Thursday, February 10, 2022

Wake-UP Call: CDC Not Changing Mask Guidelines


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention isn't changing its masking guidelines yet, despite several states in recent days moving to lift their mask mandates. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during a news briefing yesterday, "Our hospitalizations are still high, our death rates are still high. . . . and as we are encouraged by the current trends, we are not there yet." Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden's chief medical adviser, expressed cautious optimism, saying that if cases continue to fall and no new variants arise, the country, quote, "could be heading toward what we would consider more normality." But he warned that the situation is "still unpredictable." Walensky said the CDC is working on new guidance for states as the omicron-driven Covid-19 wave recedes, but said it's too soon to remove masks in indoor public places. Some governors and experts are calling for the federal government to provide science-based metrics for when different restrictions should be lifted.

 
🚚FORD PLANT SHUT DOWN DUE TO CANADIAN TRUCK BRIDGE BLOCKADE: U.S. automaker Ford shut down an engine plant in Windsor, Ontario, in Canada and is running an assembly plant on a reduced schedule in the city of Oakville in the same province due to the truck blockade of a bridge between Canada and Detroit by protesters who want Canada to end its Covid-19 restrictions. Ford said last night that the actions were due to parts shortages. The truck protests began some two weeks ago in the national capital of Ottawa, but some have spread, including to the Ambassador Bridge, where traffic was blocked for a third day yesterday. Traffic was prevented from entering Canada, while U.S.-bound traffic was still moving. The bridge carries 25 percent of all trade between the two countries. Shortages caused by the blockade also forced General Motors to cancel the second shift at its SUV factory near Lansing, Michigan.


➤JAN. 6TH HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBPOENAS EX-TRUMP TRADE ADVISER PETER NAVARRO: The House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol subpoenaed former Trump White House trade adviser Peter Navarro, who promoted false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election. The committee wants information and testimony from Navarro, saying that he was involved in efforts to delay Congress’ certification of the election and ultimately change the election results. Navarro, a former economics professor, yesterday called the committee a "partisan witch hunt" and repeated the claim he's made of executive privilege.


➤SENATORS REACH BIPARTISAN DEAL ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGISLATION: A bipartisan group of U.S. senators introduced a proposal yesterday to reauthorize the 1990s-era Violence Against Woman Act, after it expired in 2019 because of Republican opposition to renewing it. The legislation extends protections for victims of domestic and sexual violence. Republicans had prevented it from being renewed because of a provision that would ban people who've been convicted of misdemeanor stalking from owning firearms. The provision was removed as part of the deal for renewal. The law was first introduced in 1990 by then-Senator Joe Biden. It was signed into law as part of a crime bill signed four years later by President Bill Clinton. Congress had reauthorized it three times before it lapsed three years ago.

➤REPORT: NATIONAL ARCHIVES ASKED JUSTICE DEPT. TO INVESTIGATE TRUMP'S HANDLING OF DOCUMENTS: The National Archives and Records Administration has asked the Justice Department to investigate whether former President Donald Trump violated federal law in his handling of documents, the Washington Post reported yesterday. News of the referral comes after several reports in recent days about Trump's handling of documents as president, including tearing them up, and after he left the White House, with the National Archives having to get back 15 boxes of documents Trump took to Florida with him. At question is whether Trump violated the Presidential Records Act, which requires that all of administration's presidential records be turned over to the archives when a president leaves office.

➤SEVEN MORE D.C. HIGH SCHOOLS GET BOMB THREATS: One day after Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was hustled out of a Washington, D.C., high school where he was for a Black History Month event because of a bomb threat, seven more D.C. high schools got bomb threats on Wednesday. Both public high schools and charter schools were targeted by the calls, most of which were received between noon and 1 p.m. Students and staff were evacuated while the schools were searched, and in all cases, nothing was found and they were able to return. 

🐶HAVING A DOG IN YOUR DATING PROFILE PHOTO INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF A ROMANTIC MATCH:  You may want to include your dog in your next dating profile photo. Pet care marketplace Rover recently surveyed more than 1,000 British pet owners who had used dating apps, and found 76 percent said they would be more likely to match with someone who featured a dog in their photos or bio. Fifty-one percent of single pet owners admitted to including their dog in their dating profile in hopes of increasing their chances of drawing in a potential match, and 24 percent had no shame in admitting the dog in their photo wasn’t their own. The dog breeds singles deemed most-likely to positively influence matches were: 1) golden retrievers, 2) Labradors, 3) cockapoos, 3) cocker spaniels, and 4) border collies. Adem Fehmi, Canine Behaviorist at Rover adds, “It’s no surprise that having a picture of a dog in your dating profile can boost your chances of meeting a partner and forming a connection. Showing love for a pet is an attractive quality as it can indicate personality attributes such as kindness.”

🐔SUPER BOWL PARTY HOSTS, TAKE NOTE—CHICKEN WING PRICES ARE UP 26%:  Inflation is concern right now, and that of course extends to your Super Bowl snacks. A Wells Fargo study estimates that the price of Super Bowl parties could be up to 14 percent higher this year versus last year. The study looked at the cost of various popular party items, from chips and dip to chicken wings. The items with the biggest uptick in cost are those that include meat—chicken wings alone are 26 percent more expensive than last year, while steaks are 23 percent more expensive, and hamburgers are 17 percent more expensive. The good news is staples like chips and avocados are only about one percent more expensive than they were last year, and carrots and celery are about the same price that they were in 2021. Meanwhile, soda in 2-liter bottles is running 12 percent higher, while the cost of beer is up four percent, and the cost of wine is up three percent.



🎿BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: Highlights:

Nathan Chen of U.S. Wins Figure Skating Gold - American Nathan Chen won the gold medal in men's figure skating, with a near-flawless free skate program after coming in first in the short program with a world record score two days earlier. The 22-year-old landed all five of his quadruple jumps as he became the first U.S. men's Olympic champion since Evan Lysacek in 2010. It was the end of a long quest for Chen, after he finished disappointingly out of the medals in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics four years ago. Yuma Kagiyama won silver and Shoma Uno took bronze, both of them from Japan.


  • U.S. Snowboarder Chloe Kim Wins Second Straight Halfpipe Gold - U.S. snowboarder Chloe Kim won gold in the women's halfpipe for the second straight Olympics, getting a big score that no one was able to match in the first of her three runs. Since the highest score is the one that counts, the 21-year-old used her other two runs, including the final one when her victory was assured, to try to land one of her most difficult tricks, a cab 1260, which is three-and-a-half spins, but wasn't able to do it. Coming in second for the silver was Queralt Castellet of Spain and Sena Tomita of Japan won bronze.
  • Star Russian Women's Figure Skater Tests Positive for Banned Drug - Russia's 15-year-old women's figure skating sensation Kamila Valieva, who is heavily favored to win the gold medal next week, tested positive for banned heart medication trimetazidine before the Olympics, according to reports. The drug can help endurance and increase blood flow efficiency. The sample was reportedly obtained before she won the European championship last month. Valieva practiced as usual following the reports, and it was unclear if Russia is appealing or fighting the result. The Russian figure skating federation spokesman said only, "She is not suspended." The medal ceremony for the team competition has been postponed indefinitely, with Russia having won the gold with performances that included Valieva winning both the short program and free skate. If they were to have the medal taken away, the U.S., which won silver, would get the gold. Japan, which won bronze, would get silver, and Canada, which finished fourth, would get the bronze.
  • Austrian Skier Strolz Wins Gold in Combined, Same as His Father 34 Years Ago - Austrian skier Johannes Strolz won the gold medal in the Alpine combined, in which competitors ski two races, a slalom and a downhill, the same event his father, Hubert Strolz, won gold in at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won silver and Jack Crawford of Canada took bronze.
  • German Team Takes Gold in Doubles Luge for Third Straight Olympics - The German team of Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt won gold in men's doubles luge for the third straight Olympics, the first luge team to ever do so.
  • Denmark Upsets Czech Republic in First Olympic Men's Hockey Game in Nation's History - Denmark upset the Czech Republic 2-1 in the first Olympic men's ice hockey game in the nation's history, after the Danes had never before qualified. The Czechs are considered a top-five team to potentially win gold. The win came on the first day of preliminary-round games.
MEDAL COUNT: (As of 4:00 a.m. ET) - Austria and Norway are in first place with 12 medals each, followed by the Russian Olympic Committee with 11, and Canada with 10. In the gold medal count, Germany and Norway both have five, Austria and Sweden each have four, and the U.S., China and the Netherlands each have three. The U.S. has nine medals overall, three gold, five silver and one bronze. ESPN'S MEDAL TRACKER:

OTHER SPORTS:

🏈GOODELL: NFL 'FELL SHORT' IN INCREASING MINORITY HEAD COACHES: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a pre-Super Bowl news conference Wednesday that the league, quote, "fell short" in increasing the number of minority head coaches this offseason. Goodell said he'd invited outside experts to consult on possible actions and that every option will be on the table, stating, "If I had the answer right now, I would give it to you. I would have implemented it." He faced questions about the issue after former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores sued the NFL, Dolphins and two other teams, alleging racially discriminatory hiring practices for head coaches and general managers. Goodell says the allegations will be investigated. The commissioner also called Flores allegation that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered him $100,000 for every loss during the 2019 season "very disturbing," and said the league is investigating, stating, "If there are violations, they won't be tolerated."

⚾MLB TALKS TO RESUME SATURDAY: MLB and the locked-out players will resume negotiations on Saturday (February 12th) after an 11-day break. The session will come after three days of owners’ meetings that end today and three days of players’ association meetings. MLB had asked last week for a federal mediator to be brought in, but the players' union rejected the proposal. At this point, there's almost no chance that spring training will begin on time on February 16th.

🏒BRUINS' MARCHAND SUSPENDED FOR SIX GAMES: Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand was suspended by the NHL for six games last night for roughing and high sticking against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry during the teams' game Tuesday. Marchand was already suspended once earlier this season for three games, and this will be the eighth suspension of his career. It's also the longest, with NHL Player Safety saying that Marchand being a repeat offender played into the suspension's length. Marchand leads the Bruins in scoring this season with 21 goals and 49 points.

⚾FORMER MLB PLAYER JEREMY GIAMBI, PART OF MEMORABLE PLAY, DEAD AT 47: Former outfielder and first baseman Jeremy Giambi, who was part of one of MLB's most memorable plays, was found dead at his parents' California home yesterday. He was 47. The county coroner will determine the cause of death. Giambi played in the majors for six seasons with several teams, including three years from 2000 to 2002 with the Oakland A's. For two of those years he played on the A's with his older brother, five-time All-Star Jason Giambi. In 2001, Jeremy Giambi was the player tagged out at home when New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter made his famous flip toss during Game 3 of the American League Division Series after he ran all the way over to the first base line.


🌞SUPER BOWL COULD POTENTIALLY BE HOTTEST EVER: This Sunday's (February 13th) Super Bowl between the L.A. Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals could potentially be the hottest ever, with Southern California, where the game is being played in Inglewood, California, going through a heatwave. Climatologist Bill Patzert told the L.A. Times, "Temperatures could reach the mid- to high 80s at kickoff . . . Anything above 84 degrees would top the previous record." A heat advisory is in effect through Sunday evening.



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Palin Testifies In Defamation Case vs NYTimes


Sarah Palin portrayed herself as a dedicated public servant in testimony in her defamation case against the New York Times, after a former editor who oversaw the 2017 editorial underlying her lawsuit on Wednesday denied trying to blame the prominent Republican for a 2011 mass shooting.

Reuters reports Palin, the former Alaska governor and 2008 Republican U.S. vice presidential candidate, appeared only briefly on the witness stand in Manhattan federal court, and is expected to return on Thursday.

James Bennet, a former Times editorial page editor, earlier testified that changes he made to a draft of the editorial, which the Times later corrected, were not meant to hold Palin or her political action committee responsible for the 2011 shooting.

"Did you intend to cause Ms. Palin any harm through any of your edits to the draft?" the Times' lawyer David Axelrod asked Bennet during the trial's fifth day in Manhattan federal court.

"No, I didn't," Bennet responded.

Bennet also said "no" when asked if he tried to blame Palin or the political action committee. Bennet said he moved quickly to correct the editorial as criticism mounted that its wording suggested they were to blame.

"We don't promise to be perfect, we promise to try our damnedest to be perfect, and when we're not we try to fix it," Bennet testified.

On the witness stand, Palin, 57, discussed her family, her background and being chosen by 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain as his running mate.

"I don't think they were prepared for me, necessarily, because I was new to the national stage," Palin said.

The trial is a test of longstanding legal protections for U.S. media against defamation claims by public figures.

To win, Palin must prove that Bennet and the Times acted with "actual malice," meaning they knew the editorial was false or had reckless disregard for the truth.

Palin sued over a June 14, 2017, editorial, headlined "America's Lethal Politics," that addressed gun control and lamented the deterioration of political discourse.

It was written after a shooting at a Virginia baseball field where congressman Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, was wounded.

The editorial referred to the January 2011 shooting in an Arizona parking lot by gunman Jared Lee Loughner where six people died and Gabrielle Giffords, then a Democratic congresswoman, was among those wounded.

It referred to Palin's political action committee having earlier circulated a map that put Giffords and 19 other Democrats under cross hairs.

Bennet added incorrect language that said "the link to political incitement was clear" between the map and the Giffords shooting. The editorial was corrected the next day.

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Cancellations Spike For Spotify Premium


Traffic to Spotify's cancellation page nearly tripled in the last week of January as the audio platform struggled to deal with the controversy around its superstar podcaster Joe Rogan, reports The Daily Mail.

Rogan, whose podcast is the most listened to on the streaming service, drawing 11 million listeners per episode, sparked a firestorm of criticism for his controversial views on the COVID-19 vaccine.

The groundswell of criticism surged after he hosted two vaccine sceptic scientists in mid and late December, and a host of famous faces such as Neil Young and Joni Mitchell announced they were taking their music off the site in protest.

The analytics firm, SimilarWeb, told CNN on Tuesday night that it had seen traffic to the cancellation page spike 196 percent week-over-week in its most recent set of data.

Weekly Visits to Spotify Premium Cancellation Page


The data looked at traffic on the week of January 17, and compared it to the week beginning January 24.

In the week of the 17th, 39,924 visits to the page were recorded. The following week, 118,168 visits - almost three times as many - were recorded.

'This is a huge spike,' said Seema Shah, who leads SimilarWeb's research team, describing it as unprecedented.

'It implies people were passionate about the issue and took immediate action. We'll see if it keeps rising.'

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Houston Radio: Charlie Pallilo EXITS Sports KFNC


Talk show host Charlie Pallilo said Tuesday he is no longer with KFNC 97.5/92.5 FM, the fourth station for which he has worked during a career that spans the history of all-sports radio in Houston, reports The Chronicle.  

“The classic summary is that (the station) is going in a different direction,” Pallilo said. “David Gow (president of Gow Media, which owns KFNC)) has always been great, and we’re on amicable terms. But whatever factor goes into decision-making, it’s their decision to make.” 

Pallilo, a graduate of Syracuse University, came to Houston in 1989 as a reporter and talk show host at KTRH (740 AM), where he co-hosted the weeknight “SportsBeat” program. 

He moved in 1999 to KILT 610 AM, the city’s first full-time sports talk station, and remained there until 2005, when he was hired at KBME 790 AM as the station switched formats from easy listening music to all-sports. 

Pallilo was released by KBME in 2016 and, after a year off the air, joined KFNC in 2017 as a midday host. He also contributed to Gow Media’s Sportsmap.com website. 

As for future plans, Pallilo said is prepared to “let the dust settle” before contemplating his next move. 

“I’m not giddy about this, but I’m not distraught,” he said. “I can look forward to see what makes sense or might be fun or available, and that doesn’t preclude Gow Media.” 

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Tee Gentry Gets Renewed At Beasley Media

Tee Gentry
Beasley Media Group inks Tee Gentry to a multi-year renewal deal. He currently serves as Beasley's Vice President of Brand Strategies and Regional Operations Manager of its Augusta, GA and Fayetteville, NC clusters. Gentry has spent the majority of his 26-year radio career with Beasley Media Group, serving over 20 years as Operations Manager and PD at Country WKXC-FM in Augusta, GA and three years in Tampa as Operations Manager and PD at Country WQYK-FM.

"Tee is one of the most brilliant programmers that I've had the opportunity to work with," said Beasley Media Group Chief Content Officer Justin Chase. "During his many years with the company in markets like Augusta, Fayetteville and Tampa, he's only had success. We're lucky to lock Tee in for another multi-year deal."

"Tee and I have worked together for decades and he has always managed in a very fair and professional manner," added Beasley Media Group Regional Vice President Kent Dunn of Fayetteville, NC and Augusta, GA markets. "His employees love him."

"It's an absolute privilege to work with Kent and the incredible people in Augusta and Fayetteville," said Gentry. "They are what local radio is all about! I look forward to continuing to be a part of the Beasley Media Group family for years to come."
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NBC Defends Coverage of U-S Skier Mikael Shiffin

Mikaela Shiffrin

NBC is strongly defending its Beijing Olympics coverage of U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who came into the Games a favorite to medal in five events, but has so far been eliminated just a few seconds into her first two races, falling in the giant slalom and missing a gate in the slalom. 

After her elimination in the slalom, NBC's cameras focused on Shiffrin for much of the time as she sat on the side of the course with her head bowed for more than 20 minutes. 

The network then aired an interview in which an emotional Shiffrin said she was second-guessing everything she's done in skiing for the past 15 years. 

NBC rejected the criticism that they were being cruel, with Molly Solomon, the executive producer of the network's Olympics coverage, telling the Associated Press, "We have an obligation in that moment, as the broadcaster of the Olympic games, to cover the moment. . . . We’re watching real people with real emotions in real time and we did everything we were supposed to do." Solomon also suggested there was sexism involved in the criticism, saying, "[I]f [quarterbacks] Joe Burrow or Matthew Stafford sit on the sidelines 22 minutes after the Super Bowl on Sunday, you can bet the cameras are going to stay on them. Here we are in 2022 and we have a double standard in coverage of women's sports. Women’s sports should be analyzed through the same lens as the men."

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February 10 Radio History


Jimmy Durante 1947

➦In 1893...singer/comedian Jimmy Durante was born in New York City.  His distinctive vocal personality made him a natural star in bigtime radio, and later TV.  He was still headlining a weekly TV show as late as 1969 when he was in his late 70’s (Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters.) Famous for the sign-off, “Good night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.”  He died of pneumonia Jan 29, 1980 at age 86.

➦In 1925...WTIC-AM in Hartford, CT signed-on with 500 watts of power from the 6th floor of the Travelers 26 Grove St building in Hartford where there were seven studios, most or all with control rooms. The station was licensed to the Travelers Insurance Company ("TIC") and had studios in downtown Hartford.

The 1931 CT State Register shows WTIC, owned by Travelers Broadcasting Service, operating on 1060 Khz with 50,000 watts, the most powerful station in the state.  The transmitter, referred to as "old number one" was the first 50,000 watt transmitter ever manufactured by RCA and has serial number 001. This RCA 50 transmitter was the first high power commercial transmitter to use 100-kilowatt tubes, the first to use mercury-vapor type rectifiers throughout, and the first capable of true 100 percent modulation of its full rated 50-kilowatt carrier output.

By 1941 they had changed frequency to 1080 khz.  WTIC is now owned by Audacy Communications.

WTIC was known for its historic time tone, which is a broadcast of the Morse code letter "V" every hour on the hour since 1943. This makes it one of the oldest continuously broadcasting radio time tones in the world. WTIC employs a GPS master clock system that fires the custom-built time-tone generator shortly before the top of the hour, timed such that the final tone of the sequence occurs precisely on the hour (Even though everything else heard on the station is on a 10-second delay), and listeners have been setting their watches to WTIC for many years. The notes of the sequence were pitched to mimic the famous opening sequence of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, whose "short-short-short-long" rhythm matches that of the Morse code letter "V". The Morse code letter "V" for Victory was selected during the height of WWII.

Bob Steele
WTIC's best-known personality was Bob Steele, who started with the station in 1936 and stayed with WTIC for his entire sixty-six year career, ending with his death on December 6, 2002 at the age of 91.

Steele continued to broadcast a 5:30 - 10:00 AM Monday-Saturday morning show for WTIC for fifty-five years, scaling back to Saturdays only after September 1991; by the time of his last broadcast in November 2002, he was only heard on the first Saturday morning of every month. Despite WTIC's various format changes over the years, Steele's show (which featured musical standards, farm news and prices early in the morning, novelty songs, silly jokes, horrible puns ("...and the weather for Mexico City is chili today, hot tamale") and a regular "Word of the Day" segment - even long after WTIC itself had abandoned music for a focus on news/talk remained unchanged throughout its run, making it perhaps the longest-running radio program in history to have never undergone a significant format change.

➦In 1964...Personality Johnny Holliday started at 1010 WINS.  He hosted the station's final music broadcast in 1965. This led him west to Top 40 giant KYA in San Francisco where in 1965, Holliday was named America's number one disc jockey by the Bill Gavin Radio "Gavin Report." His radio work is featured in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In connection with the station he hosted record hops and concerts, including co-hosting the final concert by the Beatles at Candlestick Park in 1966.

Holliday moved to Washington, D.C., in 1969, handling morning drive time duties for WWDC until 1978, and sports for WMAL from 1978 to 1991.

➦In 1996...“The New” WKTU officially debuted at 103.5 FM.

At 6 p.m. on February 9, 1996, WYNY, which had dropped it's Country Format,  switched its stunting to a heartbeat sound effect, promoting the launch of a new format coming the following day at Noon. At that time, WKTU was relaunched on 103.5 FM with a dance-based CHR format; WKTU's first song was "Gonna Make You Sweat" by C+C Music Factory.  The station instantly skyrocketed to number one in the Arbitron ratings.

Drag performer RuPaul co-hosted mornings with Michelle Visage, Lisa Taylor and Freddie Colon around this period, further helping their ratings. Sean "Hollywood" Hamilton and Goumba Johnny made their debut at night and after much success were moved to mornings in 1998.

By 2002, the moderate amount of rap played on the station was gone and the station evolved into more of a Rhythmic Hot AC.

➦In 2004...Rick Dees announced he was leaving the morning show at KIIS 102.7 FM, Los Angeles, after 22 years.  The issue was a contract dispute.   Click Here for his final KIIS-FM Show.

➦In 2015…NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams was suspended for six months from the broadcast for misrepresenting his experience in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. At the time, his salary was $10 million a year. He was replaced by Lester Holt.  Williams now appears on MSNBC.

Roberta Flack is 85

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:

  • Actor Robert Wagner is 92. 
  • Singer Roberta Flack is 85. 
  • Singer Jimmy Merchant of Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers is 82. 
  • Bassist Bob Spalding of The Ventures is 75. 
  • Keyboardist Cory Lerios of Pablo Cruise is 71. 
  • Actor Kathleen Beller (“Dynasty”) is 66. 
  • Country singer Lionel Cartwright is 62. 
  • “Good Morning America” co-host George Stephanopoulos is 61. 
  • Actor Laura Dern is 55. 
  • Country singer Dude Mowrey is 50. 
  • Actor Jason Olive (“For Better or Worse) is 50. 
  • Actor Elizabeth Banks is 48. 
  • Emma Roberts is 31
    Actor Julia Pace Mitchell (“The Young and the Restless”) is 44. 
  • Reggaeton singer Don Omar is 44. 
  • Actor Uzo Aduba (“Orange is the New Black”) is 41. 
  • Actor Stephanie Beatriz (“Brooklyn Nine-Nine”) is 41. 
  • Actor Max Brown (“Beauty and the Beast,” ″The Tudors”) is 41. 
  • Actor Barry Sloane (“Revenge”) is 41. 
  • Singer Eric Dill (The Click Five) is 40. 
  • Keyboardist Ben Romans of The Click Five is 40. 
  • Actor Trevante Rhodes (“Moonlight”) is 32. 
  • Actor Emma Roberts (“American Horror Story,” ″We’re the Millers”) is 31. 
  • Actor Makenzie Vega (“The Good Wife”) is 28. 
  • Actor Chloe Grace Moretz is 25. 
  • Actor Yara Shahidi (“black-ish”) is 22.

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Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Former CNN Host Chris Cuomo Wants $60M To Go Away


Chris Cuomo isn’t backing down in his battle with CNN following the ouster of his boss Jeff Zucker — the anchor intends to demand as much as a $60 million settlement, according to The NY Post citing sources.

Multiple sources tell Page Six that Cuomo, who was fired in December for helping his brother fend off sexual harassment allegations, is ready to dig his heels in by claiming that Zucker not only knew about his dealings with the governor — but that the network boss had his own inappropriate dealings with Andrew.

And he is prepared to demand not the $18 million left on his contract, but as much as $60 million.

Chris Cuomo
“He wants Megyn Kelly money,” The Post has been told.  (Kelly won a $69 million settlement from NBC in 2019 following the media storm when she defended blackface on her show.)

One source said: “Chris insists he never did anything for his brother Andrew that Zucker didn’t know about.

“His camp believes Zucker wasn’t fired for an inappropriate relationship with Allison Gollust. Everybody knew about that and nobody cared.

“What he believes happened is WarnerMedia found something in their investigation into Chris, perhaps internal memos or documents which revealed more about Zucker’s involvement with Andrew Cuomo. Gollust was just a convenient excuse.”

“Chris intends to fight for every dollar on his contract, and loss of income from the 15 to 20 years left in his career, had Zucker not orchestrated a ‘f–k-job’ on him. He could ask for as much as $80 million but CNN isn’t going to pay that. But there’s an argument he could ask for as much as $60 million”

“When this all finally comes out, it will put an end to the big cry fest going on at CNN over Zucker’s ousting.”

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AMG's Byron Allen To Bid For NFL Broncos


Media tycoon Byron Allen is preparing a bid for the Denver Broncos, a move that if successful would make him the first Black majority owner of an National Football League team, reports Bloomberg. 

“NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft came to me in November of 2019 and asked me to take a good look at buying an NFL team,” Allen, chairman and chief executive officer at Allen Media Group, said in a statement in response to inquiries about his interest in the Broncos.

Byron Allen
“And after serious consideration, I strongly believe I can effectuate positive changes throughout the league,” Allen said in a statement. “And for that reason, I will be making a bid for the Denver Broncos.”.

Allen, 60, is a Detroit native who came to prominence as a comedian appearing on NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He went on to become a television producer and later founded Allen Media, which consists of The Weather Channel and more than 15 local network stations. Allen had recently bid for the regional television operator Tegna Inc., however acquisition talks are still ongoing.

The Broncos only officially announced the losing franchise was up for sale at the start of February.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has said a swift sale of the team by the Bowlen family would be best for all. “Settling the ownership situation is critical to getting the organization’s attention focused back to where it needs to be, which is fielding a successful and competitive football team that all of Broncos Country can continue to be proud of,” Hancock said in a statement.

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FOX Reports 9 Percent Revenue Jump


Fox Corporation today reported financial results for the three months ended December 31, 2021.

The Company reported total quarterly revenues of $4.44 billion, a 9% increase from the $4.09 billion reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate revenues increased 11% with 12% growth at the Cable Network Programming segment and 10% growth at the Television segment. Advertising revenues increased 6%, primarily due to continued pricing strength at the FOX Network, underpinned by the strength of the Company's sports portfolio, and continued growth at Tubi. Other revenues increased 20%, led by higher sports sublicensing revenues at the Cable Network Programming segment which were impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 ("COVID-19") in the prior year quarter.

The quarterly net loss was $73 million compared to net income of $230 million reported in the prior year quarter. The variance was primarily due to the change in fair value of the Company's investments recognized in Other, net. The net loss attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders was $85 million ($(0.15) per share) as compared to net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders of $224 million ($0.37 per share) reported in the prior year quarter. Adjusted net income attributable to Fox Corporation stockholders1 was $77 million ($0.13 per share) as compared to the $93 million ($0.16 per share) reported in the prior year quarter.

Quarterly Adjusted EBITDA2 increased 2% to $310 million from $305 million reported in the prior year quarter, led by higher contributions at the Cable Network Programming segment.

Commenting on the results, Executive Chair and Chief Executive Officer Lachlan Murdoch said:

Lachlan Murdoch
"Against the high bar we set in our fiscal second quarter last year, we have once again delivered revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth in the second quarter of our 2022 fiscal year, while continuing to invest in our digital growth initiatives. These strong results and broad-based operating momentum are underpinned by the most valuable news franchise in the country, the leading live sports franchise, our top broadcast network reinforced by a strategic stations portfolio, as well as the emerging leader in AVOD. This focused portfolio is delivering consistent growth for our shareholders in a thoughtful and disciplined manner."

Cable Network Programming reported quarterly segment revenues of $1.64 billion, an increase of $150 million or 10% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Affiliate revenues increased $111 million or 12%, primarily due to contractual price increases, including the impact of distribution agreement renewals, and the absence of the prior year accrual for potential distribution credits as a result of cancelled college football games. Advertising revenues increased $13 million or 3%, primarily due to continued pricing strength at FOX News Media, despite the absence of the prior year election cycle, and stronger pricing and additional MLB playoff games at the national sports networks. Other revenues increased $26 million or 22%, driven by higher sports sublicensing revenues, which were impacted by COVID-19 in the prior year quarter, and higher FOX Nation subscription revenues.

Television reported quarterly segment revenues of $2.76 billion, an increase of $203 million or 8% from the amount reported in the prior year quarter. Advertising revenues increased $113 million or 6% despite the comparative impact of record political advertising revenues in the prior year quarter. This growth was primarily due to continued pricing strength at the FOX Network, underpinned by the strength of the Company's sports portfolio, continued growth at Tubi, and the benefit of the ongoing recovery in the base market at the FOX Television Stations following the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in the prior year quarter. Affiliate revenues increased $59 million or 10%, driven by higher average rates at the Company's owned and operated television stations and increases in fees from third-party FOX affiliates. Other revenues increased $31 million or 25%, primarily due to higher content revenues at FOX Entertainment, as well as the acquisitions of MarVista Entertainment and TMZ.

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Mike Golic Jr. EXITS ESPN Radio


Mike Golic Jr. is leaving ESPN, The NY Post has confirmed.

Barrett Sports Media reported that ESPN Radio informed affiliates that as of Tuesday, Golic Jr. is no longer a part of their lineup. He had been hosting afternoons with Chris Canty, who will, at least for the time being, be joined by a rotating ensemble of hosts.

Mike Golic Jr
Golic Jr. joined ESPN in 2015. Before hosting with Canty, his co-host was Chiney Ogwumike, and prior to that he contributed to “Golic & Wingo” with his father, Mike Golic, and Trey Wingo.

Golic Jr.’s exit from ESPN comes about a year and a half after his father departed the company, following a two-decade run in morning drive for ESPN Radio.

A source told The Post that ESPN did make an offer to Golic Jr., but he decided to leave.

One destination that would make sense for Golic Jr. is Dan Le Batard and John Skipper’s Meadowlark Media, where Golic Sr. contributes to various podcasts. It is also plausible that he could wind up calling college football games, as he played offensive line at Notre Dame. Also, the sports gambling companies have been making considerable offers to prominent talents for a couple of years now.
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TV Ratings: Olympics Set Record Lows For NBC

NBC’s Mike Tirico began Friday’s opening ceremony by saying, “just over six months ago in Tokyo, we said we were about to embark on an Olympics unlike any other. Now we’re about to top that.”

In the case of ratings, though, topping that has meant producing record lows.

Through the first four nights of competition, NBC is on track for the lowest-rated Winter Games in history. Friday night’s coverage on NBC, USA Network and Peacock averaged 12.8 million viewers, significantly down from the 27.8 million average in PyeongChang four years ago.

Thursday night’s audience of eight million marks the smallest primetime Olympics audience on record, surpassing the nine million that tuned in for the closing ceremony of the Tokyo Games.

NBC saw a steady increase in viewers Saturday and Sunday night, but the ratings are down more than half compared to PyeongChang. Preliminary figures from Saturday show 13.6 million, and 13.7 million from Sunday.

The numbers are stark but not a surprise. Strained relations between the United States and China due to economic and human rights issues, another Olympics held during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of buzz coming into the Games have been significant factors.

📺Top 20 Prime-Time Shows (Total Viewers)

1. Winter Olympics (Sunday), NBC, 11 million.

2. Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, NBC, 10.76 million.

3. Winter Olympics (Saturday), NBC, 10.15 million.

4. Winter Olympics (Thursday, 8-8:30 p.m.), NBC, 8.1 million.

5. “FBI,” CBS, 7.54 million.

6. Winter Olympics (Thursday, 8:30-11 p.m.), NBC, 7.26 million.

7. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 6.43 million.

8. “FBI: International,” CBS, 6.27 million.

9. “911: Lone Star,” Fox, 6.01 million.

10. “FBI: Most Wanted,” CBS, 5.94 million.

11. “Young Sheldon,” CBS, 4.86 million.

12. “This is Us,” NBC, 4.54 million.

13. “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” ABC, 4.44 million.

14. Auto Racing: NASCAR Busch Light Clash, Fox, 4.28 million.

15. “Celebrating Betty White,” NBC, 4.27 million.

16. “The Neighborhood,” CBS, 4.25 million.

17. “Ghosts,” CBS, 4.22 million.

18. “NCIS,” CBS, 4.11 million.

19. “Judge Steve Harvey,” ABC, 4 million.

20. “Tucker Carlson Tonight” (Monday), Fox News, 3.82 million.


📺EVENING NEWS:

According to TV Newser, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir finished the week of Jan. 31, 2022 as the No. 1 evening newscast, both in total viewers (averaging 9.2 million) and among adults 25-54 (averaging 1.74 million).

ABC’s evening newscast has now defeated its competition from NBC and CBS 166 of the past 167 weeks in average total viewers—and 95 of the last 97 weeks among adults 25-54. Season to date, World News Tonight is No. 1 in Total Viewers for the 6th consecutive year—based on Most Current Data—and No. 1 among adults 25-54 (1. million) for the 3rd season in a row.

World News Tonight grew +2% in total viewers, and +7% in adults 25-54 from the prior week (Jan. 24). Compared with the same week in 2021 (Feb. 1 ’21), the trend was worse, with World News Tonight losing -6% in average total audience and -10% among adults 25-54.


📺LATE NIGHT:

Fox News’ late-night program Gutfeld! had its most-watched week of the year, averaging 2.05 million total viewers and 357,000 adults 25-54.

Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN (w/permission)


📺CABLE TV:

Fox News Channel and USA split the basic cable Nielsen ratings race this past week, with FNC averaging the largest total audience in primetime and total day, and USA hauling in the most adults 25-54 in primetime and total day.

According to TV Newser citing Nielsen live-plus-same-day data for the week of Jan. 31, 2022, Fox News averaged 2.52 million total viewers in primetime, which is No. 1 on basic cable and +3% from the previous week. FNC averaged 395,000 adults 25-54 in primetime, which is +1% from the week prior and No. 3 on all of basic cable behind USA (536,000) and ESPN (441,000).


Graphics courtesy of RoadMN (w/permission)

Fox News’ audience has returned in full force after those Q1 ’21 struggles. Compared to the year-ago week. when Fox News finished No. 3 in total day viewers, Fox grew by +21%. The network also shot up +7% in total primetime viewers, +12% in the primetime demo, and +22% in the total day demo. MSNBC shed -49% in total day viewers and -45% in total primetime viewers from the comparable week in 2021. CNN fell more than its competition when it came to total day viewers (-63%) and total primetime viewers (-69%), the primetime demo (-72%) and total day demo (-70%). CNN was delivering network-record ratings at this time in 2021, achieving a No. 1 ranking on basic cable among adults 25-54 during the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election. Not so much anymore.

Graphics Courtesy of RoadMN (w/permission)

On the programming front, week No. 2 of Jesse Watters Primetime averaged 3.06 million viewers and 469,000 A25-54, making it the No. 3 program in cable news yet again, behind  The Five (3.625 million total viewers/517,000 adults 25-54), and Tucker Carlson Tonight (3.61 million/593,000 adults 25-54).  Hannity (2.95 million) finished No. 4 followed by Special Report with Bret Baier (2.53 million). Fox News’ late-night program Gutfeld! had its most-watched week of the year, averaging 2.05 million total viewers and 357,000 adults 25-54.
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At-Work Listening More Than Doubles Work-From-Home Listening

NuVoodoo Media Services, a data-driven media research, marketing, digital and content intelligence provider, announces findings of NuVoodoo Ratings Prospect Study 19, fielded nationwide on January 4-5, 2022, to 3,298 14-54-year-olds across all PPM markets. 

The study and findings will be presented to the radio industry in a free webinar on Wednesday, February 16th at 1:00pm EST/10:00am PST. Register now at www.noovoodoo.com/webinars.


In the study, NuVoodoo found that working age adults who report to a jobsite or office outside the home use radio more than two times as much as those who work from home. Further, the study found that likely ratings participants (RPS “Yes” on the charts below) working out of home are more than three times as likely to use radio most, compared to likely panelists or diary-keepers who work from home. This is the group most likely to determine station Nielsen ratings. In addition, those likely to say “yes” to Nielsen and who use radio at least an hour or more each day (“RPS 60’s” on the charts below) are nearly four times as likely to use radio at the office or jobsite, compared to those working in a home office. NuVoodoo also found that likely ratings participants – especially those who listen to radio the most – are more likely to commute to a job outside the home compared to the total sample studied.



Carolyn Gilbert, President, NuVoodoo Media Services, said: “Our study was fielded the first week in January, just as the Omicron variant was first beginning to spread rapidly across the country, so these numbers should be considered within that context. Through the earlier stages of the pandemic and in our January study, the data has clearly shown more upside for radio when the focus is on the out of home audience. Here we found that two-thirds of our total sample reported working outside the home most to all days of the week. But likely ratings participants over-indexed significantly: Three-quarters of RPS Yes and RPS 60 listeners were commuting to their jobs at the start of the year.” 

Gilbert noted: “As Omicron cases peak and recede, the portion of the radio audience that offers more impact to stations’ monthly report cards is best found and influenced OUTSIDE THE HOME, in cars and at work, especially during critical weekday prime listening periods.”



Leigh Jacobs, EVP, Research Analysis, NuVoodoo Media Services, commented: “Radio is the clear choice among listeners who work outside the home office. Among those working in any capacity, just 12% report using radio most in a home office setting, and the numbers nearly triple to 32% when working outside the home. The variance is even more dramatic among likely ratings respondents, where RPS Yes respondents working outside the home listen to radio at better than 3x those working from home. And among TSL intensive RPS 60’s, the difference in radio preference levels while working outside the home is nearly 4:1 compared to those working from home.”

PJ Kling, VP, Marketing, NuVoodoo Media Services, added: “We’ve reacted to this data by developing new tools to help stations reboot the commute and gain an edge in the battle for ratings. We recently added digital out-of-home specialist Andrea Parikh to the NuVoodoo marketing team. She was the architect of Clear Channel Outdoor’s digital out-of-home infrastructure and is now managing NuVoodoo client campaigns. We can now seamlessly integrate exchange-traded digital video, display and Connected TV with social advertising and digital billboards, transit shelters, urban panels and other assets to create a truly ubiquitous out-of-home presence for our stations.”

NuVoodoo will share findings of its NuVoodoo Ratings Prospect Study 19 with the radio industry in a free webinar on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at 1:00pm EST/10:00am EST. Interested attendees should register now at www.nuvoodoo.com/webinars to reserve their spot for this limited capacity online event.

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Nashville Radio: Cumulus Extends Charlie Cook


CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has re-signed Charlie Cook, Vice President of Country Music for Cumulus, in a long-term contract extension. 

The extension includes his role with Cumulus Nashville as Programming Operations Manager for Cumulus Nashville’s five-station cluster and as the Program Director for both WSM 95.5 FM Nash Icon and WKDF 103.3 Country.

Charlie Cook
Brian Philips, Executive Vice President, Content and Audience, Cumulus Media, said: “Charlie Cook is a warrior who lives to lead our powerful Nashville stations, the Cumulus Country stations and the Nashville music industry. He’s a legendary programmer who serves as a wise teacher and mentor to many at Cumulus.”

Allison Warren, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Nashville, said: “It is always our goal that through our Program Directors and their leadership we bring thoughtful, engaging, and entertaining audio content and music to our audiences. In Charlie, we have a talented and well-respected leader that is driven to harness the very best of what Cumulus and Country music has to offer. He has a wealth of radio experience and has built an impressive track record of accomplishments.”

Charlie Cook, Programming Operations Manager, Cumulus Nashville, said: “I have had the pleasure to work as part of, and alongside, our local management team and corporate programming team, and as I continue in this role, I will do my best to help Cumulus innovate, and reach its next phase of growth. It is an exciting time to be a part of the business and realize some of the significant opportunities out there as we continue to grow our audio capabilities.”
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Wake-Up Call: Russia Says It Won't Escalate Ukraine Crisis

One day after meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday that Putin told him Russia won't escalate the Ukraine crisis further. Macron made the remarks during a news conference in Ukraine after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia has massed more than 100,000 troops on its border with Ukraine. However, the Kremlin denied reports that Macron and Putin had reached a deal on de-escalating the crisis, with a spokesman saying, "in the current situation, Moscow and Paris can't be reaching any deals." Macron also said Putin told him there won't be any Russian permanent military base or deployment in Belarus, where Russia sent a large number of troops for war games. The Russian spokesman said withdrawing the troops from Belarus after the war games had always been the plan.
 
➤HOUSE APPROVES BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION EASING BUDGET STRAIN ON POSTAL SERVICE: The House passed bipartisan legislation yesterday that would remove tough budget requirements on the Postal Service that have helped send it deeply into debt. It will end the requirement imposed in 2006 that the Postal Service finance, in advance, health care benefits for current and retired workers for the next 75 years. The legislation would also require the that mail continue to be delivered six days a week, and that the Postal Service to set up an online dashboard searchable by zip code so people can see how long it takes to deliver mail and packages. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he’s planning a Senate vote before a recess that starts after next week.

➤MCCONNELL CRITICIZES RNC FOR CENSURING TWO HOUSE REPUBLICANS, CALLS JAN. 6 'VIOLENT INSURRECTION': Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell yesterday criticized the Republican National Committee (RNC) for censuring the two Republicans on the House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and called the events of January 6th a "violent insurrection." The RNC took a vote to approve censuring the two GOP lawmakers at the party's winter meeting last Friday. The resolution accused the House committee of leading a, quote, "persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse," which has led to backlash, including from some Republican lawmakers. McConnell said yesterday, "It was a violent insurrection for the purpose of trying to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after a legitimately certified election from one administration to the next." He also said it's, quote, "not the job of the RNC" to be "singling out members of our party who may have different views than the majority. However, McConnell said he still has confidence in RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel.


➤SUSPECT ARRESTED IN WASHINGTON SUPERMARKET SHOOTING THAT KILLED ONE: The 39-year-old man suspected of opening fire inside a Washington state supermarket Monday, killing one person and critically injuring another, had his first court appearance Tuesday after being caught and arrested Monday night in a vehicle on I-90. Court documents said that Aaron Christopher Kelly was a suspected shoplifter who appeared to be dealing with mental illness. His former roommate told police Kelly has, quote, "been spiraling mentally and is very paranoid." He's charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder and bail was set at $1 million. He's accused of killing a 38-year-old customer, Justin Krumbah, at the Fred Meyer supermarket in Richland, and wounding 56-year-old employee Mark A. Hill, who remains in critical condition.

NY Post photo 2/9/22
➤NYC COUPLE ARRESTED IN ALLEGED LAUNDERING OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CRYPTOCURRENCY: The Justice Department announced yesterday that a New York City couple were arrested that morning in an alleged conspiracy to launder billions of dollars in stolen cryptocurrency, and said it had seized more than $3.6 billion, its largest-ever financial seizure. The cryptocurrency was stolen from a 2016 hack of virtual currency exchange Bitfinex. Ilya "Dutch" Lichtenstein, a 34-year-old citizen of Russia and the U.S., and his 31-year-old wife, Heather Morgan, are accused of using sophisticated techniques to launder the stolen cryptocurrency and conceal the transactions. They are not charged in the hack itself.


➤VP HARRIS' HUSBAND REMOVED FROM BLACK HISTORY EVENT AFTER BOMB THREAT: Vice President Kamala Harris' husband, Doug Emhoff, was removed from a Black History Month event at a Washington, D.C., high school by Secret Service agents yesterday after a bomb threat. Emhoff was at Dunbar High School and was in the school's museum for a few minutes when one of the agents on his security detail said, "We have to go," and hustled him out to his car and they drove off. An announcement then instructed students and teachers to leave the building. The Secret Service said they didn't have any information to indicate the threat was targeted at Emhoff. No bomb was found after a search by police.

🚘HYUNDAI, KIA TELLING OWNERS OF RECALLED CARS TO PARK THEM OUTSIDE DUE TO FIRE RISK: Hyundai and Kia are telling the owners of nearly 485,000 vehicles in the U.S. that they've recalled to park them outside until repairs are made because they can catch fire even if the engine is turned off. The issue is contamination in the antilock brake control module that can cause an electrical short, increasing the risk of fire. There have been 11 reported fires in the U.S., but no injuries, according to the automakers. The vehicles affected are: certain Kia Sportage SUVs from 2014 through 2016, and the 2016 through 2018 K900 sedan; certain Hyundai 2016 through 2018 Santa Fe SUVs, 2017 and 2018 Santa Fe Sports, the 2019 Santa Fe XL and 2014 and 2015 Tucson SUVs.

➤POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS IN HANDLING OF CLERGY SEX ABUSE, BUT DENIES WRONGDOING: Pope Emeritus Benedict the 16th asked forgiveness Tuesday for any, quote, "grievous faults" in his handling of clergy sex abuse cases, but he denied any wrongdoing. The letter from Benedict came in response to a recent independent report in Germany that criticized his actions in four cases while he was archbishop of Munich. It accused him of misconduct for not restricting the ministry of the four priests even after they had been convicted.

➤IN RETURN TO JOBS, A HUGE GENDER GAP:  The pandemic really messed up jobs for Americans, and though January’s jobs report brought some hopeful news about employers adding over 400,000 new jobs last month, it seems the news is better for men than it is for women. A report that came out Friday (February 4th) from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that more than one million men ages 20 and up either found a job or were actively looking for a job in January, while just 39,000 women in the same age group did the same. The National Women’s Law Center published a report on the data, and notes it’s likely due to the “uneven caregiving responsibilities men and women have taken on in the wake of the omicron variant which caused continued school and child care disruptions.” The lack of child care workers isn’t helping things either. In a December article, Politico also reported that women tend to be in jobs that are more prone to pandemic COVID restrictions (such as teaching and health care), which has led them having a harder time getting back into the 9-to-5 swing of things.


💘WHY SEX MAKES US MORE LIKELY TO SPILL OUR SECRETS:  There’s a link between being turned on sexually and wanting to spill your secrets. A 2017 study found that simply engaging with erotic content before interacting with another person is enough to make you leak your secrets. Scientists say this likely happens due to a combination of emotional, psychological, and physiological factors, and there are some specific things that happen in the brain that could help explain why. Clinical sexologist Lucy Rowett says for one thing, the brain releases oxytocin, the “love hormone,” which aids in pair-bonding. The release of neurochemicals dopamine and norepinephrine contribute to feeling euphoric and giddy. So when you’re feeling good from all those hormones your guard drops. In addition, for some people, emotional closeness can turn them on, so Dr. Sarah Melancon explains, “Sexual feelings may increase the desire to feel emotionally intimate with someone, which may manifest in secret-sharing.” If you’re someone who tends to tell secrets to sexual partners, you may want to take time to consider why you’re doing so, as secret-sharing isn’t always a good thing.

➤AMERICAN GAMBLING ASSOCIATION PREDICTS A RECORD NUMBER OF AMERICANS WILL BET ON THE SUPER BOWL: How do you feel about gambling? The American Gaming Association (AGA) 31.5 million Americans will place bets on this year’s Super Bowl game, happening Sunday (February 13th). The group forecasts that over $7.6 billion will be wagered on the game. Those making bets include people making casual wagers with friends or relatives, people playing in office pools, wagers with licensed sportsbooks, and bets placed with illegal bookmakers. President and CEO of the AGA, Bill Miller, says, “Americans have never been more interested in legal sports wagering. The growth of legal options across the country not only protects fans and the integrity of games and bets, but also puts illegal operators on notice that their time is limited.” Since last year’s Super Bowl, 45 million additional people will be able to bet because their states have legalized sports betting since then: Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. If you think you have a gambling problem, you can get help by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.


🎿BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS: Highlights:
  • Jacobellis Wins First Gold for U.S. in Snowboardcross - Lindsey Jacobellis won the first gold medal of the Olympics for the U.S., coming in first in the snowboardcross final. It came 16 years after Jacobellis blew a gold in the 2006 Turin Games when she pulled a showboat move on the final jump with a big lead and fell, and had to settle for silver.
  • U.S. Skier Shiffrin Out Early in Second Straight Race - U.S. skier Mikaela Shiffrin, who came into Beijing a favorite to medal in five events, was out early in her second straight race. After crashing 11 seconds into her giant slalom race two days earlier, Shiffrin skidded and missed a gate five seconds into her first run in the slalom race. She sat on the side of the slalom course with her head in her hands for several minutes afterward. In an emotional NBC interview, Shiffrin said of what's happened in her first two races, "It makes me second-guess the last 15 years, everything I thought I knew about my own skiing and slalom and racing mentality. Just processing a lot, for sure." Retired U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, tweeted her support for Shiffrin.
  • Petra Vlhova of Slovakia won the slalom gold, Katharina Liensberger of Austria took silver and Wendy Holdener of Switzerland won bronze.
  • Shaun White Qualifies for Halfpipe Final After First Run Fall - U.S. snowboarder Shaun White, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, qualified for the halfpipe final in fourth place, recovering from a fall on his first run. White fell on his signature trick, the Double McTwist 1260, and was in 19th place after his first run. But he nailed his second one, and since the best score counts, he's heading to the final in fourth.
  • American Stevenson Wins Silver in Men's Freestyle Skiing Big Air - American Colby Stevenson won the silver medal in the Olympics' first men's freestyle skiing big air event. Norway's Birk Ruud won gold and Sweden's Henrik Harlaut took bronze.
  • American Diggins Wins Bronze in Cross-Country Skiing Sprint - Jessie Diggins of the U.S. won bronze in the cross-country skiing sprint, the first American woman to win an individual Olympics medal in cross-country skiing. Sweden's Jonna Sundling won gold and teammate Maja Dahlqvist took the silver.
  • Germany's Geisenberger First Woman to Win Luge Gold in Three Olympics - Germany's Natalie Geisenberger won gold in the women's luge, becoming the first woman to earn gold in the singles event in three Olympics, after also coming in first in 2014 and 2018.
  • Five Female Ski Jumpers Disqualified Over Uniforms - Five female ski jumpers were disqualified from the mixed team final over their uniforms, which were ruled to be too large, potentially giving them an advantage. There were two women disqualified from Norway, and one each from Japan, Austria and Germany.
MEDAL COUNT: (As of 4:00 a.m. ET) - The Russian Olympic Committee is in first place with 10 medals, followed by Norway with nine and Austria with eight. In the gold medal count, Norway and Sweden both have four, and the Netherlands, Germany and China all have three. The U.S. has seven medals overall, one gold, five silver and one bronze. ESPN MEDAL TRACKER

OTHER SPORTS:

🏀UNRANKED ARKANSAS UPSETS NUMBER 1 AUBURN 80-76 IN OT: The unranked Arkansas men's basketball team upset Number 1 Auburn 80-76 in overtime last night, doing it at home. JD Notae scored 28 points for Arkansas, which made 11 of 14 free throws in the final 1:52 of overtime. Arkansas students stormed the court after the win, which also snapped Auburn's 19-game win streak. It was the first time Arkansas had beaten a Number 1-ranked team since 1984 against North Carolina.


⚾DODGERS BAUER WON'T FACE CHARGES RELATED TO SEX ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS: The L.A. County District Attorney's office said Tuesday that it will not bring charges against L.A. Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer related to sexual assault allegations made against him by a 27-year-old woman last year. The D.A.'s office said they are "unable to prove the relevant charges beyond a reasonable doubt." Bauer was on administrative leave for the last three months of the season following the allegations, and MLB could still impose a suspension. MLB said their investigation is ongoing and the Dodgers said they wouldn't comment until that is completed. After the DA's decision was announced, Bauer posted a video on YouTube in which he denied the woman's allegations, which included that he choked her unconscious during two sexual encounters, punched her in the face and genitals, and had anal sex with her while she was unconscious. He acknowledged having rough sex with the woman, but said it was consensual and, quote, the disturbing acts and conduct that she described simply did not occur." AP said the woman’s attorney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.



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Lehigh Valley Radio: Kira Smethers To Join WCTO Morning Show

Kira Smethers
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed Kira Smethers as Co-Host, Mornings, on WCTO CAT Country 96 in Allentown, PA. Smether debuts on CAT Country 96 on Tuesday, February 15th, and joins station veteran and Morning Host Sam Malone on The CAT Morning Crew Monday through Friday from 5AM-10AM. CAT Country is also simulcast on WWYY107.1 FM in the Poconos.

Smethers joins Cumulus Allentown from Lotus Broadcasting in Las Vegas, NV. Prior to that, she was a part-time on-air personality at Audacy/Entercom Las Vegas. Smethers is part of the “Finding My Perfect Awkward” and “Free4All” podcasts. She is also a Camp Broadcast Alum, where aspiring broadcasters interview celebrities and learn from current broadcasters.

Elizabeth Pembleton, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Lehigh Valley-Poconos, said: “I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kira to the CAT Country Morning Show. Her passion, drive and understanding of audience engagement, and of social and audio evolution, captured my attention immediately. She is incredibly talented and is an exceptional complement to veteran Morning Host, Sam Malone and the entire CAT Country team.”

Jerry Padden, Operations Manager, Cumulus Allentown and Program Director, CAT Country 96WCTO-FM, commented: “I am pleased to welcome Kira to the family. I can’t wait for her to get out and start making new friends. Together with Sam, the Lehigh Valley will love starting their day with them, on-air and online.”

Kira Smethers remarked: “I am so excited to become part of the CAT Country team! I can’t wait to embrace the Allentown/Bethlehem community and take on a new town one pink drink at a time!” 

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Radio’s Digital Sales Boom 33%


Local radio stations hit the jackpot with digital sales last year, generating $1.5 billion, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau’s 10th annual benchmarking report on the industry’s digital activities. Stations are poised to follow last year’s growth of 33% with another strong year, with digital sales forecast to grow 22%, approaching the $2 billion mark.

“The radio industry seems to have finally found its digital groove,” declares the report, published today. The comprehensive 47-page analysis, which covers the activity of more than 3,000 radio stations, was compiled by Borrell Associates and is sponsored by Marketron.

“The findings from this report highlight the rewarded efforts of stations’ digital offerings to drive results for local advertisers,” stated Erica Farber, RAB president and CEO. “The focus on the importance of digital training has produced dividends for stations and sellers alike. RAB continues to provide business and professional development training that will help stations to super-serve their local businesses.”

“I’m happy to report that we underestimated radio’s digital determination when we published last year’s report,” said Gordon Borrell, CEO of Borrell Associates. “We predicted that radio would hit a double by increasing sales 18%. They hit a triple – maybe even a home run. It’s quite impressive, especially when you see that little stat that shows how digitally savvy radio sales reps are in the eyes of local advertisers.”

The annual report showed that the average station made $36,250 in digital revenue in 2021, and the average market cluster made $1.6 million. Top-performing market clusters made more than $10 million, even in some of the smaller markets.

“The local radio salesperson is now the marketing expert in their community by bringing linear and digital solutions to advertisers that produce real, measurable results,” said Todd Kalman, senior vice president of sales at Marketron. “In this report, you’ll find data and insights that position radio and digital together for new advertising opportunities in 2022.”

The findings are a part of the RAB and Borrell’s 10th annual report, “Finally, A Digital Bounty: Radio’s Digital Sales Rise 33%,” released today to RAB members. It analyzes online ad revenue from 3,645 radio stations, as well as survey responses from 1,107 local radio buyers and 256 radio managers.

Among the findings:

• Advertisers now rate radio sellers higher than all competitors for marketing expertise.
• Advertisers now rate radio sellers on par with or higher than competitors for digital expertise.
• Nearly one in four station managers now deem their digital strategy “brilliant.”
• Eighty-eight percent of radio advertisers buy digital advertising, but only 46% buy it from their radio rep.
• Twice as many stations as last year say online-only reps are the best way to drive more sales.
• Virtual events didn’t stick in 2021; only 13% of stations are planning them this year.
• While 44% of stations have a local podcast, only 20% have one that produces revenue.


The full report is available to RAB members on RAB.com: Click here. A live webinar featuring the survey results will be presented by RAB and Gordon Borrell at noon CT on Wednesday, February 16. RAB members and survey participants can register for free here.
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