Portland ME Radio: Lori Voornas Retires After 32 Years on Air

Townsquare Media has announced that Lori Voornas, a beloved morning radio host, is retiring from AC 94.9 WHOM in Portland, Maine, effective June 27, 2025, after an illustrious 32-year career. Voornas has been a staple of Portland’s morning radio, most recently co-hosting the “Jeff and Lori” show on WHOM alongside Jeff Parsons.

Voornas began her Portland radio journey in 1993 at WMGX, co-hosting with Willy Ritch, later moving to WJBQ (Q97.9) in 1999, where she partnered with Parsons for over two decades. The duo transitioned to WHOM in May 2023. 

A Maine Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee and Gracie Award winner, Voornas is celebrated for her warmth, wit, and deep connection with listeners. She’s also known for her community involvement, particularly her 20-year leadership of the Cans for a Cure breast cancer fundraiser, which she will continue to support in 2025 as a tribute to her mother, who passed away from the disease over a decade ago.

“Lori’s authenticity and energy have made her a Maine radio icon,” said Herb Ivy, Director of Content for Townsquare Media Portland. “Her ability to connect with listeners is unmatched, and we’re thrilled she’ll remain part of our WHOM family through events like Cans for a Cure.”

Reflecting on her decision, Voornas shared, “I’m healthy and happy, but my life’s been a whirlwind, and turning 60 this September made me think about my next chapter—no more 4 a.m. alarms! I’m so grateful to Jeff Parsons, my radio brother, and to our listeners for embracing me for 32 years. This isn’t goodbye—I’ll still be in Portland, maybe even working in a bakery, my lifelong dream!”

Voornas, originally from Idaho, has called Maine home for nearly 40 years. Her final broadcast on WHOM will be June 27, 2025, and she plans to stay in the Portland area, continuing to engage with the community she loves.