Headlines

Founded in 1973, when WWKI personality Dick Bronson took a call from a laid-off worker who couldn’t provide Christmas for his family, and sent him half the contents of his wallet and encouraged his listeners to do the same, We Care was born. The Kokomo, IN, community responded magnificently and the organization has been thriving since. In fact, 44 years later, We Care raised a total of $436,192.26 for 2016 and now supports five Kokomo nonprofits.

The LA/San Diego station encouraged listeners to donate packaged pasta, jars of pasta sauce and money to help feed underprivileged children who live in motels without access to a kitchen to cook healthy meals. On-air personalities taking part included Bill Handel, Aron Bender, Jennifer Jones Lee, Gary Hoffman, Shannon Farren, John Kobylt, Ken Chiampou, and Tim Conway Jr.

(by John Garziglia) Chairman Wheeler’s Inaugural Day resignation will likely leave the FCC with a 2-1 Republican majority and an interim chair appointed by the new President once in office. Commissioner Rosenworcel’s term is up. Commissioner Clyburn will be the lone Democrat unless she resigns (she has denied an intention to do so), which would leave the FCC without a quorum. So what does all this mean?

That's what Robert Feder is reporting. Feder says Savage’s syndicated talk show, which airs from 9 p.m. to midnight is coming off the station in market number three at the end of the year Feder reports the decision to drop the show after three years is because WLS is revamping its lineup with plans to add as many as three new shows starting in January.

It's safe to say there will be no parting gifts for outgoing FCC Chairman Thomas Wheeler from the radio industry. On Thursday, Wheeler announced he'd be stepping down as FCC Chairman on January 20, the same day Donald Trump is inaugurated. Following the Wheeler announcement we reached out to radio executives all over the country and asked them to give Wheeler a report card on how he did for the radio industry. It was not pretty.

The Radio Music License Committee and ASCAP have inked a new five-year agreement through 2021 that sets the rates payable by over 10,000 radio stations to play more than 10.5 million musical works in the ASCAP repertory. RMLC Chairman Ed Christian said the agreement demonstrates how the creative and music-user communities can work together in good faith to produce an outcome that is positive for both sides. Here are the details of the deal.

Rush Limbaugh's two new contract extensions, with Premiere in August and 33 Cumulus stations this week, are proof the talk radio format is alive and well despite the grumblings of many who believe the format only speaks to a demo three steps from the grave. Critics have said talk radio has become nothing more than a consistent barrage of insults aimed at any Democratic President. Over the past 18 months talk radio was much more than that.

Radio ABC Radio has announced a series of programs – both long-form and short-form – looking back at the major stories and events of 2016. Here’s the full list...

The Cumulus station is hosting the 3rd annual live broadcast and Holiday Party for the Kids at Children’s Specialized Hospital today (Thurday, December 15). Todd & Jayde in the Morning is being broadcast live from the hospital with performances by Colbie Caillat and American Idol Season 14 Winner Nick Fradiani and an appearance by The Bobby Lynch Band.