Friday, May 28, 2021

Wake-Up Call: Senate Republicans Expected To Block Commission Probe

Senate Republicans are expected to use the filibuster to block the creation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, with a vote on the procedural motion that had been expected Thursday pushed to today after delays on a unrelated bill. After initially saying he was open to the idea of a commission, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has in recent days come out against it, with CNN reporting that he's asking GOP senators who might be leaning towards voting for the commission to support filibustering it as a, quote, "personal favor" to him. McConnell has said that even though the panel would be evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, he believes the investigation would be partisan. A handful of Republicans are still expected to vote in favor of the commission, but 10 would need to in order to overcome a filibuster. The measure to create a commission passed in the House, with 35 Republicans joining with the Democrats.
 

Among those on Capitol Hill meeting with Republicans in the past couple of days to advocate for the creation of a commission was Metropolitan Police Department Officer Michael Fanone, who responded to the January 6th attack. He was dragged down the Capitol steps by rioters, who shocked him with a stun gun and beat him. Also doing so were the mother and girlfriend of Capitol Hill Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed and later died after the attack.

➤GUNMAN WHO KILLED NINE AT CALIFORNIA RAIL YARD APPEARED TO TARGET VICTIMS: The 57-year-old gunman who killed nine people Wednesday morning at the San Jose, California, light rail facility where he worked appeared to target some of the victims, Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith told the Associated Press Thursday. Samuel Cassidy, who killed himself as police arrived in response to the attack, brought a duffel bag filled with semi-automatic handguns and high-capacity magazines to the Valley Transportation Authority rail yard, according to the sheriff. Smith said, "It appears to us at this point that he said to one of the people there: 'I’m not going to shoot you.' And then he shot other people. So I imagine there was some kind of thought on who he wanted to shoot." The sheriff also said explosives were found at Cassidy's home, where it's believed he set a timer or other device so a fire would took place at the same time as the shooting, which is what happened.


Sheriff's officials described Cassidy as "a highly disgruntled VTA employee for many years," and AP cited a Biden administration official describing a Department of Homeland Security memo as saying that after he was detained by customs officers in 2016, Cassidy spoke about hating his workplace and had a memo book with notes on how he hated the Valley Transportation Authority. But when asked if had issues with people at work, he said no. It doesn't say why customs officers stopped him, but said he had books about, quote, "terrorism and fear and manifestos."

➤THREE TACOMA POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED IN DEATH OF BLACK MAN: Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson filed charges Thursday against three Tacoma police officers in the death of Manuel Ellis, a 33-year-old Black man who died in March 2020 after repeatedly telling the officers he couldn't breathe while being restrained. Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins were charged with second-degree murder and Timothy Rakine was charged with first-degree manslaughter. They are set for arraignment today after being taken into custody yesterday. A probable cause statement said that witnesses said Ellis wasn't fighting back as he was being restrained, and that Rankine allegedly put pressure on his back as he said he couldn't breathe. The incident began with Burbank and Collins saying they saw Ellis trying to get into occupied cars at a red light, and they claim he attacked the officers. But witnesses said Burbank and Collins attacked him without provocation. The Pierce County medical examiner called Ellis’ death a homicide and attributed it to lack of oxygen from being restrained. He said an enlarged heart and methamphetamine intoxication were contributing factors.


➤14-YEAR-OLD FLORIDA BOY CHARGED WITH MURDER IN DEATH OF CLASSMATE STABBED 114 TIMES: A 14-year-old Florida boy, Aiden Fucci, was charged with first-degree murder yesterday in the death of a classmate, 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, who he alleged stabbed 114 times and then left her mutilated body in a wooded area in St. Johns County earlier this month. State attorney for the 7th Circuit, R.J. Larizza, said Fucci would be tried as an adult, and charged the attack was premeditated. Asked about a possible motive, Larizza said, "We're still working and investigating this case." But he denied when asked if Fucci was suffering from mental health issues.


➤U-S DRIVERS TO GET HIT BY SOARING PUMP PRICES OVER MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY:  If you’re driving anywhere this holiday weekend you can expect to pay up for gas. The American Automobile Association (Triple "A") reports that U.S. drivers will see the highest gasoline prices in seven years when they hit the roads this Memorial Day weekend. Retail gasoline prices are at about $3.04 per gallon on average nationwide, the most expensive since 2014. And after a year of lockdown to curb the coronavirus pandemic, some 34 million American are expected to hit the highways between yesterday (May 27th) and Monday (May 31st.) That’s a 53 percent increase in travelers from 2020, which is still ten percent lower than in 2019. GasBudy’s Patrick De Haan adds that the increase in gas price “is still due to the Colonial outage recovery, plus high demand, making it hard for stations to get back on top of things.”


➤BILL COSBY HAS BEEN DENIED PAROLE:  Bill Cosby was denied parole in his sexual assault case after refusing to participate in a "sex offender" therapy program. According to The New York Daily News, the Pennsylvania Parole Board revealed that Cosby also received a "negative recommendation" from corrections officials. Cosby's spokesperson Andrew Wyatt said that the decision "was not a surprise." He said in a statement, “Mr. Cosby has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and continues to deny all allegations made against him. Today, Mr. Cosby continues to remain hopeful that the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court will issue an opinion to vacate his conviction or warrant him a new trial.” The decision was actually made on May 11th but was first reported yesterday (May 27th).

In 2018, Cosby was convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania mansion in 2004. He was sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison. Constand reacted to the news on Twitter, writing, “DENIED."

➤GOV'T. ORDERS NEW CYBERSECURITY REQUIREMENTS FOR PIPELINES: In the wake of the cyber attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline for five days earlier this month, disrupting gas supplies, the Transportation Security Administration yesterday ordered new cybersecurity requirements for fuel pipelines. U.S. pipeline operators will be required to conduct a cybersecurity assessment, report any cyber incidents to the federal government, and have a cybersecurity coordinator available at all times to work with authorities if there's an attack. They'll face penalties starting at $7,000 per day for not complying. Until now, pipeline operators had only voluntary guidelines.

➤WORMUTH CONFIRMED AS FIRST FEMALE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: The Senate confirmed Christine Wormuth unanimously yesterday as Secretary of the Army, making her the first woman to hold the post. Wormuth has an extensive history at the Pentagon, including as undersecretary of defense for policy and senior director for defense policy at the National Security Council during the Obama administration. She also has served as principal deputy assistant secretary for homeland defense.

➤HARRIS TO SPEAK AT NAVAL ACADEMY GRADUATION: Vice President Kamala Harris will deliver the commencement address at the U.S. Naval Academy's graduation and commissioning ceremony today (May 28th). The ceremony is being held in person at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis after it was held virtually for the first time last year due to the pandemic. About 1,000 students are graduating, with most to be commissioned as officers. Harris will be the first woman to give the graduation speech at the Naval Academy.

➤HOW LONG YOU SHOULD WAIT BEFORE HAVING A FIRST KISS MIGHT SURPRISE YOU: Kissing on a first isn’t a bad thing. Dating and relationship expert Julie Bekker says if you’re on a first date there’s “no need to wait” if your instincts tell you to go in for a kiss and you get the feeling the other person is into it as well. Spiritual guide and dating expert Heather Strang agrees, saying, “Every connection and couple is different. I find it best to take the pressure off and allow the date to follow organically.” If your date tries to kiss you and you’re not ready, the experts say you should be upfront and let them know from the beginning of the date that you’re looking to take things slow. If you don’t realize you’re not ready until they’re going in for the kiss, you should dodge the kiss as gracefully as possible. If you try to kiss someone and they’re not ready you should try not to take it personally- since you’d want them to respect your choice if the situation were reversed. Also, if they’re easily distracted during the date, they just might not be that interested, and you really shouldn’t go for the smooch. If you have a first kiss and you think it’s awkward, that’s not necessarily a bad thing—the experts say you should be wary of someone who is too comfortable on a first date, as it could be a sign they are a serial dater who’s used to making misleading first impressions.


 🏒CAROLINA BEATS NASHVILLE IN OT TO ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND: The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Nashville Predators 4-3 in overtime last night to win their first-round NHL playoffs series 4 games to 2 and advance to the second round. Sebastian Aho scored the winning goal for Carolina just 1:06 into overtime. The Hurricanes will now play the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning in Round 2.

🏒NHL PLAYOFFS: Results from first-round games yesterday:
  • Carolina Hurricanes 4, Nashville Predators 3 (OT) - Carolina wins series 4 games to 2
  • Montreal Canadiens 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 3 (OT) - Toronto leads 3 games to 2
🏀NBA PLAYOFFS: Results from first-round games yesterday:
  • Milwaukee Bucks 113, Miami Heat 84 - Milwaukee leads 3 games to 0
  • L.A. Lakers 109, Phoenix Suns 95 - Los Angeles leads 2 games to 1
  • Denver Nuggets 120, Portland Trail Blazers 115 - Denver leads 2 games to 1
🏀KNICKS, 76ERS, JAZZ ALL BAN FANS OVER PLAYOFF GAME INCIDENTS: The New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz banned a total of five fans from their arenas Thursday over incidents that happened during playoff games a day earlier. The NBA also said that fan behavior rules will be, quote, "vigorously enforced." The Knicks banned a fan for spitting on the Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young. The 76ers banned a fan who dumped popcorn on the Washington Wizards' Russell Westbrook and revoked his season tickets. The Jazz banned three fans over a verbal altercation during the game the Memphis Grizzlies. Utah didn't give details, but the Grizzlies' Ja Morant, who had family members at the game, said they, quote, "felt the love" from many Jazz fans around them, but that those three fans, quote, "just went too far."

🏌SPIETH, GARCIA TIED IN FIRST AFTER OPENING ROUND AT COLONIAL: American Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia of Spain are tied for the lead at 7-under 63 after the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge at the Colonial Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas yesterday. They were two shots ahead of Erik Compton and Jason Kokrak. Just four days after winning the PGA Championship at age 50 to become the oldest to win a major, Phil Mickelson finished 10 shots back yesterday.
 

➤INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY SOLD OUT FOR INDY 500: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is sold out for the Indy 500 this Sunday, race organizers said Thursday. There will be a reduced-capacity crowd of 135,000 fans on hand for the iconic race, about 40 percent of a full house. Fans will be required to wear masks when not eating or drinking. The Indy 500 was held last year without any fans due to the pandemic for the first time in history.

🏌TIGER WOODS: CAR CRASH REHAB MORE PAINFUL THAN ANYTHING BEFORE: Tiger Woods is continuing to recover from his February car crash that left him with serious leg injuries, and he told Golf Digest that the rehab he's going through is, quote, "more painful than anything I have ever experienced." Despite having had a range of injuries and surgeries in the past that required rehab, he said, "this has been an entirely different animal." Woods didn't address the possibility of returning to competing in golf, saying, "I do my [physical therapy] routines every day and am focused on my Number 1 goal right now: walking on my own."
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Detroit Radio: Roxanne Steele Joins WDRQ-FM Morning Show


CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed Roxanne Steele as Co-Host of the Broadway In The Morning radio show on Detroit New Country WDRQ 93.1 FM. 

Roxanne Steele
Steele joins Bill “Broadway” Bertschinger, Host of Broadway In The Morning, which airs Monday through Friday from 5:00am-10:00am. Steele has served as a part-time talent for New Country 93.1 since 2018. Prior to that, she was On-Air Host, Middays, on Audacy’s WYCD-FM in Detroit. She was also on-air for 12 years with CBS Radio Chicago, as Afternoon Host on WBBM-FM/B96 and later, as Afternoon Host on sister station WCFS-FM/Fresh 105.9.

David Corey, Director of FM Programming, Cumulus Detroit, said: “I am thrilled to have a superstar like Roxanne join Broadway in the Morning each and every weekday. The combination of having those two together in morning drive is super exciting!”

Roxanne Steele remarked: “I'm so excited to join Broadway in the Morning and be a part of Detroit morning radio where so many legendary morning shows exist. This is an incredible opportunity and I'm beyond grateful for it.”
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Fresno Radio: Christopher Gabriel Named Host of KMJ Morning News

Newstalk KMJ 580 AM / 105.9 FM has announced that Christopher Gabriel is the new host of Fresno’s Morning News. 

Beginning Monday, the veteran broadcaster and entertainer joins anchor Matt Otstot and the team to bring the San Joaquin Valley the best breaking news coverage from 6-9am PT. He will also host a weekend talk show on the station.

Gabriel was on air in Minneapolis, MN, and Fargo, ND, before heading west to Fresno where he’s worked in both news-talk and sports. Prior to launching his radio career, the USC alum worked on stage as a classically trained actor.

Blake Taylor, Program Director, KMJ 580AM/105.9FM, said: "Christopher is a true pro with superb energy, personality, smarts and has the news chops to take KMJ's #1 rated morning news to the next level. He's talented and a team player. We couldn't ask for more. I can't wait to hear what the future holds!"

Christopher Gabriel
Christopher Gabriel commented: "When the program director of the number one station in a great radio market like Fresno calls, you listen. When he says he's interested in you hosting their award-winning morning news program, you do more than listen. KMJ is the gold standard, as is Fresno's Morning News. Matt Otstot is a pro's pro and someone I've been friends with and an admirer of since I met him five years ago. To say I'm excited to work with Matt and the entire team at KMJ would be a massive understatement. I'm hoping what I'll bring in creativity, passion and focus will help elevate us even more."

KMJ, which will soon celebrate its 100th year on the air, features the Golden Mike Award-winning news team of Matt Otstot, Liz Kern, Aaron Abeytia along with sports anchor George Takata, traffic anchor Mike Martinez and weather anchor Kimberly Kolliner.

Gabriel replaces former host Tony Manes who recently relocated out of state to be closer to family.
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Jax Radio: iHM Adds BIN Affiliate


iHeartMedia Jacksonville announced Thursday the debut of the new BIN 104.1 FM on W281AM.

BIN 104.1 is part of BIN: Black Information Network, the recently launched 24/7 comprehensive national audio news service dedicated to providing an objective, accurate and trusted source of continual news coverage with a Black voice and perspective.

BIN 104.1 will broadcast 24/7 national and local news focused on serving the Black community and providing an information window for those outside the community to help foster communication, accountability and a deeper understanding. The station will feature top national on-air anchors and correspondents including award-winning broadcaster Ed Gordon, renowned journalist Roland Martin and Emmy Award-winning anchor Vanessa Tyler.

“We are thrilled to have the BIN: Black Information Network expand its reach across the country. We are honored to welcome the Jacksonville market, a community with a deep and rich Black heritage,” said Tony Coles, President of BIN: Black Information Network. “BIN takes pride in being the most trusted source for both local and national news in the Black community, and Jacksonville deserves a full-time news service by and for the Black community.”

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Jacksonville market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, iHeartMedia’s free all-in-one digital music, podcasting and live streaming radio service – with more than 2 billion app downloads and more than 140 million registered users.
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WarnerMedia CEO To Remain..For Now


WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar — whose future has been in doubt since AT&T’s $43 billion deal to spin off its entertainment unit — will remain at the helm of the company until mid-2022, it emerged on Thursday.

The NY Post reports Kilar has told staffers that he will continue in his current role as WarnerMedia CEO for the next 12 months, which is roughly when the media company’s merger with Discovery is expected to close, sources said.

Jason Kilar
Kilar, who only took the WarnerMedia job last April, made the surprise announcement Thursday at a celebration of the one-year anniversary of WarnerMedia’s streaming service HBO Max, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.

Kilar, who recently became eligible for $53 million in cash and stock options, stands to pocket his entire annual $2.5 million salary and his targeted bonus if terminated after two years on the job, according to to AT&T SEC filing in March. His severance after one year would have included unpaid salary and a prorated bonus subject to performance.

“My plan and my focus is to remain here in my CEO role at WarnerMedia,” Kilar reportedly said. “I am not thinking right now about post-merger. There will be a time to consider that topic in 2022.”

“I believe we have unfinished business and the work of the next year can and should be extremely fulfilling as the world continues to see what we are capable of doing,” Kilar reported said.

WarnerMedia confirmed the news but declined to comment further.

Prior to Thursday’s announcement, sources had said Kilar was negotiating his exit package following AT&T’s May 17 announcement that it would merge the entertainment unit behind CNN, HBO Max and movie studio Warner Bros. with Discovery, which owns TLC, Animal Planet and The Food Network.

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Former Employee Feels Dave Ramsey Company Is A Cult


In her first interview since filing a federal lawsuit against the company of financial guru Dave Ramsey, Caitlin O’Conner described to WSMV-TV4 in Nashville the company as a cult and said employees fear to make missteps in their personal lives for fear it will be reported to their work superiors.

O’Connor filed the federal lawsuit after she said she was fired for having premarital sex and becoming pregnant.

She has declined interview requests until Thursday.

“I obviously asked for an interview and you said no. What changed your mind?” asked News4 Investigates.

“The last news story that you reported on hit me in a way that it hadn’t hit me before,” O’Connor said.

That story featured audio of Ramsey speaking to staff, mocking employees who engage in premarital sex. “’I didn’t agree with the righteous living core value.’ Well, why did you come, stupid?” Ramsey said in the recording.

“He’s going to go on stage in front of 900 of my team members and call me stupid. That’s grossly inappropriate,” O’Connor said. “That was really the straw that broke the camel’s back for me.”

Ramsey can be heard saying in the audio if you don’t agree with his biblical principles, you have no place in his company. “If you don’t like that, this is your cue. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass,” Ramsey said in the recording.

But O’Connor said it was never stipulated that premarital sex was cause for termination.

“Were you afraid when you found out that you were pregnant that you were going to lose your job?” News4 Investigates asked.

“Yeah, I was terrified,” O’Connor replied.



The federal lawsuit states that as soon as she emailed human resources to alert them to her pregnancy, a high-ranking superior in the company responded to that email in a way that astonished her.

In the lawsuit, O’Connor claims the company almost immediately terminated her insurance.

“It’s like leaving the cult,” O’Connor said.

“You just described it as a cult?” asked News4 Investigates.

“I’m not a cult expert. I would be very interested in someone who is a cult expert or someone who is an expert in high control groups to get their opinion,” O’Connor said.

O’Connor is suing, claiming federal law forbids discrimination based on pregnancy.

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May 28 Radio History




➦In 1957....The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is established, leading to the creation of the annual Grammy Awards.


➦In 1958….Top40 1010WINS pranked rival  WMGM 1050 AM with a Charles DeGaulle phone call..

Before the era of radio shock jocks and tv prank-yankers, there was the infamous Charles de Gaulle Hoax of 1958, when DeGaulle was President of France.

It was the first truly great prank call in the history of radio--a doozy of a sting. Broadcast live throughout the Northeast, the faux phone call left one station supremely humiliated, leaving the other--the perpetrator of this mad hoax--basking in smug glory.

According to an aerticle Ken Brooks which appeared in Plus! magazine, in the spring of 1958, New York City radio stations were waging a fierce war for listeners. The combination of rock-and-roll and the transistor radio had made Elvis the King, and AM radio stations--at least those with their ears to the asphalt--were hastily switching formats.

One of the first stations to make the switch--in 1956, in fact--was WINS. By 1958, WINS had assembled a legendary line-up of disc jockeys that including Alan Freed, the former Cleveland jock credited with coining the term "rock and roll."

WINS's large news department was impressive as well; indeed, station call letters stood for International News Service, a division of the powerful Hearst Corporation.

Struggling in the shadow of WINS was low-rated WMGM. The station had once been the proud home of Brooklyn Dodger broadcasts, but the team was gone now, transplanted to Los Angeles that very spring. WMGM's tepid music format combined a bit of rock with easy-listening.

The station was not exactly a strong news-gathering force, either. Without a large news staff, WMGM execs outfitted an old panel truck and assigned two reporters to cruise the streets looking for "scoops." The reporters were dubbed the Minute Men; presumably they would be on the scene of a breaking story in a matter of minutes.

Headlines on the morning of Tuesday, May 28, 1958, concerned big news overseas: The imminent collapse of the French government, and the possibility that Gen. Charles De Gaulle--the popular World War II hero--would seize control of the republic.In the WMGM newsroom, executives decided on a bold move that would prove to New Yorkers that WMGM could be taken seriously as a news-gathering operation.

At 10:30 am, newscaster Bill Edmunds interrupted with this announcement: 
"French President Coty is conferring with political leaders after receiving the resignation of Premier Pflimlin. A new government may be created today with General de Gaulle at the helm. WMGM has a call in, long-distance, overseas to General De Gaulle to bring you a direct interview...As soon as that call is completed, we'll put that call right on the air."
 Monitoring rival stations' broadcasts is standard practice in the radio business. WMGM's plan to call de Gaulle caused no panic in the WINS newsroom, where it was seen as a desperate act on the part of WMGM. The idea that General de Gaulle would actually return a call to a local New York City radio station was outlandish.

Unless...

At noon the phone rang at WMGM studios. On the line was an overseas operator--or so she claimed. "Your trans- atlantic call is ready, sir," she said.

Bill Edmunds hustled to a mic."General? General de Gaulle?"

"Yas?" The response sounded static-y and far-away.

"General de Gaulle, this is WMGM in New York City." One could feel the adrenaline in Edmund's voice; they gave out awards for scoops like this. "I would like to know if you would care to make a statement to the American people at this time."

"Yas, I certainly would," said de Gaulle in a heavily French-accented English. "Are we on zee air now?" he asked.

"No sir, we are making a tape to play later, throughout the day and on our newscasts," Edmunds said.

"Well..." There was a pause as the General mulled this over. "No," he said finally, "I would not like to be recorded, as I have not yet granted the French press any of thees informay-shee-own. But I will agree to be broadcast."

"Will you hold, please, and we'll put you directly on the air? Can you do that?" Edmunds was practically begging.

"Yas, but make it very fast as I must go to ze Na-shee-a-nal Assem-blee."

"Just as soon as they give me the go-ahead, General..." In the thirteen seconds of dead-air that followed--an eternity in radio-time--one could hear the engineers scrambling to punch the right buttons.

Then, live, in stentorian tones, Edmunds announced: "I am on the phone with General Charles De Gaulle in France. General de Gaulle, would you care to make a statement about the crisis in France?"

"Thank you Mr. Edmunds," the General began. "I would like to make clear that when I assume pow-air I weel not do so by any dictatorial means. I am too much of an old soldier...and I weel give to the pee-pull of France the government they should have had ever since the war."

Edmunds wasn't about to let the General go just yet. A few more questions. Then de Gaulle broke in: "...Monseuir, can you tell me again whom I am speaking to?"

"Bill Edmunds, General. I'm one of the WMGM Minute Men." Surprisingly, de Gaulle sounded not the least bit impressed.

"WMGM?" the General repeated. "Why, everybody knows the best radio station in New York is WINS." Then he screamed: "Viva la France!"

In the second-and-a-half before the line went dead, in the background, one could hear the unmistakable sounds of hysterical laughter.

Poor Bill Edmunds: Totally nonplussed, unsure what had transpired, unwilling to let go of that award he'd surely have received.

Here's what he said next: "Uh...ladies and gentlemen...we've, uh, been talking to, uh..."--Edmunds drew a blank..."General Charles de Gaulle!"

Mercifully, someone at the studio had the presence to kill Edmunds' mike.

By the time New York's afternoon newspapers hit the streets, the incident was front page news. The World-Telegram headline read: "WHO HAD DE GALL TO CALL WMGM?"

"Switchboards at WMGM and WINS were as hot as the French crisis today," the paper declared, " and General Charles de Gaulle was at least partially responsible..." Executives at WMGM, the paper reported, are demanding an immediate investigation by the Federal Communications Commission.

When asked by the World-Telegram for comment, WINS general manager Herb Fearnhead responded blankly, "I don't know a thing about it." Not that WINS was adverse to rubbing it in: The rest of Tuesday afternoon their announcers broadcast the time in French.

Then, on Wednesday morning, a final insult. A telegram arrived at WMGM. Sent from Paris, it read: "I was cut off. What happened? --Charles de Gaulle."

Twenty-six years would pass before anyone fessed up. That's when an assistant program director for WINS admitted that the entire episode, complete with pre-recorded "transatlantic static," was the brainchild of WINS news director Tom O'Brien. And it was O'Brien's fiancee--a stewardess for British Overseas Airlines, stationed in Paris--who authored the bogus telegram.


➦In 1962…"Wide World of Sports with Chris Schenkel" debuted on the CBS Radio Network.


➦In 1998…actor/comedian, Phil Hartman, was shot to death while asleep by his wife. He was 49. Hartman starred in the TV sitcom, "NewsRadio".


➦In 2017...sportswriter Frank Deford, longtime sports commentator/philosopher on NPR’s Morning Edition, died at age 78.  Beginning in 1980 he did 1,656 commentaries for the public radio network.

➦In 2017...Radio personality & news anchor Ken Ackerman of KCBS Radio San Francisco for parts of 5 decades, died at age 95.  From 1958-70 he hosted American Airlines’ Music til Dawn.

Kylie Minoque is 52
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
  • Actor Carroll Baker is 90. 
  • Singer Gladys Knight is 77. 
  • Singer Billy Vera is 77. 
  • Singer John Fogerty is 76. 
  • Musician Jerry Douglas of Alison Krauss and Union Station is 65. 
  • Actor Louis Mustillo (“Mike and Molly”) is 63. 
  • Actor Brandon Cruz (“The Courtship of Eddie’s Father”) is 59. 
  • Actor Christa Miller (“Scrubs,” ″The Drew Carey Show”) is 57. 
  • Country singer Phil Vassar is 57. 
  • Singer Chris Ballew of Presidents of the United States of America is 56. 
  • Singer Kylie Minogue is 53. 
  • Rapper Chubb Rock is 53. 
  • Actor Justin Kirk (“Weeds”) is 52. 
  • Talk show host Elisabeth Hasselbeck (“Fox and Friends,” ″The View”) is 44. 
  • R&B singer Jaheim is 44. 
  • Actor Jake Johnson (“New Girl”) is 43. 
  • Actor Monica Keena (“Dawson’s Creek,” ″Undeclared”) is 42. 
  • Actor Alexa Davalos (“Clash of the Titans” ″The Chronicles of Riddick”) is 39. 
  • Actor Megalyn Echikunwoke (“24”) is 39. 
  • Singer Colbie Caillat is 36. 
  • Actor Carey Mulligan (“The Great Gatsby”) is 36.
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Thursday, May 27, 2021

Premiere Networks Decides It Takes Two To Fill The Rush Time Slot


The Rush Limbaugh replacements are in, as Clay Travis and Buck Sexton will take over his three-hour conservative talk radio show time slot, said distributor Premiere Networks.

The duo will serve up similar right-wing fare, tackling news stories of the day, politics and current events, peppered with call-ins from listeners and humor. Premiere Networks hopes the younger voices will bring something new to talk radio, while also continuing on in Mr. Limbaugh’s legacy.

The Wall Street Journal reports the program, slated to begin airing June 21, will be called “The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show.” It is expected to air around the country, from noon to 3 p.m. ET, on hundreds of stations.

Since the 70-year-old conservative talk-radio icon and pioneer of right-wing media died from complications from lung cancer in February, the industry has been looking to fill his massive void. Mr. Limbaugh’s show, marked by his signature brash and acerbic conservatism, ran for more than three decades and was the most listened to in the U.S., according to Nielsen Audio, reaching more than 20 million monthly listeners on more than 650 affiliates as of the end of 2020.

Premiere Networks has continued to syndicate “The Rush Limbaugh Show” using archived segments on topics relevant to the day’s news, with guest hosts filling in between clips. The program was attracting about 75% to 80% of its regular audience, according to a person familiar with the matter.

“Rush’s connection with his audience is one of the primary legacies of his show,” Travis said. “I also think Buck and I have the unique ability to offer a perspective that many people in their 20s and 30s are desperate to hear.”

Travis, 42 years old, is a sports journalist, lawyer, TV analyst and founder of sports website Outkick.com. Since 2016 he’s hosted “Outkick the Coverage With Clay Travis” on Fox Sports Radio, syndicated to more than 350 affiliates nationwide on weekday mornings. (Mr. Travis has agreed to sell Outkick to Fox Corp.) He will continue to co-host FS1’s daily gambling TV show “Fox Bet Live,” in addition to his podcasts “Outkick The Show” and “Wins & Losses With Clay Travis.”

A self-proclaimed political moderate and independent, Travis last year announced he would be voting for former President Donald Trump, saying it would be the first time he would vote for a Republican for president. He has written several books, most recently 2018’s “Republicans Buy Sneakers, Too: How the Left Is Ruining Sports With Politics.”

Sexton, 39, is a radio host and political commentator who has served as an officer with the Central Intelligence Agency and a New York Police Department counterterrorism expert. His three-hour weekday evening talk show, “The Buck Sexton Show”—formerly “America Now”—is syndicated to over 180 stations by Premiere, and he has served as a guest host for Limbaugh’s show. Mr. Sexton is a regular on Fox News as a national security analyst, and was previously national security editor for The Blaze.

“The most dominant talk radio hosts have been from one generation; Clay and I represent the next phase. We’re going to bring the perspective of two guys who see a country they’re deeply worried about, and a massive audience that needs people who will speak for them,” he said.

Premiere, which will shop the new program to affiliate stations, expects it to be broadcast on hundreds of stations when it launches. It will also be available as a podcast on iHeartRadio and broadly.

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R.I.P.: Tom Shannon, Iconic CKLW Radio Personality

How many radio personalities can say they dated Ann-Margret, that their show theme song become a Top 10 hit, and that they helped launch “96 Tears” by Question Mark & The Mysterians into the world?

According to The Detroit News, Tom Shannon, a top jock at the “Big 8,” CKLW Detroit-Windsor during its golden era, did all that and more.

Shannon died Wednesday from pancreatic cancer, in Salinas, California, said Rob Lynch, longtime partner of Shannon's daughter Catherine. He was 82 and had been under hospice care after a recent diagnosis. Shannon had been living in California since his 2005 retirement from radio.


With his tagline, “The sun never sets on the Shannon empire,” the handsome, smooth-voiced legend was touted by CKLW for his “Irish charm and wit” in newspaper ads in the '60s.

“He was good-looking, smooth and cool in every way,” said Pat St. John of Sirius XM satellite radio, adding: “He didn’t act cool, Tom was cool.”

Radio historian Art Vuolo was a longtime friend. “Nobody will ever have a show theme song become a national hit, because there aren’t many theme songs anymore,” said Vuolo. “For that matter, there aren’t many personalities on radio the likes of Tom Shannon.”

In 1969, Shannon was voted the No. 1 pop music disc jockey in the United States and Canada, earning him the Bill Gavin Radio-Record Award, the industry’s top honor.  That same year Pat St. John, just 18, was hired by CKLW hired for his first music DJ job. Despite the disparity in career arcs, Shannon wasn’t cocky.

“I just loved listening to him,” said St. John. “He didn’t scream. Tom was this friendly, down to earth guy, somebody you really wanted to know. You could have a cup of coffee with him and he was genuinely interested in you. A very rare talent.

Before he figured out that he needed to find his own style, St. John admits he copied his hero, admiring how effortlessly friendly and real Shannon sounded. “He just kind of spoke, he didn’t put on a voice. He really seemed to talk to you one on one.”

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White Evangelicals Watch FOX News, Atheists: CNN, MSNBC


Fox News possesses an “outsized influence” on the American public, especially among religious viewers, according to the Neiman Lab.

That was the conclusion of the nonprofit Public Religion Research Institute in a report released just after the 2020 presidential election. It noted that 15% of Americans cited Fox News as the most trusted source — around the same as NBC, ABC and CBS combined, and four percentage points above rival network CNN. The survey of more than 2,500 American adults also suggested that Fox News viewers trend religious, especially among Republicans watching the show. Just 5% of Republican viewers of the channel identified as being “religiously unaffiliated,” compared to 15% of Republicans who do not watch Fox News and 25% of the wider American public.

To further explore the relationship between different faiths and the TV news they associate with as part of my research on religion data, Neiman's Ryan Burge analyzed the result of another survey, the Cooperative Election Survey.

The annual survey, which was fielded just before the November 2020 election, with the results released in March, polled a total of 61,000 Americans over a number of topics. One question was on their news consumption habits. It asked what television news networks respondents had watched in the prior 24 hours.

Some very interesting patterns emerged across religious traditions, the nonreligious, and the type of media being consumed. For instance, of the big three legacy news operations — ABC, CBS, and NBC — there was no strong base of viewership in any tradition.

In most cases, about a third of people from each religious tradition said that they watched one of those legacy networks in the last 24 hours. PBS scored very low among every tradition. In most cases fewer than 15% of respondents reported watching PBS in the time frame.

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Chicago Radio: Joe Walsh Claims Trump Supporter Canceled His Show

Former congressman Joe Walsh announced late Wednesday that his radio show has been canceled by a boss he described as a “big Trumper," The Wrap reports.

“Some bad news. Looks like I’ve lost my radio show. The network is run by a big Trumper, and he’s wanted to boot me for awhile. Looks like it finally happened,” tweeted the former Tea Party conservative who has recently amended some of his views and been on a little media blitz to apologize for past comments on Islam, affirm Black Lives Matter and slam his conservative media peers for spreading “disinformation.”

A representative for Gab Radio Network did not immediately return a request for comment. The show aired in Chicago on WCGO 1590 AM / 95.9 FM.   The landing page for his program, “The Joe Walsh Show,” is still live on the site, advertising him as “the ONLY anti-Trumpism conservative voice in conservative talk radio.”

He went on, “Not surprised, but I am bummed. I thought it was so important to have ONE anti-Trump conservative voice on the radio.”


His most recent tweet prior to that announcement was one declaring former president Donald Trump “ought to be convicted.”

Later, he mused, “It’s such a crazy time. I’m a conservative. I’ve grown. I’ve opened my heart. I’ve listened. I’ve learned. But I’m still a conservative. But because I am so outspoken against Trump & Trumpism, I have absolutely no future in the GOP or the conservative media world. So darn crazy.”

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Wake-Up Call: 8 Killed In CA Rail Yard Shooting

NY Times 5/27/21

Eight people were killed in a shooting at a light rail yard for the Valley Transportation Authority in San Jose, California, Wednesday morning by an employee who killed himself as police rushed into the facility in response to the 6:30 a.m. PT attack. The gunman was identified as 57-year-old Samuel Cassidy. Those killed included bus and light rail operators, mechanics, linemen and an assistant superintendent. Officials didn't immediately offer a motive. A fire also broke out shortly before the shooting at a house that the Associated Press says public records show Cassidy owned.

His ex-wife told AP he used to come home from work resentful and angry over what he saw as unfair assignments. Cecilia Nelms also said he talked about killing people at work more than a decade ago, saying, "I never believed him, and it never happened. Until now." The two divorced in 2005. An ex-girlfriend described Cassidy as being violent and having mood swings because of bipolar disorder that became worse when he drank heavily. In a 2009 sworn statement after Cassidy sought a restraining order against her, she said that he had sexually forced himself on her several times while drunk. A neighbor of Cassidy, Doug Suh, told The Mercury News that he seemed "strange."

NY Times Graphic 5/27/21



Governor Gavin Newsom spoke emotionally at the scene, saying, "There’s a numbness some of us are feeling about this. There’s a sameness to this. It begs the damn question of what the hell is going on in the United States of America?" President Biden ordered flags to be flown at half-staff and called for Congress to pass legislation to combat gun violence, saying in a statement, "We can, and we must, do more."


➤BIDEN ORDERS INTEL OFFICIALS TO 'REDOUBLE' EFFORTS TO FIND COVID-19 ORIGINS: President Biden yesterday ordered U.S. intelligence officials to, quote, "redouble" their efforts to find the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic and report back within 90 days. There has been growing consideration of the possibility that the virus may have been escaped from a Chinese lab and not arisen naturally through human contact with an infected animal, and China is facing mounting global pressure to be more transparent about how the pandemic began. Biden called on China to cooperate with international investigations.

➤MOTHER OF CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER WHO DIED AFTER JANUARY 6TH URGES COMMISSION TO BE CREATED: The mother of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed and later died after the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, yesterday urged that an independent commission be approved to investigate what happened. Senate Republicans are poised to use the filibuster to block the legislation to create the bipartisan commission, which was approved in the House, where 35 Republicans joined with all the Democrats in passing it. Gladys Sicknick said in a statement, "I suggest that all Congressmen and Senators who are against this Bill visit my son’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery and, while there, think about what their hurtful decisions will do to those officers who will be there for them going forward. Putting politics aside, wouldn’t they want to know the truth of what happened on January 6?" Sicknick also said she would meet with lawmakers ahead of the vote to try to convince them to act. Ten Senate Republicans would need to join with the Democrats in the evenly-divided Senate to overcome a filibuster.

➤THREE ARRESTED IN ITALIAN CABLE CAR CRASH THAT KILLED 14: Three people were arrested by police in Italy yesterday in Sunday's disaster in which 14 people were killed when a cable car crashed to the ground on Mount Mottarone in northern Italy. Only one small boy survived and is hospitalized with multiple fractures. Police said workers put a clamp on the cable car's emergency brake to deactivate it and it prevented the emergency brake from engaging when the car's lead cable snapped. The workers admitted to putting a clamp on the brake to deactivate because it kept engaging spontaneously, preventing the cable car system from working. It's still not clear why the car's cable snapped.


 ➤HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY ISSUES STRICT WARNING ABOUT TRAVELERS BEHAVING THEMSELVES AHEAD OF SUMMER SEASON: If you’re going to be traveling soon, you’ll want to be on your top behavior. Over the past year, reports of unruly airline passengers have reportedly risen, and officials are making it crystal clear that rules need to be followed. During a recent press conference, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said, “Let me be clear in underscoring something. It is a federal mandate that one must wear a mask in an airport, in the modes of public transportation, on the airplane itself—and we will not tolerate behavior that violates the law.” Recently, the FAA has been issuing heavy fines against passengers who violated mask policies when flying, in some cases $9,000 or more.

➤DISNEYLAND TO OPEN TO NON-CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS IN MID-JUNE: When Disneyland finally reopened on April 30th after its more than year-long pandemic shutdown, it only allowed California residents. But it was announced yesterday that Disneyland will allow non-Californians starting on June 15th. Disney said the state "strongly recommends" that all guests be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have a negative test before visiting, but it's not being required. However, wearing face masks in the theme park is mandatory. Disneyland is operating at reduced capacity, so guests need to have both a ticket and a reservation for the same date.

➤FORMER SENATOR JOHN WARNER, EX-HUSBAND OF ELIZABETH TAYLOR: DEAD AT 94: Former Senator John Warner, a Virginia centrist Republican who was married to Elizabeth Taylor, died Tuesday of heart failure. He was 94. Warner was known for having an independent streak, and President Biden, who served with him in the Senate, said yesterday that he'd been guided by, quote, "his conscience and our Constitution." The veteran of both World War Two and Korea, military issues were central to Warner's career. He served five terms over three decades in the Senate before retiring in January 2009. Warner was the sixth of Taylor's seven husbands, married to her from 1976 to 1982.
 
➤PEOPLE WITH BIG BUTTS MAY BE HEALTHIER, SCIENCE SAYS: Having a big butt might be good for your health. A 2010 paper from the University of Oxford said that people with big butts and thighs, or “increase gluteofemoral fat mass,” had a decreased cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The study found that fat carried in the butt and thighs, as opposed to the waist, tends to be more stable and less likely to release the hormonal markers that have been linked to insulin resistance, which in turn can lead to diabetes. Having butt and thigh fat also favors leptin levels, which is a hormone responsible for regulating weight. Of course, fat distribution is mostly decided by genetics, so you can’t really affect it by losing or gaining weight.

➤THE ONE ‘80S SNACK SCIENCE SAYS YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT AGAIN:  Back in the ‘80s, people ate a lot of processed foods. These days, we’re much more informed about how unhealthy some of those foods really were. Yahoo reports that "Oreo Big Stuf" were actually one ‘80s food that should never make a comeback. The treat was released in 1984 and promised to deliver “more chocolate and more crème” than the original Oreo. Each of the cookies was about three inches in diameter, and clocked in with 319 calories and 13 grams of fat, which is quite a bit when you consider one serving of regular Oreos (which is 3 cookies) comes in at 160 calories and 7 grams of fat. Oreo Big Stuf was discontinued in 1991. Some think the product was pulled due to the USDA’s 1980 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, but that hasn’t been confirmed. These days you can get your fix with Oreo Mega Stuf—two of those cookies come in at 180 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 17 grams of sugar.

➤THERE’S A FIREWORKS SHORTAGE:  This summer should be pretty great, as many American are expected to be fully vaccinated, meaning they can take off their masks and gather in public like they used to pre-pandemic. But there’s one new issue now: a shortage of fireworks. According to a statement posted by Brooklyn Fireworks on May 5th, the fireworks industry is facing a “massive product shortage.” The company says that more than 60 percent of the fireworks ordered by companies in the U.S. for 2021 will not actually arrive this year due to the shortage. 


The issue is increased shipping cost—Brooklyn Fireworks says shipping costs have increased by more than 100 percent over the last year. The company explains, “Many distributors tried to wait until the freight prices were low again, creating a massive fireworks shortage that our industry has never seen before.” Other contributing factors: the Suez Canal disruption, port closures in Canada, the pandemic’s temporary shutdown, and new restrictions for production at Chinese fireworks factories. All of this means that fireworks will be more expensive, since supply is so low and demand is so high.

➤ROYAL CARIBBEAN GETS CDC APPROVAL FOR TEST CRUISES WITH VOLUNTEER PASSENGERS THIS SUMMER: Royal Caribbean is the first to get clearance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct mock cruises with volunteer passengers beginning in June. This comes more than a year after an industry-wide shut down during the pandemic. Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas ship, based in Miami, will start up the test cruises on June 20th. Passengers ages 16 and up must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days before sailing on the ship. All U.S. travelers age 12 must be fully vaccinated beginning August 1st. Passengers on board the simulated cruise must adhere to the CDC’s Conditions Sailing Order, which requires them to agree to a health screening to check for COVID-19 symptoms, as well as show proof that they are not at risk for contracting a severe illness if they are exposed to COVID-19. Passengers must also agree to be tested for the virus between 3 to 5 days after the cruise.

🏒ISLANDERS, LIGHTING ADVANCE TO NHL PLAYOFFS SECOND ROUND: The New York Islanders and Tampa Bay Lightning are advancing to the second round of the NHL playoffs after winning their first-round series yesterday (May 26th). The Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-3 to win 4 games to 2, and will face the Boston Bruins in the second round. The Lightning blanked the Florida Panthers 4-0 to win 4 games to 2. They'll face the winner of the Carolina-Nashville first-round series.

🏒NHL PLAYOFFS: Results from first-round games yesterday:
  • New York Islanders 5, Pittsburgh Penguins 3 - New York wins series 4 games to 2
  • Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Florida Panthers 0 - Tampa Bay wins series 4 games to 2
  • Minnesota Wild 3, Vegas Golden Knights 0 - Series tied 3-3
🏀NBA PLAYOFFS: Results from first-round games yesterday:
  • Philadelphia 76ers 120, Washington Wizards 95 - Philadelphia leads 2 games to 0
  • New York Knicks 101, Atlanta Hawks 92 - Series tied 1-1
  • Utah Jazz 141, Memphis Grizzles 129 - Series tied 1-1


🏀FAN DUMPED POPCORN ON WESTBROOK'S HEAD AS HE LEFT COURT WITH INJURED ANKLE: A fan dumped popcorn on Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook's head in Philadelphia last night as he left the court with an injured ankle near the end of the 76ers' 120-95 win in Game 2 of their first-round playoff. A furious Westbrook had to be held back and the fan was ejected by moments later. Westbrook said later, "[T]his s*** is getting out of hand, especially for me. The amount of disrespect, the amount of fans just doing whatever the f*** they want to do -- it's just out of pocket. . . . In these arenas, you got to start protecting the players. We'll see what the NBA does." The president of business operations for the Wells Fargo arena said in a statement, "This was classless, unacceptable behavior, and we're not going to tolerate it[.]"

Westbrook's status for Game 3 Saturday in Washington is to be determined.

⚾YANKEES' STARTER KLUBER OUT AT LEAST TWO MONTHS WITH SHOULDER INJURY: New York Yankees starter Corey Kluber will be out for at least two months after injuring his pitching shoulder, manager Aaron Boone said Wednesday. Kluber was taken out of Tuesday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays after three innings and an MRI showed a subscapularis strain. The injury came after the two-time American League Cy Young Award winner just pitched a no-hitter last week. Boone said he doesn't believe the no-hitter caused the injury.

🏈KICKER VINATIERI, NFL'S CAREER SCORING LEADER, TO RETIRE: Kicker Adam Vinatieri announced yesterday that he's retiring after 24 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, during which he became the NFL's career scoring leader. The 48-year-old broke the news to former teammate and SiriusXM host Pat McAfee. Vinatieri hasn't played since December 1, 2019, when he missed three of four field goals in a Colts loss to the Tennessee Titans. He later had surgery on his left knee, with his rehab complicated by the pandemic, and he didn't play last season. Vinatieri scored 2,673 points and made 599 field goals in his career, breaking both records that had been held by Morten Andersen. He made 29 game-winning kicks during his career, including three that won Super Bowl titles for New England.

⚾CALLAWAY BANNED BY MLB AT LEAST THROUGH 2022 OVER SEX HARASS ALLEGATIONS: Former New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway was suspended by MLB yesterday at least through the end of the 2022 season after a probe of sexual harassment allegations. Soon after, the Los Angeles Angels, where Callaway had been the pitching coach since October 2019, said they fired him. Commissioner Rob Manfred didn't release details of what the investigation found, but said in a statement, "I have concluded that Mr. Callaway violated MLB’s policies, and that placement on the ineligible list is warranted." It had been alleged that Callaway pursued women who work in sports media, including sending some of them inappropriate photos.
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Juan Williams Steps Away From 'The Five'


Juan Williams, the lone liberal voice on the “The Five,” announced Wednesday that he is leaving the popular Fox News roundtable program.

The L-A Times reports Williams, whose final appearance as a regular was on Wednesday, told Fox News that he wanted to remain in Washington, D.C., after learning that the network wanted all members of “The Five” to return to the program’s midtown Manhattan studio June 1.

“We are incredibly grateful for his commitment to the show and its success over the last several years,” said Megan Albano, Fox News vice president for “The Five” and weekend programming. “As we started planning ‘The Five’ return to its New York City studio at our headquarters a few months ago, Juan decided to stay in Washington, D.C., permanently. We accommodated his request, understanding and appreciating his desire to remain closer to his family and recognizing that a remote co-hosting role on a roundtable in-studio program was not a long-term option.”

Since joining the program in 2015, Williams has commuted to New York to do the program alongside Jesse Watters, Dana Perino, Greg Gutfeld and other rotating panelists.

Williams remains under a long-term contract at Fox News as a political analyst based in Washington.

Williams, 67, has been with Fox News since 1997 in various roles before taking over for Democratic political consultant Bob Beckel after he was fired from “The Five.”

The former NPR commentator is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of the companion book for “Eyes on the Prize,” a PBS series about the history of the civil rights movement.

Fox News came to the defense of Williams after he was fired from NPR in 2010 following comments he made on “The O’Reilly Factor.” In a discussion of how terrorism affects perceptions of Muslims, Williams said he was fearful of being on a plane with passengers dressed in Muslim garb.

“The Five” is often the second-most-watched show on Fox News, drawing as many as 3 million viewers daily, according to Nielsen.\

The Daily Beast reports one major driver of Williams’ sudden departure from the highly-rated opinion show was his run-ins with colleague Greg Gutfeld, who had wanted The Five to return to studio and felt Williams was the main reason they were filming remotely.

A Fox News spokesperson denied that “Gutfeld had anything to do with the move whatsoever” and referred to a statement from the showrunner Megan Albano who explained that Juan wanted to stay in DC.

While Williams’ presence on The Five as the lone liberal pundit had always lent itself to fiery on-air debates and clashes, the tension seemed to ramp up in recent months, especially after the show went back to filming remotely after Williams’ December covid diagnosis. And generally, the tension was highest with co-host Greg Gutfeld.

Besides having near-daily shoutfests with Williams during Five broadcasts, Gutfeld was also outspoken both behind the scenes and on the air about his desire that the program fully return to the studio.

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Kelly Clarkson To Move Into Ellen's Time Slots on NBC Stations


Kelly Clarkson is set to benefit from Ellen DeGeneres’ plans to end her show after the 2021-22 season, with NBC confirming that Clarkson’s syndicated talk show will move into DeGeneres’ prime afternoon time periods by next year, reports Variety.

In New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, the nation’s three largest markets, that will push “Kelly Clarkson Show” up to the 3 p.m. slot, a lucrative time period that leads into local newscasts. Clarkson and “Ellen DeGeneres Show” may even swap time slots in some markets before DeGeneres’ concludes her run next spring. At present, Clarkson’s show airs at 2 p.m. in the top three markets.

The boost for Clarkson’s show is no surprise. NBCUniversal owns the syndicated talk show that has been a bright spot in an otherwise weak period for new daytime TV entrants. “Kelly Clarkson Show,” now wrapping its second season, nabbed six Daytime Emmy nominations this week. Clarkson is the reigning Emmy champ for talk show host after winning for the show’s freshman year.

‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ is one of the most optimistic success stories in first-run syndication,” said Tracie Wilson, executive VP of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios. 

“It is a treasured part of NBCUniversal Syndication Studios offering and we are proud to partner with the NBC Owned Television Stations group to continue the show’s success. Kelly and our entire production team put their heart, intent and incredible passion into making a show that resonates with people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds. We’re working on some big plans for Season 3 and are looking forward to becoming the premier show in daytime for years to come.”

The NBC-owned stations cover 12 markets including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston and Miami. Those stations have been the spine of DeGeneres’ distribution since the show’s debut in 2003.

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Jersey Radio: Townsquare Media Promotes Three

Rich DeSisto
Townsquare Media of Monmouth-Ocean, the Jersey Shore’s #1 local media company, has announced one new hire and two internal promotions.

New to the team, Rich De Sisto is returning home to the Jersey Shore as Brand Manager for WCHR 105.7 The Hawk. He will also host afternoon drive on the station. 

De Sisto said, “I am very excited to return to my Jersey Shore radio roots and help lead The Hawk. I am grateful to everyone on the leadership team including Kurt Johnson, Jim Antes and JB Wilde for this opportunity. Growing up in NJ, I landed my first radio gig at Townsquare’s WPST in Trenton. 34 years later I have come full circle.” De Sisto’s recent career stops include WMGK and WBEN-FM in Philadelphia, and WJBR in Wilmington.

Matt Ryan has earned an elevation to Brand Manager of WJLK  94.3 The Point. Bringing years of experience and success as afternoon drive talent and Assistant Brand Manager for the station, Ryan said, “Over the past 11 years I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the Jersey Shore’s heritage community leader, The Point. Now, I look forward to leading this brand and its uber-talented personalities into the future. The sky’s the limit!”

Night personality Jim Guiliano takes the position of Promotions & Programming Coordinator for the local cluster. He commented, “Thank you to JB and Jim for the opportunity. I am very grateful and I am thrilled to continue building tremendous working relationships with our local partners in the Jersey Shore market.”

Of these appointments, Market President Jim Antes says, “We are growing and thriving locally on the Jersey Shore. I am thrilled that Rich is joining our Jersey Shore Family of radio stations. With his proven track record in Classic Rock he’ll make The Hawk soar! (Yes I said that.) Matt is an incredible radio personality, a Jersey Boy with tons of creativity, talent and passion and I’m proud to elevate him to lead The Point. And Jim has earned this promotion with his incredible local content and his energy and passion for live and local on air, online, and events. Our Director of Content, JB Wilde, is building a great team that will widen our lead in the market.”
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