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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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Pflugshaupt to serve as YP Committee Co-Chair
Amy Pflugshaupt from NBC 15 in Madison will serve as co-chair to the WBA Young Professionals Committee. Pflugshaupt has been involved in production of the YP’s Toolbox event at the WBA Summer Conference. Thank you for your service!
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Grassman named chair of Conference Committee
Don Grassman has been named chair of the WBA Conference Committee. He replaces Rick McCoy who retired from Mid-West Family Broadcasting earlier this year. Grassman is President and co-owner of Results Broadcasting and President and co-owner of Tower Road Media in Waupaca. The WBA Conference Committee is responsible for planning the WBA’s annual Summer Conference.
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Ownership changes prompt dial, format changes at 5 La Crosse stations
Five radio stations in the La Crosse area are undergoing dial position changes or format changes after La Crosse Media Group sold the stations to three new owners. Magnum Media closed last week on its acquisition of 106.3 WQCC-FM, 102.7 KQEG-FM, 1490-AM WLFN from La Crosse Media Group and FM translator 97.9 from The Salvation…
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Radio group promotes Black-owned businesses
A group of iHeartMedia’s radio stations in Milwaukee are launching an initiative to support Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and nonprofits. The Brilliantly Black initiative is being led by radio stations V100.7 (WKKV-FM), FM106.1 (WMIL-FM), 95.7 BIG FM (WRIT-FM), 97.3 The Game (WRNW-FM), and The BIG 920 (WOKY-AM). The initiative is modeled after a similar program at…
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Broadcasters to air PSAs to promote voter education
Wisconsin’s radio and TV stations are invited to participate in a nationwide PSA campaign to promote voter education ahead of the 2020 election. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) partnered with the League of Women Voters to produce and distribute radio and television PSAs in English and Spanish that were shared with stations across the…
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Local Radio Freedom Act gains support of majority of U.S. House
A bipartisan majority of the House of Representatives now supports the Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA) after 12 House Members added their cosponsorship to the resolution opposing “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations. The resolution, which signals Members of Congress’s opposition to any potential legislation that imposes…
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Baun to resign in September
WBA Vice President Linda Baun will resign from the organization in September after 14 years. Baun joined the WBA in 2006 and led numerous WBA events including the Broadcasters Clinic, the WBA Awards for Excellence program and Awards Gala, the Student Seminar, the winter and summer conferences, and numerous other WBA events including countless social…
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Magnum closes deal for 3 NRG stations
Magnum Communications has completed the purchase three southern Wisconsin radio stations from NRG Media. Included in the deal are Kool 106.5 (WKCH) in Whitewater, 107.3 WSJY in Fort Atkinson, and News/Talk 940 WFAW in Fort Atkinson. The deal was first announced in December. NRG Media is based in Iowa and owns radio stations in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and…
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Eau Claire station flips to sports format
An iHeartMedia station in Eau Claire flipped Friday to a sports format. Classic Hits station “98.7 The Brew” is now “The Fan” 98.7/1400 (WBIZ-AM). The station will broadcast Chippewa Valley area high school sports and professional sports including Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Vikings and Milwaukee Bucks. “The Chippewa Valley is often a house divided…
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Weekly Radio Addresses address unemployment insurance claims and WisCovered program
This week’s Weekly Radio Addresses from the Wisconsin Capitol highlight the issues of unemployment insurance claims and the WisCovered program. These addresses are available for Wisconsin broadcasters to use as they see fit. Here are the summaries from WisPolitics: — Rep. Romaine Quinn in this week’s GOP radio address criticized the Evers administration’s response to…
