St. Louis Radio: Dana Loesch Files Suit Against Breitbart.com

KFTK St. Louis talk radio host and commentator Dana Loesch has sued the owner of the conservative website Breitbart.com Friday, claiming that although her relationship with the news and opinion aggregating website had gone “tragically awry,” Breibart.cοm LLC refused to let her work for the company or anyone else, forcing her into “indentured servitude in limbo.”

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports the suit, filed in U.S. District Court here, seeks at least $75,000 in damages, as well as a judge's declaration that her contract had expired.

The suit says that difficulties managing the Breitbart “media 'empire'” or ideological conflicts or both had spiked the working relationship, creating a “increasingly hostile” work environment. When Loesch tried to terminate her work agreement in September, Breitbart refused and extended the agreement by a year, the suit says.

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Loesch used to be a liberal, but became a right-wing conservative after the September 11 attacks. Loesch hosts The Dana Show: The Conservative Alternative, which broadcasts on KFTK FM NewsTalk 97.1 to the Greater St. Louis area.  

In October 2010, Loesch also became editor-in-chief of Big Journalism, one of the conservative group blogs created by Andrew Breitbart.  In February 2011, CNN hired Loesch, Will Cain, and Democratic strategist Cornell Belcher, as political analysts in preparation for its 2012 election coverage. Loesch was specifically hired to represent the Tea Party point of view.

Study: Election, Tragedies Dominate Top Stories of 2012

The public’s news interests were very much focused on domestic developments this year, with the election outcome, last week’s horrific school shooting and Hurricane Sandy leading the list of the top stories of 2012, according to the Pew Research Center.

With the exception of the attack on a U.S. consulate in Libya in September, which became a bitterly debated campaign issue, no foreign news story cracked the list of top stories.

The presidential election was the year’s top story, according to Pew Research Center’s News Interest Index, which tracks interest in major stories in a weekly basis. In the days following Barack Obama’s reelection, 60% followed campaign news very closely.

The Dec. 14 shooting at an elementary school in Newtown Conn. attracted nearly as much interest; 57% followed news about the tragedy very closely. Another large-scale shooting this year – this one at an Aurora, Colo. movie theater in July – also drew widespread interest, with nearly half (48%) following this event very closely.

Hurricane Sandy, which hit the East Coast in late October, drew very close interest from 53% of Americans. Though it struck in the final days of the campaign, interest in Sandy surpassed interest in the election that week.

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Accuweather Angered By TWC Storm Names

Accuweather head Joel Myers has accused the Weather Channel of "misleading" the public and hurting "science and public safety" by naming the ongoing storm Draco.

Myers released a statement stating that the Weather Channel's naming of the storm was irresponsible and misled their audience on storm tracking, claiming that due to the disparate nature of the storm's impact, Draco's naming could "create more confusion in the public and the emergency management community."

The decision to name winter storms by TWC has led to an outpouring of comments and criticism on the web, and particularly on social media outlets.

After reviewing The Weather Channel's release in its entirety and taking into account all factors, Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather Founder and President, released the following statement:

"In unilaterally deciding to name winter storms, The Weather Channel has confused media spin with science and public safety. We have explored this issue for 20 years and have found that this is not good science and will mislead the public. Winter storms are very different from hurricanes. 

Hurricanes are well-defined storms following a path that can be tracked. Winter storms are often erratic, affecting different areas unevenly. Their centers may not be well-defined. There may be multiple centers and they often shift. One area may get a blizzard, while places not too far away may experience rain or fog, or nothing at all. Naming a winter storm that may deliver such varied weather will create more confusion in the public and the emergency management community."

Other prominent industry agencies and professionals have begun weighing in on the issue, as well:

Official release from the National Weather Service:

The National Weather Service has no opinion about private weather enterprise products and services. A winter storm's impact can vary from one location to another, and storms can weaken and redevelop, making it difficult to define where one ends and another begins. While the National Weather Service does not name winter storms, we do rate major winter storms after the fact.

Executive Director of the American Meteorological Society, Keith Seitter to AccuWeather.com:

"The short answer is we weren't aware of this at all. At least, I wasn't aware of this at all. I'm not sure if anyone else was. I didn't hear anything about it before I saw the news item on the weather channel naming winter storms," said Keith Seitter. "....Given that, certainly, the AMS as an organization doesn't have a position on this at all.

Meteorologist James Spann via Twitter:

"Needs to be coordinated with NWS and other private sector interests for sure."

Charges Considered For 2Day FM Personalities

British prosecutors will decide whether to pursue charges against two Australian DJs after a nurse who took a hoax call to a hospital treating Prince William's pregnant wife Catherine apparently killed herself.

According to skynews.com.au, Scotland Yard said officers have sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over the prank earlier this month by presenters Mel Greig and Michael Christian, from Sydney's 2Day FM radio station.

Indian-born nurse Jacintha Saldanha, 46, was found dead in her lodgings near King Edward VII's Hospital in central London, where Catherine was being treated for acute morning sickness, on December 7.

'Following the death of Jacintha Saldanha, officers have liaised with the CPS as to whether any criminal offences had been committed in relation to the hoax call made to King Edward VII's Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, 4 December,' Scotland Yard said in a statement on Saturday.

It said officers submitted a file to the CPS on Wednesday for it to consider whether any potential offences may have been committed by making the hoax call.

Saldanha left three notes, one of which reportedly criticised colleagues over her treatment at the hospital.

It was not immediately clear how British prosecutors could pursue foreigners for a possible offence originated outside Britain.

Greig and Christian made tearful televised apologies for making the call, in which they posed as Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles and obtained private details of Catherine's medical condition.

Australian police say death threats have been made against the presenters.

The station has cancelled the show which ran the segment, suspended all prank calls and pledged at least $A500,000 to help the grieving family.

Australia's media watchdog has also opened an investigation into the call.

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Big Radio Wants FCC To Eliminate On-Air Contesting Rules

The big radio companies are massively dittoing a proposal from Entercom that would relax Federal Communications Commission requirements that radio stations announce the “material” rules of a radio contest over the airwaves, according to Matthew Lasar at Radio Survivor.

“In today’s fast paced world, Americans expect to instantly access information at their fingertips by merely logging on to a website, conducting a Google search, or using an app on their smart phone,” Entercom’s petition argues. “Relying on broadcast announcements for material contest information may have been an acceptable way to attempt to inform the public about the terms of a contest when the Contest Rule was enacted in 1976, but it is certainly not the case today, especially when there are superior methods that are simple to implement.”

At present, the FCC’s “contest rule” says that the “material terms” of the game must be explained “periodically by announcements broadcast on the station conducting the contest.” This doesn’t mean that the station has to explain the rules in their entirety every time, but “disclosure of material terms in a reasonable number of announcements is sufficient.”

The gist of Entercom’s proposal is to let stations announce the contest over the airwaves, but point listeners to the station website for more details. As Entercom puts it:

“Entercom proposes that the Commission amend the Contest Rule to permit broadcasters to either: (a) broadcast the material terms on the station (as provided in the current rule); or (b) provide in written form on a website and upon request by email, facsimile, mail or in person, provided that the station makes periodic announcements advertising how and where the public can gain access to the material terms of a contest.”

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CC-NYC Staff Celebrate With Bowling Party

Frames Bowling Lounge has hosted many holiday parties this season, and can now count Clear Channel Media as another satisfied client. The attendees for the Dec 21st holiday bash included radio staff from Z100, 106.7LiteFM, Power105 and 102.7. Currently holding the spot as #1 Hit Music Station in NYC, Z100 pulls in an audience of 5 million daily.

Present at the company-wide event were top Clear Channel executives including Joe Puglise, the company President. Also in attendance was DJ Cubby of 103.5KTU joined by DJ Suss One and Kim Kane from Power 105.1, members of the Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show, and Christine Nagy and Helen Little from 106.7Lite FM.

The event kicked off at 2pm, with welcome cocktails, laneside dining service, and competitive bowling. Clear Channel Media booked Frames’ “Luxury Retreat” party package, and enjoyed 3 full hours of Bowling, Billiards, Dancing and Open Bar, . “This service is wonderful, everyone here is so friendly; and the food-- OH MY GOD,” said a reveler as she bit into an appetizer.

Employees of Clear Channel and their radio station affiliates, including the popular iheartradio,103.5 KTU, Z100, Power105, Lite FM and WOR staff were all in attendance for the Holiday Bash at Frames Bowling Lounge in the city..

Louisville Announcer Bob Valvano Suffers Heart Attack

UPDATE 12/22/2012: According to his Facebook post, Valvano underwent a procedure to clear a 100 percent blockage in one vein.

Later, in a text-message exchange with The Courier-Journal, he said he was told, “Had I gotten on plane, I probably would have been gone. As it is, they had to shock me back once during procedure when I went into cardiac arrest. They shocked me once and procedure was successful. So I feel pretty good.”

Andy Sweeney, who produces Valvano’s WHBE ESPN-680 talk show, said he expects Valvano to be released from the hospital this weekend.

12/21/2012 Posting...

University of Louisville Cardinals Basketball broadcaster Bob Valvano is resting comfortably at Jewish Hospital is Louisville after suffering a heart attack.

WHAS11.com reports Valvano was walking to airport security in Louisville when, as he wrote on his facebook page, he felt a strong pain in his chest that was too strong to be acid reflux.

He said he called 911 and a fellow passenger who was a cardiologist stayed to help him until an ambulance arrived. Doctors found one vein 100% blocked and did a procedure to open it.

Valvano calls Louisville games on WHAS11 TV and ESPN broadcasts as well as radio broadcasts.

Valvano is the younger brother of the late North Carolina State college basketball coach and TV commentator Jim Valvano. He is active in the V Foundation, Jim Valvano's legacy in the fight against cancer, and authored a book about his brother titled "The Gifts of Jimmy V".

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CC-Boston Starts A Evolution At 101.7 FM

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Thursday  announced the launch of Evolution 101.7, its first broadcast Electronic Dance Music (EDM) station.

The new format kicked off at 6 p.m. on Boston's WHBA-FM (formerly WFNX) with an hour-long, Boston-dedicated specialty program hosted by Pete Tong, the iconic British DJ behind BBC Radio 1's renowned Essential Mix radio show.

TO LISTEN, CLICK HERE.

Pete Tong

Evolution 101.7, a broadcast extension of the popular digital station "Evolution" on iHeartRadio, will be hosted by famous DJ and electronic music tastemaker Tong. The station's programming will include "All Gone Pete Tong," an exclusive, two-hour daily show featuring Pete's Essential New Tune of the Week, as well as the hottest tracks from the global Top 100 chart on Beatport.com, the world's largest music store and community for DJs.

The show will broadcast Monday through Friday from 7-9 p.m. EST.

Evolution 101.7's programming will feature special mixes, on-air interviews and guest-hosted radio shows with world-class, progressive DJs and EDM producers. The station will also air exclusive content from Swedish House Mafia's final tour in addition to their featured show with all-new mixes.

"We've seen the impact of EDM in Boston through music downloads, sold-out concerts and passion for iHeartRadio's new Evolution channel," said Dylan Sprague, Vice President of Programming for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Boston. "We're excited to continue the tradition by giving dance music a home on Boston's airwaves."

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment currently owns five stations in the Boston market including WXKS-FM, WXKS-AM, WKOX-AM, WJMN-FM and WHBA-FM.

Behind The Scenes: CBS News' Broadcast Center

Behind-the-scenes tour of the CBS Broadcast Center with Erica Hill, co-host of "CBS This Morning."


Originally posted June 2012 at mediabistro.com.

Jake Tapper Leaves ABC News For CNN Show

Washington journalist Jake Tapper, who has served the last four years as ABC’s senior White House correspondent and is a best-selling author, joins CNN as anchor of a new weekday program and CNN’s chief Washington correspondent, it was announced today by Ken Jautz, executive vice president of CNN/U.S.

Tapper has been a widely-respected reporter in the nation’s capital for 14 years and his most recent book, The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor, is currently on The New York Times best seller list.

In his new role at CNN, he will be a key Washington, D.C. anchor and correspondent for CNN.

“We are thrilled to have Jake join CNN and take the helm of a brand new weekday program,” said Jautz. “Jake is an exceptional reporter and communicator, and we look forward to developing a program that takes advantage of all of his strengths, his passion and his knowledge of national issues and events.”

“With CNN’s impeccable reporting during the elections and the exciting changes in the works for the network, this is a perfect time to join the CNN team,” said Tapper. “I am excited about the prospect of working with both the new leadership and some old friends and colleagues.”

Tapper comes to CNN from ABC News, where he most recently served as senior White House correspondent, a position he was named to immediately following the 2008 presidential election.

Toledo Radio: Andrew Z Sentenced To 30-Days

Toledo radio personality, Andrew Z, will serve a 30-day jail sentence and another five years of community control for violating probation.

Zepeda is the current host of Andrew Z in the Morning on Cumulus-owned WWWM / Star 105.

According to northwestohio.com, Andrew Zepeda underwent alcohol dependency treatment after pleading guilty to charges related to the 2010 burglary of his former Perrysburg pizzeria.

In November 2010, Zepeda was indicted by a Wood County Grand Jury on three different felony charges, including theft, failure to remit sales tax and complicity to commit breaking and entering.

Zepeda, former of host of Andrew Z in the Morning on Clear Channel’s WVKS 92.5 KISS-FM, has since maintained his innocence. His attorney, Beau Harvey, filed motions asking that his client be accepted for an intervention in lieu of conviction. The motion, which implies Zepeda made decisions under the influence of an alcohol addiction, was made rather than entering a plea.

A Wood County judge granted Zepeda an intervention. Zepeda then pleaded guilty to all felony charges against him. However, within a year, he was back in court to face the charges again after violating conditions of his intervention.

In court on Thursday, Zepeda was ordered to serve 30 days behind bars at the Wood County Justice Center. He was also sentenced to five years of community control. He will enter jail on Jan. 21.

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ESPN Suspends Rob Parker For 30-Days

ESPN says Rob Parker will get a 30-day suspension for his controversial comments about race and Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III last week on the daytime show Fresh Take.

USA Today quotes Megan Keegan, ESPN vice president/production, in a statement that the network made mistakes in the show's "preparation" and in re-airing the show without cutting out Parker's comments.

Says Keegan: "Both were errors on our part."

Parker's suspension, which will last 30 days from its start last Friday, came from what Keegan calls "inappropriate" remarks.

And Keegan says going forward First Take will have "enhanced editorial oversight" and unspecified "appropriate disciplinary measures" have been taken "with the personnel responsible" for Parker's comments airing.

After the statement was released, ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said the network declined to make further comments.

ESPN commentator Parker has said he "blew it" in on-air comments about rookie quarterback Griffin and says he hopes to apologize to Griffin directly.

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Merry Christmas From Detroit's Classic Rock: WCSX

K-Earth To Unwrap 'Top 100 Christmas Hits of All Time'

Gary Lycan at ocregister.com writes:

Picture this. It's late on Monday, Christmas Eve. Midnight is minutes away. Santa is delivering his gifts. You're weary preparing for the big holiday, but can't fall asleep yet. You turn on the radio looking for music to match your mood. 

And then at midnight, on classic hits K-Earth 101, you find it – Wink Martindale's "Top 100 Christmas Hits of All Time." Eight hours of commercial-free songs compiled from Billboard and Cashbox Top Hits Listings. Mariah Carey, the Lettermen, Bryan Adams, Bing Crosby, Amy Grant, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley – they are all there, and more, and for fun, there are novelty hits from Stan Freberg and Spike Jones. 

Martindale, host and one of the producers, said, "I consider it one of my most prized achievements in radio." As I have noted here before, The Winker is well known for his audio-biographies on the old KMPC/710 AM and this is clearly another hit for the radio-TV broadcaster. This special is more than just playing the hits stories accompany each song to bring listeners unforgettable moments. 

"The Top 100 Christmas Hits of All Time" is syndicated by Radio Express whose CEO Tom Rounds first teamed with Martindale on "The Elvis Presley Special." The Christmas show will be heard on stations nationwide.

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What If We Talked Like Reporters?