Thursday, March 26, 2026

Good Morning! Start With A Check On the Pulse for Thursday, March 26


Radio Broadcasting

Cumulus Media promotes Darlene Park to regional leadership role:  Cumulus Media elevated Darlene Park to Regional Vice President for Central Indiana, expanding her oversight beyond Indianapolis to include additional stations in Kokomo and Muncie. The move reflects the company’s continued emphasis on strengthening market-level leadership and driving performance across clusters through experienced management.

Connoisseur Media exits South Dakota with station sale: Connoisseur Media agreed to sell five radio stations in the Brookings, Clear Lake, and Volga areas to a locally owned group, marking its exit from South Dakota. The deal—led by longtime market manager Cami Powers—highlights a broader industry trend toward portfolio refinement and renewed focus on local ownership in smaller markets.

Industry shifts continue toward local ownership and operational focus: Recent station transactions and leadership changes underscore a wider strategic shift across U.S. radio, as companies streamline holdings and prioritize core markets. The Connoisseur sale and Cumulus leadership move both point to an industry balancing scale with localism, aiming to maintain community relevance while adapting to evolving revenue pressures and competition from digital audio platforms.

Media Industry

Jury finds Meta and YouTube negligent in landmark platform liability case: A Los Angeles jury ruled that Meta and YouTube were negligent for failing to warn users about the risks associated with their platforms. The case, brought by a plaintiff who said she developed a childhood addiction to social media, resulted in $6 million in damages. The verdict could have far-reaching implications for the media and tech industries, potentially reshaping how platforms address user safety, content design, and liability.

CBS News faces turmoil amid ratings declines and internal restructuring: CBS is grappling with declining ratings, newsroom layoffs, and internal unrest as its flagship programs trend toward historic lows. The challenges come during a period of broader restructuring and reflect the ongoing pressure on legacy media organizations to adapt to shifting audience habits, digital competition, and changing leadership strategies.


U-S News

Iran rejects U.S. ceasefire plan, issues its own demands: Iran has rejected a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the escalating Middle East conflict, instead outlining its own conditions for peace. Tehran signaled it is not ready to negotiate under current terms, with officials warning they are closely monitoring U.S. military movements and will defend their territory. The rejection underscores rising tensions as fighting continues to disrupt global energy supplies and shipping routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. deploys 82nd Airborne amid rising Iran tensions: The Pentagon is preparing to send thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East as the conflict intensifies. The elite unit—known for rapid deployment—could be tasked with securing infrastructure, reinforcing U.S. positions, or deterring further Iranian action. The move signals a potential escalation, with U.S. forces already building up in the region and additional naval assets on the way.

Playball! The New York Yankees opened the 2026 season with a strong Opening Day 7-0 win over the San Francisco Giants, setting an early tone behind a combination of timely hitting and solid pitching. The Yankees capitalized on key scoring opportunities, building a lead they never relinquished, while their pitching staff kept the opposition in check throughout the game. The victory gives New York an early boost as it looks to contend in a competitive American League race.