Indiana RadioWatch: June 5, 2017

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From the Reading Pile: The FCC and OSHA released a new Tower Climber Safety guide.

From the Audio Phile: Mike Francesa's conversation with Jeff Smulyan, founder of WFAN, about launching the nation’s first all-sports radio station.

Northeast

After two years, Cody Bailey exits as weekend meteorologist and reporter at Heartland Media's FOX Affiliate/WFFT-TV (Channel 55, Fort Wayne). Mr. Bailey moves to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where he takes over the morning meteorologist chair at WNKY-TV, succeeding Caleb Chevalier, who recently joined crosstown WPTA-TV (Channel 21, Fort Wane) as their weekend meteorologist.

Central

Nicole Griffin joins E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WRTV-TV (Channel 6, Indianapolis) as a reporter. Ms. Griffin last worked in Lincoln, Nebraska as a reporter at KOLN-TV.

Westcentral

Heartland Media's CBS affiliate/WTHI-TV (Channel 10, Terre Haute) expands their weekday morning newscasts to a full two hours: 5:00am until 7:00am. The only other local morning news (WTWO-TV) begins at 5:30am.

Where Are They Now? Former Nexstar NBC affiliate WTWO-TV (Channel 2, Terre Haute) and Mission Broadcasting ABC affiliate WAWV (Channel 38, Terre Haute) weekday morning meteorologist becomes a morning meteorologist and traffic anchor at KWTV-TV in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Southwest

Music Ministries' Religious/WBGW (1330am, Evansville) files an STA with the FCC to temporarily decrease their power. WBGW has 5kW (non-directional) by day, with a 1kW directional nighttime pattern. Their directional antenna system has problems, so WBGW will use 1250 watts at night until they have their directional antenna system fixed.

Bayou City Broadcasting's CBS and FOX affiliates WEVV-TV (CBS on 44.1, FOX on 44.2) morning news reporter/anchor Amanda Chodnicki exits. Ms. Chodnicki returns to her home state (Michigan) and joins as a reporter at WEYI-TV in Flint, Michigan.

This Week in Indiana Radio History

Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.

June 4: In 1991, 105.7fm in Bicknell signs on as WUZR, and still is. In 2012, WAOR-FM (95.7fm, Nappanee) ended its classic rock format after 35 years. In 1977, the WAOR call letters and classic rock format debuted on 95.3fm in Niles, Michigan.

June 5: In 2014, former WLYV PD/morning man James Felton ("Uncle Felty") dies. Age 67.

June 6: In 1978, 91.5fm in Indianapolis signs on as WRFT, and still is. In 1988, Channel 69 in Indianapolis signs on as WBUU-TV (owned by Butler University). Butler changed the call letters to WTBU in 1991 and sold the TV station for $4 million in 2004. It's now a Daystar affiliate: WDTI-TV. In 2012, legendary Fort Wayne TV (WPTA-TV) weatherman and radio (WLYV(AM), WOWO(AM)) broadcaster Jay Walker dies. Age 74. In 2013, former Indianapolis broadcaster Michael Highbaugh, Jr. dies (WPZZ, WTLC, WZPL). Age 47.

June 7: In 1947, 1600am in Marion signs on as WBAT. It later moved to 1400am. In 1948, 96.1fm in Owensboro, Kentucky signs on as WVJS-FM. Today, it's WSTO-FM. In 1999, 94.1fm in Roanoke flips format from Modern AC ("Star 94.1") to Rhythmic Oldies ("Groovin' Oldies"), with morning duo Bo Kelly and Melissa McKee.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.