We’re pleased to begin a new spotlight series featuring the hardworking engineers at our stations. To nominate an engineer for a spotlight, please email Alisha Clack at [email protected] Dave Grant CPBE, Chief Engineer, Cumulus Media, Grand Rapids. Approaching 4 years, but this is his second time working for WLAV; was the CE for WLAV-AM/FN from 1986… read more
Former Michigan Democratic Speaker of the House Curtis Hertel Sr. passed away Sunday, March 27 at age 63. Hertel Sr. was first elected to the Michigan House in 1980 and served his Detroit district until 1998. In 1993 and 1994, he was co-speaker with Republican Paul Hillegonds and sole speaker in 1997 and 1998. Hertel… read more
State Representative Martin Howrylak (R-41) introduced HB 5488, legislation to establish an Open Government Commission within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights (MDCR). Howrylak’s bill would establish the Commission to receive and investigate citizen complaints regarding responses to request for information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Commission may refer complaints to the… read more
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a public warning improvement bill — the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Modernization Act. The legislation, S. 1180, introduced by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Senator Claire McCaskill, (D-MO), integrates multiple communication systems like EAS and wireless alerts, promotes local and regional… read more
According to a report by Broadcasting & Cable, senators from both parties sent a letter to the FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler expressing their concern with the FCC’s unwinding of grandfathered Joint Sales Agreements (JSAs) as part of license transfers. The senators, including Democrats Chuck Schumer (NY) and Barbara Mikulski (MD) and Republican Cory Gardner (CO),… read more
Register today to showcase your station or school program at the MABF’s premiere, most-attended annual Career Fair. The Career Fair will be held on Tuesday, May 3 in conjunction with the Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference and Expo in Lansing. Stations may receive EEO credits for participating and promoting the event. Attendees will be recent graduates… read more
Legislation establishing “protection for freedom of expression for student journalists in public schools and institutions of higher education” unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with immediate effect. Committee chair and bill sponsor of Senate Bill 848 (The Student Free Press and Civics Readiness Act) Senator Rick Jones (R-24), called the bill a “victory for free… read more
By: Seth Resler, Jacobs Media Strategies A website “bounce” happens when somebody comes to your station’s site and then leaves without navigating to another page on your site. Like radio tune-outs, bounces can happen for any number of reasons: people may have gotten what they needed from the webpage, they may not like what they… read more
On March 22, WDIV-TV’s “Help Me Hank” consumer unit hosted a phone bank offering viewers free tax advice. The Michigan Association of CPAs (MICPA) provided a team of experts to answer viewer questions. According to the station, the MICPA has been around since 1901. It has more than 17,500 members and is considered the leading statewide… read more
Michigan Public Radio Network (MPRN) State Capitol Reporter Jake Neher has joined public radio station WDET-FM (Detroit). In his new postion, Neher will serve as producer for WDET’s daily talk show Detroit Today with Stephen Henderson. In addition, he will be doing feature reporting and working on special projects. Neher told MAB/MAPB “It has been a privilege to cover… read more