People in the News

John McDonald, a published author and radio broadcaster widely known for his dry humor and conversational style to radio listeners in Portland, Maine, died on Tuesday at the age of 78. His death was confirmed by his son, Jeremiah, who told a local newspaper that McDonald had been in poor health for a while.

Guaranty Media says "The Moon Griffon Show" will return to its Baton Rouge talk station WBRP (107.3 FM) next year. The show will air on WBRP weekdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. local time, a station official said in a press release Thursday.

Cox Media Group says it has appointed Justin Wenokur to serve as its vice president of digital revenue and sales strategy. Wenokur previously served as the senior director of digital strategy for Cox Media's Local Solutions.

SportsMap Radio Network says it will debut a new program called "First Name Sports" on January 2. The show will be hosted by Jeff Michael and Greg Franks, and will air on the SportsMap Radio Network weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

The U.S. Senate confirmed the nominations of two new board members for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Kathy K. Im and Diane Kaplan were confirmed during a late evening vote; Rubydee Calvert's re-nomination to the board was also confirmed.

Cumulus says Alexis "Lexi" Ziccardi has been hired to serve as the mid-day host at Buffalo alternative rocker WEDG (103.3 FM, The Edge). A native of Western New York, Ziccardi comes to the station from Jacksonville, where she worked as a morning producer and on-air personality there.

iHeartMedia's Denver-based world class rock station KBCO (97.3 FM) says its mid-day host Ginger will be retiring at the end of the month. Ginger has been introducing music lovers to new songs and artists on the Denver airwaves for four decades.

Audacy says its Philadelphia sports radio outlet WIP-FM (94.1 FM) will launch a new mid-day show with Joe Giglio and Hugh Douglas. Giglio is moving from evenings to mid-day to host the program, while Douglas — a former National Football League defensive end — is re-joining the station.

The Center for Sales Strategy has named several radio executives among its 2022 Talent Superhero winners. The award winners include executives from iHeartMedia, Cox Media Group, Townsquare Media and Bonneville International, among others.

Radio syndication firm Key Networks has appointed Jason Wilberding as its president of sales, a newly-created position for the company. Wilberding will oversee Key Networks’ ad sales team and work directly with Key Networks clients.