Cumulus Cuts Hit More Veteran Radio Personalities

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, August 14, 2026 | 1:40pm CT

Cumulus Media

Cumulus Media's nationwide workforce reductions continue to claim veteran radio personalities, with departures reported in Norfolk, Syracuse and Columbia, MO.

In Norfolk, Brandon "Shaggy" Stokes says he is no longer with CHR WNVZ (Z104), ending a 25-year run with the station.

"After 25 years, I am no longer on Z104," Stokes wrote on Facebook Thursday. "I'm not gonna lie... typing that sentence is WEIRD."

Stokes thanked listeners and the Hampton Roads community for supporting him throughout his career, saying he was proud of what they had accomplished together.

"I'm just a local kid who worked really hard to help people and become someone who mattered in media," he wrote. "And more importantly, someone who mattered to this community."

Stokes said his Shaggfest and Stuff the Bus events will continue and that he plans to remain in the Hampton Roads area.

His departure follows a DUI and obstruction of justice case for which he was sentenced in February. No indication has been given that the case played a role in his exit from WNVZ.

Meanwhile, Scott Dixon is departing Rock/Alternative WAQX (95X) in Syracuse after 14 years with the station. Dixon joined WAQX in February 2012 and served as an air personality, Assistant Program Director and Music Director.

He also hosted the Sunday night specialty programs "The Fringe," focusing on underground alternative music, and "Locals Only," which showcased artists from Central New York.

"To all the listeners and friends made along the way, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart," Dixon wrote on Facebook. "Spending the last 14 years talking to you every day and having people to share the things I was excited about to was a big part of my life and something that I will genuinely miss."

Dixon also served as "content production captain" and a weekday personality for Cumulus' Syracuse streaming AAA outlet The SGNL following its 2022 launch. He was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dixon said he plans to take some time off through Labor Day before determining his next move.

The cuts have also reached Columbia, MO, where longtime KFRU-AM personalities David Gaines and Simon Rose have exited.

Gaines had been with Cumulus since 2008 and joined longtime KFRU personality David Lile on "A Columbia Morning" the following year as news anchor. Following Lile's retirement, Gaines took over as morning host in May 2022.

"These past 18 years have been such a wonderful stretch of my career," Gaines wrote. "I've worked with so many talented and creative people. Been a part of countless wonderful events. Interviewed multiple local and state leaders, and interesting guests from all walks of life."

Rose's departure ends an even longer tenure. He spent 37 years at KFRU and 33 years at AAA KBXR, where he was one of the station's founding air personalities.

"I am honored to have brought my voice to KFRU's talk format, interviewing community leaders and other newsmakers, and being a part of the daily lives of the listeners," Rose said in a statement to ABC 17. "The music lover in me will always be grateful for my years at KBXR."

Rose said he regretted not having the opportunity to say goodbye on the air. "I love the medium and the craft," he said. "I'll miss my dedicated coworkers, and more than anything, the listeners who made every day of it a joy."

The departures are among a growing number reported across Cumulus Media markets this week, affecting personnel in programming, on-air, podcasting and sales as the company continues restructuring its operations.