Good Morning: Start With the Pulse For Monday, Aug 3

Radio Broadcasting

On the Beach: The entire staff of longtime Southern California classic-rock station KCAL-FM 96.7 has been laid off as the Redlands-based outlet switches to an automated, all-music format, hosts confirmed over the weekend.

SiriusXM Target Local Ad Revenue: SiriusXM is targeting local and mid-market advertising revenue as its next major growth area, planning to actively hire staff to capture a large share of traditional radio’s ad dollars.

iHM Gives Up In Orlando: iHeartMedia’s NewsRadio WFLA Orlando has ended its only locally focused morning program. “Good Morning Orlando” concluded its final broadcast on Friday, July 31. The show, which aired in the 6–9 a.m. timeslot on 540 WFLF (Pine Hills) and its FM translators and HD channels, is being replaced by syndicated content from Premiere Networks host Michael Delgiorno.

Media Industry

'You're Part of the Problem': HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clashed heatedly with CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday’s State of the Union, defending President Donald Trump’s COVID-19 response, blaming lockdowns for major damage, insisting the U.S. had the world’s highest COVID death rate, and accusing the press of malpractice while disputing vaccine efficacy claims

Fauci Wanted More TV Time: As Anthony Fauci’s national fame grew, he repeatedly pushed then-Vice President Mike Pence and trusted Trump officials for more major television bookings.

Who's Making Money: Joe Rogan topped the list of Forbes' highest-paid podcasters in 2026, earning $82 million.

U-S News

Trump Talks Monday: President Trump said talks ​with Iran will happen on Monday but declined to set a deadline for an agreement after earlier saying he had called off an ‌imminent attack in hopes of quickly reaching a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve the impasse over Tehran's nuclear capabilities.

Pump Pain: Oil prices skidded and U.S. as hopes of a peace deal ​in the Middle East grew, while the yen firmed to a three-month high after the U.S. and Japan confirmed joint intervention to prop ‌up the frail currency.

Lettuce Worries: The surge in foodborne illnesses has sent parasite-wary consumers flocking to farmers markets across the country. FreshFarm—operator of the market Hargrove visited and 24 others in the Washington, D.C., area—has had a 30% increase in average foot traffic since early July, said Cat Oakar, the group’s executive director.