LA Press Club Sues City of Los Angeles For Targeting Journalists

The Los Angeles Press Club, alongside Status Coup, an independent investigative outlet, has filed a lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell, alleging excessive force against journalists covering recent anti-ICE protests. 

The suit, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (Western Division), claims that journalism in Los Angeles has become a “dangerous profession.”

The complaint accuses the LAPD of using physical force, making arrests, and blocking journalists’ access to public police activities, in violation of California Penal Code Section 13652. Enacted in 2021 following the George Floyd protests, this law bans the use of non-lethal kinetic impact projectiles and chemical agents against reporters. The plaintiffs assert that the LAPD disregarded this law.

They seek injunctive relief to stop the LAPD’s “unlawful and unconstitutional” actions, plus attorneys’ fees and litigation costs.

Diddy Trial Put On Pause Wednesday

Sean "Diddy" Combs' federal sex trafficking and racketeering trial in Manhattan was halted Wednesday when a juror experienced vertigo en route to the courthouse, prompting a pause in proceedings. 

Judge Arun Subramanian informed the court that the juror's partner reported the sudden illness, and as the juror was a regular member, the trial could not continue that day. The prosecution inquired whether the juror’s condition was temporary or permanent, and Judge Subramanian said he would have the deputy confirm but believed it was a sudden issue. The government argued there was no basis to excuse the juror, while Combs’ defense requested a sealed sidebar to discuss further.

Additionally, a separate juror issue emerged earlier in the week. On June 16, Juror No. 6 was dismissed for inconsistent residency statements. In a letter filed Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office addressed concerns about a second juror, who may have discussed jury service with a former colleague. The prosecution opposed the defense’s push to remove this juror, rejecting any link to Juror No. 6’s dismissal, but agreed to further questioning.

On June 17, Judge Subramanian issued a stern warning to both sides after information from a sealed proceeding about the second juror leaked to the media, violating a gag order requested by the defense. He emphasized that lead attorneys, Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey and defense attorney Marc Agnifilo, were accountable for their teams’ conduct, warning that further violations could lead to contempt charges. Subramanian stressed this was the only warning, demanding both sides confirm compliance with court rules.

Edison Research, SiriusXM To Present Free Gen Z Webinar

Next week, Edison Research and SiriusXM Media will unveil The Gen Z Audio Report, a new study to help advertisers effectively reach the 13-24 age demographic. The report will debut during a free live webinar on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, providing exclusive insights into Gen Z’s audio consumption, values, and preferences.

Hosted by Salma Aly, Edison Research’s Manager of Research, and Brianna Oates, SiriusXM Media’s Sales Marketing Manager of Audiences, the webinar will explore how Gen Z engages with media and what strategies advertisers need to capture their attention. Key findings reveal that 49% of Gen Z are more likely to notice ads featuring music they enjoy, while an equal percentage prioritize humor, favoring ads that make them laugh.

The report highlights that Gen Z values music and humor as priorities, alongside honesty, transparency, and inspiration, which significantly boost ad engagement. It offers brands actionable guidance to create authentic, relevant marketing strategies that resonate with this generation.

The webinar will provide an in-depth look at Gen Z’s media habits and expectations, equipping marketers with tools to build stronger connections with this pivotal audience. Register for the free webinar:  HERE

Thousands Are Following The Pentagon Pizza Index

 
The "Pentagon Pizza Index" is a viral, crowdsourced theory suggesting that spikes in pizza deliveries to restaurants near the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, signal heightened military activity or impending geopolitical events. On June 12, 2025, this phenomenon gained attention when the X account @PenPizzaReport noted a significant surge in pizza orders at establishments like Domino’s, We The Pizza, District Pizza Palace, and Extreme Pizza around 6:59 PM ET, roughly 90 minutes before Iranian state media reported explosions in Tehran from Israel’s airstrikes on June 13, 2025. 

The account also observed unusually low traffic at Freddie’s Beach Bar, a nearby gay bar, suggesting Pentagon staff were working late, further fueling speculation of a “busy night” at the U.S. military headquarters.

The theory dates back to the Cold War, when Soviet intelligence reportedly monitored pizza deliveries to U.S. government buildings as a form of open-source intelligence (OSINT), dubbed “Pizzint.”

Pizza Surge Details: At 6:59 PM ET on June 12, @PenPizzaReport posted that “nearly all pizza establishments nearby the Pentagon have experienced a HUGE surge in activity,” with a follow-up noting a drop in activity 10 minutes later, suggesting a brief window between meetings. By 11:00 PM ET, a Domino’s 8 minutes from the Pentagon saw “extremely high levels of traffic.”

Bar Traffic: At 10:00 PM ET, Freddie’s Beach Bar had “abnormally low traffic for a Thursday night,” interpreted as a sign of Pentagon staff staying late.

Israel’s Strikes: Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and military leaders around 3:00 AM Tehran time (8:00 PM ET) on June 13, killing key figures like Iran’s Revolutionary Guard leader Hossein Salami.

U.S. Involvement: President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the U.S. was informed of Israel’s plans but did not participate, focusing on protecting American forces.

Social Media and Public Reaction

The @PenPizzaReport account, with over 69,000 followers, uses Google Maps’ real-time data to track restaurant activity, sparking widespread online discussion. X users commented on the surge as a “great catch,” with some joking, “They should open a secret Domino’s inside the Pentagon,” while others noted, “Pizza tracker is never wrong.” However, skepticism persists, with users like @NoulFN speculating on X about the surge’s implications, though without conclusive evidence.

A Pentagon spokesperson dismissed the theory, stating the building has internal dining options, including pizza, sushi, and sandwiches, and that the timeline reported by @PenPizzaReport “did not align with the events.” 

San Diego Radio: Whitney, Doneux Return To 91-X

Hillary and Marty

Local Media San Diego‘s XERTA-FM 91X has announced the return of Marty Whitney to hosting A.M. Drive, and upped Hilary Doneux to 91X Brand Manager, complimenting her current role as Assistant Program Director, Music Director and afternoon host.

Hilary said, “For a Southern California kid who started on 91X back in 1997, I am humbled, honored, and SO stoked to get the opportunity to steer this legendary ship! Joining the list of incredible programmers who’ve helped shape 91X for 40+ years fills me with gratitude (and butterflies). Huge thanks to Gregg, Norm, Joe, Garett, and the whole LMSD team for believing in me!”

The roster movement is a result of Garett Michaels, the 91X Program Director, moving back to the Pacific Northwest to take on a new role as General Manager of KSER 90.7, a non-commercial station based in Everett, WA, and simulcast on KXIR 89.9 in Freeland, WA on Whidbey Island.

“While we are sorry to see Garett go, we are excited that he will remain on the 91X Team as a consultant to the station,” said Gregg Wolfson, President and General Manager of parent company Local Media San Diego. “Hilary has earned the promotion to Brand Manager and will do an amazing job moving 91X forward. Likewise, we will be bringing Marty back home to host 91X mornings where he belongs. I’m excited for 91X’s position as one of the leading and most influential alternative rock stations ever.”

R.I.P.: Lou Christie, Singer, 60s Hitmaker

Lou Christie, born Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, passed away on Wednesday, at the age of 82 after a brief illness, as confirmed by his family and wife, Francesca Winfield. 

Known for his distinctive falsetto and chart-topping hits in the 1960s, including "Lightnin' Strikes" (No. 1 in the US in 1966), "Rhapsody in the Rain," "The Gypsy Cried," "Two Faces Have I," and "I'm Gonna Make You Mine," Christie was a prominent pop and soft-rock singer-songwriter. 

Born in Glenwillard, Pennsylvania, he grew up on a farm near Pittsburgh, discovering his love for music singing with his family. 

He moved to New York in the early 1960s, adopting the stage name Lou Christie, and became a teen idol, touring with acts like Diana Ross on Dick Clark’s Caravan of Stars. 

His music, marked by heartfelt lyrics and a unique vocal style, remained popular, with renewed interest in the 1980s due to a hits collection and a "Rain Man" soundtrack feature. 

Radio History: June 19

➦In 1912...Narrator and actor Martin Gabel was born in Philadelphia.

His signature work was on May 8, 1945 as narrator on the CBS radio broadcast of Norman Corwin’s epic poem On a Note of Triumph, a commemoration of the fall of the Nazi regime in Germany and the end of WW II in Europe. The broadcast was so popular that the CBS, NBC, Blue and Mutual networks aired a second live production five days later.  He was the most frequent guest on TV’s Sunday night fixture What’s My Line, because he was married to regular panelist Arlene Francis.

He died after a heart attack May 22 1986 at age 73.

➦In 1934...Communications Act of 1934 created Federal Communications Commission.

➦In 1936..a significant radio broadcast covered the first boxing match between Joe Louis, a Black American boxer, and Max Schmeling, a German boxer, at Yankee Stadium. Louis, a 10-to-1 favorite, was defeated by Schmeling in a 12th-round knockout. 

The event was a major cultural moment, set against the backdrop of rising Nazi aggression in Europe. While the 1938 rematch (where Louis won) is noted for having one of the largest radio audiences in history (estimated at 70 million listeners), the 1936 fight was also widely broadcast and marked a pivotal moment in sports radio history due to its cultural and political significance. 

The broadcast helped solidify radio’s role in delivering live sports events to a national audience, fostering a sense of shared experience across the United States.

➦In 1960...WMCA 570 began using “The Good Guys”.   Led by program director Ruth Meyer, the first woman to hold the position in New York City radio, this was the beginning of the high-profile Top 40 disc jockey with an exuberant personality aimed at a certain audience segment. With the advent of the Good Guys format, WMCA became more "on top" of new music and started to become known for "playing the hits."

The classic Good Guys era lineup included:

• Joe O'Brien, an industry veteran whose humor appealed to multiple generations. (6am-10am)
• Harry Harrison, whose show was aimed at housewives of that era. (10am-1pm)
• Jack Spector, whose closing line was "Look out street, here I come!" (1pm-4pm)
• Dandy Dan Daniel a lanky, smooth-talking Texan, and his daily countdown. (4pm-7pm)
• Gary Stevens and his "Wooleyburger" bear, aimed at teenagers listening on small transistor radios in their rooms. (7pm-11pm - First show was in April, 1965)
• B. Mitchel Reed, "BMR, Your Leader" Reed was the evening personality on WMCA from 1963–1965. He was part of the team that took WMCA to the top in 1963. He left the station in the spring of 1965, to return to L.A.'s troubled KFWB, where he had worked before WMCA. His on-air hours were the same as Gary Stevens.
• Barry Gray, a talk show host who had been on WMCA before the Top 40 era and continued after it. (11pm-1am)
• Dean Anthony, "Dino on your radio" with his "Actors and Actresses" game (1am-6am).
• Weekends and fill-in, Ed Baer, Frank Stickle and Bill Beamish.
• Owner R. Peter Straus was one of the first station owners to frequently read editorials, commenting on current events.

➦In 1965...Since WINS went all-news in April, New York’s remaining rockers have been going at it - head to head. It’s the WMCA Good Guys vs. the WABC All-Americans.

The post-WINS Pulse ratings showed the stations neck-in-neck - WABC at a 16 and WMCA at a 16.3 rating. But WMCA has about one-third the signal of WABC, so it performs better with no WMCA competition - in the outlying suburbs.

WMCA was running a “Good Guy Derby” contest where you have the guess the WMCA Good Guy who will win his race “in the sport of kings.” Go-Go radio, WABC is doing a “prize of the day” A prize a day goes into the “Go Go Grab Bag” for end-week awarding.

Both stations were battling airplay of the new Beatles album -“Beatles VI” - and both stations were saying they had the exclusive on the album.  Actually, WABC had the album three hours before WMCA did - a rarity. WMCA usually scoops WABC on most records, including the Beatles.

➦In 1966...WOR 98.7 FM said it would drop duplicating talk WOR 710 AM on June 30 and go rock ‘n’ roll - the first FM station to go full-time rock . Robert S. Smith, vice president of both WOR AM/FM stated - “We will not have shouting disk jockeys on FM, but if there can be a quality rock station, that is, what we will be. We’re going after the WABC and WMCA audience.” The change in policy was a result of a recent FCC rule that FM stations in major cities may no longer duplicate more than 50% of their AM affiliates.

FCC Faces Partisan Shift as Trump Appointee Joins Amid Controversy

Since President Trump took office, the FCC has been deadlocked, first at 2-2 and later at 1-1 following the exits of Democrat Geoffrey Starks and Republican Nathan Simington. 

The confirmation of Olivia Trusty as a new commissioner gives Republicans a majority, enabling them to advance Trump’s deregulation agenda, including broadcasters’ calls to loosen what they consider outdated ownership rules.

Under Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, the FCC has launched probes into major media companies’ diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and revived a complaint against CBS for editing a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris. Other broadcast networks face similar grievances, while the Skydance-Paramount merger awaits FCC approval.

During her confirmation hearing, Trusty faced questions about Trump’s threats to revoke broadcasters’ licenses over unfavorable coverage. She defended the president’s First Amendment rights to express his views but emphasized her duty to focus on facts, FCC precedent, and the law. When asked by Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) about considering broadcasters’ editorial decisions in merger reviews, Trusty said she would evaluate transactions based on the public interest, guided by thorough, fact-specific reviews and statutory requirements.

Democrats largely opposed Trusty’s nomination due to Trump’s failure to nominate a Democrat to fill the vacant FCC seat, as the president’s party cannot hold more than three of the five commission seats.

Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), initially supportive, raised concerns about Trump’s “alarming record” of attempting to oust Democrats from independent commissions, citing his removal of two Democrats from the Federal Trade Commission. Cantwell expressed worry that Trump might fire the remaining FCC Democrat, Anna Gomez, and operate the commission on a strictly partisan basis. Commissioners Alvaro Bedoya and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter have sued Trump, arguing their removal from an independent agency without cause exceeds his authority. Trump has also targeted Democrats and dissenting voices at agencies like the Kennedy Center, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, National Labor Relations Board, and Holocaust Memorial.

Trusty’s nomination was confirmed Tuesday, June 17, by a 53-45 vote, mostly along party lines.

Chairman Carr praised Trusty, stating, “Olivia’s extensive experience on Capitol Hill and in the private sector equips her to be an exceptionally effective FCC Commissioner.”

TV Ratings: FOX News Continues Dominance

During the week of June 9-15, FOX News Channel (FNC) averaged 3.2 million viewers in weekday primetime leading broadcast networks NBC (2.4 million viewers) and CBS (2 million viewers). 

In Monday-Sunday total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1.9 million viewers and 258,000 in the 25-54 demo leading all of cable. In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC averaged 3.2 million viewers and 406,000 in the 25-54 demo. Notably, FNC drew over 60% share of audiences among viewers during Monday-Friday total day and primetime and placed 99 of the top 100 cable news telecasts for the week. 

FNC continued its dominance with the top 1,195 cable news telecasts post election. Additionally, the network’s Army 250 Parade coverage was the number one program on Saturday, garnering 5.5 million viewers from 8-9 PM/ET and putting FOX News Channel as the number one network in primetime television for the day.

For the week, The Five averaged 3.8 million viewers and 421,000 in the 25-54 demo, leading cable news in all categories. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.9 million viewers and 337,000 in the 25-54 demo. The Ingraham Angle saw 2.8 million viewers and 340,000 in the 25-54 demo at 7 PM/ET. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 3.4 million viewers and 442,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 3.2 million viewers and 399,000 with A25-54. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 2.2 million viewers and 330,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

At 10 PM/ET, FNC’s late-night offering Gutfeld! secured 3.2 million viewers and 389,000 with A25-54, again topping the broadcast competition with viewers. Greg Gutfeld’s eponymous program outpaced ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1.8 million viewers), CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (1.7 million viewers), NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (981,000 viewers) and Late Night with Seth Meyers (727,000 viewers). Notably, Gutfeld! scored its highest-rated week with viewers since March.

FNC continued to see its daytime programs outpace the broadcast competition. The Will Cain Show (weekdays, 4 PM/ET; 2,351,000 viewers), Outnumbered (weekdays, 12 PM/ET; 2,086,000 viewers), The Story (weekdays, 3 PM/ET; 2,048,000), America Reports (weekdays, 1-3 PM/ET; 1,986,000 viewers)  The Faulkner Focus (weekdays, 11 AM/ET; 1,979,000 viewers) and America’s Newsroom (weekdays, 9-11 AM/ET; 1,933,000 viewers) all led CBS’ CBS Mornings (1,791,000 viewers), NBC’s Today Third Hour (1,685,000 viewers), ABC’s GMA3 (1,244,000 viewers), NBC’s Today with Jenna & Friends (1,132,000 viewers) and NBC News Daily (1,087,000 viewers).

On Saturday: FOX News Channel’s coverage of the Army 250 Parade from 6-10 PM/ET dominated the competition and was number one in television, averaging 4.9 million viewers and 700,000 A25-54 over the four hours. The program peaked during President Trump’s speech in the 8 PM hour nabbing a whopping 5.5 million viewers. The Big Weekend Show which aired live from 10-11 PM/ET drew 2.8 million viewers and 394,000 in the 25-54 demo, placing second with viewers and the younger demo.

On Saturday night from 7-9 PM/ET, CNN saw 1.15 million viewers and 238,000 A25-54, a 39% decline with viewers, compared to the previous Saturday’s June 7th airing of “Good Night, and Good Luck.” Additionally, FNC’s Army 250 Parade coverage posted a 319% advantage over CNN’s programming.

On Sunday:  One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (10 PM/ET) was the top show of the day with 2 million viewers. Bret Baier’s special edition of Special Report at 12 PM/ET, which included Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyau’s first interview since Israel’s strikes on Iran, scored 1.8 million viewers and 257,000 A25-54 viewers, commanding the demo. Trey Gowdy’s Sunday Night in America (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) and Maria Bartiromo’s Sunday Morning Futures at 11 AM/ET each notched 2 million viewers.

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 6-9-25 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.

The Trend Continues: Declining Live TV Viewership

Fewer people are tuning into live television, with a particularly sharp decline among younger generations, according to a recent study by Attest, a New York-based consumer research platform. The study reveals that 28% of consumers report not watching live TV (traditional broadcast or cable shows) on an average day. This marks a steady increase from 20% in 2023 to 24% in 2024, and now over a quarter of respondents in 2025.

The drop is most pronounced among Generation Z (under 30 years old), with 41% saying they typically do not watch live TV, compared to 27% of adults aged 31–49 and 20% of those over 50.

For Gen Z viewers who do watch live TV, viewing time is minimal, typically 30 minutes to an hour daily. In contrast, a quarter of this group streams TV for one to two hours daily, and another 25% streams for three to four hours, highlighting a clear preference for on-demand content.

Younger generations, raised in the era of on-demand content, rarely rely on live TV schedules like their parents did. Instead, they enjoy the flexibility of watching on smartphones, tablets, laptops, or TVs, further reducing live TV viewership/

This shift is evident in declining TV ratings for nearly all live events. Even major broadcasts like the Oscars and Grammys have hit record-low audiences, with the Super Bowl remaining a rare exception in drawing large crowds.

TV Stations Struggle to Reach Younger Audiences

A recent academic survey of small-market TV station executives points to corporate leadership’s failure to provide digital resources and strategies as a key reason for their struggle to connect with younger generations

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Managing small-market TV stations in markets ranked 50 and above is increasingly challenging. Station managers and news directors face relentless pressure to meet demanding financial targets set by group owners, quarter after quarter. While this is part of the business, a survey reveals that corporate groups are falling short in supporting these stations. Executives report a lack of effective strategies and resources to engage and monetize millennials and younger audiences on digital platforms, where these groups are most active.

This corporate shortfall has fueled a downward spiral for small-market stations, marked by missed opportunities in the growing digital market and challenges in recruiting young talent with digital media expertise.

The survey, conducted by Chris Leister for his Liberty University doctoral dissertation, draws from qualitative interviews with general managers and news directors at 14 small-market stations in the Mid-Atlantic states. Leister, a seasoned industry veteran with 35 years of experience, including roles as a national sales manager, general manager, and sales executive at West Virginia Media Holdings, conducted the survey between 2018 and 2022. Follow-up conversations with participants confirmed that little has changed in recent years, with the same issues persisting.

Vegas Radio: Julian Nieh Joins Mecedes In The Morning On KMXB

Audacy welcomes Julian Nieh to “Mercedes in the Morning” on Mix 94.1 (KMXB-FM) in Las Vegas. Nieh joins Mercedes Martinez weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT.

“I’ve known Julian for many years and I’m pleased that we finally have a chance to work together,” said JB King, Brand Manager, Mix 94.1. “His energy and personality will be a great addition to ‘Mercedes in the Morning.’”

Julian Nieh

“I was comfortable from my very first meeting with Mercedes. Usually, it’s natural to hold back a little, but not for me. I wanted her to know who I am and what I stand for,” said Nieh. “I’d like to give my deep appreciation to Gina Massenzi, JB King, Mike Peterson, Dave Richards and of course Mercedes, who has been nothing short of amazing during this whole process. I also want to give props to our executive producer Stephanie Sidela. I sincerely thank you all.”

Nieh’s extensive radio journey began in his hometown of Washington D.C., where he hosted one of the first night shows at Hot 995. His talent quickly propelled him to evening and morning co-host roles at B96 in Chicago, followed by afternoon drives at 104.7 KISS FM (KISS-FM) in Phoenix, Wild 94.9 in San Francisco and most recently Star 101.5 in Seattle.

📻Listeners can tune in to Mix 94.1 (KMXB-FM) in Las Vegas on air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.