Good Morning: Here's The Pulse Briefing For Tuesday, Oct 13

Radio Broadcasting

Public Radio Listeners: Engaged, But Aging. The lates study of core public radio fans found that 72% of respondents said the current political climate and resulting fiscal pressures on stations have led them to increase their support. MORE

RIP: Don “Big Don” O’Brien, a longtime Baltimore, Washington and Eastern Shore radio personality known for his larger-than-life presence, humor and decades of on-air work, has died following a battle with oral cancer. MORE⁠

Philly Hall Addition. KYW Newsradio has inducted longtime Philadelphia radio executive David Yadgaroff into the KYW Newsradio Hall of Fame. MORE

Media Industry

Ruling On Ban: A federal judge has extended a temporary block on President Donald Trump’s ban barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, preserving the outlets’ access while he decides whether to issue a longer preliminary injunction. The U.S. District Judge expects to rule today. MORE

First For New WH Spox: Newly appointed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia will hold her first briefing TODAY at 9:30 a.m. in the White House briefing room, President Donald Trump announced. MORE

FCC Accused: Disney and ABC on Monday accused the FCC of wielding an extraordinary review of the network’s broadcast licenses to pressure the company over its editorial decisions, rather than pursuing less intrusive enforcement options. MORE

U-S News

Pump Plan: President Donald Trump announced a deal for Russia to ship diesel to the United States in hopes of lowering fuel prices, but experts say the volumes are too small and logistical challenges make it unlikely to significantly reduce diesel or gasoline costs before the November midterm elections.

Trump 'Not Involved': Federal agents searched Rep. Ilhan Omar’s Washington home on Oct. 12 as part of an undisclosed criminal investigation, reflecting the Trump administration’s broader push to challenge the citizenship of naturalized Americans and its focus on the Somali community in Minnesota.

On The Brink: The Los Angeles Dodgers have fallen behind 0-2 in the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, with star Shohei Ohtani struggling offensively and the team questioning its strategy as it looks to rebound in Game 3. In The ALCS, The Guardians defeated Tampa Bay Rays. MNF: Bills Win

Judge Expected to Rule On WH Media Ban

A federal judge has extended a temporary block on President Donald Trump’s ban barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House, preserving the outlets’ access while he decides whether to issue a longer preliminary injunction. U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly said Thursday he expects to rule today.

Kelly’s extension keeps the organizations’ hard passes active beyond the two-week temporary restraining order he issued on Sept. 24. That earlier order restored credentials after Trump announced the ban on Sept. 18, citing the outlets’ “constant ‘reporting’ FAKE NEWS” and unfavorable coverage. Reporters had their passes revoked the next day and were denied entry; the three organizations sued immediately, arguing the move was unconstitutional retaliation that violated the First Amendment and due process.

New WH Press Spox To Conduct First Briefing

Newly appointed White House press secretary Katie Zacharia will hold her first briefing Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. in the White House briefing room, President Donald Trump announced.

Katie Zacharia

Trump named Zacharia, 41, to the role in a Truth Social post, writing that she “has been with me, in spirit, from the very beginning, and will do a fantastic job.” He also praised her campaign work in key swing states, stating she has “an unblemished record of support and has been a loyal and brilliant supporter, right from the beginning.”

Zacharia is a conservative commentator and senior communications adviser at Trump Media and Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social. She previously served as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

Skydance Now Controls CNN, Can Trump Be Appeased?

David Ellison, the new owner of CNN after Skydance’s $111 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery closed, says he stands with the network’s push to restore White House access and will not interfere in its coverage. Trump’s long-running attacks on CNN and the administration’s expectations of a more compliant network under Ellison, however, set up a potential clash.

Ellison, 43, told CNN staffers he believes “deeply in journalism,” described CNN and CBS News as “a vital part of our democracy,” and pledged editorial independence. Sitting with Anderson Cooper at a town hall hours after the deal closed, he was asked whether he stood with CNN’s effort—joined by MS NOW and POLITICO in a First Amendment lawsuit—to regain access after the White House banished the outlets. “Of course,” he replied.

Disney Claims FCC Harassment Over Early License Reviews

Disney and ABC on Monday accused the FCC of wielding an extraordinary review of the network’s broadcast licenses to pressure the company over its editorial decisions, rather than pursuing less intrusive enforcement options.

In a new federal court filing, Disney challenged the Trump administration’s justification for ordering early license renewals for all eight ABC-owned television stations years before their licenses were set to expire. The company argued that the review—and the specter of possible revocation—amounts to an unlawful threat aimed at chilling protected speech, rather than a routine regulatory step. At issue is whether the FCC is conducting a legitimate investigation or retaliating against a broadcaster over programming that has drawn repeated criticism from President Donald Trump.

The eight stations, which serve major markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston, hold licenses that were not due for renewal until between 2028 and 2031. In April, the FCC directed Disney to file early renewal applications, a step the agency had not taken against a broadcaster in more than 50 years. Disney has described the move as an “existential threat” to its operations and an “extraordinary assault on free speech,” contending that the process is already influencing editorial choices as the network seeks to avoid further administration ire.

Gallup: Social Media Use Linked to Modestly Better Emotions

Social media users worldwide report modestly better daily emotional health than nonusers, yet spending more than two hours a day is associated with more negative emotions and, in high-income countries, lower life evaluations, according to Gallup’s State of the World’s Emotional Health 2026 report.

Released with the World Health Summit and based on 2026 World Poll data from adults aged 15 and older in 97 countries, the analysis finds a median of 81% of people used social media in the past seven days (rising to 95% among those 15–29). Users were more likely than nonusers to report enjoyment (75% vs. 61%) and less likely to report sadness (20% vs. 33%) or loneliness (17% vs. 29%). These differences persist, though smaller, after controls for age, gender, income, education, health, and employment.

Houston Radio: Geraldo Sproet Lands PM Drive At KTEX

Houston native Gerardo Sproet has joined Brenham-based country station KTEX 106.1 as its new afternoon host. He will be heard weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m. on the station, which reaches listeners across 12 counties between Houston and Austin.⁠

The move marks Sproet’s return to the air nearly six months after his unexpected departure from Houston’s 93Q Country (KKBQ) in April. His new program director is “Cowboy Dave” Bayless, who spent 12 years at Houston country station 100.3 The Bull (KILT), where he co-hosted the morning show before leaving in 2021.

Public Radio Listeners: Engaged, But Aging

Core public radio listeners are showing stronger financial commitment than ever, according to Jacobs Media’s Public Radio Techsurvey 26, yet the results may mask deeper vulnerabilities for stations that resist change.⁠

The 18th annual study of core public radio fans found that 72% of respondents said the current political climate and resulting fiscal pressures on stations have led them to increase their support—up from 64% in last year’s survey, which itself followed the federal rescission of public media funding. That earlier spike was already viewed as exceptionally high; this year’s even stronger reading underscores an energetic loyalty that has drawn extensive trade coverage. 

The survey, conducted with the Public Media Content Collective and based on roughly 17,000 responses from listeners at 49 stations fielded in June and July 2026, also recorded a Net Promoter Score of 70 for the second consecutive year.

Trump Considers Dismissing Kimberly Guilfoyle

President Donald Trump said Monday he is considering dismissing Kimberly Guilfoyle as U.S. ambassador to Greece amid reports of alleged misconduct, adding that he is “not happy” about the situation.

“We’re looking at it — yeah. We’re not happy,” Trump told reporters when asked if he is considering firing the former panel member of FNC's The Five.

Philly Radio: David Yadgaroff Makes It To KYW Hall of Fame

David Yadgaroff

KYW Newsradio (103.9 FM and 1060 AM), an Audacy station in Philadelphia, has inducted longtime Philadelphia radio executive David Yadgaroff into the KYW Newsradio Hall of Fame, recognizing his decades of leadership, dedication and contributions to one of the region’s most trusted news organizations.

Yadgaroff joins a distinguished roster of broadcast professionals whose talent, commitment and passion have helped shape KYW Newsradio’s legacy of trusted journalism and its enduring connection to the Philadelphia community.

Baltimore Radio: RIP...Big Don O'Brien, Maryland Personality

Don O'Brien (1955-2026)

Don “Big Don” O’Brien, a longtime Baltimore, Washington and Eastern Shore radio personality known for his larger-than-life presence, humor and decades of on-air work, has died following a battle with oral cancer, The Baltimore Sun reported.⁠

O’Brien’s career spanned more than 40 years across stations including B104 (WBSB), WAVA, WASH, WINX, WPGC and others, as well as television roles at WJZ, WMAR and WJLA. He gained particular notice in the late 1980s as half of the popular and often controversial Brian and O’Brien morning show on B104, where the pair built a following with irreverent bits, listener interactions and local commentary. He later reunited with partner Brian Wilson for a brief stint on WQSR.

Radio History: Oct 13

 

Bruce Morrow

➦In 1935...Bruce Morrow (born Bruce Meyerowitz) known to many listeners as Cousin Brucie was born.

Morrow's first stint in radio was in Bermuda at ZBM-AM, where he was known as "The Hammer."

Morrow began his stateside career at New York Top 40 station WINS in 1959. In 1960, he moved to Miami for a brief stint before returning to the New York airwaves the following year on powerhouse 77WABC. Morrow's returned to New York City came at the precise moment that rock and roll music was exploding across the Baby Boom demographic and Morrow found himself on the most powerful radio station on the East Coast at the onset of the British Invasion.

"Cousin Brucie" quickly became a success on WABC's teen-oriented evening shift in the 6:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. slot. Morrow became a commercial radio powerhouse and household name through his ability to maintain a rapport with his listeners while smoothly mixing the diverse musical genres of the time (Motown soul, pop, hard rock, surf music, novelty records), and then seamlessly segueing into commercials for youth-oriented sponsors like Thom McAn shoes, local clothing outlets in the New York and New Jersey areas, and events such as concerts and drag-strip races.

He served at WABC for 13 years and 4,014 broadcasts until August 1974, when he jumped to rival station WNBC 660 AM; after three years there, he left the airwaves to team with entrepreneur Robert F.X. Sillerman to become the owner of the Sillerman Morrow group of stations, which included WALL; WKGL, now WRRV, in Middletown, New York; WJJB, later WCZX, in Poughkeepsie, New York; WHMP in Northampton, Massachusetts; WOCB in West Yarmouth, Massachusetts; WRAN (now dark) New Jersey 1510 in Randolph, New Jersey; and television station WATL Atlanta. The group later purchased WPLR in New Haven, Connecticut.

In 1982, Morrow returned to the DJ role with New York's WCBS 101.1 FM. Initially, he filled in for Jack Spector every third Saturday evening for the Saturday Night Sock Hop program. Following Spector's resignation in 1985, Morrow took over the show and renamed it the Saturday Night Dance Party. The station also added his nationally syndicated show Cruisin' America. In 1986, he took on the Wednesday evening slot, where he hosted The Top 15 Yesterday and Today Countdown. In 1991, the Wednesday show became The Yearbook, focusing on music from a year between 1955 and 1979. Cousin Brucie was also the "breakfast presenter" on Atlantic 252 from 1992 to 1996.

When Cruisin' America ended its run in December 1992, Morrow continued hosting a WCBS show called Cruising with the Cuz Monday evenings until the end of 1993. After that show ended, he hosted the Saturday night and Wednesday night shows there until the station's change to the adult hits format called Jack FM on June 3, 2005. Shortly thereafter, he signed a multi-year deal to host oldies programming and a weekly talk show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

Morrow has hosted programs for Sirius XM satellite radio, on the '60s on 6 channel. Today Cousin Brucie is hosting a Saturday evening oldies show on former Musicradio 77WABC in NYC.

➦In 1963...the term 'Beatlemania' was coined, as The Beatles made their first major TV appearance from the London Palladium. The BBC had an audience of 15 million tuned in. Thousands of delirious fans jammed the streets outside the theater to voice their support of the Fab Four. A few months later, Beatlemania would sweep the U.S. as well.

Judge Halts Trump's Tax-Funded TV Commercials

A federal judge on Sunday ordered the Trump administration to stop airing taxpayer-funded television advertisements that prominently feature and promote the president, ruling that the ads are likely illegal.

U.S. District Judge Jennifer Rochon in New York issued a four-page order late Sunday barring the administration from using government funds to distribute the ads. The judge, appointed by former President Joe Biden, directed officials to cancel “any slot, placement, reservation, or arrangement for the airing or dissemination of the challenged advertisements.”

Study: Fox News Criticizes News Media Most Often

Fox News attacks the media roughly every 14.5 minutes—far more often than MSNBC (every 61 minutes) or CNN (every 140 minutes)—according to a new analysis of 15 years of cable news transcripts.

“Disparaging journalism is a far more central part of Fox News programming than it is of either MSNBC or CNN programming,” researchers concluded. The study examined “inter-journalism disparagement,” defined as negative statements about the conduct or content of an explicitly identified journalism target, such as a specific outlet or the news media in general.

ABC News Reposts Deleted Story About Trump's Sons

ABC News removed and then republished a corrected version of an Oct. 7 investigation into financial ties between President Donald Trump’s sons and defense contractors, including a major Navy deal with Anduril Industries, after initially telling subjects the story had been published “prematurely.” The network later acknowledged factual errors in company investments, government contracts, and event timelines, according to reporting by Semafor. 

The episode drew broader attention amid ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and major media outlets, including prior ABC settlements and FCC-related scrutiny. 

Where Things Stand: The AM Radio Act

Radios have long been standard equipment in cars, and the vast majority of vehicles still include them. In recent years, however, automakers including Tesla, Volkswagen, and Volvo have dropped analog AM radios from some newer models—particularly electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids—because EV motors and high-voltage systems can generate electromagnetic interference that distorts AM signals and produces static.

John Bozzella, CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, told Congress in April 2024 that “EVs and AM broadcasting technologies don’t always mix,” describing the interference as creating a “really staticky” listening experience. Auto industry research also indicates that drivers rarely tune in to traditional analog AM, preferring streaming services, satellite radio, or digital AM and FM broadcasts.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) counters that analog AM remains essential for public safety. Fewer households keep a traditional radio at home, yet it can serve as a critical source of emergency alerts during hurricanes, wildfires, or other crises when cell networks fail or become overloaded. “When the power goes out, radio can often be that sole lifeline, and AM radio in particular has a reach and a durability that other media just don’t simply have,” said NAB CEO Curtis LeGeyt.

Car listening is also economically vital for radio: according to the NAB, 53 percent of the AM/FM audience tunes in while driving. More than 4,000 AM stations still operate nationwide, per the Federal Communications Commission, carrying sports, talk, religious programming, and foreign-language content. The NAB estimates that 82 million Americans listen to AM radio each month, with the service especially important in rural and tribal areas where internet and cellular service can be unreliable.

Democrats Accuse FCC of Delaying Decision on Expanded L-U-R

Four Democratic candidates accuse the FCC of deliberately delaying a decision on political advertising rates so its expanded lowest unit rate policy—covering certain party-coordinated ads and joint fundraising committees—stays in place through Election Day. In a Supreme Court filing, they call the delay “blatant procedural trench warfare” meant to block judicial review before November, and they highlight a contradiction: the government previously told the justices that broadcasters need not offer discounted rates for party spending, yet the FCC’s March guidance requires those rates for qualifying party-coordinated expenditures.

The Supreme Court is considering emergency requests from the FCC and Republican congressional committees to block a Fourth Circuit order forcing the agency to act within 48 hours. The candidates argue the FCC has already shown how it plans to rule but is withholding a formal decision to keep the policy insulated from review until after the election.

The FCC rejects the accusations and defends the delay as reasonable, saying the Fourth Circuit overstepped and that its guidance reflects a longstanding approach. Changing the rules now, it argues, would create uncertainty for broadcasters and advertisers. Republican committees similarly warn that another shift could disrupt existing ad contracts in the campaign’s final weeks. With the election less than a month away and the Supreme Court having previously kept the expanded rates in place after a lower-court setback, the justices must now decide whether the policy continues until the FCC finishes its review.

Trump Admin Ups Ante On Intimidating News Media

The Justice Department is investigating whether ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox News violated federal antitrust laws (Sherman Act) when they briefly suspended the shared White House television press pool in September.

The networks halted pooled coverage for several days after President Trump barred CNN, MS NOW, and Politico from White House grounds (preventing CNN from participating in the pool). This left some events, such as a meeting with China’s Xi Jinping, without major network footage.⁠

DOJ officials contacted the networks on Friday with civil investigative demands for communications and materials related to the pool. A DOJ spokesperson described the action as a “proudly boycotted” group boycott among competitors and said the Antitrust Division is examining potential violations.

Bruce Brown, president of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, told The Hill the probe appears to be “a pretext for seeking records from the networks” on how they cover regular White House events amid Trump’s ban.

“The decisions news organizations make about coverage are protected by the First Amendment, and summoning antitrust authority, on top of the retaliatory actions the White House has already taken to bar certain outlets, is another and even more brazen attempt to try to intimidate journalists,” Brown said in a statement.

The probe widely viewed as a sharp escalation in the administration’s tensions with the press. Related litigation by the barred outlets continues, with a temporary court pause on the ban

TV Ratings: NFL Averaging 20.2M Viewers Per Game

NFL viewership rebounds to average 20.2 million viewers through Week 4

The NFL has recovered from early-season declines, with the average regular-season game drawing a Nielsen-measured 20.2 million viewers from Sept. 9 through Oct. 7—up 4% from the same period a year ago.

NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” is the strongest performer at 23.2 million viewers. CBS Sunday games average 20.5 million, ABC/ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” 19.3 million, Fox Sunday afternoon games 17.9 million, and Amazon Prime Video 17.4 million. CBS is up 7% year-over-year and Prime Video up 9%, while NBC is down 2%. Fox’s average is lower than its 23.2 million figure from the comparable period last year.

R.I.P.: Kim Leslie, Radio Personality, Nashville Music Executive

(1962-2026)

Kim Leslie, a longtime Nashville radio personality, music industry executive, and Country Music Association staffer who helped create key industry awards, died Oct. 9 in Gallatin, Tennessee, from Lewy body dementia. She was 64.

A Bronxville, New York, native, Leslie built a multi-decade career that bridged on-air radio work, music direction, label promotion, and organizational leadership in the country music industry. She began at WMZQ in Washington, D.C. (98.7), then moved to Nashville, where she served as afternoon host and music director at WSM-FM (95.5). She later worked in promotion at Asylum Records.

In 2001 she joined the Country Music Association as senior manager of industry relations, where she oversaw the creation of the CMA National Broadcast Personality of the Year award. She co-hosted afternoons at WKDF (103.3) starting in 2003, added part-time work at Sirius Satellite Radio in 2007, and spent more than a decade as a morning co-host on Midwest Communications’ adult contemporary “Mix 92.9” WJXA. She also served nearly a decade on the Country Radio Broadcasters board.

R.I.P.: Mike Horn, Radio Veteran, Founder of Cable Radio Network

Mike Horm (1952-2026)

Mike Horn, founder of CRN Digital Talk Radio and a longtime Los Angeles radio personality, has died. He was 74.

Horn died after a long illness. He spent his career finding new outlets for radio, from local cable systems to platforms for talk hosts including Ed McMahon and Robert Conrad.

Horn founded Cable Radio Network in 1983 to supply commercial radio programming to local cable television systems. The idea began after he learned that KMET in Los Angeles was earning ratings in the Phoenix market because a local cable system carried the signal. He took the concept to King Cable in the San Fernando Valley, programming a country music channel that later switched to oldies. Valley Cable and Falcon Cable soon showed interest, and the business grew as more local systems signed on.

When phone-line distribution became too costly, Horn moved the network to satellite. As noncommercial music channels from Digital Planet and DMX reached cable providers, he shifted CRN to talk radio. The network became CRN Talk, then CRN Digital Talk Radio in 2007.

Radio History: Oct 12

➦In 1937...'Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons' debuted on the NBC Blue Network.  It was one of radio's longest running shows, airing to April 19, 1955, continuing well into the television era. It was produced by Frank and Anne Hummert, who based it upon Robert W. Chambers' 1906 novel The Tracer of Lost Persons. The sponsors included Whitehall Pharmacal (as in Anacin, Kolynos Toothpaste, BiSoDol antacid mints, Hill's cold tablets and Heet liniment), Dentyne, Aerowax, RCA Victor and Chesterfield cigarettes. It aired on the NBC Blue network until 1947, when it switched to CBS.

➦In 1944...What would come to be known as the "Columbus Day Riot" took place in New York City, when 35,000 hysterical teenage girls crowded into the Paramount Theatre for a chance to see the return of Frank Sinatra. The crowd of teen "bobbysoxer" girls stopped traffic in Times Square and  refused to leave between shows.

➦In 1950…The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, sometimes called The Burns and Allen Show, made it debut on TV.   The is a half-hour series broadcast from 1950 to 1958 on CBS.

Burns and Allen were headliners in vaudeville in the 1920s, and radio stars in the 1930s and 1940s.

Their show was initially staged live and broadcast every other Thursday at 8 pm ET. In fall 1952, it became a weekly series filmed on the West Coast. From March 1953 through September 1958, The Burns and Allen Show aired Mondays at 8 pm ET.

The show was an immediate success.

➦In 1955...Chrysler introduces the world's first sound system for it cars.  The system consisted of -- record player mounted under the dashboard.

➦In 1969...Pop Culture's "Paul is Dead" hoax began when Tom Zarski, a student at Eastern Michigan University, called WKNR in Detroit and informed DJ Russ Gibb on air of the rumor that Paul McCartney died in a car crash, perhaps as long ago as 1966. Zarski told Gibb that by playing a section of the band's "Revolution 9" backwards, a clue emerges: the phrase "Turn me on, dead man." Gibb proceeds to do just that. Many listeners were stunned.