People in the News

iHeartMedia's Cities 97.1 in Minneapolis has hired Brian Oake to take over the morning show. Oake worked afternoons at what was then Cities 97, before becoming the morning show co-host in 2012 alongside Keri Noble.

History has been made at Cumulus Media Detroit's WJR-AM. For the first time in the station's 101 years on air, a woman will serve as Program Director. The company announced that 40-year WJR veteran Ann Thomas will fill the role.

Geoff “G-Off” Owens, that's who. Owens will program iHeart's two Hip Hop stations, JAM'N 107.5 in Portland and KUBE 104.9 in Tacoma. Owens will also host afternoon drive on both stations, a position he’s held at JAM'N 107.5 since 2012. He replaces Senior VP Tim Herbster who was covering those jobs.

Cumulus Media has promoted James Kurdziel to Vice President of Classic Rock. Kurdziel will continue in his role as Program Director for Cumulus Minneapolis Classic Rock station KQRS-FM.

iHeartMedia San Diego has appointed Mary Ayala as the new Program Director for its trio of AM stations. Ayala will steer the brands and content for Newsradio 600 (KOGO-AM), San Diego Sports 760 (KGB-AM), and The Patriot AM 1360 (KLSD-AM).

James Merilatt is a Mile High kind of guy. He joins Bonneville Denver after spending the past three years with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, most recently serving as Director of Business Operations for indoor lacrosse team the Colorado Mammoth.

ESPN senior writer Mina Kimes has agreed to a multiyear extension with ESPN, and will debut an NFL-themed podcast – Bootleg with Mina Kimes – which is now available everywhere ESPN Audio podcasts are accessible.

Mike Francesa, who's leaving WFAN in New York when his contract expires at the end of 2017, says it's possible. The Daily News is reporting that Francessa said he's open to the idea.

Emrich, a member of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, had a heart attack last week and did not recover.

Beasley Media is merging two country radio shows into a new syndicated offering. Shawn Parr's Backstage Country marries Backstage Country with the Shawn Parr's Across America program.