By: David Oxenford, Wilkinson Barker Knauer LLP With more and more states, municipalities, and other authorities issuing shelter-in-place warnings or other restrictions on travel, and with more station facilities likely to be closed temporarily because of exposure to the COVID-19 virus, broadcasters need to be planning on how to continue to operate their facilities in the… read more
On March 23, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a Stay-At-Home order for our state due to the coronavirus emergency. The Stay-At-Home order does not affect those deemed “critical infrastructure workers,” who may continue working – and that includes “communications and information technology” – under which is listed news media. Many stations having non-essential employees work… read more
In response to the current COVID-19 emergency, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer today (3/23) issued Executive Order #2020-21, which orders a temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. This order takes effect on March 24, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. The… read more
Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters (MAPB) television stations are offering up their 24-hour PBS KIDS channels and have special tips for parents about how to keep children learning while schools are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fun and educational K-12 content is offered on-air and on-line for through local Public Television stations. Programs are… read more
Radio and television stations in Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor and Lansing were named the best in the state in the annual Michigan Associated Press Media Editors broadcast competition. General Excellence awards for 2019 went to WLNS-TV, Lansing, Michigan Radio in Ann Arbor and WGVU-FM in Grand Rapids. The Detroit Free Press won the First Amendment… read more
Entercom Detroit’s WOMC-FM has announced that Jim “JJ” Johnson has been named morning show co-host. Johnson returns to his morning show roots where he will join JoAnne Purtan as co-host of “JJ and JoAnne,” weekdays from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Johnson will also continue serving as the station’s midday show host, weekdays from 10:00… read more
At the request of MAB’s Dan Kelley, the State of Michigan will not be airing a specially-scripted “Severe Weather Awareness Week” EAS RMT on Wednesday, March 25. This is due to the continuing COVID-19 emergency. It was felt that the language may alarm an already stressed public. In years past, broadcasters participated in a statewide… read more
On March 19, the MAB distributed letters to stations from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber-Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The letters are a precaution with the current COVID-19 emergency and grants broadcasters access to studio and transmitter facilities in the event of a shelter-in-place order or road closures. One letter addresses access, the… read more
By: Seth Resler Jacobs Media Strategies As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt businesses around the world, radio companies large and small are preparing to deal with local outbreaks. Some are better positioned than others to allow their staffs to work remotely. Fortunately, there’s a lot of software that makes it easy for employees to… read more
By: Karole L. White President/CEO Dear Michigan Broadcasters: What a time for our industry to shine. Thank you for the terrific job you are doing to make this terrible situation better for the Michigan public through your local coverage of the coronavirus. The MAB has a Michigan specific webpage on coronavirus for members. It has… read more