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College Station To Get Full-Time News Dept?

Anybody heard anything about one of the local (to Tulsa) college stations getting an in-house full-time news department? I'm hearing rumors & rumblings that a college station "in the Tulsa area" will add local news to its line-up... that they've gotten somebody "with extensive news experience" to come in and head the whole thing up.

There's three college stations in the area that I know of:

The University of Tulsa's KWGS 89.5
Rogers State University's KRSC 91.3
Oklahoma State University's KOSN 107.5

Rogers seems least likely, with that tiny signal and music format, although it could be an attempt to put more focus on training journalists and not just DJs... and there's this press release:

"RSU Radio to Debut New Public Affairs Program Dec. 10"
http://www.rsu.edu/news/2008/120408_paprogram.asp

Then there's KOSN, which it's obvious OSU has been working hard to build (with a repeater in south Tulsa somewhere).... still, I don't hear THAT much community involvement in their programming.

That leaves KWGS; they get my vote as most likely. With Rich Fisher & Studio Tulsa in particular, and their local "drop-ins" during NPR programming. And to be honest, I would see TU as even more likely to have the money to do something like this than even OSU, who doesn't seem to put THAT much into the on-air programming (unless I've just always missed it somehow).

NEXT QUESTION: who's this "experienced leader?"

I have several guesses, but I'd like to hear what your ideas, first. ;)

Man... if KWGS adds local news to their NPR coverage on that huge clean FM signal, they're gonna be UNSTOPPABLE. I doubt I'd listen to anything else!
 
If I were to hazard a guess.....I would put my moolah on Alan Lambert being the head of the News Dept. A good choice and he would be my choice any day of the week! And I would also put my money on KWGS. It's a Tulsa treasure whose time has come. If it's all true then hooray for them.

Bob O
 
KGWS.... I believe they recieved some form of grant or money from a foundation to establish more local news. They are one of the best out there for the format.
 
Just got a call on this. Paul Harvey wants to come back to Oklahoma. He's considering it...if he turns it down, Lowell Thomas is the next choice.

Would LOVE to see Alan do something like that...perfect pick. Perhaps a hybrid format: Big Band News.
 
While Allan would be outstanding in this position, his wasn't the one who first leapt to my mind.

The guy I'm thinking of has had long stints as news director of at least two different stations in the area, plus out-of-state experience... I think he'd be a natural to take the reins of a new radio news department.

I thought of this because I'm wondering if, with the downturn in the economy and the connected loss of donations, if whoever it is may wait until the 2nd qtr to launch. I've not heard anything else, so it makes me think the project may be delayed.

...Oh, & cooptulsa... I'm pretty sure it's NOT Harvey or Thomas! ;)
 
Mad-Dog said:
Could it be...............Delgornio????? :eek: :eek: :eek:
[/quote



Michael Delgiorno's next top will be in Chicago, New York, LA or at the network level. His performance level continues to improve and he is briliiant on the air, particularly in talk radio. Couldn't stand listening because I don't agree with anything he says, but that doesn't mean he won't finally go to the network level with his own show or, God forbid, one of those sunday morning 'magic shows' where they pass the plate and scream hallaluejua!

O'Shea
 
Nothing on this end; last I heard it was set for an April launch but I haven't heard anything more. Actually, it's been suspiciously quiet... makes you wonder what's up, although universities are notoriously bad at promoting their media... humorous, when you think about it...

It also makes me wonder, since KRMG just added an FM, if Cox did so in preparation for the college news department. A way to "level the playing field," you know? Perhaps they've heard something I haven't.

I also don't know who's going to lead the college news department, but if they were smart they'd snap up John Durkee... at least if he'd be willing to do so... I expect he dealt with enough radio nonsense to last him a lifetime!

Durkee would be an excellent instructor as well as news director for (as an example) KWGS; it makes me think of when Neal Kennedy was doing news at KVOO and also teaching (I think) a production class at Rogers in Claremore.

I think a great many of us could learn a lot from Durkee!!!
 
With all the layoffs Durkee may be very happy he's not in the radio biz currently. I have a feeling he's also making a little more cash than a college radio position could offer.

It seems TU did advertise a while back for a news director. Someone has already mentioned Alan Lambert................. I wonder what Marshall Stewart is doing since he is no longer at KRMG.
 
I expect you're right: more job security, more money, & less job stress than he EVER had in radio! 8)

Marshall... you must admit, we're beginning to put together a list of names of people who would make a heckova a radio news team, wouldn't they? Neal, Marshall, Durkee, Lambert, & on and on... and I think they're all still here in Tulsa.

Bring back Deborah Woodall from Kansas and Rob Hough from Missouri... you're pretty close to a 24 hr news team!

...I assume whatever they do will be a little more scaled back, at least at first... :)
 
OK, thanks to "informed sources at city hall," I can now confirm John Durkee turned in his resignation to the Mayor Taylor last week... HM-M-M!!! (Watch for the official announcement from the city soon.)

Is it him? Is it HIM??? Where will he land?

HERE WE GO!!! ;D
 
31kings: every so often I get one right. ;D

I searched Google & came up with this: http://www.kwgs.org/prt-employment.html

...and it is NOT linked any longer from their employment page.

The thought plickens!!!

P.S. - And there's this from their front page:

Our commitment continues with the addition of new personnel to report on local issues on KWGS.

ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!!!
 
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