June is the month of graduations and weddings. And that's what I've been up to for the past four weeks; going to weddings and graduation parties. They have all been fun but I finally had a weekend to do what I want. It hasn't allowed a whole lot of time for posting outside of the KWMU story. I have been in six states in the past 23 days and it is good to be home.
Life is good again. I have completed most of the project dumped on me by my boss and have earned management's gratitude.
As I write this the rain has stopped. I am sitting out on my patio working wirelessly on an 80 degree day with the sun shining while I barbecue chicken. It's good to be home.
June 22, 2008
More on KWMU
KWMU has stabilized and employees at the St. Louis NPR affiliate have settled in under interim manager Mike Dunn. Dunn went on the "Saint Louis on the Air" program a little over a week ago and handled listeners calls for an hour outlining his view of the station's role. If you wish to hear the entire program and see his statement to listeners and supporters you can go the station's web page.
There are reports too the station will soon start an evening local news magazine. Already, management has done away with the 7:04 p.m. newscast after the highly rated "All Things Considered".
In the meantime, the amount of interest in this story and hits on this blog have been much more than I would have anticipated. Good journalism precludes reporting on one's self but in this case I am going to make an exception. So, please indulge me.
This blog has had more hits on this story than anything else I've posted in the last three years. Hits have come repeatedly from the West Coast, East Coast and all over the nation and the readers are returning for more information. So, thank you for taking the time to check in here.
There are reports too the station will soon start an evening local news magazine. Already, management has done away with the 7:04 p.m. newscast after the highly rated "All Things Considered".
In the meantime, the amount of interest in this story and hits on this blog have been much more than I would have anticipated. Good journalism precludes reporting on one's self but in this case I am going to make an exception. So, please indulge me.
This blog has had more hits on this story than anything else I've posted in the last three years. Hits have come repeatedly from the West Coast, East Coast and all over the nation and the readers are returning for more information. So, thank you for taking the time to check in here.
June 11, 2008
Fallout at KWMU
Meteorologist Dave Murray is one of the first casualties of the management change at KWMU. Murray had been delivering drive time forecasts for the station since long time meteorologist Ben Abell retired last fall.
Reportedly, critics of Murray did not believe his employment at the local Fox TV affiliate, fit with KWMU's affiliation with NPR.
Reportedly, critics of Murray did not believe his employment at the local Fox TV affiliate, fit with KWMU's affiliation with NPR.
June 03, 2008
Wente Terminated at KWMU
KWMU Radio General Manager Patty Wente was relieved of her management responsibilities on Monday afternoon. The Chancellor of the University of Missouri St. Louis, Tom George,informed the staff of the decision about five o'clock and was accompanied to the station by two university attorney's where he met with employees.
In the meantime, the station reportedly will continue to function as usual until a permanent GM can be hired. George told employees the General Manager at sister station KBIA in Columbia, Mike Dunn, will take the job in an interim role. KBIA plays predominantly classical music, but he is not expected to change the all news/talk format that has been successful at KWMU.
Wente apparently is not yet willing to talk to reporters about the development.
If you would like to read the UMSL media release you can see it by clicking here.
The St. Louis print media played the story as you would have expected. The Riverfront Times which broke the story of the original investigation, splashed the development on it's web site and made reference to it's initial story in saying Wente had been "fired". (The link is below this in my original post).
The St. Louis-Post Dispatch buried the story in it's entertainment section. The logic for this probably being the Post didn't want to admit the weekly "Alternative" newspaper kicked it's butt journalistically with the original feature. And the St. Louis TV stations were out in the cold until they saw it in print.
In the meantime, the station reportedly will continue to function as usual until a permanent GM can be hired. George told employees the General Manager at sister station KBIA in Columbia, Mike Dunn, will take the job in an interim role. KBIA plays predominantly classical music, but he is not expected to change the all news/talk format that has been successful at KWMU.
Wente apparently is not yet willing to talk to reporters about the development.
If you would like to read the UMSL media release you can see it by clicking here.
The St. Louis print media played the story as you would have expected. The Riverfront Times which broke the story of the original investigation, splashed the development on it's web site and made reference to it's initial story in saying Wente had been "fired". (The link is below this in my original post).
The St. Louis-Post Dispatch buried the story in it's entertainment section. The logic for this probably being the Post didn't want to admit the weekly "Alternative" newspaper kicked it's butt journalistically with the original feature. And the St. Louis TV stations were out in the cold until they saw it in print.
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