Vox Media Lays Off 70 Employees, 6% of Workforce

Vox Media, the publisher of New York magazine, the Verge and SB Nation, is laying off about 6% of its workforce—or some 70 people—as a result of the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, the company said Thursday.

The Wall Street Journal reports the cuts will primarily affect employees who had been furloughed in April but also some who weren’t, Chief Executive Jim Bankoff said in a memo to staff. He said he believes the reduction “will be sufficient to weather this downturn and uncertainty, without need for significant additional measures.”

“It’s becoming increasingly clear that the second half of the year will not rebound anywhere near our pre-Covid forecasts,” he said. “Furthermore, as cases rise tragically across the country and many of our elected leaders avoid decisive action, we have very limited visibility into the timing or strength of a recovery.”

Mr. Bankoff also said the company was restoring full pay for those who had their salaries reduced in May. At the time, the company introduced a tiered pay reduction for those making more than $130,000 a year. He said his pay cut of 50% would continue, as well as the pay reductions of the company’s executive staff.

Like many media outlets, Vox suffered sharp revenue declines as the pandemic drove down advertising spending and caused it to stop producing lucrative events

USA Today: Anti-Fauci Column Didn’t Meet Standards

Dr. Anthony Fauci

USA Today says that a column that the newspaper solicited and published from presidential trade adviser Peter Navarro criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci was misleading and did not meet fact-checking standards.

The Associated Press reports the newspaper explained the decision in a note by Bill Sternberg, editorial page editor, attached to the column online. Navarro’s column originally moved online late Tuesday and was published in Wednesday’s newspaper.

Navarro wrote that Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, “has been wrong about everything I interacted with him on.”

The newspaper on Wednesday evening also ran a fact-check story by Washington reporter Ledyard King examining five of Navarro’s claims.

Peter Navarro

It wasn’t clear how Navarro’s column escaped such scrutiny before being published. Sternberg said in an email that he’s letting his editorial note speak for itself. The incident is reminiscent of The New York Times saying last month that an opinion column by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton hadn’t been properly vetted, which led to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor.

Navarro did not immediately return a message for comment.

USA Today said it had sought Navarro’s opinion to accompany an editorial that the newspaper ran calling Fauci “a national treasure.”

That editorial said the fact that Navarro was writing the opposing viewpoint “shows how hard it is to find an actual medical professional willing to undercut Fauci.”

It wasn’t clear whether the newspaper sought those opinions.

Fauci has essentially been shelved by the White House as a prominent spokesperson on the coronavirus pandemic because he’s publicly been more pessimistic than the president. He does webcasts but rarely gives television interviews anymore.

Harris Faulkner's Star Rising At Fox News

Fox News Channel Harris Faulkner Sunday will host a special primetime event that – for the first time in her career at Fox News –  leads with her name.  “Harris Faulkner Presents: The Fight for America” is supposed to offer a look at civil unrest and race relations in the U.S., and marks the latest in a series of special-format programs she has anchored this year. Faulkner expects to continue to lead town-hall discussions as well as news  specials with her name in the title.

“We are going to take some important voices to the conversation, and we are going to talk real and raw,” she says of Sunday’s broadcast during a recent interview conducted from her home over Zoom. Faulkner, one of the few Black women anchoring weekday slots on the mainstream U.S. cable-news outlets, is in a bi-racial marriage, and says she and her husband have tough discussions about such topics every day. “We are raw with each other,” she says. “I think that’s where we all need to be as Americans. We can take it.”

As Faulkner leads these programs, she is quickly becoming more integral to the business of the Fox Corporation-owned network for which she works, according to Variety.  Faulkner already anchors two hours each weekday on Fox News. But executives in recent months have begun to add “America Together” specials and other programming aimed at kitchen-table topics like distance learning or mental health, and create elements different from the opinion programming that represents the network’s most-watched fare.

Report: Penske Media Eyeing Purchase Of THR

Penske Media Corporation, the L.A.-based parent company of Variety and Deadline, is in talks that may lead to the purchase of rival showbiz publication The Hollywood Reporter, insiders say.

Los Angeles magazine reports A top-level executive close to the situation tells says talks concerning a potential deal between PMC and The Hollywood Reporter‘s parent company, Valence Media, are in their early stages.

If acquired by PMC, The Hollywood Reporter would become a sister publication to its current rivals Variety and Deadline Hollywood, leaving TheWrap as the only major Hollywood business publication or “trade” not owned by PMC chairman and CEO Jay Penske. The 41-year-old media mogul, son of Roger Penske, has spent the past decade building his L.A.-based media company into a formidable powerhouse that owns Rolling Stone, Robb Report, Indie Wire, ARTNews, and a host of other high-profile entertainment and cultural titles.

It’s unclear if Valence’s other trade publications would be included in a PMC deal. But insiders say that Valence, which also owns the television and film production companies MRC and Dick Clark Productions, has been quietly shopping its media titles to concentrate on its core properties. If consummated, a broader deal between the two companies could potentially hand PMC control over Valence-owned Billboard, the dominant music-industry trade, as well as Vibe.

A representative for Valence told Los Angeles that PMC’s possible acquisition of The Hollywood Reporter is “not true.” Reached earlier today, a PMC spokesperson said the company would have “no comment on a misleading story by a former THR employee.”

Chuck Woolery Admits Pandemic Is Real, Quits Twitter

Chuck Woolery, who hosted the venerable game show Wheel of Fortune from its 1975 inception through 1981, now admits that the coronavirus pandemic is not a hoax after his son apparently tested positive for the disease.

“Chuck’s son is fine and a-symptomatic,” according Woolery spokesman Mark Young.

The 79-year-old entertainer vented on social media Sunday that virtually everyone was lying about the severity of COVID-19, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The most outrageous lies are the ones about COVID-19. Everyone is lying,” tweeted Woolery. “The CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust. I think it’s all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I’m sick of it.”

But just one day later, the “Scrabble” and “Love Connection” host backtracked from the statement.

“To further clarify and add perspective, COVID-19 is real and it is here,” Woolery reportedly tweeted. “My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for of those suffering and especially for those who have lost loved ones.”

By Wednesday, Woolery’s Twitter account had been deactivated, which Young claimed was the result of his client seeking to take a break from social media.

San Diego Radio: KWFN Using MaxxCasting to Improve Signal

Entercom radio station KWFN 97.3 FM in San Diego has substantially improved its signal through the launch of a MaxxCasting™ system from GeoBroadcast Solutions.

The four-node single-frequency network (SFN), which represents the first commercially deployed HD Radio™ Single Frequency Network (HD SFN), extends clear FM and HD Radio coverage up and down the busy Interstate 15 and State Route 78 corridors. The improved signal also increases penetration with Nielsen PPM Portable People Meters (PPMs) to help broadcasters accurately measure audiences and set advertising rates.

This successful implementation of an HD SFN through MaxxCasting also demonstrates that geo-targeting for radio will work when the boosters are equipped with GeoBroadcast Solutions’ ZoneCasting™ technology. The FCC is currently considering a rule change petition that would permit radio broadcasters to air geo-targeted programming. ZoneCasting will eventually owe its success to MaxxCasting, the foundational architecture that is currently boosting FM and HD signals from the Boston market’s WXLO-FM to KWFN in San Diego.

“Providing a digitally clear, strong HD signal to the flagship station of the San Diego Padres serves the expanded listening audience and advertisers,” said Bill Hieatt, CTO of GeoBroadcast Solutions. “The MaxxCasting system now reaches listeners in previously underserved areas north of San Diego, including the cities of Escondido, Ramona, and San Marcos. The immediate results have been positive: KWFN saw a one-month ratings share increase from 1.8 to 2.5 post-launch.”

The San Diego market is very terrain-intensive, and signal penetration is limited due to the density of hills. Yet JR Rogers, Market Technical Operations Director, San Diego for Entercom noted that, “there is no question that commuter listening experience has improved, as the holes in the signal coverage have been greatly diminished.” He also sees potential for broader audience growth for key programs including, Ben & Woods, KWFN’s new morning Sports Talk show.

KWFN 97.3 FM (50 Kw)

“The community was previously served by a massive AM signal originating in Mexico,” said Rogers. “We especially wanted to provide the Padres and their fans as close to 100 percent coverage as possible. While high-power AM has a much broader coverage pattern, FM offers far superior sound. The MaxxCasting system will provide the community with higher quality game coverage, and better penetrate the entire market.”

WFH Continuing For ViacomCBS, Amazon

ViacomCBS and Amazon have both announced that their employees will continue to work remotely through January as coronavirus cases surge across the country, Fox Business reports.

"While we were hopeful we’d be able to bring a small number of employees back to U.S. office locations beginning in August, due to recent spikes it’s clear this will not happen," ViacomCBS CEO Bob Bakish wrote in a memo to office employees obtained by FOX Business. "In fact, at this point, we are assuming the majority of employees will not be returning to U.S. offices this year."

Given the recent surge in coronavirus cases, Bakish said "having fewer people commuting and gathering is best" and that employees have "proven how well we can work remotely as an organization."

He also said the decision will allow the company to "continue to focus our time and resources on supporting our business-critical employees who need to work from facilities, as well as enabling our return to production – which generally has to be done in person and is the lifeblood of our business."

Despite the move, Bakish believes "getting back to production is critical" and said ViacomCBS will work with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) and government organizations on industry-wide recommendations "as well as determining our internal process for planning and evaluating all ViacomCBS productions.”

A production task force has been put in place to ensure personal protective equipment and cleaning and disinfection services, validate safe travel and hotel resources, secure testing and health screening services, and to hire and vet COVID compliance consultants and vendors.

“In addition to the few productions that have returned domestically and internationally, all of our businesses have been working hard to develop highly detailed and thoughtful plans for each of their unique shows, events, features and series to get them back into production under these new safety protocols,” Bakish added.

While there is no set date for the return of the majority of ViacomCBS' U.S. employees, Amazon announced it will extend its remote work policy through Jan. 8.

"We continue to prioritize the health of our employees and follow local government guidance," a spokesperson for Amazon told FOX Business. "We have invested significant funds and resources to keep those who choose to come to the office safe through physical distancing, deep cleaning, temperature checks, and by providing face coverings and hand sanitizer."

The spokesperson added that Amazon employees are encouraged to continue to avoid nonessential travel.

New Three-Digit Suicide Hotline Coming

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted Thursday to finalize 988 as the new number for Americans to call to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

The Hill reports the rule approved by the commissioners will require all phone service providers to direct 988 calls to the line by July 16, 2022.

In the interim, Americans seeking help should continue to call 1-800-273-TALK.

"Establishing the easy-to-remember 988 as the '911' for suicide prevention and mental health services will make it easier for Americans in crisis to access the help they need and decrease the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health issues," the FCC said in a statement.

The suicide rate in the U.S. has been climbing for decades, ranking as the 10th leading cause of death in the United States since 2018.

More than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, according to public data.

President Trump signed legislation in 2018 directing the FCC to begin studying the use of a three-digit code for the hotline.

FCC June 2020 Call Letter Activity

During June 2020, the FCC accepted to following call letter assignment and changes:

July 17 Radio History

➦In 1912...Art Linkletter born Arthur Gordon Kelly (Died at age 97 – May 26, 2010). He was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada and was an American radio and television personality, best known as host of  House Party which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People Are Funny on NBC radio and television for 19 years. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 1942.

Art Linkletter

One popular feature of his House Party program was the Kids Say the Darndest Things segments. A series of books followed which contained the humorous comments made on-air by children.

In his autobiography, Confessions of a Happy Man (1960), he revealed that he had no contact with his natural parents or his sister or two brothers since he was abandoned when only a few weeks old. He was adopted by Mary (née Metzler) and Fulton John Linkletter, an evangelical preacher.

When he was five, his family moved to San Diego, California, where he graduated from San Diego High School at age 16. During the early years of the Great Depression, he rode trains around the country doing odd jobs and meeting a wide variety of people.

In 1935 he met Lois Foerster. They were married at Grace Lutheran Church in San Diego, November 28, 1935. Their marriage lasted until Linkletter's death, ​74 1⁄2 years later.

After receiving his teaching degree, Linkletter decided to go to work as a radio announcer at KGB in San Diego, because radio paid better than teaching. He directed radio programs for fairs and expositions in the mid-1930s. Afterwards, he moved to San Francisco and continued his radio career.

In the 1940s, Linkletter worked in Hollywood with John Guedel on their pioneering radio show, People Are Funny, which employed audience participation, contests and gags. The series served as a prototype for future radio and television game shows. People Are Funny became a television show in 1954 and ran until 1961.

➦In 1934…FCC adopts Order No. 1

➦In 1981…Bruce Bradley did his final show on WBZ 1030 AM, Boston.

Bradley joined WBZ in 1960, when the station is still playing middle of the road pop music. Gradually, as the music becomes more top-40, “Juicie Brucie” Bradley’s night-time show became extremely popular.

The station moved from Top40 to Full-Service AC in 1974.

Bradley passed away in June 2013. Click Here for more.

➦In 2009…Walter Leland Cronkite Jr. died at age 92 (Born - November 4, 1916). He was a broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for 19 years (1962–1981). During the heyday of CBS News in the 1960s and 1970s, he was often cited as "the most trusted man in America" after being so named in an opinion poll.

He reported many events from 1937 to 1981, including bombings in World War II; the Nuremberg trials; combat in the Vietnam War; the Dawson's Field hijackings; Watergate; the Iran Hostage Crisis; and the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, civil rights pioneer Martin Luther King Jr., and Beatles musician John Lennon.

He was also known for his extensive coverage of the U.S. space program, from Project Mercury to the Moon landings to the Space Shuttle. He was the only non-NASA recipient of an Ambassador of Exploration award.

Cronkite is well known for his departing catchphrase, "And that's the way it is," followed by the date of the broadcast.

Cronkite - 1985

He entered broadcasting as a radio announcer for WKY in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1936, he met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Maxwell, while working as the sports announcer for KCMO-AM in Kansas City, Missouri.  His broadcast name was "Walter Wilcox". He would explain later that radio stations at the time did not want people to use their real names for fear of taking their listeners with them if they left. In Kansas City, he joined the United Press in 1937. He became one of the top American reporters in World War II, covering battles in North Africa and Europe.

In 1950, Cronkite joined CBS News in its young and growing television division, again recruited by Murrow. Cronkite began working at WTOP-TV (now WUSA), the CBS affiliate in Washington, D.C..

On April 16, 1962, Cronkite succeeded Douglas Edwards as anchorman of the CBS's nightly feature newscast, tentatively renamed Walter Cronkite with the News, but later the CBS Evening News on September 2, 1963, when the show was expanded from 15 to 30 minutes, making Cronkite the anchor of American network television's first nightly half-hour news program. Cronkite's tenure as anchor of the CBS Evening News made him an icon in television news.

During the early part of his tenure anchoring the CBS Evening News, Cronkite competed against NBC's anchor team of Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, who anchored the Huntley-Brinkley Report. For much of the 1960s, the Huntley-Brinkley Report had more viewers than Cronkite's broadcast. A key moment for Cronkite came during his coverage of John F. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963.  Another factor in Cronkite and CBS' ascendancy to the top of the ratings was that, as the decade progressed, RCA made a corporate decision not to fund NBC News at the levels that CBS provided for its news broadcasts. Consequently, CBS News acquired a reputation for greater accuracy and depth in coverage. This reputation meshed well with Cronkite's wire service experience, and in 1967 the CBS Evening News began to surpass The Huntley-Brinkley Report in viewership during the summer months.

In 1969, during the Apollo 11 (with co-host and former astronaut Wally Schirra) and Apollo 13 moon missions, Cronkite received the best ratings and made CBS the most-watched television network for the missions. In 1970, when Huntley retired, the CBS Evening News finally dominated the American TV news viewing audience. Although NBC finally settled on the skilled and well-respected broadcast journalist John Chancellor, Cronkite proved to be more popular and continued to be top-rated until his retirement in 1981.

➦In 2011…WRXP NYC drops Triple A format.

On June 21, 2011, it was announced that majority ownership of WRXP was acquired by Merlin Media LLC, a new entity headed by veteran radio executive Randy Michaels.   The sale, which the FCC approved in September 2011, included two other Emmis-owned stations in Chicago, WLUP-FM and WKQX. They then registered several domains for what the new format of the station would be, including a return of WYNY's country format, but many promoted an FM news format. WRXP's rock format ended with the song "Long Live Rock" by The Who.

After a brief period of dead air, WRXP (whose call sign was changed to WEMP on July 21) switched to a stunt of Adult Contemporary music branded as "101.9 FM New," a stunt that served as a transition to the station's new format.  "FM New" featured a live morning show that began at 6AM on July 18, hosted by veteran New York City radio personality Paul Cavalconte (who has been with 101.9 since 1998), with Jeff McKay (formerly of Shadow Traffic and WINS) providing traffic and weather updates(until the next day when Meteorologist Scott Derek began).   News reports and news blocks were gradually introduced beginning with a 3PM newscast on July 25, 2011, anchored by Dave Packer and Mike Barker.

Walt Sabo

On August 12, 2011, the station ended its Adult Contemporary stunt and went full-time all-news as "FM News 101.9," following in the footsteps of its Chicago sister station WWWN (the former and current WKQX), which flipped to all-news on July 29.  As conceived by Merlin's then-COO, Walter Sabo, "FM News" was what Sabo considered a "redefining" of the all-news format;  the on-air presentation was generally looser and conversational in tone, while an emphasis was placed on lifestyle, health, and entertainment features.  The initial news staff at WEMP included those with experience in New York radio, including WINS alums Catherine Smith, Alice Stockton-Rossini, and Brett Larson, as well as former WCBS anchor Therese Crowley and WRXP holdover Paul Cavalconte.

Over time, the "FM News" approach on WEMP would be adjusted: The reliance on lifestyle and entertainment features was decreased; the station turned towards a tighter, polished on-air presentation; and several new features were added, including "ten minutes of non-stop news," the "top 5 trending stories" leading off every hour, and hourly sports and business updates.  Coinciding with the on-air changes was a major promotional push, including television ads and promotions that tweaked WINS' longtime "22 minutes" slogan, with WEMP proclaiming "Give us 10 minutes, we'll give you the world."   (After WINS owner CBS Radio sent a cease-and-desist letter to Merlin Media, WEMP dropped its "world" slogan.) 

Merlin’s WEMP-FM  NYC dropped news in 2012 in favor of new rock format.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: 

Susan Ashton is 53

• Actor Donald Sutherland is 85. 
• Guitarist Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group is 81. 
• Bassist Geezer Butler of Black Sabbath is 71. 
• Actress Lucie Arnaz is 69. 
• Actor David Hasselhoff is 68. 
• Bassist Fran Smith Jr. of The Hooters is 68. 
• TV producer Mark Burnett (“Survivor,” “The Apprentice”) is 60. 
• Actress Nancy Giles (“China Beach”) is 60. 
• Singer Regina Belle is 57. 
• Country singer Craig Morgan is 56. 
• Bassist Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh, Folk Implosion) is 54. 
• Contemporary Christian singer Susan Ashton is 53. 
• Actress Bitty Schram (“Monk”) is 52. 
• Actor Jason Clarke (“Zero Dark Thirty,” ″Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”) is 51. 
• Director F. Gary Gray (“Straight Outta Compton,” “Furious 8″) is 51.
• Rapper  Solé’ is 47. 
• Country singer Luke Bryan is 44. 
• Actor Eric Winter (“Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”) is 44. 
• Actor Mike Vogel (“Under the Dome,” ″The Help”) is 41. 
• Actor Tom Cullen (“Downton Abbey”) is 35. 
• Actor Brando Eaton (“Dexter”) is 34 Singer Jeremih is 33. 
• Actress Billie Lourd (“Scream Queens”) is 28.

L-A Radio: Nick Cannon Taking Time-Off From Radio Shows

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon has apologized again to the Jewish community after drawing sharp criticism this week for a podcast conversation with former Public Enemy rapper Richard Griffin, a.k.a. Professor Griff. And he has the support of at least one of his employers, Fox.

First and foremost I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth during my interview with Richard Griffin.

— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020

Cannon’s apology comes shortly after ViacomCBS cut ties with him Tuesday over the anti-Semitic comments he made during the controversial episode of “Cannon’s Class.” Fox, however, has opted to “move forward” with Cannon as host of the absurdist competition program “The Masked Singer.”

During the divisive podcast installment, which debuted a couple weeks ago, Cannon called Black people “the true Hebrews” and discussed anti-Semitic conspiracy theories with Griffin, who was kicked out of Public Enemy in 1989 over anti-Jewish remarks. Cannon and Griffin are both Black.

After ViacomCBS announced it was parting ways with Cannon, the veteran TV host lashed out at the media conglomerate on Facebook Wednesday morning and demanded an apology, as well as “full ownership of my billion dollar ‘Wild ‘N Out’ brand that I created.”

In addition to “The Masked Singer,” Cannon also hosts a morning radio show on Los Angeles’ KPWR Power 106 station, which is owned by Meruelo Media.  Cannon's morning show is also syndicated nationally by Skyview Networks.  It was revealed Thursday that Cannon would be taking an open-end time off from both shows.

Meanwhile Skyview has released the following statement:

"Nick Cannon has begun a period of self-reflection to address the pain he caused, and while we recognize his apology, this time is needed to establish an action plan towards real change and advocacy. During this period, production of the Nick Cannon Radio show will cease. Skyview Networks values all communities and faiths and we expect all programs and personalities we syndicate to adhere to these principles."

Radio.com, Twitch Sign Content Distribution Deal

Entercom has announced a first of its kind, strategic programming partnership with Twitch, the world’s leading live, interactive streaming service for gaming, sports, entertainment, music, and more, which will bring live video simulcasts of market-leading sports talk programs to Twitch and its 17.5 million daily users.

Initially, live video streaming of leading RADIO.COM Sports stations from six major markets across the country will be accessible to Twitch users via individually tailored, branded station channels, providing the Twitch community a full week’s worth of appointment viewing from some of the nation’s most iconic sports talk stations, such as WEEI in Boston, WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM in New York, 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, 670 The Score in Chicago, 92.9 The Game in Atlanta and 97.1 The Ticket in Detroit. 

By leveraging its suite of premier personalities, RADIO.COM Sports stations have cultivated a community of passionate and engaged fans both on air and digitally, which will thrive in Twitch’s similarly interactive platform.

“Twitch has built a substantial platform for audiences to connect through video content and we’re looking forward to working with them to bring our unrivaled sports programming to millions of viewers,” said David Rosenbloom, Vice President, Corporate Business Development, Entercom. “This partnership will expand how listeners can connect with our on-air talent through real-time engagement on Twitch and introduce a new generation of sports fans to legendary sports brands like WEEI, WFAN 101.9 FM/660 AM, and 92.9 The Game.”

“Twitch is the place where people come to connect and engage over their shared interests, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a group of people more passionate than sports fans,” said Jane Weedon, Director of New Verticals, Twitch. “Over the last several years, there has been a growing sports community on Twitch. With the addition of sports radio, on-air talent and fans will be able to interact and discuss their favorite athletes, teams and leagues with one another in real time. Through features like Twitch Chat, now the entire audience will be able to participate in the coveted ‘call ins’ and ‘hot takes’ that have come to define sports talk radio."

Entercom will leverage its robust portfolio of over-the-air, digital and social assets to provide additional promotional support of the channels. 

The Rundown: Cases Continue To Soar

U.S. coronavirus cases are continuing to soar, with several states continuing to post record or near-record daily numbers, and the four hot-spot states of California, Arizona, Texas and Florida on Wednesday reporting a combined number of some 36,000 new cases and more than 450 deaths. The U.S. overall has had more than 137,400 deaths as of early this morning, according to Johns Hopkins University's count, and just under 3,500,000 confirmed cases.

WSJ 7/16/20

Texas again set a daily record for confirmed new cases, with nearly 10,800, and had a record 110 deaths. California had its second-highest daily totals of both cases, at 11,126, and deaths,140, and the mayor of Los Angeles said they were on the verge of having to shut down all but essential businesses in the city. Meanwhile, Alabama had 40 deaths, which was a one-day record for the state, and officials said face masks will begin to be required. But in Georgia, Republican Governor Brian Kemp banned cities and counties from requiring face masks in public, which voided orders that had been implemented in at least 15 localities, including Atlanta, Augusta and Savannah.

Oklahoma Gov. has Coronavirus: In Oklahoma, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt revealed that he'd tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first governor announced he had. The 48-year-old said he mostly feels fine, but had been a little "achy," and is quarantining at home. His wife and children all tested negative. Stitt has had one of the nation's most aggressive reopening plans from the coronavirus shutdowns, and has refused to impose a face mask order.

Tampa Bay Times 7/16/20

Walmart, Kohl's, Kroger to Require Face Masks: Walmart announced Wednesday that it will start requiring customers to wear face masks at all Walmart and Sam's Club stores starting Monday, becoming the largest U.S. retailer to do so. Within hours, Kohl's and supermarket chain Kroger also said they will require face masks, Kohl's as of Monday and Kroger starting next Wednesday.

WSJ 7/16/20

➤JUDGE STOPS EXECUTION BECAUSE OF MENTAL FITNESS CLAIM: A federal judge on Wednesday, stopped an execution that was scheduled to take place yesterday because of a mental fitness claim on behalf of the condemned inmate. It would have been the second federal execution in two days after one hadn't previously been carried out in 17 years. Wesley Ira Purkey was convicted in the 1998 kidnapping and murder of a 16-year-old girl. His attorneys argued that because the 68-year-old now suffers from dementia, he can't understand why he's supposed to be put to death. The Justice Department appealed U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan's injunctions, which were upheld by an appeals court, and a Supreme Court appeal was pending.

➤GEORGE FLOYD'S FAMILY SUES MINNEAPOLIS, FOUR POLICE OFFICERS: The family of George Floyd filed a civil rights lawsuit yesterday against the city of Minneapolis and the four police officers who've been charged in his death, contending that the officers violated Floyd’s rights and the city allowed a police culture of excessive force, racism and impunity. Floyd family attorney Benjamin Crump said the lawsuit seeks to set a precedent, quote, "that makes it financially prohibitive for police to wrongfully kill marginalized people -- especially Black people -- in the future."

The lawsuit was filed the say day a court allowed the public to see video of the incident from the body cameras of two of the charged police officers. However, it must be viewed by appointment, and has not been allowed to be be released more widely, including to the media. As described by the Associated Press, Floyd in the video seems distraught as soon as police ask him to step out of his car, after they'd been called on suspicion that he'd used a counterfeit $20 bill in a grocery store. He's soon handcuffed and gets more panicky, telling the officers he's claustrophobic and pleading not to be put in the back of the police car, saying, "I'm not a bad guy!" Later, as he's lying facedown on the street with one officer's knee on his neck, he says, "I can't breathe" at least 20 times before going still.

2021 Rose Parade Cancelled LA times 7/16/20

➤TYRA BANKS IS ‘EXCITED’ TO BREAK BARRIERS ON DWTS: Tyra Banks is thrilled be able to break barriers for Black women. The latest opportunity comes as host of ABC’s Dancing With the Stars. She tells Good Morning America: "I like breaking these doors down so that we don’t have any more firsts, but it’s nice to be first so that you can open that door and let so many people in after you." Banks was also the first Black model to cover both the Victoria’s Secret catalog and the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She was also the first female model to cover GQ. "I’m used to the model [firsts], but today’s the first time I’m hearing this first Dancing with the Stars black woman, I never even thought of that," Banks admitted. She told fans to get ready for a “next level” season. "We’re doing all this crazy stuff, taking it to the next level, but still keeping the stuff America loves."

Orlando Sentinel 7/16/20

➤ELLIOTT WINS NASCAR'S ALL-STAR RACE BEFORE SOME 20,000 FANS: Chase Elliott won NASCAR's annual All-Star race and its $1 million prize last night at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, getting the victory before a limited number of fans that were allowed in the stands.

Special scene at NASCAR’s All Star race at Bristol tonight.

NASCAR becomes the first sport to have a substantial “socially distant” crowd.

Fans jumping up and down to cheer on Chase Elliot’s one million dollar victory as fireworks fly.

W... again. pic.twitter.com/ndiczMGhlp

— Kyle Cannillo (@KyleCannillo) July 16, 2020

The state of Tennessee allowed up to 30,000 tickets to be sold for the race at Bristol, which can hold up to 140,000 spectators, and AP said there looked to be about 20,000 people there, the most fans at a sporting event in the U.S. since sports have slowly begun returning from their coronavirus shutdowns. The fans were socially distanced in the stands, but masks were only required when they entered, with the spectators told they could remove them once they got to their seats. After the race, the fans exited by row.

➤BROWNS SIGN GARRETT TO FIVE-YEAR, $125 MILLION EXTENSION: The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end Myles Garrett to a five-year, $125 million contract extension Wednesday, making the 24-year-old the NFL's highest-paid defensive player. The extension comes after Garrett, who was the Number 1 overall draft pick in 2017, was suspended for six games last season for ripping off Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback Mason Rudolph's helmet and hitting him in the head with it at the end of a November game. Garrett claimed he did it because Rudolph used a racial slur against him, but the quarterback denied it. Browns general manager Andrew Berry referred to the incident yesterday, saying, "Myles has been accountable for his mistake and we view the incident as well out of character. We don’t believe one moment should define him based on how he has handled himself prior to and in the months after last year’s incident."

➤HENRY AGREES TO FOUR-YEAR, $50 MILLION EXTENSION WITH TITANS: Running back Derrick Henry agreed to a four-year, $50 million contract extension with the Tennessee Titans yesterday. Henry led the NFL with 1,540 yards rushing last season with 303 carries, which were both career highs, and ran 83 more times in the postseason. The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner also became the first player in NFL history to run for at least 180 yards in three consecutive games.

➤CASINO MAGNATE ADELSON JOINS GROUP TRYING TO BUY THE METS: Billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is joining a group that's bidding to be the new owners of MLB's New York Mets, the New York Post reported yesterday. The group is led by Josh Harris, the owner of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers and the NHL's New Jersey Devils. The 86-year-old Adelson is worth some $30 billion. Four groups have advanced to the second round of bidding for the Mets, including one headlined by former New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, actress/singer Jennifer Lopez, and and current and former NFL players Brian Urlacher, Travis Kelce and DeMarco Murray.

DOJ Gives Liberty Media Greenlight To Pursue iHM

The Justice Department has greenlit a bid by Liberty Media to increase its stake in iHeartMedia, owner of the country's largest network of broadcast stations — a deal that would expand the radio market dominance of a company that already controls Sirius XM and Pandora.

Politico reports the deal approved by antitrust prosecutors Wednesday would allow Liberty to increase its shares in iHeartMedia up to 50 percent. Liberty currently has a 5 percent stake in iHeartMedia, which owns more than 850 AM and FM radio stations and the streaming service iHeartRadio, the world’s top commercial publisher of podcasts.

Wendy Goldberg, a spokesperson for iHeartRadio, confirmed the Justice Department’s approval and referred further comment to Liberty Media.

Liberty, owned by billionaire John Malone, already owns a controlling stake in SiriusXM, the U.S.’s biggest satellite radio provider, which bought streaming radio platform Pandora last year. Liberty has a 33 percent stake in Live Nation Entertainment, the biggest concert promotion firm and ticketing company.

A coalition of consumer and anti-monopoly groups, including the Open Markets Institute, Public Citizen and the Center for Digital Democracy, opposed the deal, arguing it would be “likely catastrophic” on radio markets and lead to fewer options, less diversity in programming and higher prices.

Last year, Liberty orchestrated Sirius’s purchase of internet-radio company Pandora Media Inc.—in which it also held a controlling stake—for $3 billion, another move intended to compete more effectively against Spotify Technology SA and other on-demand music-streaming services.

The Wall Street Journal reports Liberty Chief Executive Greg Maffei at an investor day in late November touted the company’s increased focus on audio and particularly its exposure to the “exploding” podcast market including through iHeart, the No. 2 publisher by audience, according to Podtrac, a podcast-analytics company.

If Liberty were to gain control of iHeart, it would represent a major consolidation of the avenues by which music and other audio content is distributed, promoted and monetized.

NPR Radio Ratings Collapse

Broadcast ratings for nearly all of NPR's radio shows took a steep dive in major markets this spring, as the coronavirus pandemic kept many Americans from commuting to work and school. The network's shows lost roughly a quarter of their audience between the second quarter of 2019 and the same months in 2020, media correspondent David Folkenflik at NPR reports.

People who listened to NPR shows on the radio at home before the pandemic by and large still do. But many of those who listened on their commute have not rejoined from home. And that threatens to alter the terrain for NPR for years to come, said Lori Kaplan, the network's senior director of audience insights.

"We anticipated these changes," Kaplan said. "This kind of change was going to take place over the next decade. But the pandemic has shown us what our future is now."

NPR's Lori Kaplan

Audience research commissioned by Kaplan indicates that NPR's audience is disproportionately made up of professionals who are able to work from home and who are interested in doing so even after the pandemic subsides.

Ten major stations have enjoyed a spike in audience, thanks to a sharp rise in listening at home. Those include Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Austin, Texas. Public radio officials say they do not yet know to what to attribute that rise.

Ironically, this larger plunge in radio listenership has occurred even as a record number of people are turning to NPR for news and other content. More than 57 million people now consume the network's offerings each week, whether on radio or its various digital platforms. That's a rise of nearly 10% from last year, despite the severe drop in the broadcast audiences. Podcast downloads and the usage of NPR's listening apps are up nearly a quarter, and there is a 76% increase in users of NPR.org as more people access the network's content from home.

Additionally, for the first time, NPR is on track to make more money from underwriting on podcasts than on its conventional radio shows, according to CEO John Lansing. That dynamic had been projected to occur before COVID-19 hit U.S. shores.

The drop affected shows across the day, though the midday show Here & Now has fared better than the flagship morning and afternoon shows, Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Several NPR programs that don't revolve around the news, such as Ask Me Another, the TED Radio Hour, and Hidden Brain, have also lost listenership.

Kaplan and Lansing presented the findings at a series of meetings with staff Wednesday.

Buffalo Radio: Sandy Beach To Retire At WBEN-AM

Sandy Beach

Talk show host Sandy Beach is ending his 23-year run at WBEN- 930 AM at the end of July.

The Buffalo News reports the announcement was made Wednesday night in a memo to the staff from Entercom Buffalo leader Tim Holly that also was attributed to operation manager and program director Tim Wenger.

A member of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Beach has had a more than 60-year run in broadcasting.

Back In the Day

His Buffalo career started in 1968 when he arrived after several years in Hartford to become a disc jockey at WKBW 1520 AM in its glory Top40 days.

The memo referred to Beach as a “provocative and edgy talk show host” who entertained with “distinct humor.”

His membership in three Hall of Fame's speaks to Beach’s skills as a talk show host.  The Lunenberg, Mass. native also was a three-time nominee for Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year.

Buffalo News critic Jeff Simon has referred to Beach as "maybe the most gifted performer in the history of Buffalo radio."

Beach, who is believed to be approaching his 81st birthday, ends his career as a morning host. He also was an afternoon host, music director, program director, and producer of Buffalo Bills broadcasts.

The memo concluded by saying: “We’re very excited for Sandy as he closes out an illustrious career with WBEN. He has been a pleasure to work with and I wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors. Congratulations Sandy!”

Besides working in Buffalo, Beach worked in Hartford, Milwaukee, Dallas and San Francisco.

No replacement for Beach has been named yet.

Twin Cities Radio: Mat Mitchell To Program KSTP-FM

Hubbard Radio Minnesota Region Manager, Dan Seeman, has announced that Mat Mitchell has been named Brand and Content Director for KSTP-FM KS95 in Minneapolis.

Mat Mitchell

Mitchell was most recently with iHeart Radio in Phoenix where he was the Program Director for Top 40 KZZP, Hot AC KMXP, and Adult Hits KYOT for the past seven years. Prior to Phoenix, Mat served six years as APD/Afternoons at KRBE Houston, with other stops at Y100 Miami, KZCH Wichita, WXSS Milwaukee, and KMXV Kansas City.

“As you can imagine this position attracted some of the best programming talent in America,” commented Seeman. “We talked to a lot of smart and passionate programmers and Mat was the consensus favorite. He has great experience, vision and a proven track record. Mat has the opportunity to work with one of the most talented staffs in radio. We are excited for Mat to lead the next chapter of KS95.”

Hubbard Radio EVP of Programming, Greg Strassell, added, “Through-out this process, Mat impressed us with his track record, his ability to embrace and work with authentic personality radio, and his skills as a leading music programmer who understands the opportunity to marry a music brand to digital content. I know he will be a collaborative leader with the talented KS95 team to continue the winning legacy built over the years.”

Mitchell looks forward to the opportunity to lead KS95, “I want to thank Ginny Morris, Dan Seeman, Greg Strassell, Dave Bestler and the entire Hubbard family for entrusting me to lead KS95! I’m so grateful for the opportunity to grow the legacy of Hubbard Radio’s flagship brand, and I cannot wait to get started in the Twin Cities!”