Good Moring!! It's Friday And The Pulse Has Your Aug 28 Briefing

Radio Broadcasting

Lowest Unit Rates:  National Democrats and Republicans are pressuring local broadcast stations in opposite directions after a federal appeals court this week struck down an FCC policy that would have given political parties and related groups the same discounted broadcast ad rates as individual candidates

WBAL Drops Most Local Shows: WBAL NewsRadio in Baltimore said Thursday it is dropping two local weekday talk shows and filling midday hours with nationally syndicated programs from Premiere Networks. 

Dolly Spins Surge: Spotify reports songs by Dolly Parton they jumped 2,320% the day she died compared with her average over the prior week; globally, they rose 1,260%. 

RIP: Paul Stagg, a former WCCO Radio and television announcer and 2017 Minnesota Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductee, died Sunday at the Montevideo Veterans Home. He was 83.

Media Industry

Fox, News Corps Could Remerge: Rupert Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch are considering a remeger of Fox Corp. and News Corp., a combination that would reunite the family’s television and publishing businesses and tighten their hold on what remains of the media empire

Fired Staffers Sue: Three Stars and Stripes staffers — publisher Max Lederer, editor in chief Erik Slavin and reporter Lara Korte — sued the Defense Department on Thursday in federal district court in Washington, arguing that their firings last week for “insubordination” were retaliatory, illegal under federal administrative law and a violation of their First Amendment rights. 

Consumers' Video Time: Americans spend an average of 3 hours and 54 minutes a day with YouTube, TikTok and other social video—more than the 3 hours and 20 minutes they spend with live TV and streaming services combined.

U-S News

Jury Debates Fate: During closing arguments in the Lindsay Clancy murder trial, prosecutors portrayed her as a calculated killer who deliberately strangled her three children, while the defense argued she lacked criminal responsibility due to postpartum depression and psychosis.

CNN Fake News: CNN issued an apology after mistakenly showing a photo of Las Vegas Dolly Parton impersonator Kelly Vohnn during its coverage of Dolly Parton's death on August 25, 2026.

Judge Hesitates Decision: A federal judge postponed a decision on whether Donald Trump can have his name placed on the Kennedy Center’s building and grounds, amid a dispute over a proposed $500 million fundraising effort and renovation plans.