Pittsburgh Radio: Wendy Bell, Lynne Hayes-Freeland Join KDKA-AM

Wendy Bell and Lynne Hayes-Freeland will be joining KDKA 1020 AM on Jan. 3, Entercom Communications Corp. announced Thursday.

Wendy Bell

Bell will co-host the afternoon drive with station veteran Marty Griffin weekdays 2-6 p.m. Bell joins Entercom after spending 18 years as an anchor and reporter for WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh. She is a 21-time Emmy and five-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner.

“KDKA is a powerhouse radio station and Marty Griffin is a trusted friend who, like me, loves helping people,” Ms. Bell said in a statement. “Spending four hours a day with a team that truly cares about this city is a tremendous honor and I look forward to the opportunity to serve our listeners.”

Lynne Hayes-Freeland

WTAE-TV fired Ms. Bell in 2016 after comments she made on her public WTAE Facebook page about a mass shooting in Wilkinsburg were deemed racially insensitive.

A federal race discrimination lawsuit Ms. Bell filed against WTAE’s owner, Hearst Stations, was settled earlier this year.

KDKA-AM also will be adding Hayes-Freeland to host the midday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. time slot. Ms. Hayes-Freeland previously served as a reporter, producer and talk show host for KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh since 1977. This is Ms. Hayes-Freeland’s second stint with KDKA-AM, having begun her broadcast career as a producer for the station in 1976.

“Radio is a perfect place to learn, explore and grow, and I look forward to the chance to do just that with listeners just as curious as me every day,” Ms. Hayes-Freeland said. “It feels great to be back home on KDKA.”

KDKA 1020 AM (50 Kw) Red= Daytime 2 mV/m Contour

Other programming changes include an expanded time slot for the station’s morning show. Larry Richert and John Shumway will air weekdays 6-10 a.m. Afternoon drive host Robert Mangino will transition to host in the 6-10 p.m. time slot on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Mr. Mangino also will host shows on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, according to the Post-Gazette.