News Audio

St. James Encourages Affluent Listeners to Donate Stimulus Checks to Charity

St. James’ comment came after the House and the Senate reached a compromise on a 900 billion dollar package late Sunday that is expected to be signed by Donald Trump on Monday.

Published

3 years ago

December 21, 2020

Jacob Conley

Bruce St. James just started his new job at WLS-AM in Chicago after moving over from the Phoenix market on December 14^th.He has barely settled into his new radio home before delivering a potentially controversial take on the next round of stimulus checks on Monday’s edition of The Bruce St. James Show. He encouraged people who do not need the money to donate it to charity.

St. James’ comment came after the House and the Senate reached a compromise on a 900 billion dollar package late Sunday that is expected to be signed by Donald Trump on Monday. According to CNN, a one time payment of six hundred dollars would be made to individuals making below a certain amount of money per year, while those drawing unemployment would receive an extra three hundred dollars per week on top of the benefits already received.

The extra three hundred dollars per week seem to be a sticking point for St. James.

“For a lot of people, the extra unemployment benefits are a better gig than working.”

He then offers anecdotal evidence to support his claim.

“I was at LAX this summer and I went to find a LYFT ride on the app and it said there were none available,” St. James said. “So I had to take an ancient form of transportation known as a cab. You just wave your hand and one appears like magic. I asked around and people said there was a shortage of LYFT and Uber drivers because they getting six hundred dollars per week at the time extra unemployment benefits. It was better money than they made with LYFT or Uber.”

According to multiple sources, there is a ride sharing shortage in California. However, that could be attributed to orders to reclassify drivers as employees instead of independent contractors or a variety of other factors.

St. James also takes issue with the differing impacts the stimulus package will have across the country. That’s when he urges listeners who can, to donate their stimulus checks to charity.

“Here in Chicago, six hundred dollars barely covers a month’s rent, but if you get an extra six hundred dollars in Tupelo, Mississippi, they will probably elect you as mayor. I’m not saying the stimulus package isn’t needed. It is. I feel sorry for the single mom trying to make ends meet or the person who was laid off and then started back to work and lost their job again because of this crap. They need help. But some people don’t and for those of you, Merry Christmas, you just got an extra six hundred dollars. I realize that some people need this new stimulus check to pay rent or put food on the table, but some people don’t. If you don’t need it, just donate it to charity.”

Louisiana pastor Tony Spell received criticism from the national media when he asked his congregation to donate their stimulus checks to the church in April. It remains to be seen if St. James’ comments will receive a similar backlash.

Jacob Conley

Jacob Conley writes about news/talk radio BNM. He can be found on Twitter @GWUJake or reach him by email at [email protected].

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News Audio

WDAY Host Jeff Left Retires After 50 Years

Left worked in New York City, Portsmouth, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Fargo.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

Courtesy: WDAY Radio Staff

WDAY host Jeff Left is saying goodbye to radio as he’s retiring after 50 years in the industry across the country. Left began his career in Cleveland, Ohio, when he was 17 years old, and his first on-air opportunity was reading traffic reports to listeners.

“I wasn’t afraid or nothing. ‘I-35 backed up 10 minutes’, and I’m just reading it,” Left said about doing his first live-reads. “I said to myself, ‘Is this it? This is fun!”

Those live-reads led to Left traveling the country and working at various stations throughout his 50-year career. He worked in New York City, Portsmouth, Columbus, Philadelphia, and Fargo.

Eventually, he returned to WDAY for a second time, working in sales, production, and as an on-air personality alongside Bonnie & Friends.

“I’m lucky enough to have 27 advertising awards, I’ve been published 23 times nationally…” Left said. “…I thought it was time, and so that is why I decided to retire.”

Beginning Monday, October 2, Jace Denman will join Bonnie & Friends as Bonnie’s new co-host.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Audio

KQED Promotes Ernesto Aguilar to Executive Role

Since joining the radio station in 2021, Aguilar has been Director of Radio Programming.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

News/talk KQED in San Francisco is promoting Ernesto Aguilar to Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI. Since joining the radio station in 2021, Aguilar has been Director of Radio Programming.

Aguilar reacted to his promotion on X, formerly Twitter, and shed light on details of what the new role that he’s taking over will consist of.

“Happy to share that my role at @KQED is growing,” Aguilar wrote. “I’m now Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI. In addition to the exciting broadcasts we do, I’ll also now oversee diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Content division.

“I’ll work closely with our Chief DEI Officer and teams to ensure our internal culture and our programming authentically serves the diverse Bay Area community we cherish. I’ll also be implementing annual Content DEI plans.”

Happy to share that my role at @KQED is growing. I’m now Executive Director of Radio Programming and Content DEI.

In addition to the exciting broadcasts we do, I’ll also now oversee diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the Content division. I'll work closely with our… pic.twitter.com/Z2gYKAYMNc
— Ernesto Aguilar (@eaXLR) September 26, 2023

Before joining KQED and heading to the Bay Area, Aguilar was Executive Director of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and worked in Houston’s public radio scene. Furthermore, he thanked his boss, Holly Kernan, for entrusting him with the new role.

“Sincere thanks to @KQEDKernan, my boss, for her dedication and leadership on diversity issues,” Aguilar added. “Her support for devoting resources within Content is invaluable and a step I hope other organizations learn from.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].

News Audio

Chris Hayes Taking Podcast on Road with Live Tour

Joy Reid will join Hayes while the tour is in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Rachel Maddow is the guest for the New York stop.

Published

2 days ago

September 29, 2023

Eduardo Razo

(Photo: Nathan Congleton/MSNBC)

MSNBC’s Chris Hayes is taking his Why Is This Happening? podcast on tour, as he’ll be hosting three live shows in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Hayes has already made a stop in Austin, but the bulk of the tour is getting underway.

Hayes’ tour this fall will begin on Oct. 9 in Chicago, then head to Philadelphia on Oct. 16, and conclude in New York on Nov. 12. Furthermore, the MSNBC host won’t be alone, as he’ll guest, including some from his network.

Joy Reid will join Hayes while the tour is in Philadelphia; meanwhile, Rachel Maddow is the guest for the New York stop.

The All In host was recently in the news after it was announced that Inside with Jen Psaki will take over the Monday 8 p.m. time slot of Hayes’ show, with the change beginning on Sept. 25.

Nonetheless, Hayes will still anchor his show Tuesday through Friday, and Psaki will continue in her Sunday time slot at noon.

Eduardo Razo

Eduardo Razo is a news media writer for BNM, focusing on coverage of news/talk radio and news television. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at [email protected].