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Tony Matteo is the new Region Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia's Central California/Nevada region. iHeart has 36 stations in that region. Matteo previously worked as the Region Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia’s Omaha region based in Wichita.

In his latest Media Unplugged, Mark Ramsey asserts that it will take more than big screens, reserve seats, and gourmet food to save theaters. And he says there's stark evidence that the New York Times can’t save the newspaper industry.

(By Ronald Robinson) While what will be presented here is an old technique, I believe a reintroduction is in order, especially since the recommendation to take radio talent and “treat them like dogs” has already been put forward as an incredibly insulting, but apparently sincere, piece of training and motivational business.

Albany, Georgia, is where Dollar becomes the Operations Manager for Cumulus' six radio stations in the market. Dollar will also be midday host on NASH FM 104.5 (WKAK-FM) in Albany, and on the air on Rocker WJAD-FM afternoons from 2-6 p.m. Dollar moves to Albany from Cumulus Montgomery where he was PD at WLWI-FM for over eight years.

The new supporters of the act are Representatives Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), Andy Harris (MD-1), Mac Thornberry (TX-13), and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-5), chair of the House Republican Conference. The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) now has 191 cosponsors in the House and 22 in the Senate.

Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins might be having a protracted waltz with the organization over a new playing contract, but that hasn’t prevented him signing a new one-year commitment with 106.7 The Fan. Cousins will return to mic duties for the third consecutive year on the Grant and Danny show.

The Country station has announced that Lois Lewis will commence her dual roles July 17. Lewis previously worked as the Assistant Program Director and Music Director for iHeartMedia Las Vegas’ 95.5 The Bull.

At the annual awards banquet of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, June 9-10, the Park Hills station received three first-place finishes and a certificate of merit. One of the awards was for Best Local Website for kfmosports.com.

We all know the troubles the Windy City has been going through in recent times, with shootings seemingly a daily occurrence. Well 107.5 WGCI isn’t taking it sitting down in the studio. Instead, the good folks at WGCI are organizing Peace in the Streets Summer Block Parties at various times and locations (see the listings in story).

Airplay monitoring outfit Mediabase has promoted Minal Patel to Project Manager. Minal joined the company in 2008 as Director of Client Services and has advanced through various departments. Her experience includes stints at Loud Records, Billboard, Atlantic Records, and Premiere Radio Networks.