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Broadcasters collect their WBA Awards for Excellence
Radio and television stations from across Wisconsin came together Saturday to celebrate their award-winning work at the 2026 Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards Gala. The awards were handed out at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton with 350 in attendance. Competition for this year’s awards was as strong as ever with 1,322 award entries. A total…
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WBA Foundation announces date for gubernatorial debate
The WBA Foundation Board will continue its 36-year tradition of holding statewide televised debates for Wisconsin’s voters by airing a general election debate in the 2026 Wisconsin gubernatorial race. Qualifying gubernatorial candidates will be invited to participate in a debate on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., hosted by Milwaukee PBS. Radio and television stations from…
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4 to be inducted into WBA Hall of Fame in June
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation is proud to announce the 2026 WBA Hall of Fame inductees: Dave Magnum has turned a network of radio stations into a second generation legacy in Wisconsin. Kelly Radandt’s broadcasting career reflects a rare blend of strategic leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to people and community. Jeff Tyler’s career stands…
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4 to be honored as Local Broadcast Legends
Four Wisconsin broadcasters are 2026 WBA Local Broadcast Legends. Randy Allen, an on-air presence with deep knowledge of country music and unwavering professionalism which has made him a trusted companion to listeners throughout the Green Bay, Appleton, and Oshkosh markets. Dave Luczak, the voice Milwaukee woke up to, becoming one of the most trusted and enduring…
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WBA 75th anniversary Summer Conference agenda released
The preliminary agenda is now available for your WBA’s Summer Conference celebration of the association’s 75th anniversary will be held June 17-18 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. Registration is also open. The registration deadline is May 28. The hotel booking deadline is May 25. Speakers for this year’s conference include: Keynote: Curtis…
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Stations’ effort supports low-income residents
A group of radio stations in northern Wisconsin raised money during the holiday season for a non-profit helping low-income residents in Ashland and Bayfield counties. Heartland Communications teamed up with Coffey Oil to sponsor Magic Stocking in support of the BRICK Ministries. Magic Stockings were placed in select area businesses between Thanksgiving and New Year’s…
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Wagner retires after 32 years in local radio
A member of the WBA’s Local Broadcast Legends is retiring after 32 years serving listeners and businesses in northern Wisconsin. Jeff Wagner from Heartland Communications Group will retire in April. He was named a WBA Local Broadcast Legend in 2018. “Jeff Wagner is the most respected Senior Statesman and leader in the radio broadcasting industry…
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Rompa to retire after 32 years at WBAY-TV
WBAY-TV anchor Kevin Rompa announced his retirement Friday after 32 years on the air in the Green Bay market. “I arrived here back in 1989 to become Green Bay’s very first morning show anchor and I never left. In fact, in the 32 years I’ve been here, I’ve never even sent out a resume or…
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Radio veterans resurrect student radio station online
A legendary student run radio station on the UW-Madison campus is back on the air as an online station championed by a group of radio veterans with a love for the former station. WLHA first went on the air in 1952 as WMHA broadcasting out of one of the Lakeshore area residence halls. It was…
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Do’s and Don’ts of COVID vaccine coverage
It goes without saying that we are in unprecedented times. Navigating COVID coverage is a new experience for all of us in news and the need for quality journalism is great. In a recently published article from RTDNA titled Do’s and Don’ts of COVID vaccine coverage, experts offer their advice on how to get the…
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Langbehn marks 30 years at WAOW-TV
Melissa Langbehn is marking 30 years on the air at WAOW-TV in Wausau and the station is marking the anniversary Friday. Langbehn joined the station in 1991. She is the lead anchor at News 9, anchoring the 5 p.m. news and co-anchoring the 6 p.m. news. As a reporter, she continues to discover and share…
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Weekly Radio Addresses highlight priorities for state budget
This week’s Weekly Radio Addresses from Wisconsin’s Capitol talk about proposals for the next state budget. These addresses are available for Wisconsin broadcasters to use as they see fit. Here are the summaries from WisPolitics: — Gov. Tony Evers in this week’s Dem radio address touted his “Badger Bounceback” plan meant to help state residents…
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NAB President at speak at WBA Summer Conference
The President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters is coming to the WBA Summer Conference in August. Sen. Gordon Smith will be the keynote speaker on Aug. 26, the second day of the conference at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan. Sue Keenom, Senior Vice President, State, International, and Board Relations for NAB, will be…
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Young professionals find support, advice in Facebook groups
Starting out in the broadcast journalism field is tough. Many smaller markets employ a “sink-or-swim” mentality due to small staff size which can leave many young reporters floundering. Questions like these often go un-answered: Where can I look for story ideas? What stories can I pitch about (x) topic? Where can I find affordable clothing…
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Little to lead new research firm
WBA Hall of Famer Jonathan Little is leading a marketing research firm that’s undergoing changes with the retirement of research veteran Bill Troy. Troy is retiring from TroyResearch as of March 31, shutting down the existing TroyResearch.com site. Little, the long-time Vice President of Sales and Client Services for Troy Research, is launching a new…
