Radio History: Feb 15

Mary Lee Robb

➦In 1926...radio actress Mary Lee Robb was born in Illinois.

She made her radio debut in 1947 on the “Lum and Abner” program, but it was a small part in a 1948 episode of NBC radio’s “The Great Gildersleeve” that led to her full-time role as Gildy’s niece Marjorie, which she played until 1954.

She also appeared on “The Penny Singleton Radio Show,” “Father Knows Best,” “Burns and Allen” and others before retiring to raise her daughter and son.

She died of heart failure Aug. 26 2006 at age 80.

➦In 1932… George Burns and his delightfully ditsy wife Gracie Allen debuted as regulars on “The Guy Lombardo Show” on CBS radio.  The couple was so popular that by Sept. 1934, they would have their own show “The Adventures of Gracie” on CBS.  Two years later it evolved into the “Burns & Allen Show.”  George and Gracie continued on radio for 14 more years before making the switch to TV. They were headliners on radio and TV combined for more than 30 years.

 Burns and Allen's radio show was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1994.

➦In 1943…The radio drama 'My True Story was first heard on the  ABC Radio Network. It was the start of a 19-year run on daily radio.  

➦In 1965…Singer Nat King Cole died in 1965 from cancer at age 45.

On November 5, 1956, The Nat 'King' Cole Show debuted on NBC TV . The variety program was one of the first hosted by an African American, and started at a length of fifteen-minutes but was increased to a half-hour in July 1957. Rheingold Beer was a regional sponsor, but a national sponsor was never found.

Joe McCoy

➦In 1975...Joe McCoy started as a disc jockey at WCBS 101.1 FM in NYC.

He eventually became Program Director in 1981.  In his 23 years as Program Director at WCBS-FM in New York City the station was # 1 (12+) 5 times as well as a leader for many years in the all-important 25-54 demo.

He's now retired enjoying traveling, jazz and baseball.

➦In 2002... former CBS Radio correspondent and ABC TV anchorman Howard K. Smith died of pneumonia at age 87. He was one of the original members of the team of WW2 correspondents known as the Murrow Boys.

Howard K Smith

Upon graduating, Smith worked for the New Orleans Item, with United Press in London, and with The New York Times. In January 1940, Smith was sent to Berlin, where he joined the Columbia Broadcasting System under Edward R. Murrow.

He visited Hitler's mountain retreat at Berchtesgaden and interviewed many leading Nazis, including Hitler himself, Schutzstaffel or "SS" leader Heinrich Himmler and Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels.

When Smith refused to include Nazi propaganda in his reports, the Gestapo seized his notebooks and threw him out of the country. He left for Switzerland on December 6, 1941, the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Guthrie Case: Law Enforcement Swarm Nearby House

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed late Friday evening that significant law enforcement activity—including SWAT teams, forensics vehicles, and FBI involvement—took place at a residence near E Orange Grove Rd & N First Ave in Tucson, Arizona, about two miles from the home of missing 84-year-old Nancy Guthrie. This operation is directly connected to the ongoing investigation into her disappearance.

The department's statement on X read: “Law enforcement activity is underway at a residence near E Orange Grove Rd & N First Ave related to the Guthrie case. Because this is a joint investigation, at the request of the FBI – no additional information is currently available.”Multiple media outlets and eyewitness reports indicate that three people were detained during the raid, including two men and an older woman. Some accounts also describe a tragic incident where one individual reportedly died by a self-inflicted gunshot during the operation. 

Authorities have not officially confirmed these details, and no further information on the detainees, any evidence recovered, or potential connections to Guthrie's case has been released.

The activity unfolded amid heightened developments in the nearly two-week-old investigation: earlier Friday, officials revealed that DNA not belonging to Guthrie or her close contacts was collected from her property and sent for testing. The FBI has described a suspect captured on surveillance footage as a man approximately 5'9" to 5'10" tall with an average build, carrying a black 25-liter Ozark Trail backpack, and increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to her recovery or arrests.

Nancy Guthrie, mother of NBC "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was reported missing after last being seen on January 31, 2026. Investigators believe she was abducted from her Catalina Foothills home, with evidence including signs of forced entry, possible blood, and subsequent ransom demands. The case remains active as a joint federal-local effort, with thousands of tips processed and no confirmed suspects publicly identified.

Las Vegas Shocker: Chet Buchanan Exits Mornings At KLUC

After more than 25 years anchoring mornings on Audacy's 98.5 KLUC in Las Vegas, popular radio host Chet Buchanan has departed the station, marking the end of one of the longest-running contemporary hit radio (CHR) morning show tenures in the market's recent history.

The station announced the news in a social media post on Friday morning, thanking Buchanan for his dedication and contributions. "Your voice, leadership, and commitment to our listeners have helped define KLUC and its role in the Las Vegas community for nearly three decades and for that we greatly appreciate you," the post read. 

No details were provided about the reasons for his exit or immediate plans for the morning slot, which Buchanan has hosted since launching "The Chet Buchanan Show" in 1999.Buchanan, a well-known figure in Las Vegas broadcasting, confirmed the departure to local media outlets including FOX5 and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

In comments to the Review-Journal, he described the decision simply as "It's just time," without pointing to a single triggering event. 

Tampa Radio: Sports WDAE Moving FM To 100 Kw Blowtorch

Tampa Bay sports fans: Update your radio presets now—WDAE is moving to a powerful new 95.7 FM signal starting Monday, February 23, at midnight.

This upgrade delivers a full 100,000-watt FM signal for clearer, stronger coverage across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, and beyond—reaching more homes, businesses, commutes, offices, and backyards with consistent, commanding reception. 

To accomodate the move, iHeartMedia is relocating its Spanish-language format to 95.3 FM and 102.9 FM under the new Rumba 95.3 & 102.9 brand identity.

WDAE remains on 620 AM while adding this primary FM home.

TV Ratings Winter Olympic Up 93% Through 5 Days

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy, are delivering a massive viewership surge for NBC Sports, averaging 26.5 million viewers across its platforms through the first five days of competition—marking a 93% increase from the comparable period during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games and the strongest start for a Winter Olympics since the 2014 Sochi Games.

This strong performance comes despite NBC not achieving the hoped-for additional boost from Super Bowl LX the previous weekend. Super Bowl LX, featuring the Seattle Seahawks' 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots, averaged 124.9 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL+ (per Nielsen Big Data + Panel live + same-day data). 

While that made it the second-most-watched Super Bowl in U.S. history—behind only 2025's Super Bowl LIX—and set an all-time U.S. peak audience record of 137.8 million in the second quarter, it represented a slight dip (about 2%) from the prior year's record 127.7 million viewers.

The Great TV News Pay Cut Is Here

The great TV news pay cut is underway, driven by shrinking audiences, declining linear TV revenue, corporate restructurings, and a push toward digital priorities—hitting even the highest-paid anchors hard.
According to Claire Atkinson's latest report in The Ankler newsletter (published Feb. 12, 2026), the elite club of eight-figure news stars is shrinking fast amid tighter budgets at major networks. 

Key examples include:

• 
  CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil now earns an estimated $4 million annually—significantly lower than competitors ABC's David Muir at $8 million and NBC's Tom Llamas at around $5 million.
• CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, previously at about $17 million per year, is in ongoing negotiations that could result in a major salary reduction as the network weighs cost-cutting under new leadership.
• At MSNBC (now rebranded as MS Now in some contexts), Rachel Maddow agreed to a cut from $30 million to $25 million annually as part of contract resets tied to broader corporate changes.
• CNN's Anderson Cooper recently re-signed for an estimated $18-20 million range, holding relatively steady despite initial scrutiny and network pressures.

New Round Of Layoffs Expected At CBS News

CBS News is considering a new round of layoffs that could cut at least 15% of its staff, according to Variety citing three people familiar with the matter, as Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pushes to reshape the division toward streaming video, differentiated content, and a broader range of viewpoints.

CBS News declined to make executives available for comment. 

The discussions remain fluid, with potential implementation as early as March or as late as May if the plans are finalized, sources said. While not yet set, the talks are described as serious.

Bari Weiss

The potential cuts follow recent voluntary exits:  About 11 producers from “CBS Evening News” have already accepted buyout packages offered last month.

Weiss, who sold her outlet The Free Press to Paramount for $150 million and was installed as editor-in-chief, has emphasized shifting away from “commodity” news available elsewhere. In a recent town hall, she urged staff to focus on “antimemetic,” non-imitative stories that stand out and can't be found anywhere else. 

She highlighted new hires, including podcasters specializing in niche areas like politics and medical health, noting that “people are skeptical of institutions, but they trust individuals.”

Among those new contributors is longevity expert Peter Attia, who has faced scrutiny over past email exchanges with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein revealed in recent document releases. Weiss has resisted calls to remove Attia from the roster.

Pharma Ad Crackdown Could Gut News Budgets

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s crackdown on direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising is threatening to slash billions in TV ad revenue, potentially gutting budgets for already struggling broadcast and cable news networks.

The Trump administration's September 2025 initiative—led by a presidential memorandum and FDA actions—closes the 1997 "adequate provision" loophole. It requires drugmakers to disclose all major side effects, contraindications, and critical risks fully within TV and digital ads, rather than summarizing them briefly and directing viewers to websites or phone numbers for details. This forces longer, more expensive spots (potentially doubling or tripling length), making many current 30-60 second formats impractical or cost-prohibitive.

Specific network impacts, based on 2025 iSpot.tv data for the first eight months (and broader trends):

NYDaily News To Cut Union Staffers

The New York Daily News is laying off 28% of its unionized staff, including more than half of its national desk, the paper's union announced Friday.

The NewsGuild of New York and the Daily News Union learned of the cuts via an email from owner Alden Global Capital, a hedge fund notorious for aggressive cost-cutting in its newspaper holdings. The reductions will eliminate six of the 10 national desk positions and heavily affect the print production team.

Alden-owned Tribune Publishing, which oversees the Daily News and other papers, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

"This latest move by Alden Global Capital to gut the staff of the New York Daily News, our city’s hometown newspaper, is another sad reminder that the hedge fund and its owners have no interest in investing in local journalism, but instead want only to squeeze the paper and its staff dry in order to enrich themselves," said Michael Sheridan, unit chair for the Daily News Union.

The layoffs follow just three months after the union secured its first contract with Alden in late 2025, ending a contentious three-year battle that featured prior mass layoffs, a no-confidence vote against the executive editor, and a 24-hour staff walkout. Alden acquired the paper through its 2021 purchase of Tribune Publishing.

The union condemned Alden's ongoing approach, stating: “Alden and Daily News management have consistently, throughout our existence as a union, tried to ignore the fact that they have a unionized work force. We’re not going away.”

Don Lemon Drops 'Not Guilty' Plea At Formal Arraignment

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, to charges of conspiracy to deprive religious freedom rights and violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, stemming from his livestream coverage of an anti-ICE protest that disrupted a service at Cities Church last month.

Prosecutors did not seek detention, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko released Lemon under standard conditions, including no further law violations. Lemon flashed peace signs to photographers as he arrived at the Warren E. Burger Federal Building with his legal team and husband, Tim Malone.  His defense team, led by attorney Abbe Lowell (who previously represented Hunter Biden) and former federal prosecutor Joe Thompson, expressed "serious concerns" about the application of the statutes and plans to file a motion related to grand jury proceedings. 

Radio History: Feb 14

➦In 1876…Lawyers for Alexander Graham Bell filed for a patent for the telephone. Bell's patent 174,465, was issued to Bell on March 7, 1876, by the U.S. Patent Office. Bell's patent covered "the method of, and apparatus for, transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically ... by causing electrical undulations, similar in form to the vibrations of the air accompanying the said vocal or other sound.

In this first telephone, sound waves caused an electric current to vary in intensity and frequency, causing a thin, soft iron plate–called the diaphragm–to vibrate. These vibrations were transferred magnetically to another wire connected to a diaphragm in another, distant instrument. When that diaphragm vibrated, the original sound would be replicated in the ear of the receiving instrument. Three days after filing the patent, the telephone carried its first intelligible message–the famous “Mr. Watson, come here, I need you”–from Bell to his assistant.

➦In 1894...Comedian and radio/TV host Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kubelsky  (Died: December 26, 1974 at 80).

Jack Benny - undated

Benny had been a minor vaudeville performer before becoming a national figure with The Jack Benny Program, a weekly radio show that ran from 1932 to 1948 on NBC and from 1949 to 1955 on CBS. It was among the most highly rated programs during its run.

Benny's long radio career began on April 6, 1932, when the NBC Commercial Program Department auditioned him for the N.W. Ayer agency and their client, Canada Dry, after which Bertha Brainard, head of the division, said, "We think Mr. Benny is excellent for radio and, while the audition was unassisted as far as orchestra was concerned, we believe he would make a great bet for an air program." Recalling the experience in 1956, Benny stated that Ed Sullivan had invited him to guest on his program (1932), and "the agency for Canada Dry ginger ale heard me and offered me a job."

With Canada Dry ginger ale as a sponsor, Benny came to radio on The Canada Dry Program, on May 2, 1932, on the NBC Blue Network and continuing for six months until October 26, moving to CBS on October 30. With Ted Weems leading the band, Benny stayed on CBS until January 26, 1933.

Arriving at NBC on March 17, Benny did The Chevrolet Program until April 1, 1934. He continued with sponsor General Tire through the end of the season. In October, 1934, General Foods, the makers of Jell-O and Grape-Nuts, became the sponsor strongly identified with Benny for ten years. American Tobacco's Lucky Strike was his longest-lasting radio sponsor, from October, 1944, through to the end of his original radio series.

Life magazine ad April 1949

The show switched networks to CBS on January 2, 1949, as part of CBS president William S. Paley's notorious "raid" of NBC talent in 1948–49. It stayed there for the remainder of its radio run, ending on May 22, 1955. CBS aired repeat episodes from 1956 to 1958 as The Best of Benny.

Sportscaster Mel Allen

➦In 1913...Mel Israel was born.  He is better known as Mel Allen, sportscaster for the New York Yankees, and This Week in Baseball; ‘How about that!’ … Mel died June 16, 1996 at age 83.

Allen best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Allen was arguably the most prominent member of his profession, his voice familiar to millions.

➦In 1971...WABC 95.5 FM NYC changed call letters to WPLJ.

The station went on the air on May 4, 1948 under the call sign WJZ-FM, and in March 1953, the station's call letters were changed to WABC-FM following the merger of the American Broadcasting Company with United Paramount Theatres. As most FM stations did during the medium's formative years, 95.5 FM simulcasted the programming of its AM sister station.

CBS Evening News Staffers Are Walking

Alicia Hastey, Bari Weiss

At least 11 staffers—about a quarter of the roughly 40-person team—have accepted voluntary buyouts at CBS Evening News, sources confirmed Thursday, amid a major editorial overhaul under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss and new anchor Tony Dokoupil.

The departures, limited to non-unionized employees, follow buyout offers extended in late January to staff uneasy with the program's revamped direction. CBS News declined to comment.

The news surfaced one day after producer Alicia Hastey announced her exit in a sharply critical farewell note to colleagues. Hastey, who had worked at the network for four years, condemned the shift toward "heterodox" journalism, saying it sidelines underrepresented perspectives, challenging interviews, and responsive reporting for a skeptical public.

"The truth is that commitment to those people and the stories they have to tell is increasingly becoming impossible," she wrote. She added that stories are now judged "not just on their journalistic merit but on whether they conform to a shifting set of ideological expectations"—a pressure she said encourages self-censorship to dodge backlash.

Scott Borchetta Exits HYBE America

Scott Borchetta, founder and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, is departing HYBE America to pursue independent ventures, taking the Big Machine Records brand with him to relaunch it separately.

HYBE America will retain the label group's assets, including its distribution deal, the publishing company Big Machine Music, and its current artist roster featuring Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean, and Mae Estes. 

Scott Borchetta

The company plans to rename the remaining label operation and announce new leadership in the coming days.

"Scott has made a lasting mark on the music industry with his sharp eye for talent and his unique vision," said HYBE America Chairman and CEO Isaac Lee. "He recently approached us to ask for our support as he works to pursue a new, independent and entrepreneurial stage of his career."

Borchetta founded Big Machine Records in September 2005, signing Taylor Swift as his first artist and growing the label into one of Nashville's most successful independents over two decades. The roster later expanded to include acts such as Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, and Riley Green.

In 2019, Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired Big Machine for a reported $300 million. HYBE then purchased Ithaca Holdings in 2021 for $1.05 billion, after which Borchetta continued as CEO of Big Machine Label Group.

KC Radio: Audacy Launches World Cup Podcast

Audacy is launching “Beyond the Pitch Kansas City,” a podcast hosted by 98.1 KMBZ’s (KMBZ-FM) Scott Parks and 96.5 The Fan’s (KFNZ-FM) Rob Brenton, spotlighting the journey of how Kansas City won the bid to host the World Cup and how the execution will roll out. The first episode debuts on March 4, with new episodes dropping weekly on Wednesdays until July 22.

“We can’t wait for the world to learn about the inner workings of being a host city,” said Roxanne Marati, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Kansas City. “As long-time soccer fans, Rob and Scott are the perfect voices to chronicle the path to victory and the tenacity it takes to host a world sporting event. This podcast is an ode to our great city.”

“As an avid soccer fan and big supporter of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, I’m really excited to host this podcast,” said Brenton. “It intersects my love of the sport and the city I grew up in.”

The podcast will feature special guests, including Quinton Lucas, Mayor of Kansas City; Kathy Nelson, President of the Kansas City Sports Commission; and Mark Donovan, President of the Kansas City Chiefs. All episodes will be 30-45 minutes and can be found on 96.5 The Fan’s YouTube page. Highlights will be shared on 98.1 KMBZ and 96.5 The Fan’s social media platforms.

Fox News Launching Crime & Justice Podcast

FOX News Podcasts will launch a new program entitled “Crime & Justice with Donna Rotunno” on February 18th. Hosted by criminal defense attorney Donna Rotunno, the twice-weekly podcast will air on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and wherever podcasts are found.

Breaking down the biggest crime stories and trials across the country, Rotunno will tap into legal and criminal experts along with FOX News reporters and contributors each week to uncover new angles surrounding the cases capturing the nation. “Crime & Justice with Donna Rotunno” will also feature special segments and bonus episodes, diving deep into new developments as they break.

Rotunno joined FNC as a legal contributor in 2025. A criminal defense attorney with 25 years of experience, she began her career as a prosecutor in the Cook County State Attorney’s Office in Illinois before opening her own law firm in 2005. She has represented several high-profile clients including serving as lead counsel in The People of the State of New York v. Harvey Weinstein case and representing a former Chicago Bears player who was under investigation for the murder of his pregnant girlfriend.

Good Morning! Let's Check The Pulse for Friday, Feb 13

Radio Broadcasting

The primary focus in U.S. radio broadcasting centers on World Radio Day, celebrated annually on this date under UNESCO's theme: “Radio and Artificial Intelligence: AI is a tool, not a voice.” This emphasizes AI's potential to enhance production, personalization, accessibility, and archiving while firmly asserting that human broadcasters remain essential for authenticity, empathy, trust, and community connection.

Key U.S.-specific developments and coverage include:

• WXXI News (a Rochester, NY-based NPR affiliate) published a feature highlighting industry experts' views on AI in broadcasting. They discussed practical applications like content tools and audience engagement aids but reinforced that AI cannot replicate the human element that defines radio's appeal.
• Broader industry reflections affirm radio's resilience and trust. Recent reports (including those echoed around this date) position radio as America's most trusted mass medium, with high credibility rankings compared to other outlets in a digital era.

Regulatory and operational notes: The FCC granted short-term EAS (Emergency Alert System) waivers to Florida stations during transmitter moves, underscoring operational flexibility for safety compliance.

Media Industry

Streaming and Viewing Shifts:  Streaming's momentum persists, with late-2025 data (e.g., Nielsen Gauge for December showing 47.5% of total TV viewing) fueling forecasts that it could exceed 50% of U.S. TV consumption by mid-2026. Additional trends include: 

• FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels projected to grow significantly, potentially overtaking some SVOD metrics in certain segments.
• YouTube expected to surpass combined U.S. broadcast networks in viewership.
• Ad-supported tiers becoming standard across platforms, signaling the decline of widespread ad-free viewing.
• Recent awards shows (e.g., lower ratings for Golden Globes and Grammys in early 2026) and NFL negotiations for TV deals reflect ongoing pressures on traditional linear TV.

U.S. News

Trump Administration Policy Moves:   EPA Revokes Key Climate Science Finding: The Trump administration, through the EPA under Administrator Lee Zeldin, revoked a foundational scientific determination (the "endangerment finding") that enabled federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles and other sources. Critics called it a major rollback favoring polluters and undermining climate action, while supporters viewed it as reducing regulatory burdens. President Trump and EPA officials announced the move at the White House, opening the door to relaxed pollution limits on cars and trucks.

Homeland Security Funding Standoff and Shutdown Risk: Senate Democrats blocked a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security amid partisan clashes over immigration enforcement restrictions. This left the agency on the brink of a partial shutdown over the weekend, marking potential third shutdown under Trump's presidency.Immigration and Enforcement Updates

End of Minnesota Immigration Surge: Border Czar Tom Homan announced the conclusion of a months-long ICE crackdown in Minnesota, which involved thousands of arrests, widespread protests, and two deaths. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed "cautious relief." The operation's wind-down followed intense backlash.

Savannah Guthrie Disappearance Case: The FBI doubled the reward to $100,000 in the ongoing search for "TODAY" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie (missing since early February), releasing new details about a suspect seen on porch video (5'9"-5'10", average build, wearing an Ozark Trail backpack).

Guthrie Reward Money Doubled

The FBI announced Thursday evening that it is increasing the reward to up to $100,000 for information leading to the location of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC's Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in her disappearance.

The bureau also released new details about a key suspect seen in forensic-analyzed doorbell camera footage from Guthrie's Tucson, Arizona, home: a male approximately 5'9" to 5'10" tall, with an average build, wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack (some sources describe it as 24-liter). 

The individual was masked, dressed in dark clothing, and gloved when approaching the front door in video and photos released earlier this week.

Nancy Guthrie was reported missing on February 1, 2026, after last being seen when family dropped her off at her home on the night of January 31. Authorities, including the FBI's Phoenix Field Office, are treating the case as an abduction, citing evidence that she did not leave voluntarily. The investigation has generated over 13,000 public tips since early February.

Multiple alleged ransom notes have surfaced, sent to media outlets including TMZ and local Tucson stations. These include demands for millions in Bitcoin for her safe return, with at least one note containing specific details about Guthrie's home and clothing on the night she vanished. Deadlines in some notes have reportedly passed without resolution, and authorities have not confirmed payments or direct family involvement in negotiations.

The updated suspect description and doubled reward (previously $50,000) aim to focus incoming tips and encourage new leads in the ongoing search, now in its second week. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI.

WSJ Reports On DHS Noem's Fixation On PR

The Wall Street Journal reported that Kristi Noem, as Secretary of Homeland Security, has shown a notable fixation on rivaling Tom Homan, the White House border czar, particularly over media exposure and public visibility in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

According to people familiar with the matter cited in the WSJ's coverage of chaos and internal dynamics at DHS (including a detailed piece on Noem's leadership style and controversies), Noem routinely tracked television appearances by both herself and Homan. 

She reportedly berated her own staff if she saw Homan appearing on TV, insisting on outpacing him in media spots to ensure she remained the primary public face of homeland security and deportation operations. On at least one occasion, she directed aides to arrange for her to draw a larger crowd at a conference than Homan, who was scheduled to speak on a different day.

D-C Radio: WTOP Adds Kristin Diaz As Morning Drive Co-Anchor

WTOP News in Washington, D.C., has named award-winning journalist Kristin Diaz as its new morning drive anchor. She will partner with co-anchor John Aaron on the station's flagship morning show, starting in April.

Diaz joins WTOP from NewsRadio 1080 KRLD in Dallas, where she has co-anchored the PM drive since 2020. During her time there, she helped lead the newsroom to major accolades, including the 2021 National Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Newscast and the 2023 Texas Association of Broadcasters award for Best Newscast.

Prior to Dallas, Diaz spent eight years in Corpus Christi at KIII-TV, where she served as a morning news anchor, multimedia reporter, and weather anchor.

NYC Radio: Michael sol Warren Joins WNYC Radio On The Jersey Beat

WNYC in New York has appointed Michael Sol Warren as a dedicated New Jersey reporter on its Day-of Desk, with Warren starting in the role on February 17, 2026.

Warren brings extensive experience covering New Jersey since 2017. Most recently, he served as a producer for NJ Spotlight News, where he contributed to the nightly newscast and focused on climate and environmental reporting. Before that, he worked as a reporter for NJ Advance Media (including NJ.com and The Star-Ledger), often under journalist Karen Yi.

Michael sol Warren

His journalism has centered heavily on environmental issues and their local impacts. Warren reported and produced the "Hazard NJ" podcast, and he collaborated with New York Public Radio on a series of short documentaries exploring how climate change affects agriculture in the Garden State. He also created a multimedia feature profiling the life of an African elephant born in the wild and now residing at Six Flags Great Adventure.

A graduate of the University of New Mexico and Boston University, Warren is a North Carolina native who lives in Central Jersey. His hiring strengthens WNYC's coverage of New Jersey issues for its New York-area audience, particularly through the integrated Gothamist platform.

TV Ratings: Olympics Averaging 26.5M Viewers Nightly

NBCUniversal’s presentation of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics is averaging 26.5 million viewers through last night on NBC, Peacock, NBCUniversal Digital Platforms and Versant’s CNBC and USA Network – marking the most-watched Winter Games presentation at this point since 2014 Sochi Olympics, according to official Nielsen Big Data + Panel viewership and preliminary data from Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

Led by NBC Broadcast Network, Viewership Nearly Doubles 2022 Beijing Olympics

NBCUniversal’s Milan Cortina Olympics viewership through Tuesday – headlined by live coverage in the afternoon (Milan Prime: 2-5 p.m. ET) followed by Primetime in Milan (8-11 p.m. ET/PT) – is nearly double the Beijing Olympics at this point (13.7 million average). Including Friday’s Opening Ceremony, All 5 Days of Milan Prime + Primetime in Milan Shows Have Topped 20 Million Viewers

Radio History: Feb 13

➦In 1914...the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (known as ASCAP) was formed in New York City. The society was founded to protect the copyrighted musical compositions of its members.  A rival performing rights organization, Broadcast Music Incorporated (BMI), was formed in 1939.

Tennessee Ernie Ford

➦In 1919...Singer Tennessee Ernie Ford was born in Bristol, Tenn.  He began his career as a radio announcer at hometown station WOPI, and continued after WWII at stations in San Bernardino & Pasadena. He joined Cliffie Stone’s Dinner Bell Roundup on KXLA radio, and his Hometown Jamboree TV show. In 1950 he had his first crossover song hit with Kay Starr, I”ll Never Be Free.  His big smash five years later was Sixteen Tons, which propelled him to a six year prime time show on NBC TV.  He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of fame, for records, television, and radio.

A First Lieutenant, he served in the United States Army Air Corps in World War II as the bombardier on a B-29 Superfortress flying missions over Japan.

After the war, Ford worked at radio stations in San Bernardino and Pasadena, California. At KFXM, in San Bernardino, Ford was hired as a radio announcer. He was assigned to host an early morning country music disc jockey program, Bar Nothin' Ranch Time. To differentiate himself, he created the personality of "Tennessee Ernie", a wild, madcap, exaggerated hillbilly. He became popular in the area and was soon hired away by Pasadena's KXLA radio.

At KXLA, Ford continued doing the same show and also joined the cast of Cliffie Stone's popular live KXLA country show Dinner Bell Roundup as a vocalist while still doing the early morning broadcast. Cliffie Stone, a part-time talent scout for Capitol Records, brought him to the attention of the label. In 1949, while still doing his morning show, he signed a contract with Capitol. He became a local TV star as the star of Stone's popular Southern California Hometown Jamboree show. RadiOzark produced 260 15-minute episodes of The Tennessee Ernie Show on transcription disks.

He released almost 50 country singles through the early 1950s, several of which made the charts.

Ford eventually ended his KXLA morning show and in the early 1950s. He became a household name in the U.S., largely as a result of his portrayal in 1954 of the 'country bumpkin', "Cousin Ernie", on three episodes of I Love Lucy. His big hit in 1955 was Sixteen Tons, which propelled him to a six year prime time show on NBC TV.  He has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of fame, for records, television, and radio.

A heavy drinker off stage, Ernie died of increasing liver problems Oct. 17 1991 at age 72.

➦In 1919...Early radio singer Joan Edwards was born in New York City (died at age 62 from an apparent heart attack August 27, 1981).  She was perhaps best known for her work on the radio version of Your Hit Parade. She also was a vocalist for Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra.

Edwards' early appearances on radio came "via small stations in New York City."Her first network appearance was on Fred Allen's program.

Beginning March 3, 1941, Edwards had her own program, Girl About Town, on CBS. The 15-minute show was broadcast Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time. Although her singing was featured, she played the piano for one song in each episode.

In December 1941, Edwards was selected as the new female soloist on Your Hit Parade. Three years later, an article in Tune In magazine observed, "Joan Edwards sets something of a record, lasting through the regimes of three male singers -- Barry Wood, Frank Sinatra, Lawrence Tibbett -- in a three-year period."

Her tenure on the program eventually reached five years, and the list of male singers' names grew to include Dick Todd and Johnny Mercer. She was dropped from Your Hit Parade in 1947 when the sponsor, American Tobacco Company, changed format, using guest stars rather than regular soloists.

On March 3, 1952, Edwards began a morning disc jockey program on WCBS-AM in New York City

➦In 1934...WNEW 1130 AM NYC Signed on.

TV Ratings: Strong Week For NBC and FOX News Channel

FOX News Channel (FNC) finished the week of February 2 averaging 3.1 million weekday primetime viewers and 331,000 A25-54, leading CBS across the board (2.4 million viewers and 317,000 A25-54), according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. 

 Monday- Sunday total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC delivered over 1.7 million viewers and 178,000 in the 25-54 demo, while in primetime the network averaged 2.6 million viewers and 275,000 in the 25-54 demo, marking the network’s highest rated week of the year, and best performing demo since September 2025. For the week, FNC held 50% share of cable news viewers in primetime and drew 93 of the top 100 telecasts in all of cable among total viewers.

The Five delivered 4.1 million viewers and 364,000 in the 25-54 demo, securing a 65% share of cable news viewers for the hour. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier averaged 3.2 million viewers and 301,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle at 7PM/ET saw over 2.9 million viewers and 275,000 in the 25-54 demo, marking its highest rated week across both demos since September. Jesse Watters Primetime commanded 3.4 million viewers and 343,000 in the 25-54 demo at 8 PM/ET. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity delivered over 2.9 million viewers and 301,000 in the 25-54 demo, securing its strongest week since November with Adults 25-54 and strongest week since September with total viewers. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night with Trace Gallagher averaged 1.7 million viewers at 11PM/ET.

FNC’s late-night hit Gutfeld! (weekdays, 10 PM/ET) averaged over 3.1 million viewers and delivered 364,000 in the 25-54 demo, continuing to lead all late-night competition in total viewers and the 25-54 demo. It also continued to outpace the broadcast competition including CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2 million viewers; 241,000 A25-54), which marked its lowest rated week in the A25-54 demo since June 2025, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2.1 million viewers; 337,000 A25-54) and NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (1.5 million viewers; 316,000 A25-54).

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outperform the broadcast competition. America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9AM-11AM/ET; 2 million viewers), The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11AM-12PM/ET; 2.2 million viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2.2 million viewers), America Reports (weekdays, 1PM-3PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers) The Story with Martha MacCallum (weekdays, 3PM/ET; 2.1 million viewers) and The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2.3 million viewers) all led CBS Mornings (1.8 million viewers) and ABC’s GMA 3 (1.6 million viewers).

Ca-Ching: NBCUniversal Banked $800M On The Super Bowl

The Super Bowl LX ads delivered a massive payday for Comcast's NBCUniversal, generating approximately $800 million in revenue—matching the haul Fox achieved from the previous year's game.

NBC sold out its entire ad inventory well in advance, commanding an average of $8 million per 30-second spot, a record high that held steady from the prior year. Several premium slots fetched even more, with as many as 10 commercials selling for over $10 million each, reflecting intense demand from brands eager to reach the game's huge audience.

More than 64 brands secured spots during the broadcast, including a mix of returning heavyweights and fresh faces making their Super Bowl debut. New advertisers this year included chocolate treat Kinder Bueno, cereal staple Raisin Bran, and sports betting/merch platform Fanatics. Leading the pack once again was Anheuser-Busch InBev (owner of Budweiser), which remained the game's biggest advertiser with its high-profile presence, including a celebrated Clydesdale-themed spot honoring the brand's 150-year legacy.

This strong performance underscores the Super Bowl's enduring status as advertising's premier event, even as viewership dipped slightly year-over-year, with robust pricing and diverse brand participation driving the revenue parity with Fox's 2025 results.

Talks To Save The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Going Nowhere

Local efforts to save the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from closure have stalled, with at least one prospective buyer citing the owner's refusal to engage in discussions.

The newspaper, owned by Block Communications, is set to publish its final edition and cease operations on May 3, 2026—less than three months from now. This would leave Pittsburgh as the only major U.S. city without a daily newspaper, ending a publication with roots dating back to 1786 and nearly 240 years of continuous operation.

The shutdown announcement came on January 7, 2026, just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stay a lower-court ruling unfavorable to the company. Block Communications cited massive financial losses—more than $350 million over the past 20 years—as the primary reason, stating that ongoing cash drains from local journalism pressures were no longer sustainable. 

News Deserts Turning To Alternatives For Local News

Residents in news deserts—areas with little to no professional local journalism—are increasingly turning to alternative sources for information, such as social media, influencers, friends, and family, according to a recent survey by Northwestern University's Medill Local News Initiative.
Among those who follow local news daily in these areas, 51% rely on non-journalistic (non-professional) sources. Many report feeling they aren't missing out on anything essential. 

Local TV stations stand out as the only traditional journalistic outlet ranking in the top five.Trust in local news remains relatively high in these underserved areas, with 46% of residents expressing confidence, though this lags behind the 59% in communities with stronger news coverage.

The bigger concern, experts say, is the loss of professional accountability. “You might feel like you’re part of a close-knit community that knows what’s going on, but places with a lack of journalism are missing an external source of information and a system of accountability for people in power,” said Zach Metzger, director of the Medill State of Local News Project, who led the research. 

“The danger is what happens when they rely on social media because they have lost the journalistic view of things they are no longer able to see in their daily lives.”

Engagement with traditional journalism is notably lower in news deserts:

• Only 15% subscribe to or donate to a newspaper, compared to 33% in areas with abundant news.
• Just 9% have spoken with or been interviewed by a journalist in the past five years, versus 22% elsewhere.
• Only 20% have taken action on a community issue inspired by a news story, compared to 34% in well-covered areas.

The U.S. has lost approximately 3,500 newspapers over the past two decades. As of the latest Medill State of Local News Report (2025), there are 212 news desert counties—primarily rural—where residents have limited or no access to reliable local reporting, affecting about 50 million Americans overall when including counties with just one news outlet.

The survey, Medill's first focused specifically on news desert residents, was conducted from July 22 to August 8, 2025, by Qualtrics on behalf of the Medill Local News Initiative. It included 1,000 respondents: half from news desert counties and half from areas with plentiful professional news sources.

TV Ratings: CNN Has Lost Viewers and Credibility

CNN's ongoing decline in viewership signals a significant loss of credibility among American audiences, according to Fox News contributor Joe Concha.

Recent data highlights the extent of the drop: In 2025, CNN averaged just 573,000 primetime viewers and 432,000 total day viewers — representing a loss of more than 40% in both categories compared to 2017, the first year of Donald Trump's initial presidency when the network enjoyed a "Trump bump" in ratings.

Joe Concha

Concha attributed this "hemorrhaging" of viewers directly to perceived erosion of trust, telling Fox News Digital: “This shows that the networks that have cried wolf, or in this case, cried Trump, have gone to that well about one thousand times more than even many of their viewers can stand.”

He pointed to what he described as slanted coverage on major stories since 2017. Concha specifically criticized CNN for aggressively promoting the Russian collusion narrative regarding Trump while downplaying or dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story as unreliable or disinformation in the lead-up to the 2020 election.

Concha's comments align with broader analyses of cable news trends, where networks perceived as overly focused on anti-Trump messaging have seen audiences shift away, especially in a changing media landscape with more fragmented viewing options and post-election audience fatigue.

While CNN has reported some month-to-month gains in early 2026 tied to breaking news events, the long-term trajectory from 2017 through 2025 shows substantial erosion in its core audience.