Laurie DeYoung will wrap up her more than 39-year run as morning host on iHeartMedia’s 93.1 WPOC in Baltimore at the end of the week. “I’m not retiring, it was not my decision,” DeYoung said in response to a comment on her show’s Facebook page.
She has been a staple of Baltimore radio since joining WPOC in September 1985. She got her start at WMUZ in Detroit in 1975, working in several markets in between – including KBST in San Diego, WKLQ in Grand Rapids, and WSHN in Fremont. Laurie DeYoung was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2010 and is a multiple-time nominee for the Radio Hall of Fame.
She added that fans will still hear her voice on the station, saying, “Starting in February I’ll do a short week-end show. I’ll also be at some station events here and there possibly. There have been several budget cuts in the company, I am not the only one.”
In November, ahead of its Q3 earnings call, iHeartMedia conducted substantial layoffs, including multiple on-air talent, programmers, and regional and market leaders. Those changes are expected to save iHeart $150 million.
On December 18, iHeartMedia Region Senior Vice President of Programming Jeff Kapugi announced that afternoon host Michael J will take over as morning host alongside Bethany Linderman on January 6.
Of course take someone that’s been there forever and has done such a good job. doesn’t matter your abilities and the awesome job that you’ve done for them for 39 years, they think about replacing you!! Way to go WPOC. NOT!!
My husband and I have listened to Laurie DeYoung on the radio for all of those 39 years. We started back in the 80s when she first came to Baltimore and was on with Rocky. WPOC has been our go to radio station all of these years and I especially liked her each morning on my drive to work or around town. We both dislike Michael J and will have to find another station to listen to. We also like the country sounds. WPOC has made a BIG mistake!!
I always looked forward to Laurie DeYoung morning show I am not a fan of Michael j and would turn off the station in the afternoon after Bob I guess I need to find another station as well 🙁 nothing like cutting the budget based on pay for your top performers. What a wonderful gift for the holidays well done WPOC 🙁
I am so disappointed in IHeart radio. Obviously the “heart” part is a lie. Laurie De Young was a fixture and to me was WPOC. Guess I will try the Frederick music station from now on. Bad decision.
I’m truly disappointed that the station has removed Laurie from the station . She and St.Pierre have gotten me through years of driving into and home from work everyday for over23 years. I guess it’s time to look for a new station that truly appreciates when they have a good , loyal and loved radio host , to brighten up your day each morning. Bye bye WPOC . Wishing you all the best Ms. Deyoung and St.Pierre. You worked so well together! I will miss you both !
Warren Buffett will tell you “Bad decisions in major corporations are made from the very top tier. Poor management from the top is how every major Bears&Stern blue chip company fails, thus leading their hard working sheep to the slaughter house. That’s what is going on here. The stock price tumbled from Jan 2024- Oct. 2024 after the PPE pandemic money dried up, which speaks fathoms. It sunk to 85 cents a share sunk like lead. Any insider trading going on, “The Peter Principle” at work , or ego’s out of reality… ??? You decide. Common sense tells a leader, or board of directors you don’t dump the finest , smartest , huge fan based talent when upper management #UCK UP. It’s interesting how bad a record someone has historically, then takes a 2 year hiatus , then reinvents one’s self back into the media Mecca fold without any mindful conciousness to the wake of destruction left behind and people he hurt. Big Karma has a way of evening up the cosmic score board . Sadly the IHEART MOTHERSHIP has been steered straight into a DeathStar. With that , killing great talent, not just on air. The Laws of Universe will return the favor one day naturally.
I too am like many others! Extremely disappointed on Laurie DeYoung St Pierre be let go! I will no longer be listening to WPOC in the mornings or any other time!
The end of an ear and the end to my listening to WPOC. You guys blew it with this call.
I am totally shocked. I won’t be listening to WPOC anymore. I’ll have to find another station. I WILL MISS YOU LAURIE. I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
I have listened to Wpoc since Laurie came on. Just because some bean counter thinks this is a good move. Man do they have it totally wrong. Laurie you will be missed. I will have to find another station.
Wow, just wow. I assumed Laurie was retiring and St Pierre got a sweet gig somewhere else. So sorry this happened to you, though, I doubt you guys are looking at this. I drive home in silence every day, guess my morning will now be the same…
Bye Bye WPOC Laurie is the reason I listened for so many years!
It’s crazy that you would get rid of the one person that kept your station going. You will be losing tons of listeners. We will find another station that treats their best employees better. So long wpoc.
Saving money will cost you a lot of listeners. Budget cost should not remove a person that brings in many listeners. Along with many other people I will not be listening to this station as I have done for the past 22 years on my ride to work every week day. Sorry to see Laurie leave but she won’t be leaving alone you have lost your listeners over this decision.
I have listened to Laurie since she came to Baltimore in 1985. Sad time budget cuts. I will listen to her on the weekends and that is it.
Not a fan of any of the others, I only put up with them to listen to Laurie in the mornings. I liked Francesca on the show also.
I will look for a new morning show to listen to. I truely enjoyed Laurie’s morning show. Not impressed with Michael J and only put up with listening to Bethany since she was part of the show. Can’t stand her raspy voice. Why not give that slot to St Pierre? He is an asset to the morning show. You have gotten rid of all the great morning show personalities. Will definitely miss Laurie!!
I’ll give them a chance but Michael J is obnoxious and inappropriate. Maybe he’ll do better with someone else on the show. I started listening to the morning show when mix106.5 replaced Ragan and I found Laurie. Looks like I’ll be looking for another morning show. At least the drive home will be better with St Pierre.
How could you layoff your crown jewel. Laurie was inducted into the hall of fame for Pete’s sake. She has been the face of WPOC for almost 40 years and has been number 1 in her time slot. You are making a HUGE mistake.
Well. I will be finding a new morning show. I have been listening to Laurie for most of her time at WPOC. Not happy with this change. Fire the bean counters and keep Laurie!
Ditto was never impressed with his afternoon show, will give him and Beverly a chance. The morning show was a mainstay on my radios. St Pierre would have been a better choice for the morning slot, he and Beverly cracked me up with their banter. Good luck Laurie in whatever you do.
Listen to Laurie for several years! Time to move on From 93.1. WILL MISS YOU LAURIE. THEY ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE !!!
😳 I guess ill have to look for a new station, cant stand listening to to michael j on air