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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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Broadcasters provide inspiration for new year
The new year is a great occasion to be inspired, and I’m sure you’ll agree that Wisconsin’s local broadcasters have given us many sources for inspiration as we face the hopes for 2021. You provided critical services to your local communities in 2020 and demonstrated to everyone what we always talk about when we say…
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Plenty to be hopeful for in 2021
2020. What an unbelievable year! Hopefully, we will never experience another year like that. The pandemic killed thousands and was devastating to businesses small and large. But the last thing you need to read is gloom and doom. How about some good news: Your WBA did an excellent job navigating through the postponements and cancellations…
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What we learned in 2020 and what this means for 2021 (and beyond)
A few weeks ago, we joked in our daily blog that in 2015, everyone who answered the question, “Where do you want to be in five years?” got it terribly wrong. Nobody could have predicted the upheaval all of us felt in our business and personal lives in 2020 and the changes it caused. But…
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Weekly Radio Addresses discuss state’s response to pandemic
This week’s Weekly Radio Addresses from Wisconsin’s Capitol are focused on the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 highlighted new tools available to help fight the…
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Wisconsin Broadcaster available now
The January/February issue of the Wisconsin Broadcaster is now available. You can download it here [PDF]. Highlights from his issue: WBA Chair Chris Bernier highlights signs of hope for broadcasters in 2021 WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind writes about upcoming events and the year ahead Entries are in for the WBA Awards for…
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More than 1,300 entries submitted for WBA Awards
Wisconsin’s radio and TV stations have submitted 1,365 entries to the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Awards for Excellence contest. The submission deadline for the 2020 awards was Wednesday night. A total of 112 stations submitted entries. Stations are competing for awards in numerous categories for news, sports, weather, advertising, public service, and digital and…
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Wausau stations shatter holiday fundraising record
A holiday fundraising effort from two Wausau TV stations shattered its own record by more than doubling its previous campaign record. WSAW and WZAW raised $208,532 during their 2020 Share Your Holidays campaign. The previous record was $100,091. The donations will be split between the Wausau Salvation Army and The Neighbors’ Place. “The generosity of…
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Gear up! Breaking News! You’re going live
Large police presence. Raise your hand if you’ve uttered those words once or twice. I cannot think of a story harder to tell than the one where you have no information. I’ll set the scene: Newsroom phone rings. It’s a tipster that says 12 squads are at such and such location. Guess what? You’re going,…
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Making the most of an overnight work schedule
“When do you go in?” If you’ve ever worked a morning show shift you’ve likely been asked that question with a look of disgust from inquiring minds. Kassandra Sepeda has anchored Sunrise 7 in Wausau for nearly four years and previously worked a morning shift at her former station in Mankato, Minnesota. Working when most…
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Janesville sports fans remember local broadcaster
A longtime radio sports director in Janesville is being remembered for his hard work and dedication. Al Fagerli, 67, died unexpectedly on Dec. 14 in Illinois. He retired from WCLO radio in Janesville in 2016. According to his obituary, Fagerli was enthusiastic about sports at a young age. In 1965 he received a tape recorder…
