Here's The Pulse For Friday, July 3

Radio Broadcasting

Atlanta Squabble: V-103 morning host Francesca Amiker has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Alicia Brown, the wife of her co-host Big Tigger, accusing Brown of falsely claiming on social media that Amiker is having an affair with him.

Climbers Scaled Skyscraper: Two unauthorized climbers scaled the Empire State Building's spire Wednesday, forcing New York City FM and TV stations to switch to backup antennas for about an hour. The pair — identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32 — reached the top of the spire, 1,454 feet above ground, and were seen holding a pro-peace banner. They were removed from the structure, after which stations returned to normal operations.

Cumulus Sell-Off: Cumulus Media is selling two of its Pennsylvania stations — including a Class B FM signal in the Harrisburg market — to Family Life Ministries. It filed paperwork with the FCC. For $2.25 million, 106.7 WWKL(FM), licensed to Hershey, and 96.7 WLLF(FM), licensed to Mercer, Pa., and targeting the Youngstown-Warren market, will go to Family Life.

Media Industry

Gomez On News Distortion: FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the agency for dismissing a petition to repeal its news distortion policy through an unpublished staff letter rather than a full Commission vote, arguing the approach improperly shields the decision from judicial review.

FNC Dominates: During the second quarter of 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) dominated all of cable with viewers across total day and primetime and also finished June by leading CBS and NBC with weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen. 

SCOTUS Skirts 1A Issue: The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block a lower-court order requiring former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to reveal a confidential source or face $800 daily fines, a decision with potential implications for journalists’ ability to protect sources.

U-S News

Trump In The Dark: President Trump says he didn't know about his family's cryptocurrency ventures that helped earn him more than $1.4 billion since returning to the White House. Trump, in a July 2 interview with CNBC, said he was unaware of the crypto investments before the release of his 2025 financial disclosure that showed the president brought in $2.2 billion in 2025, with the bulk coming from $1.4 billion through the crypto industry.

Congress In Philly: On Thursday, a select group of congressional representatives came back to the place where it all happened, 250 years ago to the day. A special congressional session was held at Independence National Park's Congress Hall in Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress officially declared freedom on July 2, 1776.

Hot Fun: Aggressive heat swept across the New York region as sweltering weather stifled the Northeast on Thursday, disrupting travel and prompting emergency measures as states took precautions against hazardous heat and humidity ahead of a holiday weekend. The heat wave toppled records​, many set during another sweltering summer nearly 60 years ago​.​ The temperature in Central Park reached 100 degrees by 2 p.m., according to the National Weather Service, the first time it was that hot there since July 18, 2012, and it tied its daily record set in 1966.

Atlanta Radio: V-103 CoHost Sues Host's Wife For Defamation

V-103 morning host Francesca Amiker has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against Alicia Brown, the wife of her co-host Big Tigger, accusing Brown of falsely claiming on social media that Amiker is having an affair with him.

According to aj.com, the lawsuit, filed June 30, alleges that Brown’s statements damaged Amiker’s reputation as a journalist and media personality. Amiker claims Brown made the accusations “knowingly false and defamatory” with actual malice.

According to the suit, Brown posted public Instagram messages on May 12 from accounts she allegedly controlled, accusing Amiker of an inappropriate relationship with Tigger (real name Darian Morgan). On June 6, Brown posted — and later deleted — a video showing injuries to her face with the caption: “Someone ask my husband why my face happened @francescaamiker.”

The posts have been viewed by millions across social platforms, the lawsuit states, leading to harassment, humiliation, and threats against Amiker.

The defamation suit comes after Tigger was arrested on June 20. Sandy Springs police investigated a May 9 domestic dispute at the couple’s home in which Brown alleged Tigger grabbed her from behind and shoved her into a door, causing lacerations to her forehead that required stitches and hospitalization. The incident was captured on Ring camera video, according to police.

Tigger was charged with felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor child cruelty because a child in the home overheard the argument. He has been off the air since the arrest, with Frank Ski substituting alongside Amike,

Tigger, after his arrest last week, posted on social media: “I unequivocally deny every allegation that has been made against me. For the past 30+ years, I have built my life around relationships and community.”

Gomez Critical of FCC's News Distortion Policy

FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez sharply criticized the agency for dismissing a petition to repeal its news distortion policy through an unpublished staff letter rather than a full Commission vote, arguing the approach improperly shields the decision from judicial review.

In a delayed dissent released Wednesday, Gomez said only final actions by the full Commission are appealable, making the use of delegated authority to summarily reject the petition an end-run around accountability.

The petition, filed in November 2025 by a bipartisan group of former FCC officials and others, sought repeal of the news distortion policy. After petitioners sought a writ of mandamus in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the FCC responded with a letter from the Acting Chief of the Media Bureau. 

Fox News Channel Dominates Cable During 2Q 2026

During the second quarter of 2026, FOX News Channel (FNC) dominated all of cable with viewers across total day and primetime and also finished June by leading CBS and NBC with weekday primetime viewers, according to Nielsen. 

Additionally, FNC continued to outpace ESPN with viewers in a sports-heavy quarter as well as CNN and MS NOW combined with viewers and in the 25-54 demo across primetime and total day. As FNC continued to close the gap with the broadcast competition, Special Report with Bret Baier and FOX & Friends both lead CBS in major markets across the country as CBS slumped to historic lows in the quarter and month of June.

For the full quarter, FNC delivered 1.6 million total day viewers and in primetime, FNC notched 2.5 million viewers and 230,000 in the 25-54 demo. FNC commanded nearly 60% of the audience in both total day and primetime. It also secured the top spot in cable among Hispanic, Asian and upscale audiences in total day for both second quarter 2026 and the month of June. FNC also had the longest length of tune in total day and primetime throughout the second quarter.

In June, FNC delivered 2,628,000 viewers in weekday primetime during June leading NBC (2,419,000 viewers) and CBS (2,049,000 viewers). In Monday - Sunday total day FNC commanded 1.5 million viewers and in primetime FNC drew 2.3 million viewers and 197,000 in the 25-54 demo.

SCOTUS Refuses To Block Reporter's Daily Fines Court Ruling

Judge Christopher Cooper and Catherine Herridge

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to block a lower-court order requiring former Fox News reporter Catherine Herridge to reveal a confidential source or face $800 daily fines, a decision with potential implications for journalists’ ability to protect sources.

The justices issued a brief order denying Herridge’s emergency request, with no reasoning or vote count provided. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh was the only justice to publicly note his dissent and said he would have granted her request. Herridge had refused to disclose her sources for 2017 articles she wrote while at Fox News about the FBI’s investigation of Chinese-American scientist Dr. Yanping Chen. 

The articles reported that the FBI suspected Chen of ties to the Chinese military and possible lies on immigration forms. No charges were ever filed against her.

Fox News To Provide MultiPlatform Coverage Of America's 250th

FOX News Media (FNM) will deliver expansive, multiplatform live coverage honoring the 250th birthday of the United States of America, beginning June 24th. Commemorative programming will air from iconic locations across the country before, during and after America 250 festivities on FOX News Channel (FNC), FOX Business Network (FBN), FOX News Audio, FOX Nation, FOX News Digital, FOX News Podcasts and FOX Weather. Leading up to America’s 250th birthday, FNC has aired a series of educational vignettes with personalities highlighting defining events in our country’s history and a promotional campaign featuring the network’s stars celebrating the people and principles that have shaped the American story. These campaigns and other America 250-related content can be found on FOX News Digital’s dedicated landing page for the event.

Home to the nation’s largest and most politically diverse cable news audience, FNC has consistently been recognized by Brand Keys as one of America’s most patriotic brands and ranked as first among news brands. The network’s daytime and primetime programming will showcase the people, places, milestones, and moments that continue to shape the country and inspire future generations. 

FNC’s marathon live coverage concludes on Sunday, July 5th*, taking place from historic locations, including the National Mall, Liberty State Park, Philadelphia, Mount Rushmore, and Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library, among others. Throughout the network’s special coverage, FOX & Friends, America’s Newsroom, America Reports, The Five, Special Report with Bret Baier, The Ingraham Angle, Jesse Watters Primetime, Gutfeld!, FOX & Friends Weekend, FOX News Live with Aishah Hasnie, FOX News Sunday, The Sunday Briefing and The Big Weekend Show will all broadcast live from the National Mall as the nation’s capital hosts the event highlighting all 50 states as well as U.S. territories during the Great American State Fair.

FNC programs will also emanate from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey during the Sail4th 250 flotilla celebration from July 2nd through July 4th. FOX & Friends, The Faulkner Focus, Outnumbered, America Reports with John Roberts and Sandra Smith and The Story with Martha MacCallum will broadcast live during the arrival of the world’s tallest ships into New York Harbor. A special edition of The Story with Martha MacCallum will also air from the opening of Teddy Roosevelt’s Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota on July 1st. In Philadelphia, The Will Cain Show will be live from Independence Mall for surrounding coverage of the dedication of America’s Time Capsule and the FIFA World Cup while Special Report with Bret Baier and Hannity will be live on location from Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota on July 3rd.

Disney Platforms To Air 24-Hour Holiday Special

Disney Entertainment Television to air multiplatform broadcast as part of the “Disney Celebrates America” campaign, commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, kicking off Friday, July 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT and continuing through Saturday, July 4. 

“World News Tonight” anchor and managing editor David Muir will lead coverage, guiding viewers through all 50 states alongside a powerhouse team of talent across networks. The special programming will feature the majestic geography, cultural heritage and pivotal moments that define 250 years of American history, as well as Fourth of July celebrations across the country, performances and interviews with leading newsmakers, including MrBeast, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brandi Carlile, Nick Jonas and more. The special programming will be available across ABC, Disney+, ESPN, Hulu, National Geographic, Freeform, FX and ABC News Live.

“Storytelling has always been at the heart of The Walt Disney Company, creating generations of fans around the world for more than a century,” said Debra OConnell, chairman, Disney Entertainment Television. “‘Disney Celebrates America’ continues that legacy by bringing together the breadth of our portfolio to create something only Disney can, and we’re proud to bring audiences everywhere together to celebrate America’s stories.”

ABC News Radio will provide a three-hour program designed to run throughout the holiday weekend, including Martha Raddatz’s military profiles from her book “The Hero Next Door” and visits to the nation’s cherished parks and monuments. ABC News Radio will also provide affiliates with a simulcast of the 24-hour broadcast.

Daredevils Climb Antenna Farm In NYC

Two unauthorized climbers scaled the Empire State Building's spire Wednesday, forcing New York City FM and TV stations to switch to backup antennas for about an hour.

The pair — identified as Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Beerkus, 32 — reached the top of the spire, 1,454 feet above ground, and were seen holding a pro-peace banner. They were removed from the structure, after which stations returned to normal operations.

The antenna switch followed standard building safety protocols triggered as soon as the climbers were reported, driven by the extreme radio frequency (RF) levels present on the active tower, according to two people familiar with the broadcast setup.

Many of the affected New York FM stations maintain backup antennas on the Conde Nast Building at 4 Times Square. Video footage aired by multiple outlets showed the climbers dangling from the former top-mount master antenna that once carried analog signals for WNBC and WNYW.

To reach the spire, the couple had to climb past the master antenna used by 15 New York FMs, as well as the “Mini” master antenna shared by WPLJ, WQHT, and WCBS-FM.

Radio History: July 3

➦In 1913...Dorothy Mae Kilgallen born (Died – November 8, 1965). She was a journalist, radio host  and television game show panelist.

She started her career shortly before her 18th birthday as a reporter for the Hearst Corporation's New York Evening Journal. In 1938, she began her newspaper column "The Voice of Broadway", which eventually was syndicated to more than 140 papers. In 1950, she became a regular panelist on the television game show What's My Line?, continuing in the role until her death.

Kilgallen's columns featured mostly show business news and gossip, but ventured into other topics, such as politics and organized crime. She wrote front-page articles on the Sam Sheppard trial and later the John F. Kennedy assassination.

Twin Cities: WCCO's Steve Simpson Unveils Retirement

Steve Simpson, a longtime staple of WCCO Radio’s morning show, signs off for the final time Thursday after nearly a dozen years at the heritage Twin Cities station.

The 62-year-old news anchor and editor, known for his dry humor, deep knowledge of the news, and steady presence during breaking stories and severe weather, announced his retirement in April. He cited being “worn out” and a desire to pursue other interests after a broadcasting career spanning more than 40 years.

Listeners have flooded the station with messages of appreciation in recent days, a response Simpson described as humbling. “I’ve always been fascinated by the connection, the intimacy and camaraderie you get from radio,” he said in a recent interview. “But you can still forget that people are sometimes listening to every word you say.”

Simpson joined WCCO in October 2014 after more than two decades at WIBC in Indianapolis. He quickly became a key part of the morning team alongside host Vineeta Sawkar, delivering news at the top of the hour while contributing commentary and asides that listeners grew to love.

Cleveland Radio: WMJI Snags Keith Kennedy For Morning Drive

Keith Kennedy

Keith Kennedy, longtime morning host at iHeartMedia’s 98.1 WKDD in Akron, Ohio, is leaving the station’s morning show after 16 years to take over mornings at Classic Hits “Majic 105.7” WMJI in Cleveland.

Kennedy announced the move on air Tuesday morning, June 30. His final morning broadcast on WKDD will be Thursday, July 2.  He begins his new role at WMJI on Monday, July 6.

The shift keeps Kennedy within the iHeartMedia family and moves him “up the road” to the larger Cleveland market, about 40 miles north of Akron. He will continue contributing to WKDD in afternoons while adding morning duties in Cleveland.

As Regional Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia’s North Ohio cluster (covering Cleveland, Akron, Canton, and Youngstown), Kennedy has been a key figure in the company’s operations. He joined WKDD in December 1998 and has hosted mornings there for the past 16 years, building a loyal local audience with a mix of music, local engagement, and personality-driven content on the Hot AC station.

Omaha Radio: Sports KXSP To Revive Iconic WOW Call Letters

Walnut Media has acquired Sports KXSP-AM (590) in Omaha and will relaunch the station as AM 590 WOW (Woodmen of the World) on July 6, restoring the market’s legendary call letters while expanding its sports radio presence.

The 5,000-watt station will debut a full-service sports format featuring ESPN programming, local sports talk, and expanded coverage of University of Nebraska athletics. It will serve as the new Omaha flagship for Husker football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball, baseball, and Sports Nightly starting this fall, with an enhanced signal reaching fans across eastern Nebraska and western Iowa.

Following FCC approval, Walnut Media will return the historic WOW call letters — first assigned in 1926 — to the 590 AM frequency during the station’s 100th anniversary year.

Time Spent With Audio: On-Demand Widens Lead

Edison Research’s Share of Ear® data continues to show a sustained 12-year shift in U.S. audio consumption from linear broadcasts to on-demand platforms, with on-demand audio now accounting for 56% of all listening time in 2026.

The latest Share of Ear® report documents on-demand sources — primarily streaming music services and podcasts — pulling clearly ahead of traditional linear audio such as AM/FM radio and satellite radio. 

The crossover occurred in 2023, when the two categories tied after eight years of steady gains by on-demand platforms. On-demand has continued to widen its lead, reaching 56% of total audio time in 2026.The trend has been remarkably consistent. In 2020, three years before the tie, linear audio held a 12-percentage-point advantage over on-demand. That same 12-point margin now favors on-demand, but in the opposite direction. Edison Research notes this steady, predictable migration as one of the clearest megatrends tracked since Share of Ear® began.

When the study launched, linear audio (AM/FM and satellite radio) dominated American listening habits by a wide margin. 

Over the following years, listeners gradually moved time to more flexible, user-controlled options. The data illustrate a fundamental change in how people discover, select, and consume audio content, moving from scheduled programming to personalized, on-demand experiences.

This long-term pattern underscores broader shifts in media behavior driven by smartphone adoption, unlimited data plans, and the proliferation of streaming services. Edison Research continues to monitor the trend as on-demand platforms maintain their forward momentum.