TGIF: Here's The Pulse For July 31

Radio Broadcasting

Yancey Now Bi-Coastal: 102 JAMS (KRBQ-FM) announces Andre Yancey as its new Brand Manager. In this role, Yancey will oversee the station's content strategy, talent, operations, and branding. He will continue to serve as the Assistant Brand Manager for 94.7 The Block (WXBK-FM) in New York.

Sutton Succeeds Cody: WSM Radio will launch “The Kelly Sutton Show” on Aug. 10, airing weekdays. Longtime WSM Radio personality and Grand Ole Opry host Charlie Mattos will serve as producer and co-host alongside WSM Studio Director Annie Ney. 

WHYY Acquiring WPSU: WHYY Philadelphia has finalized its acquisition of Penn State University’s broadcast properties for $1 and filed the transaction with the FCC.

WTOP Simulcast Ending: Hubbard’s all-news WTOP is ending its 19-year simulcast on WTLP in the Hagerstown, Maryland, area and leasing the frequency to Christian broadcaster K-Love through 2029.

Media Industry

ABC Accuses FCC: ABC accused the FCC on Thursday of launching an unprecedented intimidation campaign aimed at punishing the network for news coverage disliked by the Trump administration, after the agency ordered early reviews of licenses for eight Disney-owned stations

COO Exits SiriusXM: SiriusXM Chief Operating Officer Wayne Thorsen is leaving the company less than two years after joining to help reshape it around technology, product development and operational efficiency.

GMA Tops: “Good Morning America” ranked as the No. 1 morning newscast in Total Viewers (2.792 million) for July 2026, based on based on Most Current Big Data+Panel Ratings. “GMA” outdelivered NBC’s “Today” (2.779 million) and “CBS Mornings” (1.627 million).

U-S News

Middle East Deal: Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups agreed to a plan that, if followed, would see the groups disarm and lose power in the Gaza Strip as long as Israel withdraws from the enclave, U.S. officials said.  The officials, speaking to reporters Thursday evening, said the agreement is the start of an indefinite, multiphase process to end Hamas’s rule in Gaza and rebuild the enclave. 

U-S, Iran Boast: President Trump and Iranian leaders are ratcheting up bellicose messages for each other as hostilities resume and the war appears perched to blow into a regional conflict with Tehran's continued attacks on Jordan and Kuwait.  The U.S. military launched strikes in Iran July 29 in response to a "surprise attack" by Tehran, with Trump saying he wanted to hit them "very hard" and "smack them a little bit" after Iran launched missiles at U.S. and Saudi forces in the week.

Shooter's Dad Sentenced: The father of a teenager who committed a deadly mass shooting in September 2024 at a Georgia high school has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for his role in making firearms available to his son. Colin Gray was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in March, where a judge found he allowed his teenage son to possess a weapon despite knowing he was a danger to himself and others.