All nine Major League Baseball teams whose games were broadcast by FanDuel Sports Network have terminated their contracts with the network's parent company, Main Street Sports Group, due to multiple missed scheduled payments and ongoing financial instability.
The affected teams are the Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays.
Sources including The Athletic, ESPN, and the Associated Press report that Main Street missed payments to teams such as the Cardinals (in December 2025) and Marlins (in January 2026), prompting the terminations to protect the clubs from potential future bankruptcy proceedings that could restrict their options.
Main Street Sports Group, formerly known as Diamond Sports Group, emerged from a lengthy Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early 2025 and rebranded its regional networks from Bally Sports to FanDuel Sports Network later that year. However, the company has faced renewed financial troubles, including failed talks for a potential acquisition by streaming service DAZN.
In a statement, Main Street said it remains "in active dialogue with all of our team partners regarding potential revised terms for agreements going forward," meaning the teams could potentially renegotiate and return under new deals.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that the league is prepared to step in and produce and distribute local broadcasts for any affected teams through its MLB Media department if no alternative arrangements are made. This model already handles broadcasts for several other clubs, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Seattle Mariners.
The move gives the nine teams flexibility ahead of the 2026 season, as they evaluate options to maximize revenue amid the declining traditional cable model for regional sports networks. Fans are assured access to games regardless of the outcome, though details on new broadcasting platforms or costs remain uncertain for now.
This development highlights broader challenges in the regional sports network industry, where cord-cutting and high rights fees have strained operators, potentially accelerating MLB's shift toward more centralized or direct-to-consumer broadcasting solutions in the coming years.
Sactown Sports 1140 KHTK-AM in Sacramento, owned by Bonneville International, is set to debut new midday and afternoon drive programs starting Monday, January 12.
The changes feature former ABC10 sports anchor Matt George launching a new midday show after leaving television and his "Locked On Kings" podcast, while longtime host Allen Stiles moves from solo midday duties to co-host the expanded "The Drive Guys" in afternoons with veteran Kevin "Whitey" Gleason.
Additionally, sports radio personality Kayla Anderson joins as co-host for the brand-new midday program.
These lineup adjustments aim to refresh the station's local sports talk offerings, with a focus on Sacramento Kings coverage and broader Northern California sports topics.
The afternoon show, "The Drive Guys," will air weekdays from 2-6 p.m., bringing added energy and insight as Stiles teams up with Gleason, a decades-long fixture in Sacramento radio known for his authentic takes on local teams like the Kings and 49ers.
The new midday slot, previously occupied solely by Stiles' show (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), will now feature George alongside Anderson, capitalizing on George's deep Kings expertise and local roots—he began his career interning at the station.
Sactown Sports 1140 remains the flagship for Sacramento Kings broadcasts and carries play-by-play for teams including the San Francisco 49ers, continuing its commitment to local sports under Bonneville's ownership.
📻Listeners can tune in on 1140 AM, online at SactownSports.com, or via the station's app.
Members of the "60 Minutes" team met earlier this week to discuss potential revisions to correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's investigative segment on Venezuelan migrants deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador's notorious CECOT mega-prison, amid ongoing uncertainty about its broadcast fate under CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss.
According to Oliver Darcy at Status, the meeting, held on Tuesday, focused on what changes might be needed to secure Weiss's approval for airing the piece, originally titled "Inside CECOT" and pulled at the last minute from a December 21, 2025, episode. Sources familiar with the discussions told outlets that staff explored modifications but reached no resolution, leaving the segment's status murky weeks after its initial shelving.
The segment, reported by Alfonsi, featured interviews with released deportees describing brutal conditions—including allegations of torture, physical abuse, and inhumane treatment—at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). It highlighted the Trump administration's deportation of hundreds of mostly Venezuelan men earlier in 2025, often with limited due process, under a deal with El Salvador.
Weiss's decision to pull the story hours before broadcast sparked internal backlash, with Alfonsi accusing the move of being "political" rather than editorial in a note to colleagues. She argued the piece had passed rigorous vetting, including multiple screenings and legal reviews, and that requests for comment from the Department of Homeland Security, White House, and State Department went unanswered—effectively giving the administration a "kill switch" on critical reporting.
Weiss countered that the segment was "not ready," insisting on greater efforts to include on-camera responses from Trump officials, reportedly suggesting an interview with senior adviser Stephen Miller. While the piece later aired inadvertently in Canada and circulated online, no formal updates from CBS News have emerged on a U.S. broadcast date.
Insiders indicate the segment could potentially air as soon as January 18, 2026, but it remains equally likely to stay delayed indefinitely as discussions continue without clear consensus.
Radio and podcast hosts are emerging as powerful "voice-first influencers" in the creator economy, driving superior trust, engagement, and sales for advertisers through authenticity, according to Audacy's new State of Audio: The Creator Effect report.
Key findings show audio creator revenues have more than doubled since 2020, while radio listeners are 100% more likely to trust host recommendations than other influencer marketing. Additionally, 61% of audiences trust expert audio hosts over social media influencers, leading to higher rates of purchases, brand recommendations, and research prompted by host-read ads.
The study emphasizes audio's edge in building communities and fandoms—especially in sports programming—where local and team-focused hosts boost engagement and purchase intent. Notably, smaller and mid-sized podcasts often outperform larger ones in conversions, proving depth of connection trumps sheer audience size.
For brands, the report recommends long-term partnerships, host endorsements, and creative integrations over one-off campaigns to maximize loyalty and ROI, as audio creators expand into video, live events, and social platforms.
Download the full study from Audacy's website for detailed insights and data.
Audacy has named Podscribe as a preferred measurement partner beginning in 2026. Through this partnership, Podscribe will enable attribution across most of Audacy’s digital portfolio, including streaming audio, podcasting, CTV, and display, with client-facing dashboards and API access that support automated reporting and portfolio-level insights. The collaboration will also support select broadcast attribution initiatives within Audacy’s radio portfolio, complementing existing measurement partners.
By integrating Podscribe’s dashboards and APIs with Audacy’s campaign setup tools, advertisers will gain faster, more transparent insights into campaign performance. This deeper integration not only streamlines operational workflows but also empowers advertisers to make more informed decisions, driving continued business growth.
“Audacy consistently strives to deliver measurable results for advertisers, and our partnership with Podscribe further strengthens that promise,” said Michael Biemolt, President of Digital Sales, Audacy. “With enhanced attribution and transparency across our portfolio, we’re giving clients even greater confidence in how Audacy drives performance at scale.”
“We’re excited to partner with Audacy, a company that has built an impressive audio platform through premium content, strong local and national reach, and continued innovation,” said Matt Drengler, Head of Partnerships, Podscribe. “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to independent, industry-leading measurement and gives advertisers clearer insight into performance so they can grow in audio.”
The partnership with Podscribe continues Audacy’s momentum in forging strategic alliances with high-performing brands that deepen listener engagement and expand advertiser opportunities. Recently, Audacy has announced major collaborations with iHeartMedia and TuneIn to broaden distribution, with Sonos to expand Sonos Radio’s advertising business, with Jomboy Media to introduce creator-driven sports content to broadcast radio, and with MOGL to modernize sports marketing through athlete-influencer integrations.
President Donald Trump has ruled out pardoning Sean "Diddy" Combs, revealing that the incarcerated hip-hop mogul sent him a personal letter requesting clemency for his prostitution-related convictions.
In a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times published on January 8, 2026, the president said Combs "asked me for a pardon... through a letter," but he is not considering the request. When pressed about the letter, Trump teased reporters by asking, "Oh, would you like to see that letter?" but did not produce it. The White House, when asked for a copy or details, referred inquiries back to Trump's comments.
Trump also indicated he has no plans to pardon other high-profile figures facing federal charges, including cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, and deposed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, who is charged with narco-terrorism.
This contrasts with Trump's recent pardons of several controversial figures, including Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao, former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández (convicted of drug trafficking), numerous January 6 Capitol riot participants, and allies involved in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, such as former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Trump did not specify his reasons for rejecting Combs' request in the interview, though he has previously wavered on the topic. Combs, 56, is serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted in 2025 on two counts of transportation for prostitution (under the Mann Act), while being acquitted of more serious racketeering and sex-trafficking charges.
Their relationship soured after Combs publicly criticized Trump during his political career, despite earlier social ties in New York celebrity circles.
In May 2025—before Combs' conviction—Trump had suggested he might consider a pardon if he believed someone was "mistreated," noting that the Bad Boy Records founder "used to really like me a lot" before Trump entered politics.
➦In 1902...radio actor Chester H. Lauck was born in Allene Arkansas. With fellow Arkansan Norris Goff he would create one of radio’s alltime favorite programs, “Lum & Abner,” hillbilly proprietors of the “Jot ‘Em Down Store” in Pine Ridge Arkansas.
Their idea was a switch on Amos ‘n’ Andy. He died Feb. 21 1980, 12 days after his 78th birthday.
➦In 1934...FCC granted 500kw license to WLW for W8XO.
Powel Crosley studio of radio station WLW
On March 22, 1922, the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation began broadcasting with the call sign WLW and 50 watts of power. Crosley was a fanatic about the new broadcasting technology, and continually increased his station's capability. The power went up to 500 watts in September 1922, 1000 watts in May 1924, and in January 1925 WLW was the first broadcasting station at the 5000 watt level. On October 4, 1928, the station increased its power to 50 kilowatts. Again it was the first station at this power level, which still is the maximum power currently allowed for any AM station in the United States.
At 50 kilowatts, WLW was heard easily over a wide area, from New York to Florida. But Powel Crosley still wasn't satisfied. In 1933 he obtained a construction permit from the Federal Radio Commission for a 500 kilowatt superstation, and he spent some $500,000 ($9.02 million in 2014) building the transmitter and antenna.
Cooling Pond
It was the first large amplifier used in the United States for public domestic radio broadcasting and was in operation between 1934 and 1939. It was an experimental amplifier and was driven by the radio station's regular 50 kW transmitter. It operated in class C with high-level plate modulation. The amplifier required a dedicated 33 kV electrical substation and a large pond complete with fountains for cooling. It operated with a power input of about 750 kW (plus another 400 kW of audio for the modulator) and its output was 500 kW.
In January 1934 WLW began broadcasting at the 500 kilowatt level late at night under the experimental callsign W8XO. In April 1934 the station was authorized to operate at 500 kilowatts during regular hours under the WLW call letters. On May 2, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt pressed a ceremonial button that officially launched WLW's 500-kilowatt signal.
As the first station in the world to broadcast at this strength, WLW received repeated complaints from around the United States and Canada that it was overpowering other stations as far away as Toronto. In December 1934 WLW cut back to 50 kilowatts at night to mitigate the interference, and began construction of three 50 ft. tower antennas to be used to reduce signal strength towards Canada.
With these three antennas in place, full-time broadcasting at 500 kilowatts resumed in early 1935. However, WLW was continuing to operate under special temporary authority that had to be renewed every six months, and each renewal brought complaints about interference and undue domination of the market by such a high-power station.
The FCC was having second thoughts about permitting extremely wide-area broadcasting versus more locally oriented stations, and in 1938, the US Senate adopted the "Wheeler" resolution, expressing it to be the sense of that body that more stations with power in excess of 50 kilowatts are against the public interest.
As a result, in 1939 the 500-kilowatt broadcast authorization was not renewed, bringing an end to the era of the AM radio superstation. Because of the impending war and the possible need for national broadcasting in an emergency, the W8XO experimental license for 500 kilowatts remained in effect until December 29, 1942. In 1962 the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation again applied for a permit to operate at 750 kilowatts, but the FCC denied the application.
📻For more, visit Jim Hawkins WLW Transmitter Page: Click Here.
➦In 1958...the CBS Radio Network first aired “Frontier Gentleman” starring John Dehner. The classy western production came too late in the OTR era to achieve the success it deserved, and it was pulled from the schedule that November.
➦In 1964...ABC's American Bandstand moved from Philadelphia to the ABC Television Center in Los Angeles (now known as The Prospect Studios), which coincidentally was the same weekend that WFIL-TV moved from 46th and Market to their then-new facility on City Line Avenue as well as the day before the Beatles first appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.
➦In 1964...The Beatles made the first of three record-breaking appearances on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. The audience viewing the Fab Four on CBS TV was estimated at 73,700,000 (34 percent of the American population).
Jerry Cesak, the beloved San Diego radio icon known as "Jer" from the legendary "Jeff & Jer Showgram," passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 74, in the arms of his wife, Pam.
The longtime morning show host, whose partnership with Jeff Detrow entertained San Diego listeners for 27 years starting in 1988, retired from daily broadcasting in 2015.
The duo earned multiple accolades, including "Personality of the Year" from Billboard Magazine and Radio & Records, and were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016.Beyond radio, Cesak was a passionate animal welfare advocate, serving on boards for the Humane Society of the United States and Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
He co-founded the Unicorn Foundation, authored the award-winning children's book My Personal Panther, and wrote and directed the sold-out play Nickels & Dimes to raise funds for animal causes.
Born in Maryland in 1951, Cesak graduated from the University of Maryland with a theater degree before building a radio career across cities like Washington D.C., Baltimore, Minneapolis, Detroit, and Chicago.
The Jeff & Jer Showgram was one of San Diego's most iconic and longest-running morning radio programs, entertaining listeners for nearly 30 years with a mix of humor, heartfelt storytelling, listener interaction, and community involvement.
Jeff Detrow and Jerry Cesak (known on-air as "Jeff" and "Jer") partnered in 1982 in Detroit, moved to Chicago, and brought their chemistry to San Diego in 1988, debuting on KBZT (Star 94.9). The show quickly became a ratings powerhouse, often dominating morning drive time.
Supported by producer Tommy Sablan and later co-hosts including Laura Cain, Randy Hoag, and Emily Griffiths, the ensemble delivered family-friendly comedy, celebrity interviews, contests (like the memorable "Whirl till You Hurl" at Belmont Park), and charity events.
The show bounced across stations:
KBZT (1988)
KFMB-FM (B100, 1990)
KKLQ (Q106, 1994)
back to KFMB-FM (Star 100.7, 1998–2009)
After a 2009 contract dispute ended their run at Star, they produced an internet-only podcast from Cesak's garage before returning to terrestrial radio on KYXY 96.5 in 2011.
Jerry Cesak retired in October 2015 to focus on animal welfare and other projects, renaming the program Jeff and the Showgram. The full show ended abruptly in June 2017 when KYXY canceled it amid industry layoffs.
The duo earned multiple "Personality of the Year" awards from Billboard Magazine and Radio & Records, and were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016 for their pioneering listener-driven format.
Following the show's end, Jeff Detrow transitioned to Christian radio (later heard on K-LOVE stations), while other cast members pursued various media opportunities.
As commuting rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2025, in-car audio listening surged, with over-the-air (AM/FM) radio maintaining its dominant position, especially in vehicles lacking advanced connected infotainment systems like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
Recent data from Edison Research's Share of Ear study (Q2-Q3 2025) shows that AM/FM radio captures around 56-62% of all in-car audio time among Americans aged 13+, even as more than 70% of employed adults now commute outside the home—up significantly since 2020. This rebound has restored in-car listening as radio's stronghold, with about 50% of all AM/FM usage occurring in vehicles, returning to pre-COVID norms.
The key divide lies in vehicle technology. In cars without CarPlay or Android Auto (still the majority, as only about one-third of primary vehicles have these features), traditional broadcast radio commands 62-67% of listening time, far ahead of streaming (12%) or satellite options. These older or basic models rely heavily on built-in AM/FM tuners, making over-the-air radio the default and most accessible choice—no apps, subscriptions, or smartphone pairing required.
By contrast, in connected vehicles with CarPlay or Android Auto, radio's share drops to around 47%, with streaming and SiriusXM each gaining to 20%. The ease of accessing paid or ad-free digital content via smartphone integration drives this shift, though radio remains the top source even here.
Industry reports, including from Katz Radio Group and Westwood One, emphasize that AM/FM holds an overwhelming 85-90% share of ad-supported in-car audio overall, underscoring its resilience amid rising connectivity. Factors like habit, live local content (news, traffic, sports), and simplicity help sustain radio's edge, particularly for drivers in less tech-equipped cars.
While wireless CarPlay/Android Auto and streaming are growing—especially among younger drivers—the persistence of older vehicles on the road ensures over-the-air radio's continued strength in the in-car audio landscape for the foreseeable future.
Recent industry data from Edison Research's Share of Ear (Q2-Q3 2025) and related analyses show clear generational divides in in-car audio preferences, driven by differences in vehicle technology adoption, habits, and content access.
Gen Z (roughly ages 13-24) and Younger Millennials
Younger drivers lead the shift away from traditional radio. In a Q1 2025 NuVoodoo survey of U.S. consumers ages 14+, Gen Z drivers allocate about 42% of in-car listening time to streaming (via phone or built-in apps), compared to just 20% for AM/FM radio. Streaming apps are regularly used by 45% of this group, making it their top choice due to on-demand personalization and integration with services like Spotify or YouTube Music.
Adults 18-34 Overall
This broader young adult cohort shows radio still leading but with reduced strength. Nielsen's Q1 2025 audio trends (powered by Edison data) indicate radio captures around 47-51% of ad-supported audio time among 18-34s (down from higher shares in older groups), with podcasts at 32% and streaming gaining ground. In-car specifics align, as younger drivers more frequently own newer vehicles with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto—platforms used by 83% of those with access (Edison Infinite Dial 2025)—facilitating easier streaming.
Adults 35-54 and 35+
Middle-aged and older listeners heavily favor radio. For ages 35+, radio holds 73-74% of ad-supported audio time (Nielsen Q1 2025), rising to 60-64% specifically for in-car listening among 35-54 and 55+ groups (Edison Q2 2025 breakdowns). AM/FM commands 84-90% of ad-supported in-car audio overall, with even stronger holds in vehicles without CarPlay/Android Auto (62% radio share per Edison Q2 2025)—more common among older owners of legacy models.
CNBC anchor David Faber openly acknowledged on air Wednesday that the Wall Street debut of his parent company, Versant Media Group, "hasn't gone well," as shares plunged significantly in the early days of trading following its spin-off from Comcast.
Versant, which houses cable networks including CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), USA Network, E!, Syfy, Oxygen, and Golf Channel, began trading on Nasdaq under the ticker VSNT on Monday, January 5, 2026. The stock opened at $45.17 per share but closed the day down 13% at around $40.57, marking a rough start amid broader investor skepticism toward legacy cable assets in a streaming-dominated landscape.
By midday Wednesday, January 7, shares had fallen further to $33.30 — representing a cumulative drop of about 26% from the opening price. Faber made his candid remark during a "Squawk on the Street" interview with Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel Di Piazza Jr., noting, "My parent company is now public, Versant. It hasn’t gone well the last two days."
He referenced the low trading multiple as a potential negative signal for similar media companies, saying global networks would be "not worth much of anything if you assume a Versant multiple.
"Di Piazza pushed back politely, arguing that WBD's networks (including CNN, TNT, and Discovery Channel) have greater scale and differ from Versant's portfolio, though Faber countered by highlighting WBD's higher debt load.
The spin-off, led by Versant CEO Mark Lazarus (former NBCUniversal media group chairman), aimed to separate Comcast's declining cable properties from its core broadband, theme parks, and studios businesses. Comcast shareholders received one Versant share for every 25 Comcast shares held, resulting in an initial market cap of roughly $6.5–8 billion. Executives had pitched low debt and digital growth potential (via assets like Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, and GolfNow), but Wall Street's initial reaction reflected ongoing concerns over cord-cutting and shrinking linear TV revenues.
The debut's weakness has drawn awkward on-air moments for CNBC hosts, including earlier segments where a live ticker showed Versant shares tumbling while anchors like Faber, Jim Cramer, and Carl Quintanilla discussed the company's potential influence on its own stock performance. Analysts note the performance could complicate similar separations, such as Warner Bros. Discovery's planned split of its cable networks later in 2026.
Podcasts enjoy growing popularity as an in-car audio choice, particularly among younger drivers with connected vehicles, but they remain a distant second to over-the-air AM/FM radio, capturing only a modest share of total in-car listening time amid rebounding commutes in 2025-2026.
Recent Edison Research Share of Ear data (Q2-Q3 2025) shows podcasts account for roughly 10-15% of overall in-car audio time in the U.S., far behind AM/FM radio's dominant 56-62% share. While podcasts represent about 9% of total daily audio consumption and 19-20% of ad-supported audio nationally, their in-car portion is notably lower—around 11% of daily podcast listening occurs in vehicles, with the majority (67%) happening at home, 16% at work, and the rest elsewhere.
The car remains a key but not primary location for podcast consumption, as shorter daily trips (errands, school runs) often favor quicker, live content like radio over longer-form podcasts. However, podcasts benefit significantly from vehicle connectivity: Drivers with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto (now in about 33-40% of primary vehicles) spend nearly twice as much time with podcasts compared to those without, thanks to seamless smartphone integration for on-demand playback.
Demographic
BreakdownYounger listeners (18-34) — Lead podcast adoption in cars, allocating up to 32% of their ad-supported audio time to podcasts overall (Nielsen Q1 2025), with streaming and podcasts gaining fastest here via connected infotainment.
Gen Z and Millennials — Frequently choose podcasts for commutes, driven by personalization and genres like comedy, news, and true crime.
Older demographics (35+) — Stick heavily to radio, with podcasts claiming just 13-15% of their ad-supported audio; in-car radio shares reach 73-74% in this group.
Even in connected cars, AM/FM holds around 47% share, with streaming music and SiriusXM each at 20%, while podcasts remain steady but modest. Industry analyses from Westwood One and Nielsen emphasize that while podcasts surge nationally—reaching record listenership highs per Infinite Dial 2025—their in-car growth lags radio's resilience, bolstered by habit, local content, and accessibility in basic vehicles.
As CarPlay/Android Auto penetration rises and vehicle fleets modernize, podcasts are poised for gradual in-car gains, especially among under-35s, but over-the-air radio's "queen of the road" status—with 85-86% of ad-supported in-car audio—persists into 2026.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act (officially titled the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 in the current Congress) is bipartisan legislation aimed at requiring automakers to include AM broadcast radio as standard, no-cost equipment in all new passenger vehicles sold in the United States.
Key Provisions
The Department of Transportation (DOT) would issue a rule mandating that new vehicles (manufactured in, imported to, or shipped within the U.S.) include devices capable of receiving AM broadcast signals (including digital AM) as standard, easily accessible features.
Until the rule takes effect, manufacturers selling vehicles without AM capability must clearly label them as such and cannot charge extra for adding AM access.
Violations could result in civil penalties from DOT or enforcement actions by the Department of Justice.
The bill also calls for studies (e.g., by the Government Accountability Office) on AM radio's role in emergency alerts compared to alternatives.
Background and Rationale
Automakers, particularly those producing electric vehicles (EVs like Tesla, BMW, Volkswagen, and others), have begun removing AM radios due to electromagnetic interference from EV components, cost savings, and a shift toward streaming/digital audio. Supporters argue that AM radio remains vital for:
Emergency alerts — It integrates with FEMA's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, providing resilient, free over-the-air broadcasts that work during power outages, cell network failures, or internet disruptions (e.g., during hurricanes or wildfires).
Diverse programming — Including news, sports, weather, farm reports, religious content, and ethnic/language-specific stations reaching rural, underserved, or diverse communities.
Public support is high, with surveys showing over 80% of Americans favoring AM in vehicles for safety reasons.
The bill has strong bipartisan backing, led by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Ed Markey (D-MA) in the Senate (S. 315), and Reps. like Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and others in the House (H.R. 979). It's endorsed by groups including the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), emergency managers, AARP, farm bureaus, and minority broadcaster associations.
Current Status (as of January 2026)
The bill was reintroduced in the 119th Congress (2025–2026) after similar versions advanced in committees but stalled in prior sessions. The Senate version advanced quickly through the Commerce Committee in early 2025. House leadership (including Speaker Mike Johnson) has committed to a floor vote early in 2026, with strong momentum from widespread cosponsors and public advocacy. It has not yet been enacted into law but is considered likely to pass soon given the bipartisan support and ongoing push from broadcasters and safety advocates.
Critics (including some automakers) view it as government overreach that could hinder innovation or add minor costs, but proponents emphasize its public safety benefits outweigh these concerns.
Big Jim Sykes, longtime afternoon host on SiriusXM's Elvis Radio (Channel 78), has passed away suddenly at age 62.
Fellow Elvis Radio host Derrill Argo announced the news on Facebook on Wednesday morning, prompting an immediate outpouring of tributes from listeners, broadcasters, and Elvis fans worldwide.
“Big Jim was known for the warmth and enthusiasm he brought to every broadcast,” Argo wrote. “Through his work, he helped keep Elvis’s legacy alive for generations of listeners and created a sense of community for fans everywhere.”
Argo added that while the passing was sudden, tributes highlighted Sykes' kindness, passion, and generosity beyond his iconic voice.
A native of Paris, Tennessee, and Henry County High School graduate, Sykes launched his radio career in West Tennessee in 1980, working at stations in Paris and Jackson before joining SiriusXM's all-Elvis channel in 2005.
There, he hosted afternoon drive, produced and co-hosted the weekly “TG Sheppard Show,” and presented specialty programs like “Elvis Live In Concert.”
For over two decades at Elvis Radio, broadcasting live from Graceland, Sykes shared Elvis stories, legends, and music, fostering a global family of fans devoted to the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on January 14, 2026, alongside Commissioners Anna Gomez and Olivia Trusty, in an oversight hearing focused on priorities like broadband expansion, spectrum management, wireless innovation, network security, and emerging AI governance.
The session comes less than a month after Carr's December 2025 appearance before the Senate Commerce Committee and follows President Donald Trump's recent Executive Order directing the FCC to initiate a rulemaking for a potential national disclosure and reporting framework for AI models.
This could preempt conflicting state laws, a move Carr has praised as "historic" for advancing national security, limiting ideological bias in AI, and reducing state interference—though it has heightened federal-state tensions over AI regulation.
Committee leaders Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Subcommittee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) emphasized keeping the FCC aligned with constituent concerns, including closing the digital divide and bolstering U.S. competitiveness in 5G and 6G.
Other likely topics include the bipartisan AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, which Carr previously called essential for emergency alerts amid automakers' phase-out of AM bands in electric vehicles, as well as updates on local broadcasting, public interest obligations, deregulation, cybersecurity, and removing foreign telecom equipment from U.S. networks.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, one of the oldest newspapers in the United States, announced Wednesday that it will publish its final edition on May 3, 2026, and cease all operations thereafter. This marks the end of a publication with roots tracing back to 1786, when The Pittsburgh Gazette became the first newspaper published west of the Allegheny Mountains.
Key Details from the Announcement
Owner Block Communications, Inc. (a family-owned company based in Toledo, Ohio) cited two primary reasons for the closure:
Financial losses — The company stated it has lost more than $350 million in cash operating the paper over the past 20 years, describing continued losses as "no longer sustainable" amid broader challenges in local journalism (e.g., declining print advertising and digital revenue shifts). Labor disputes — Recent court rulings, including a U.S. Supreme Court denial of a stay, required the paper to reinstate terms from a 2014–2017 union contract. The company called these terms "outdated and inflexible" for modern operations. This follows a protracted dispute with the Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh, including a three-year strike that ended in November 2025 when journalists returned to work.
The announcement came via a press release and a pre-recorded company message to staff. Block Communications expressed regret over the impact on the Pittsburgh region and noted pride in the paper's nearly century-long service under their ownership (since 1927). The closure will not affect their other daily newspaper, The Toledo Blade.
KDKA Radio has obtained a video sent to us of the recorded Zoom meeting for Post-Gazette employees, announcing the ending of operations for the 240-year-old newspaper. pic.twitter.com/9hVhSn2Ntt
The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh criticized the decision, with president Andrew Goldstein stating that owners "chose to punish local journalists and the city" rather than comply with labor laws. Union leaders emphasized the paper's award-winning journalism and vowed to explore options for sustaining high-quality local reporting.
Local officials and media experts highlighted concerns about a growing "news desert" in the Pittsburgh metro area (population over 2 million), potentially leaving it as one of the largest U.S. urban regions without a legacy daily newspaper.
This follows Block Communications' recent shutdown of the alternative weekly Pittsburgh City Paper at the end of 2025.
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