-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Mike, Patty O’Brien join Legacy Club
The VP/General Manager of WCLO/WJVL in Janesville, Mike O’Brien, and his wife Patty, have joined the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation’s Legacy Club. The Legacy Club was formed in 1998 to provide a formal procedure and recognition for those who make bequests or agree to make bequests to the WBA Foundation in their wills. For more information…
-
46 year veteran of WKBT-TV dies
Larry Johnson, a longtime colleague of employees at WKBT-TV in La Crosse, has died. Johnson worked at WKBT for 46 years. He retired in 2014. Many will remember him as WKBT’s weatherman in the days long before computers came to dominate the weather department. He was also the voice of many announcements on WKBT over…
-
Marquette student to be recognized for leadership
The general manager of the student-run television station on the Marquette University campus will be honored with the WBA Student Leadership Award. Tara Schumal stood out right away as a leader, according to MU Director of Student Media, Mark Zoromski, who described how Schumal taught students who were new to the station. “She was patient…
-
Lavin named WBA Chair
Steve Lavin, WBAY-TV, Green Bay, took the position of WBA Chair during the WBA Winter Conference Business Luncheon at the Madison Concourse Hotel. Lavin replaces Steve Wexler, Good Karma Brands, Milwaukee, who finished his term as chair and will now serve as immediate past chair for the coming year. The rest of the officers for…
-
4 Wisconsin lawmakers cosponsor Local Radio Freedom Act
Four Congressmen from Wisconsin are among a bipartisan group of 124 Members of Congress supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act. The resolutions in the House of Representatives and the Senate oppose “any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge” on local broadcast radio stations. Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI-3), Glenn Grothman (R-WI-6), Sean Duffy…
-
Braun featured in Alzheimer’s NCSA/PEP campaign
Legendary Badger sports broadcaster Paul Braun is featured in an upcoming campaign sharing his personal story about spotting the warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Braun’s wife was only 57 years old when she started exhibiting symptoms of Alzheimer’s. She died eight grueling years later. The Alzheimer’s Associations spots are airing on radio stations across the state.…
-
Milwaukee TV station hosts awards to recognize African American leaders
Milwaukee TV station WISN-TV sponsored and hosted the 34th annual Black Excellence Awards on Friday. The awards honor African Americans from across the Milwaukee area who serve communities, inspire peers, and provide leadership. The theme for this year’s awards was “The Excellence of Imagination, Boldness, and Innovation: Honoring our Entrepreneurs.” The event was held at…
-
Scholarships to be given to 4 broadcasting students
Scholarships will be given out during the WBA Student Seminar on March 2 to four students studying broadcasting in Wisconsin. The recipients are: Erica Gelman Erica Gelman is the 2019 recipient of the Morgan Murphy Media Scholarship. Erica is attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is majoring in Journalism, English, and Psychology. Erica will graduate…
-
WSUM provides temporary home to Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism
The student-run radio station at UW-Madison is providing a temporary home for the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism which is cleaning up from office flooding. Eight WCIJ staff members are working from the offices of WSUM while water damage from a pipe that burst Feb. 2 or 3 in Vilas Communication Hall is repaired. It is…
-
Effort to train future broadcasters results in first hire
An effort to help college students prepare themselves for a career in broadcasting has resulted in the first of what’s hoped to be many future hires. In the spring of 2016, Mid-West Family Broadcasting gifted one of its radio stations to the UW-Eau Claire Foundation. The gift included a FCC license, 25,000-watt signal, and 390-foot…
