News

Neal Conan, who spent 36 years with National Public Radio, 11 years as the host of Talk of the Nation died Tuesday in Hawaii of glioblastoma. Conan joined NPR in 1977 where he held a variety of jobs including executive producer of All Things Considered. In 1987, he ran NPR's coverage for a year as news director.

That's according to WTN Nashville host Dan Mandis who's been posting periodic Facebook updates on Phil Valentine's condition. The Conservative talker was hospitalized with COVID last month. Valentine's family says the issue is "critical."

Despite the most recent fears about the more contagious Delta COVID variant, Nielsen says audio use continues to increase and that's being driven by people getting out of their homes. One of radio's biggest strengths is reaching people in their cars and close to making a purchase.

It's 32 months for 69-year old Graham Hart. The crime? Antisemetic rants on his online radio show. Graham reportedly said Jews were “filth” and that they needed to be “wiped out.” He pleaded guilty to eight counts of producing a “programme in service with intent or likely to stir up racial hatred.” The Jewish Chronicle has details.

Paul Mason has been appointed to lead Programming Operations for Titans Radio for Cumulus Nashville. Mason will continue to serve Cumulus Nashville in his existing role as PD for sports station WGFX-FM.

Cincinnati Public Radio, which operates WVXU-FM, is revamping its format for the first time since buying the station in 2005 from Xavier University. WVXU-FM is going all news and ending all music programming. All the details HERE.

FEMA and the Federal Communications Commission will test the nation’s public alert and warning systems at 2:20 p.m. Eastern today. FEMA regularly tests the public alert and warning systems to assess the operational readiness of the supporting infrastructure.

Praise 102.5 (WPZE-FM) is preparing for 16th Annual Praise in the Park concert. Stellar Award winning artist Kierra Sheard-Kelly will headline the October 2 event.

The newest member of the Federal Communications Commission, Nathan Simington, will be part of the Radio Ink Hispanic Radio Conference in Miami. Simington is a former senior advisor at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. 

The two sides recently settled their dispute over a canceled 2020 tournament during COVID. The multi-year renewal will keep Westwood One as the official network audio broadcast partner of the NCAA.