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Top Radio News
Hampton Roads Radio Icon Mike Arlo Dies at 77
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 11:08am CT |
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Mike Arlo, a longtime Hampton Roads radio personality whose career spanned more than five decades, has died. Hampton Roads Media Group, part of Saga Communications, announced that Arlo passed away peacefully at home on June 2 following a brief illness. He was 77.
Known simply as "Arlo" to listeners and colleagues alike, he became one of the most recognizable voices in the Hampton Roads market after joining WNOR (FM99) in 1975. He moved into the station's midday slot in 1981, a role that helped establish him as one of the region's most popular rock radio personalities.
In February 1996, Arlo transitioned to sister station Classic Rock WAFX (106.9 The Fox), bringing his signature feature, "Arlo's Electric Lunch," and a loyal audience with him.
Throughout his more than 50 years on the air, Arlo became a trusted companion to listeners, providing information during hurricanes and severe weather events while also supporting numerous charitable initiatives. He played a prominent role in community events including the annual Mayflower Marathon Food Drive, the FM99 Rock and Roll Up Your Sleeve Blood Drive, and the Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics.
Last year, the Virginia Association of Broadcasters honored Arlo with its inaugural Career Achievement Award, recognizing his impact on broadcasting and his contributions to the industry over five decades. He also received multiple VAB awards for Best Public Affairs Program for "Hampton Roads Focus," Hampton Roads Media Group's weekly public affairs show.
Hampton Roads Media Group General Manager Carol Commander said Arlo's influence extended far beyond the radio studio. "Today, we share in heavy hearts as we mourn the passing of not only a Hampton Roads radio legend, but a cherished friend and longtime member of our radio family," Commander said. "His impact on our industry, our wonderful listeners, and our community he served so passionately for over five decades is immeasurable."
Director of Content Mike Beck described Arlo as "positive, humble, supportive, funny and genuine," adding that his legacy will endure among colleagues, listeners and friends.
Arlo was known for his upbeat personality and conversational style, traits that made him a fixture both on and off the air. He often remarked that he had never worked a day in his life because he loved radio so much.
He is survived by his wife, Lauren; daughters Monique and Brigette and their husbands; granddaughter Valerie; and family pets Keagan and Noel.
LG Radio Plus Adds iHeartRadio Content Library
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 11:47am CT |
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LG Electronics has partnered with iHeartMedia to expand the content available through its free ad-supported audio streaming service, LG Radio Plus, bringing more than 850 live radio stations, digital-only channels and thousands of podcasts from iHeartRadio to the platform.
The integration makes iHeartRadio content available through the LG Radio Plus app on LG Smart TVs running webOS 6.0 and later. The app can be accessed through the Home launcher bar or LG Content Store, offering users a centralized destination for live radio, podcasts and curated audio programming.
As part of the partnership, LG is also extending access to LG Radio Plus across its broader ecosystem of connected devices. Users will be able to stream content through compatible LG audio products using the LG ThinQ app, while access through the My button on LG xboom speakers is planned for 2026.
Matthew Durgin, Vice President of MS Content and Services at LG Electronics USA, said the addition of iHeartRadio content enhances the platform's value for listeners.
"With radio stations, podcasts and music being a vital companion in our daily lives, LG Radio Plus makes it easier than ever to tune in to a curated list of audio streaming content," Durgin said. "The integration of iHeartRadio's massive content library coupled with LG's innovative, high-quality technology truly embody our Life's Good mantra."
Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeart Digital Audio Group, said the partnership aligns with iHeartMedia's strategy of expanding access to its content across connected devices.
"We are excited to integrate iHeartRadio into LG Radio Plus," Byrne said. "This integration reflects our commitment to meeting listeners everywhere they are, making premium audio content even more accessible in a seamless experience across the connected home."
LG Radio Plus features an interface designed to help users discover new content through curated recommendations, live radio stations, podcasts and music playlists. The service also offers location-based station recommendations that appear when users enter their ZIP code in the app's settings, along with access to national and international programming.
StreamGuys Launches AI-Powered Ad Tagging Service
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 11:12am CT |
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StreamGuys has introduced a new AI-powered ad tagging service designed to automate the placement of advertising markers within podcasts and archived audio content, helping media companies increase revenue opportunities while reducing production workloads.
The new service expands on the company's initial AI workflow integrations unveiled at the 2025 NAB Show and supports StreamGuys' broader strategy of enhancing digital audio monetization through advanced advertising, dynamic ad insertion and programmatic revenue solutions.
According to the company, the AI ad tagging service automatically identifies natural transition points within audio content where midroll and other advertisements can be inserted. The technology is intended to help broadcasters, podcasters and digital publishers maximize available advertising inventory across both newly produced programs and existing content libraries.
"This is really about helping producers save time while unlocking more revenue," said Eduardo Martinez, Executive Vice President of Technology at StreamGuys. "Whether you're producing content at a rapid pace or sitting on a large library that's never been prepared for digital ad insertion, AI allows us to automatically identify those natural break points and make that content monetizable."
StreamGuys first introduced AI-powered tools in 2025 to automate ad marker tagging, captioning, translation and transcription for podcasts and on-demand audio. The new standalone service builds on that foundation with expanded functionality, including multilingual support and broader workflow integration capabilities.
A key feature of the platform is its interoperability. The service can ingest content from RSS feeds, FTP uploads and other third-party sources, then return ad marker data in ID3 metadata or custom formats required by external platforms.
"The service is completely agnostic from a delivery standpoint," Martinez said. "We can ingest content from virtually any source and return ad markers in whatever format a platform requires."
The technology also leverages StreamGuys' existing expertise in ad insertion workflows, including metadata normalization, timing alignment and SCTE-to-ID3 conversion, helping ensure accurate ad placement and consistent audio quality.
"Our holistic focus on digital advertising is the reason people should come see us," said Tim Labelle, Executive Vice President of Sales. "AI ad tagging helps customers from an operational perspective by making sure they have maximum audio inventory."
Labelle said the service is designed to help broadcasters and digital publishers transform streaming audiences into more predictable and scalable revenue streams by creating additional inventory and connecting it with advertising demand.
StreamGuys said the service also supports emerging digital audio workflows, including ultra-low latency streaming applications where synchronized live experiences can be paired with targeted advertising opportunities.
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Matt Fisher Debuts Free Radio Imaging Music Library
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, June 2, 2026 | 11:19am CT |
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Veteran audio producer Matt Fisher has launched Hundred Hand Slap, a free production music and sound design library created specifically for radio imaging producers, audio creatives and broadcast production teams.
Fisher, an award-winning producer with more than two decades of experience creating station imaging, sonic branding and audio production for the BBC's Radio 1 and Radio 2, as well as broadcasters around the world, said the new platform is designed to help producers quickly find audio elements tailored to radio production.
Hundred Hand Slap combines production music, talkover beds, competition drones, imaging effects packages and sound design resources within a single searchable platform.
The service includes a search engine that allows users to browse content by mood, genre, station format, instrumentation and era, making it easier to locate audio for specific projects and formats.
The library is fully registered with PRS and MCPS, enabling broadcasters to use the content through standard music reporting procedures. Access to the library is free, with stations reporting music usage through existing licensing channels.
Since its launch five months ago, Hundred Hand Slap has released more than 40 albums of content, with hundreds of additional releases currently in production. New material is being added weekly.
"Producers have never been asked to create more content," Fisher said. "I wanted to build a place where great sounding audio is easy to find, quick to use and built entirely with radio in mind."
The launch comes as broadcasters and audio producers continue to seek faster, more efficient ways to create station imaging, promotions and branded content across multiple platforms and formats.
Create a free account here.
Joe LaCroix Named Brand Manager at 105.7 The Fan
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 11:26am CT |
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Audacy has promoted Joe LaCroix to Brand Manager of sports-formatted WJZ-FM (105.7 The Fan) in Baltimore. In his new role, LaCroix will oversee the station's content strategy, talent development, operations, and branding efforts.
"Joe's dedication over the past year has been nothing short of exceptional, constantly stepping up to support the team and taking on challenges outside his comfort zone," said Chris Kinard, Sports Format Vice President for Audacy. "His tireless work ethic and natural ability to bring people together made him the obvious choice for Brand Manager."
LaCroix said he is eager to lead the station where he began his radio career nearly a decade ago. "I'm excited and honored to be the next Brand Manager at 105.7 The Fan, where I began my career nearly a decade ago," he said. "We have a special group of people here in Baltimore and I can't wait to write the next chapter of The Fan's history with them."
LaCroix joined 105.7 The Fan in 2017 as a part-time board operator. He advanced through the ranks and was named Executive Producer of the station's "Big Bad Morning Show" in 2021.
NAB Urges FCC to Reform Regulatory Fee Structure
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 5:29pm CT |
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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is urging the Federal Communications Commission to address what it says are rising and increasingly burdensome regulatory fees as the agency develops its Fiscal Year 2026 fee schedule.
In comments filed with the FCC, NAB supported aspects of the commission's proposed methodology but emphasized the need for reforms that would prevent disproportionate fee increases on existing payers and distribute costs more equitably across industries that benefit from FCC oversight.
The association praised the FCC for reallocating additional staff resources into its regulatory fee calculations but argued that greater transparency is needed. NAB said stakeholders should have clearer information about how staffing costs are assigned and how those decisions affect annual fee assessments.
A major concern highlighted in the filing was the proposed increase in fees for transmit-capable earth stations. NAB noted that the FCC plans to raise the fee by 46% in FY 2026, from $2,060 to $3,010 per authorization. The association argued that such a significant increase is difficult to justify, particularly given reductions in Space Bureau staffing and the relatively limited regulatory oversight required for earth stations compared with other satellite services.
NAB also called for an increase in the FCC's de minimis threshold for regulatory fees, which currently stands at $1,000. According to the association, inflation and higher administrative costs warrant a higher exemption level. NAB recommended raising the threshold to at least $1,200 to help protect smaller operators from growing fee obligations.
The filing further urged the FCC to expand the number of entities responsible for paying regulatory fees. NAB argued that the current system concentrates costs on a relatively narrow group of regulated industries while many companies and services that benefit from FCC activities contribute nothing toward funding the agency.
Potential new fee-paying categories identified by NAB include broadband providers, equipment authorization holders, major technology companies, and other users of FCC-regulated services. Expanding the fee base, the association said, would help reduce pressure for higher fees on existing contributors.
While acknowledging that creating new fee categories may be challenging, NAB maintained that the FCC should pursue a more balanced approach that spreads regulatory costs across a broader range of beneficiaries. The association said it remains willing to work with the commission and other stakeholders on reforms aimed at creating a fairer and more sustainable fee structure.
The comments were filed May 28 as part of the FCC's proceeding to establish regulatory fees for Fiscal Year 2026.
Hubbard Radio Rebrands as Hubbard 'Media That Connects'
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 2:18pm CT |
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Hubbard Radio is adopting a new corporate identity, rebranding as "Hubbard - Media That Connects" as the company broadens its focus beyond traditional radio into digital marketing and podcasting.
The announcement was made by CEO Ginny Hubbard during a companywide Town Hall meeting.
The new branding reflects the company's evolution from a single AM radio station launched in 1923 into a diversified media organization that now includes 50 radio stations in 12 markets, digital marketing agency 2060 Digital, and Gamut Podcast Network, which the company says ranks among the top 10 podcast networks in the U.S.
While radio remains a core part of the business, the company said the new identity better represents how consumers and advertisers engage with content across broadcast, streaming, podcasting, digital platforms, and on-demand media.
"With today's announcement we acknowledge the deliberate but gradual evolution of how we fulfill our mission of connecting with communities and helping advertisers grow their businesses," Hubbard said. "For over 100 years now we have connected with local audiences to make the communities we serve and their businesses stronger."
According to the company, its combined operations reach more than 12.5 million consumers each week through its three primary divisions: Hubbard Radio, 2060 Digital, and Gamut Podcast Network.
Hubbard emphasized that the rebranding is not intended to elevate one business segment over another, but rather to reflect a platform-agnostic approach focused on audiences and advertisers.
"We are not radio, podcast or digital first," she said. "At Hubbard we are listener and customer first regardless of how they engage with our content or which medium or platform best meets the needs of our clients."
The company said its mission remains centered on connecting audiences with content and advertisers through a mix of local programming, news, entertainment, marketing services, and digital advertising solutions.
Stacie Bolster Named GSM for JVC Panama City
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 2:30pm CT |
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JVC Broadcasting has named Stacie Bolster as General Sales Manager for its Panama City, FL radio cluster.
Bolster joins the company with decades of experience in broadcast advertising, sales leadership, client development, and revenue growth. JVC said her extensive knowledge of the Panama City market and longstanding relationships within the local business community will help drive the cluster's continued growth.
In her new role, Bolster will oversee all sales operations for the Panama City stations, with responsibilities that include expanding market share, developing strategic partnerships, and strengthening the company's sales organization. She will also focus on recruiting and mentoring new media sales professionals as JVC expands its presence across Northwest Florida.
"Stacie is one of the most respected sales leaders in our market," said John Griffo, Market Manager for JVC Broadcasting's Fort Walton Beach and Panama City clusters. "Her knowledge of Panama City, her relationships throughout the community, and her passion for helping local businesses grow make her a tremendous asset to our company."
Griffo added that Bolster's commitment to a local, radio-focused sales culture and her dedication to developing future sales talent were key factors in her selection.
Bolster said she was eager to join a company that shares her commitment to local broadcasting and community involvement.
"I am honored to join JVC Broadcasting and excited for the opportunity to lead the sales efforts in Panama City," she said. "JVC has built an outstanding reputation for local programming, community involvement, and delivering results for advertisers."
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Worldwide News Network Launches with NewsCloud
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 2:12pm CT |
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Red Apple Audio Networks has launched its new Worldwide News Network (WWNN), utilizing the NewsCloud newsroom platform developed by Radio.Cloud. The network officially debuted on May 23, with executives citing NewsCloud's cloud-based architecture and rapid deployment capabilities as key factors in the launch.
"Given our very aggressive deployment timeline, NewsCloud was the best choice for launching the Worldwide News Network," said Lee Harris, Vice President of News for WWNN and WABC Radio. Harris said the platform has been heavily customized for the operation and will allow the network to provide a level of affiliate service not previously available from a news network.
NewsCloud is designed to streamline newsroom workflows by integrating news gathering, production, management, and distribution tools into a single platform. The system supports live newscast distribution through its NewsCloud Player and connects multiple news sources through its editorial interface.
Radio.Cloud CEO and Founder Christian Brenner said the WWNN launch marks the North American debut of the NewsCloud platform. While the company has long provided cloud-based radio automation to stations across the United States, Brenner said NewsCloud consolidates newsroom operations that traditionally required multiple separate systems.
Worldwide News Network is the latest venture from Red Apple Audio Networks and is designed to provide 24-hour news coverage to affiliate stations. The service distributes fact-based news reports at the top and bottom of each hour for radio stations in the United States and internationally.
Chad Lopez, President of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio, said the network required a next-generation newsroom system capable of operating from anywhere news is happening. He added that NewsCloud enabled the network to launch quickly while providing a high degree of customization for affiliate stations.
Brenner noted that NewsCloud is already being used by three national radio networks in Germany and Austria, where it has helped expand affiliate relationships and improve operational efficiency through localized news production capabilities.
AI Search Shift Elevates Importance of Branding
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 3:37pm CT |
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The rise of Google's AI-powered search results is reducing both organic and paid search traffic, making brand building more important than ever for advertisers, according to a new analysis from Cumulus Media | Westwood One's Audio Active Group.
In a new blog post, Pierre Bouvard, Chief Insights Officer for Cumulus Media and Westwood One, examines how Google's AI Overviews are reshaping online search behavior and argues that businesses can no longer rely solely on search marketing to generate customers.
The report cites industry research showing that branded searches are outperforming generic searches in AI-driven environments. Studies referenced in the blog found that branded queries associated with AI Overviews experienced increased click-through rates, while generic searches saw significant declines. Brands mentioned within AI-generated results also received more organic and paid clicks than those that were not cited.
The analysis points to comments from marketing executives and media leaders who report declining search traffic and rising costs to maintain visibility. Among them is Conde Nast CEO Roger Lynch, who said his company has begun planning its businesses under the assumption that search traffic will become only a small percentage of overall audience acquisition.
According to the report, AI search tools are transforming search engines from gateways that direct users to websites into destinations that provide answers directly, reducing the need for consumers to click through to publishers, retailers, and service providers.
Bouvard argues that the shift makes brand recognition and consumer trust increasingly valuable. The report highlights Steve's Pest Control in Columbia, MO, as an example of long-term brand building through AM/FM radio advertising. The company, which began with a single truck more than three decades ago, has grown into a market leader and achieved unaided brand awareness of 34% in local consumer research commissioned by the Audio Active Group.
The blog also notes that local awareness studies conducted across multiple U.S. markets found that "don't know" was often the leading response when consumers were asked to name businesses in categories such as roofing, plumbing, and chiropractic services, suggesting substantial opportunities for advertisers willing to invest in brand awareness.
The report concludes that as AI increasingly handles information gathering and purchasing decisions, upper-funnel marketing designed to create brand memories will become more critical. Citing marketing researchers and advertising executives, Bouvard contends that businesses must focus on becoming known and trusted before consumers need their products or services.
"The brand that's remembered is the brand that is bought," the report states, emphasizing that advertising's primary role is to create lasting memories that influence future purchasing decisions.
Read the entire blog post here.
Lonestar Closes on VilleCom Station Acquisition
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 11:41am CT |
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Lonestar Broadcasting Group, LLC has completed its acquisition of the broadcast assets of VilleCom, LLC, adding four stations and two FM translators serving the Stephenville-Comanche in central Texas. The transaction includes AM stations KCOM and KSTV, FM stations KYOX and KSTV-FM, along with two FM translators.
Lonestar Broadcasting Group is led by husband-and-wife team Kenneth and Heidi Witt, who enter the transaction without any other broadcast holdings. Country KSTV-FM (The Mighty 93) relaunched as "Cowboy 93." Kenneth Witt will also host mornings from 7-9am weekdays.
With the sale now complete, longtime VilleCom owners Bob Haschke and Robert "Boots" Elliot will step away from station ownership. Both will remain involved with the stations in reduced roles as they transition into retirement from broadcast ownership.
Eddie Esserman of Media Service Group served as the exclusive broker representing VilleCom in the transaction.
35th Annual Radio Mercury Awards Set for June 3
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 11:44am CT |
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The 35th annual Radio Mercury Awards will take place at 7pm ET on June 3 at SONY Hall in New York City, will be streamed live from the event on both the Radio Mercury Awards website and RAB website. The livestream, sponsored by Hubbard Radio, will be found on the home pages of each site. The show's digital program will also be available on both websites.
For more information on how to access the 35th annual Radio Mercury Awards event, follow the Radio Mercury Awards social media pages.
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BPM Launches Maryland History Podcast Series
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 3:18pm CT |
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Baltimore Public Media will launch a new limited-series podcast, "Maryland Unfolded," on June 4, exploring lesser-known stories from the state's history as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Produced by journalist, historian, and Baltimore Public Media Senior Podcast Producer Mark Gunnery, the series will release new episodes on the first and third Thursdays of each month through 2026.
The podcast will feature a rotating lineup of hosts and guests, including Sheilah Kast, Marc Steiner, D. Watkins, Kalima Young, Ashley Miner Jones, and Gabe Ortis, along with journalists, historians, educators, and community leaders from across Maryland.
The series will examine a wide range of topics, including Indigenous life before colonization, Black soldiers who fought on both sides of the American Revolution, political conflicts between Annapolis and Baltimore, labor organizing, immigrant communities, civil rights activism, Baltimore club music, and Maryland's historic "Oyster Wars."
Additional episodes will explore political violence leading up to the Civil War, the role of Black ship-caulkers in Fells Point, the state's religious history, the origins of rye whiskey, and the cultural and culinary influences that helped shape Maryland and the nation.
Gunnery said the podcast was designed to highlight the complexity and diversity of Maryland's history through multiple perspectives.
"Maryland's history is so much more complex, strange, and interconnected than many people realize," he said. "And there isn't just one story of Maryland or one way to talk about its history."
The first season will also spotlight the legacies of former Maryland Poet Laureate Lucille Clifton and legendary jazz drummer and bandleader Chick Webb.
Craig N. Swagler, President and CEO of Baltimore Public Media, said the series offers an opportunity to connect Maryland's historical narratives with present-day issues and communities.
"Maryland has an incredibly rich and complicated history, and there is no single story that defines it," Swagler said.
"Maryland Unfolded" will be available through WYPR's website and app, as well as major podcast platforms.
FCC Warns Broadcasters on Public Interest Duties
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, May 29, 2026 | 3:29pm CT |
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The Federal Communications Commission has issued a forceful reminder to radio and television broadcasters that their licenses are conditioned on serving the public interest, warning that the agency is prepared to take enforcement action against stations that fail to meet those obligations.
In a seven-page Public Notice released May 28, the FCC emphasized that broadcasters are "public trustees" of the nation's airwaves and that holding a broadcast license is a privilege granted in exchange for operating in the "public interest, convenience, and necessity." The Commission said broadcasters should review their operations to ensure compliance with longstanding statutory requirements.
The notice, released under DA 26-530, reiterates that broadcast spectrum is a limited public resource and distinguishes broadcasters from other media platforms because they receive free access to federally licensed spectrum. In return, the FCC said, stations are required to serve the needs and interests of their local communities.
"Programming decisions by broadcasters must be made in service of the public and be responsive to the needs of the local community they are licensed to serve, not the private interests of national networks," the Commission wrote.
The FCC stressed that despite the elimination of regulatory requirements such as the main studio rule, program origination rule and ascertainment requirements, broadcasters' public interest obligations remain unchanged. The agency also reaffirmed its role in evaluating whether stations are fulfilling those responsibilities.
Among the obligations highlighted in the notice are maintaining accurate quarterly Issues/Programs Lists in stations' online public inspection files, providing equal opportunities to political candidates, avoiding news distortion, and complying with rules governing obscene, indecent, profane and hoax broadcasts. The FCC described Issues/Programs Lists as a "significant and representative indication" that a station is addressing the needs and interests of its community.
The Commission also said it will continue reviewing broadcast ownership structures with an eye toward promoting competition, localism and viewpoint diversity. Applications involving license renewals, assignments and transfers will remain subject to public interest review.
The notice outlines several actions the FCC may take if it determines a broadcaster has failed to serve the public interest, including enforcement measures, conditional or short-term license renewals, requiring early renewal filings, or designating applications for hearing. The agency cited past cases involving Entercom's KDND-FM in Sacramento and WJEH-AM in Gallipolis, OH, as examples of public interest reviews.
The Public Notice concludes with a warning that the Commission "will not hesitate" to use its statutory authority to ensure broadcasters meet their public interest obligations or relinquish the privilege of holding a broadcast license to those who will.
Texas Radio Hall of Fame Opens 2026 Nominations
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, June 1, 2026 | 0:01am CT |
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The Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) will open nominations for its 2026 induction class at noon on June 1, with voting members able to submit candidates through June 30 at the organization's website.
The nomination process marks the first phase in selecting the next class of inductees. Eligible candidates may be nominated by TRHOF voting members in good standing, a status that is open not only to broadcasters but also to fans, friends and family members of the industry.
Doug Harris, a 2011 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductee who now serves as the organization's Executive Director, said the Hall will introduce a new recognition category for the 2026 class.
"During our 2025 nominations period, the TRHOF's Executive Board added a new category of recognition, the Lone Star Legacies, to accommodate worthy nominees who are deceased," Harris said. "For the 2026 season, we are introducing the 'Small Markets/Big Voices' category to salute those broadcast professionals who have built their careers serving listeners in small and medium size markets."
After nominations close, candidates will be reviewed by the TRHOF Review Committee, which is made up of former inductees. Committee members independently evaluate nominees and select up to 50 candidates to advance to the final ballot.
Voting members then determine the 20 individuals who will be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
The 2026 Induction Ceremony and Radio Reunion Weekend is scheduled for November 7-8 at the Texas Broadcast Museum in Kilgore, Texas. Event details, schedules and information on becoming a voting member are available through the Texas Radio Hall of Fame website.
Individuals interested in participating in this year's selection process may still join the organization and vote in the 2026 election cycle.
NAB Announces 2026 Radio Board Election Results
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, May 29, 2026 | 1:59pm CT |
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The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced the results of its 2026 Radio Board of Directors elections, with the newly elected members set to begin two-year terms in June, 2026.
Among those elected to represent their districts are Molly Draper Russell of Draper Radio (District 4 - Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia), Chris Forgy of Saga Communications (District 6 - North and South Carolina), Ashley Tullos Fortenberry of TeleSouth Communications (District 8 - Louisiana and Mississippi), and J Chapman of Woof Boom (District 10 - Indiana).
Also elected were John Zimmer of Zimmer Communications (District 12 - Kansas and Missouri), Jeanna Berg of iHeartMedia (District 14 - Iowa and Wisconsin), Kelli Turner of Audacy (District 16 - Colorado and Nebraska), and Erik Hellum of Townsquare Media (District 18 - Southern Texas).
Completing the list of elected directors are Ron Davis of Butte Broadcasting (District 20 - Idaho, Montana and Wyoming), Tim Swift of Bonneville International (District 22 - Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah), and Jeff Warshaw of Connoisseur Media (District 24 - Southern California, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands).
NAB also announced several appointments to fill board seats. Mary Menna of Beasley Media Group was appointed to represent District 2 (New York and New Jersey), while Heston Wright of Wright Media was appointed to the District 19 seat covering Oklahoma and Northern Texas. Wright succeeds Will Payne of Payne Media Group.
In addition, Erik Hellum, who previously represented District 12, was elected to the District 18 seat representing Southern Texas.
Three new members were also appointed to designated seats on the Radio Board: Melody Spann Cooper of Midway Broadcasting Corp., Bill Wilson of Townsquare Media and Javier Maynulet of Univision Radio.
The NAB Board of Directors provides strategic guidance and oversight for the association and represents broadcasters from television and radio stations across the U.S.
House Panel Advances AM Radio Vehicle Bill
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, May 29, 2026 | 2:00pm CT |
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A key congressional committee has advanced the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, moving the bipartisan legislation one step closer to becoming law.
In a recent post on the NAB Blog, Carrie Healey, Vice President of Communications for the National Association of Broadcasters, said the House Energy and Commerce Committee included the legislation in its surface transportation package last week.
The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act would require automakers to maintain AM radio access in new vehicles. It would also mandate consumer disclosures if AM radio is not included in a vehicle and direct the federal government to study whether alternative technologies can match AM radio's role in emergency communications and public safety.
Healey noted that AM radio continues to play a critical role during emergencies, including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and other disasters when other communication systems may fail. The blog also highlighted AM radio's importance to rural communities through local news, agriculture programming, and diverse content offerings.
According to the NAB, the legislation has received broad bipartisan support from lawmakers as well as backing from public safety, consumer, and community organizations.
During committee discussions on the bill, several members of Congress spoke in support of AM radio's value as a trusted source of local information and emergency alerts.
The NAB is urging Congress to approve the legislation and has encouraged supporters to contact lawmakers through its advocacy campaign.
Read the entire blog post here.
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