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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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Scholarship established to recognize Ken Beno
The Lake Land College Foundation has established a scholarship to recognize broadcasting educator and WBA Hall of Famer Ken Beno. The Foundation wrote: Ken Beno’s journey in broadcasting began in Southern Illinois, and led him to become a transformative figure in media education. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a…
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Awards contest opportunity to inspire staff
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life forever.” – Amy Poehler, actor and comedian It will soon be time to submit entries for the WBA Awards for Excellence for 2025. There are several reasons to compete for these awards.…
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Northwoods NRG stations shine spotlight on Alzheimer’s
NRG radio stations in the Rhinelander area helped spotlight the National Alzheimer’s Association at the annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sept. 20. NRG Northwoods Operations Manager Duff Damos and WMQA/WRHN Program Director Scott King are longtime emcees of the event and promoted it through live mentions and interviews. The event drew 450 participants, 61 teams,…
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Student Forum agenda coming soon
You might want to conjure up your inner Hermione Granger for the 2026 Student Forum at Lambeau Field. For those of you unfamiliar with the Harry Potter series, Hermione, a studious, overachieving protagonist, time travels in “Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban.” She uses a Time-Turner to help her take an exceptionally heavy course…
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Listeners step up to help those in need
A Madison radio station rallied listeners to help families in need during the holiday season. Life 102.5 (WNWC) launched Christmas Kindness to help families facing financial, medical, or other difficulties. In its first year, they helped four families. One family’s home had been struck by severe weather leaving it unlivable. The couple and their one-year-old…
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YP of the Month is ‘unsung hero’ for station group
An announcer and producer at Woodward Community Media in Appleton, Zach Zelinski, is the WBA Young Professional of the Month for the month of November. The WBA Young Professional of the Month is a nominee for the WBA Young Professional of the Year Award. The award seeks to recognize young broadcasters who have made a…
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Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, WBA and WNA to host webinar on ethical victim reporting
Marsy’s Law for Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association are collaborating to hold a webinar focusing on best practices for responsible media reporting when dealing with crime victims. The speakers presenting at the webinar will be Leigh Mills, Evening News Anchor for WMTV; Kim Goldman, Victim Rights Advocate and sister of…
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Guard presents WBA with commemorative coin
WBA President & CEO Michelle Vetterkind on Oct. 24 visited with our longtime partners and friends at the Wisconsin National Guard, including Maj. Gen. Matt Strub and Brig. Gen. Brion Aderman. During the visit, Vetterkind was honored to receive a coin from the Commander of the Wisconsin National Guard, Maj. Gen. Strub, recognizing the Wisconsin…
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Planning your business for the new year and the hard truths you can’t avoid
As broadcasters plan for the new year, one thing is clear: Setting and sticking to a digital strategy is no longer optional. Whether you are a television or a commercial, Christian, or public radio station, the marketing landscape has changed dramatically in every market, large and small. Many veteran sellers and managers are facing the…
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Community rallies to help broadcaster after fire
Community members and the Broadcasters Foundation of America came to the aid of a central Wisconsin broadcaster who lost her home in a fire. Patti Cavanaugh, the midday personality on WCWI in Adams, lost everything in the August fire. The station held a fundraiser on Nov. 1 that raised more than $42,000. The Broadcasters Association…
