The exchange grew tense, with co-host DJ Envy interjecting to defend Harrison, but Charlamagne insisted Democrats failed voters by not being transparent about Biden’s fitness, a sentiment echoed in his prior criticisms of figures like Rep. Eric Swalwell and former Biden press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

Some News Outlets KowTow To Westman's Pronouns

The issue of news outlets using the preferred pronouns of individuals accused of serious crimes, including murder, is sparking significant debate 

Robin Westman, the 23-year-old transgender individual who changed name from Robert to Robin in 2019, this week killed two children and injured 17 others during a Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Westman, a biological male identifying as female, died by suicide after the attack.

Media Response: Several outlets, including The Washington Post, NBC News, ABC News, The Daily Mail, and Newsweek, referred to Westman using feminine pronouns ("she/her") and described them as a "transgender woman" or "daughter" in their coverage. For example, The Washington Post used "she" and noted Westman’s name change, while ABC News highlighted Westman’s female gender marker on their driver’s license. NBC News described Westman as a person in "her early 20s" and referenced disturbing YouTube videos.

Criticism: Critics, including posts on X and conservative outlets like The Daily Caller and NewsBusters, argued that using Westman’s preferred pronouns prioritizes gender identity over the gravity of the crime, potentially distracting from the victims—two young children. 

Some accused media of pandering to "woke" ideology. For instance, CNN’s Jake Tapper was criticized on X for emphasizing Westman’s pronouns during a broadcast, calling it disrespectful to the victims.

Fresh SiriusXM Satellite Powers Broader Reach

Sirius XM Holdings (SIRI) has activated its brand-new SXM-10 satellite, confirming after weeks of orbital testing that the satellite is now live and part of its active fleet. 

SXM-10

The upgrade is considered significant. With SXM-10 now operational, Sirius XM can broadcast its programming more broadly across approximately 175 million equipped vehicles nationwide, aided by advanced hardware such as a large S-band reflector antenna. 

This development follows the debut of SXM-9 earlier this year and underscores Sirius XM’s continued investment in its space infrastructure, with additional satellite launches planned over the next two years.

The company’s latest move comes during a period of mixed share performance. 

Sirius XM has reported a 9% gain over the past three months and is up roughly 7% for the year; however, the longer-term trend remains less positive, as the stock is still down 28% over the past year with negative returns accumulating since 2020. 

Revenue growth has been declining, and net income has decreased over the last year, making the recent price movements noteworthy as the business evolves. 

As Sirius XM invests further in technical upgrades and the renewal of its satellite fleet, some investors may be considering whether momentum is building. After a challenging year for shareholders, the key question is whether Sirius XM represents a potential value opportunity, or if recent optimism is already reflected in the current share price.

Radio History: Aug 30

➦In 1903...Arthur Godfrey was born (Died: March 16, 1983). Godfrey is probably best known for his "Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scout" and was one of if not the most popular radio personalities of his day.

Arthur Godfrey

On leaving the Coast Guard, Godfrey became a radio announcer for the Baltimore station WFBR (now WJZ (AM)) and moved the short distance to Washington, D.C. to become a staff announcer for NBC-owned station WRC the same year and remained there until 1934.

Recovering from a near-fatal automobile accident en route to a flying lesson in 1931 (by which time he was already an avid flyer), he decided to listen closely to the radio and realized that the stiff, formal style then used by announcers could not connect with the average radio listener; the announcers spoke in stentorian tones, as if giving a formal speech to a crowd and not communicating on a personal level. Godfrey vowed that when he returned to the airwaves, he would affect a relaxed, informal style as if he were talking to just one person. He also used that style to do his own commercials and became a regional star.

➦In 1931...gossip columnist Walter Winchell began his long distinctive radio career with a quarter hour Tuesday nights coast-to-coast on CBS, after a 3-month trial run on the local New York affiliate WABC.

➦In 1934...KEX 1180 AM moved studios from the "Terminal Sales Building" to "The Oregonian" bldg. with KGW

➦In 1963...“American Bandstand” aired for the final time as a daily show on ABC-TV, it became a weekly show on Saturdays for another 26 years

NY Times Story

➦In 1966...WOR 98.7 FM changed to rock. (As of this writing:  Sports WEPN-FM)

It was nation’s first  free-form progressive rock format. Some legendary NYC disc jockeys, including Scott Muni and Murray “The K” Kaufman, were among the original WOR-FM staffers.

WOR-FM became popular on college campuses and the station racked up impressive ratings for an FM station in those days.

But owner RKO wanted to play just the hits.  It tweaked the format in 1967 to target a traditional Top 40 audience.  Consultant Bill Drake brought a version of his “Boss Radio” format, which had been popular on other RKO stations around the nation, to WOR-FM.  New York City’s version of the format was more oldies- and adult-oriented.

Today, the station is owned by Emmis Communications and leased by ESPN airing sports  as WEPN.

➦In 1984...Elected in the Sportscasters Hall of Fame were President Ronald Reagan, radio pioneers Red Barber, Bill Stern, Graham McNamee, Don Dunphy and Ted Husing.

➦In 2011…Richard "Cactus" Pryor died (Born - January 7, 1923). He was a broadcaster and humorist. He received his nickname after the old Cactus Theater on Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, which was run by his father, "Skinny" Pryor.

Pryor was first heard on Lady Bird Johnson's radio station KLBJ 590 AM, though his face became as well known as his voice once he moved to television broadcasting on Austin television station KTBC.

In addition to his work in radio and television, Pryor also appeared in two movies, Hellfighters and The Green Berets with John Wayne. He was the author of a 1995 collection of some 40 essays entitled Playback. At KTBC, Pryor had served as programming manager and had hosted a variety of shows. He had conducted interviews with celebrities such as Arthur Godfrey and Dan Blocker and narrated behind-the-scenes programs about KTBC.

A Brady Law

➦In 2012...Programmer Al Brady Law died at age 67.

He had three stints in New York radio from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. His work was varied, from air personality to programmer. His start in New York took place as WOR-FM evening jock in 1969. A year later, even though he bolted for Miami, Law was heard filling in on WWDJ, primarily on nights.

After some work in Denver, Law was back at WWDJ on a full-time basis as the station’s program director. Following the short gig at ‘WDJ, Law appeared at WXLO where he was hired solely as the “99X” program director.

However, Law’s dual hats would return in a big way at WNBC 660 AM. In 1974, he was named a joint assistant program director and air personality. Later that year, Law took over as program director but only briefly before resuming his APD/weekend air work. He remained at the NBC flagship until 1976.

Judge Blocks Dismantling Voice of America

A federal judge in Washington blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to fire Michael Abramowitz as Voice of America’s director on Thursday, following an initial effort by administration official Kari Lake to remove him. Abramowitz, a former Washington Post reporter leading the U.S.-funded broadcaster since last year, argued only a Senate-confirmed advisory board could remove him. President Trump had dismissed all board members in January.

The Washington Post reports U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, appointed by Reagan, ruled in Abramowitz’s favor, stating Lake lacked authority without a board majority vote. 

Lamberth rejected the government’s claim that the statute governing VOA director removal infringes on the president’s power over “inferior officers.” 

Kari Lake

He cited bipartisan concerns about political interference, referencing former USAGM CEO Michael Pack’s 2020 actions and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s support for insulating such roles.

Lamberth issued a permanent injunction blocking Abramowitz’s removal and upheld the statute’s constitutionality. Abramowitz, notified of his termination on August 1 for refusing a North Carolina job, welcomed the ruling, emphasizing VOA’s role in U.S. security and influence. 

Lake defended the administration’s position.

Abramowitz, placed on leave in March with over 1,000 USAGM employees under Trump’s executive order to downsize the agency, sued Lake, arguing her actions were illegal. Lake, a former Arizona candidate, was named USAGM deputy CEO in July after Trump’s board dismissal left her without formal authority to replace Abramowitz.

TV Ratings: NFL Pre-Season Ratings Spike

The NFL's 2025 preseason saw a significant viewership surge, signaling strong interest heading into the regular season. Across linear and digital platforms, preseason games averaged 2.2 million viewers per game, a 17% increase from 2024 and the highest since 2018, according to Front Office Sport.

On NFL Network, games averaged 1.8 million viewers, up 26% from last year and the network's best preseason performance on record. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 31, featuring the Chargers vs. Lions, kicked things off with 6.9 million viewers, a 40% jump from 2024.

This momentum follows a 2024 regular season that saw a 2.2% viewership dip to 17.5 million per game.

The uptick aligns with Nielsen’s new Big Data + Panel methodology, blending traditional panel data with set-top box and smart TV metrics for a fuller view of audience behavior, likely boosting reported figures for live sports like the NFL.

Comparatively, the NFL’s preseason numbers outshine other sports’ recent showings. ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball averaged 1.765 million viewers in 2025, up 11%, while the NHL’s 2025 Stanley Cup Final averaged 2.5 million U.S. viewers, underscoring the NFL’s dominance as it heads into the regular season.

YouTubeTV, Fox Channels Have Reached New Deal

Alphabet-owned YouTube and Fox announced a renewal of their carriage agreement, ensuring that Fox channels, including Fox News, Fox Sports, FS1, the Big Ten Network, and the Fox Broadcast Network, remain available to YouTube TV's approximately 9.4 to 10 million subscribers. 

The deal resolved a contract dispute that had threatened to remove these channels from the streaming platform, particularly significant as it coincided with the start of the college football and NFL seasons, including high-profile games like No. 1 Texas vs. No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday.

The agreement followed a short-term extension announced on Wednesday, to prevent a blackout of Fox content. 

YouTube emphasized in a blog post that the deal preserves the value of their service for subscribers and offers more flexibility, though financial terms and the duration of the agreement were not disclosed. Fox had previously accused YouTube of proposing terms that were "out of step with the marketplace," while YouTube claimed Fox was seeking payments higher than those of comparable content providers. 

The resolution ensures uninterrupted access to Fox's news, sports, entertainment, and local programming for YouTube TV users, avoiding disruptions for events like NFL games starting September 7, 2025, and other sports content on Fox networks.

Peacock Premium Plus Partners With Amazon For Ad-Free Content

Comcast NBC Universal has expanded its partnership with Amazon by integrating its Peacock Premium Plus streaming service into Amazon’s Prime Video platform, offering Prime members a seamless way to access Peacock’s ad-free content. 

This move enhances the accessibility of Peacock’s diverse library, which includes original series, movies, live sports, and more, for a broader audience.

Prime members can now subscribe to Peacock Premium Plus through Prime Video for $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year, aligning with the pricing offered directly through Comcast’s Peacock platform. This subscription provides an ad-free viewing experience, offline downloads, and access to a robust catalog of content, including popular shows like The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Peacock originals such as Bel-Air and Ted.

In addition to the streaming integration, Comcast and Amazon have renewed several key distribution agreements to strengthen their collaboration. These include continued access to Peacock on Amazon’s Fire TV devices, ensuring that users can enjoy Peacock’s content on a variety of Amazon hardware. The deal also secures the availability of films from Universal Pictures’ extensive library on Prime Video, bringing blockbuster titles and classics to Amazon’s platform. Furthermore, Prime Video will remain accessible on Comcast’s Xfinity X1 platform, allowing Xfinity customers to stream Amazon’s content seamlessly through their set-top boxes.

A significant highlight of this partnership is the inclusion of NBA games on Peacock, starting in the fall of 2025. This stems from a landmark $76 billion, 11-year media rights deal between the NBA and a consortium of Comcast, Amazon, and Disney. The agreement grants Peacock streaming rights to a package of NBA games, including regular-season and playoff matchups, enhancing its appeal for sports fans. 

This move positions Peacock as a key destination for live sports, complementing its existing coverage of events like Sunday Night Football, Premier League soccer, and WWE.

Mike Hopkins, head of Amazon’s Prime Video and MGM Studios, emphasized the value of this expanded collaboration: “By adding Peacock Premium Plus to our growing portfolio of subscription offerings and renewing our long-standing distribution agreements for Fire TV, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, and Xfinity X1, we are deepening our partnership with Comcast NBC Universal. 

ABC Reporter On Hot Seat For 'Misleading' Report

An ABC News reporter, Aaron Katersky, is facing backlash and calls for termination after a report on the Minneapolis school shooting at Annunciation Catholic School, where 23-year-old transgender shooter Robin Westman killed two children. 

Katersky noted that Westman left a video manifesto revealing an obsession with past school shooters, criticism of Israel, and nihilistic statements, with weapons inscribed with racial slurs and the names of mass shooters, including President Trump’s name. 

However, Katersky omitted Westman’s explicit disdain for Trump, including a reported “k*ll Donald Trump” message on the guns, leading to accusations of misleading reporting.

The omission sparked outrage online, with Donald Trump Jr. posting on X, “WTF is wrong with these people!???” 

Critics, including Daily Caller editor Vince Coglianese, labeled the report a deliberate misrepresentation, while Fox News’ Mary Katherine Ham and Guy Benson called it “irresponsible” and “anti-journalism.” 

Breitbart’s Matthew Boyle demanded Katersky’s immediate firing, amplifying the controversy over the report’s framing.

SNL Drops Veteran Cast Member

Heidi Gardner, a beloved Saturday Night Live (SNL) star, has left the show after an eight-season run, shocking fans amid a broader cast shakeup as the iconic NBC sketch comedy series approaches its 51st season. 

The 42-year-old comedian, who joined SNL in 2017 as a featured player during season 43 alongside Luke Null and Chris Redd, was promoted to the main cast in 2019. Her departure follows the recent exits of cast members Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, and Devon Walker, fueling fan outrage and calls on social media to cancel the show.

Gardner was celebrated for her memorable character Bailey Gismert, a teen movie critic featured on Weekend Update, and for impersonating figures like Reba McEntire, Mikey Madison, and Kim Kardashian. 

Earlier this year, Gardner hinted at her exit on Craig Ferguson’s Joy podcast, citing “sketch fatigue” and the challenges of generating new ideas after years at The Groundlings and SNL. Her departure has sparked strong reactions, with some fans decrying the ongoing cast changes and demanding the show’s cancellation.