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Ron Gleason Retiring From WBBM in January

“I’ll be retiring from full-time management at the end of January, stepping down as WBBM’s Brand Manager/News Director,” Gleason said in a memo to staff

Eduardo Razo

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After a conversation with Barrett News Media, where Ron Gleason discussed his pending retirement and will be stepping down in a little less than five months, there’s now a date.

Gleason, the Brand Manager/News Director at Audacy “News Radio 780” WBBM Chicago, will be retiring from the company in January, so he will be with the radio station through the end of this year. 

“I’ll be retiring from full-time management at the end of January, stepping down as WBBM’s Brand Manager/News Director,” Gleason said in a memo to staff (h/t Inside Radio). 

“People have told me there’s something called free time out there, and I’d like to learn more about it.”

For over 15 years, Gleason has been in his position, but despite having a love for the newsroom, he understands that it’s time to begin a new phase.

“I love what I do, I love this newsroom and all of you—the people I’ve had the honor to work with over the years—the journalists, production personnel, sales and marketing folks, my fellow PDs, engineers, and yes, even the market managers,” Gleason added.

“Frankly, I’m a workaholic, which is a great attribute when you’re on call 24 hours a day. But I’m older now, my kids are grown, and Linda and I are looking forward to spending more than just a few days a year at a home in the desert that’s been sorely neglected. This decision comes after months of planning, with much-appreciated support and understanding from [VP/Programming] Greg [Solk], [SVP/Market Manager] Rachel [Williamson], and all levels of the company.”

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News Audio

Documentary on KMJ Coming To PBS in California

“The film was written and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Aiello, with KMJ Program Director Blake Taylor as a producer.”

Ryan Hedrick

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Valley PBS and Newstalk 580/105.9 KMJ have collaborated to produce a one-hour documentary recounting the story of the renowned news talk station’s 100-year history. In the teaser trailer for “KMJ: 100 Years in the Valley,” host John Broeske jests about the non-existence of radios during KMJ’s inception. 

The documentary sheds light on the station’s influence on Fresno and the broader Central Valley of California, including its personalities, throughout the past century. KMJ started broadcasting with only 50 watts of power on March 23, 1922, which increased to an impressive 50,000 watts before WWII. 

The film was written and directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Aiello, with KMJ Program Director Blake Taylor as a producer. “KMJ: 100 Years in The Valley” premieres on Thursday, March 30, at 7 PM PT.

You can view it anytime on the PBS App via Video.ValleyPBS.org or YouTube.com/ValleyPBS.

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Longtime WFLA Host Jack Harris Says He’s Been Fired

“I didn’t think I was that big of a burden on them. I was making a seventh of what I made three or four years ago.”

Barrett News Media

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Longtime Tampa radio host Jack Harris claims he has been fired by NewsRadio 970 WFLA.

“After I signed off from my show at 7:00 AM today, iHeartRadio bosses told me that they were cutting back on expenses and had to let me go,” Harris told The Tampa Bay Times. “I didn’t think I was that big of a burden on them. I was making a seventh of what I made three or four years ago.”

The 81-year-old Harris had been with the station in several tenures since 1970 but had hosted on the station for the last 29 years, most recently on weekdays from 5:00-7:00 AM as host of AM Tampa Bay.

When reached by Barrett News Media for comment, WFLA Program Director John Mamola declined the opportunity to speak on the subject.

Harris — who was insistent that he was not playing a practical joke on listeners with April Fool’s around the corner — shared he was saddened he didn’t get the opportunity to have a farewell show and thank listeners for their years together. “They are what I will miss most.

When asked what his next step will be, Harris was unsure.

“I might look for part time work on the radio somewhere,” the longtime host said. “Or maybe I will retire. I am an old geezer after all.”

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Joe Rogan: Media Leaves Out ‘What It Doesn’t Want Front and Center’

“All it is, is like ‘January 6th. January 6th. Did you see what they did? — Trump is coming back’.”

Barrett News Media

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Podcast host Joe Rogan has grown weary of the news media’s coverage of certain events and shared his belief that it only cares about presenting one side of arguments.

During The Joe Rogan Experience, the eponymous host shared his displeasure with the way current events are reported on.

“The media has lost its hold over the narrative,” said Rogan. “Now, the media conveniently leaves out anything that it doesn’t want to be at the front and center — in terms of things that people concentrate on and talk about.”

He then discussed stories he believes the general public has an interest in, but aren’t being covered, pointing to large protests in France over potential reforms in social security and also protests in Israel after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans for changes to the nation’s judicial system.

“And you’re not hearing a f***ing peep about it, you know?” Rogan said. “All it is is ‘January 6th. January 6th. Did you see what they did? — Trump is coming back, but January 6th looms large.’”

“How about the fact that the guy who’s the president right now can’t form a f***ing sentence? He makes up words and stumbles through things and no one says a god damn thing about it,” Rogan concluded.

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