TGIF: The Pulse Has Your Briefing For Friday, June 5

Radio Broadcasting

RIP:  Rocky Allen, the irreverent and high-energy host best known for “The Rocky Allen Showgram” on WPLJ-FM (95.5) in New York City, died on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the age of 71 following a more than year-long battle with colon cancer.

NPR Shifting Dues Formula: NPR is rolling out a new formula for calculating public radio station membership dues that takes effect Oct. 1. The updated model shifts from donor revenue to broadcast reach for news stations and includes tiered collaboration options that let stations reduce their payments by as much as 20%.

SCOTUS Validates FCC: The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday significantly reinforced the FCC’s ability to issue civil forfeitures without a jury trial, ruling 8-1 that the agency’s process does not violate the Seventh Amendment.

Media Industry

CBS Denies Joe Roagan: CBS News on Thursday firmly denied a circulating rumor that Bari Weiss is facilitating Joe Rogan’s entry into the iconic “60 Minutes” program, calling the report “False.”

Calming Waters: Nick Bilton, the new executive producer of “60 Minutes,” attempted to calm the waters Thursday after a chaotic week for CBS’s signature television newsmagazine program, naming a new senior producer. In a letter to staff, Bilton acknowledged the recent turmoil, which included the firing of veteran correspondent Scott Pelley. Bilton said he has spent “a lot of time in conversation” with colleagues, especially with the show’s remaining correspondents, Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim.

No Testimony: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has declined an invitation to testify at a June 10 House Judiciary Committee hearing examining the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and its impact on today’s media market for major leagues. Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) had requested Goodell’s appearance earlier this week. 

U-S News

Platner Rumors Swirl: Rumors are spreading about Graham Platner’s messy personal life, after news reports that he had sent sexual messages to women while married. Democratic senators were pressing him about whether more damaging revelations were coming. Journalists were swarming, staking out his hometown.

Fetterman Says No: In the wake of reports about sexual messages between Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner and women outside his marriage, most Democrats have been quiet about the issue — but not U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. The PA Democrat from Allegheny County lambasted Platner over various issues in a June 2 interview with CNN, calling him a "creep" and a "Nazi sympathizer."

Lincoln Memorial Promenade: Trump Plans to Create a Promenade at the Lincoln Memorial The president announced a new project that would connect the memorial to the Potomac River. He isn’t sure if he wants it to be named after himself.