COVID-19
WOOD-TV Hosts Town Hall with Governor Whitmer
On March 26, Nexstar’s WOOD-TV (Grand Rapids) held the first of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s virtual Town Hall meetings, answering citizens’ questions from email, video calls and phone about how the state is responding to the COVID-19 situation. The Governor was joined by Dr. Norm Beauchamp, the executive vice president for Health Sciences at Michigan State…
Read MoreMichigan Broadcasters Come Together for Second Town Hall Meeting
On April 2, television and radio broadcasters from throughout Michigan joined a coalition of Detroit television stations to present Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a Town Hall meeting on the COVID-19 situation in the state. Carolyn Clifford of WXYZ-TV, Huel Perkins of WJBK-TV and Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV served as hosts from their respective studios…
Read MoreWLUC-TV’s Rick Rhodes Stays ‘Yooper Strong’
On March 30, WLUC-TV (Marquette) General Manager Rick Rhodes took to the air to deliver a message to his station’s audience in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula: “Keep being Yooper Strong.” The message came toward the end of a message that emphasized safety and the need to take seriously the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order by the…
Read MorePai Thanks Broadcasters for Education Efforts
From the NAB: On March 16, NAB, network representatives and station groups had a telephone conference with FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and members of his staff regarding broadcasters’ response to the coronavirus outbreak. Chairman Pai thanked broadcasters for their efforts to keep viewers and listeners informed during this rapidly evolving crisis. The chairman specifically thanked NAB…
Read MoreAward-Winning College Radio Talk Show Connects At-Home Students with MSU Scientists
The Sci-Files, recently recognized as the No. 1 college radio talk show by the MAB Foundation’s 2020 Michigan Student Broadcast Awards, offered students who are now learning at home the chance to connect with scientists researching at Michigan State University. Students had the opportunity to virtually meet Michigan State University scientists from the award-winning specialty…
Read MoreCongress Passes Stimulus Bill that Includes Relief for Broadcasters
From the NAB: March 27, 2020 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a $2 trillion stimulus package, which among other things provides substantial funding for business-oriented economic relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic. I am pleased the final legislation includes provisions NAB strongly advocated for on behalf of broadcasters to ensure your ability…
Read MoreFrom the President/CEO…
Dear MAB Members, Like many of you we are working with a very small staff as requested in the Stay at Home/Stay Safe Order by the Governor. There is one, or sometimes two of us, in the office to answer phones and help our members who must stay on the air. Here is what we…
Read MoreWDIV Survives in-house Coronavirus Scare
Tell us how your station is dealing with COVID-19. What are your plans with your staff, with social distancing and work from home? Let us know at dkelley@michmab.com. Graham Media’s WDIV-TV (Detroit) already had 80% of its staff working from home as of this past Monday (3/23). But that number quickly grew to 90% late…
Read MoreWhat The $2 Trillion Coronavirus Relief Bill Means For Broadcasters
Note: As of 5 p.m. Thursday (3/26), the $2 trillion coronavirus bill that passed the Senate late Wednesday night still needs to be approved by the House and signed by the president. The massive, $2 trillion coronavirus relief package contains a number of provisions designed to help the broadcasting and entertainment workforce, including workers with…
Read MoreCPB Gets $75 Million in Emergency Funds
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting gets $75 million in emergency funds in the $2 trillion coronavirus bill that passed the Senate late Wednesday night but still needs to be approved by the House and signed by the president. The money is to keep up facilities of noncommercial TV and radio stations and to help stations,…
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