MEDIAware

MEDIAware April 2013 Media Briefs

You can follow all of the latest media moves and news from PR Newswire's Audience Research Department on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/PRNmedia. Also, check out the "Blog & Web Notes" section after the Briefs in this section.

Facebook (https://www.facebook.com) is upgrading its "News Feed" with an emphasis on graphics, photos and videos to provide more appealing content with a news type of page that they hope will attract more advertisers. This updated News Feed design will be the same for mobile users. At the end of 2012 mobile Facebook users surpassed desktop users for the first time in history.

Dos and Don'ts: Arbitron (a ratings Industry leader) has put together their social media commandments and sent it out to radio stations to help keep them out of the way of respondents that the company uses. One of the "Dos" includes reminding staff that on air commentary guidelines should be the same as social ones. And one of the major "Don'ts"states: Don't discuss ratings on social media sites, Don't offer anything to Arbitron panelists! You can read the whole tablet of their commandments here: http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/social_media_dos_donts.pdf

iHeartRadio is adding local news, weather and traffic to its options. The service is now offering options to its broadcasts that allow listeners to opt in for news in their area/region, weather forecasts and the latest traffic bogs in their area too. It keys the local info via the settings in the user's accounts. It currently works on Android and iPhone, but will be adding more soon.

The Washington Examiner (http://washingtonexaminer.com) is ceasing daily print operations and will be laying off 30 employees in mid-June when the print newspaper will be done. The new plan for this outlet is to create a weekly print magazine and to make its website the place to get daily news.
 
There’s a new travel magazine in town. Wait, there's a new health magazine in town. Healthy Travel magazine combines health and travel with articles focusing on how to stay fit while traveling, what to eat when abroad and other topics such as nutrition, fitness, culinary arts and family travel spots. The magazine is printed as part of Atlanta Home & Lifestyles (http://www.twitter.com/atlantahomesmag) magazine. The magazine is currently scheduled to publish four issues this year. The Editor of the new publication is Alison Lewis. She can be contacted at alison@healthytravelmag.com or follow the magazine on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/healthytravmag.

WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach, S.C. is now part of the Sinclair Broadcast Group. The station was purchased along with 17 other stations owned by Barrington Broadcasting Group. Sinclair has formed a separate group, Chesapeake TV, to include it and some other small market stations in its line-up. Steven Pruett is the COO of the new subsidiary.

After nearly five years without a news department, WKPT-TV in Kingsport, TN is creating one. The endeavor has cost approximately $250,000 for new equipment and more staff. The station now airs its own newscasts at 6pm and 11pm. The two people most responsible for this development are Jim Bailey, Director of News and Public Affairs and General Manager George DeVault. WKPT-TV broadcasts over Northeast Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia.

Fox Television has added two stations to its stable. The network is purchasing WMYT-TV and WJZY-TV in Charlotte, N.C. They are purchasing it from Capitol Broadcasting. The deal is still pending FCC approval but Fox has already named its new General Manager for the stations. Karen Adams, previously GM of WGHP-TV in the Greensboro/High Point, N.C. market, has been chosen to lead the two stations. Adams has also been a VP of Programming and a camera operator.

Jordan Harman is the new VP of Program Development for County Music Television (CMT). Harman (http://www.twitter.com/JordanHarman1) arrives from Leopard Films USA, where he was also a VP. CMT can be followed on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/CMTshows. Its website is http://www.cmt.com/shows/.

WTVD-TV Meteorologist Don Schwenneker made good on a promise to shave his head on the air if the station was able to get more than 250 bone marrow donor sign-ups. The Durham, N.C. station teamed up with "Be the Match" to coordinate the successful drive and ended with a grand total of 275 donors. Follow the station on Twitter at http://twitter.com/abc11_wtvd or read the full story with photos at:
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/entertainment&id=9033133

Publisher of the Beloit Daily News Kent Eymann has been elected President of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association during the 159th annual convention.

A new weekend lifestyle and home show is set to air on WGN-AM (http://www.twitter.com/WGNRadioNews) called Let's Be Frank. You may hear host Frank Fontana ( http://www.twitter.com/FrankFontana) on Sundays at noon, CST.

The print version of Time Out Chicago (http://www.twitter.com/timeoutchicago) has ceased publication. The lifestyle magazine will continue publishing in an online-only format.

Milt Rosenberg will host an independent podcast featuring interviews with prominent authors, scholars, artists and political figures. Executive Producer Zack Christenson, who served as his Extension 720 Producer will join Rosenberg assuming the same role. For additional information go to http://www.miltrosenberg.com.

KUSA-TV, KARE-TV, & WBNS-TV win the 2013 Walter Cronkite Awards for Excellence in Television Political Journalism. Read more here: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/kare-wbns-kusa-win-cronkite-awards_b83092

Joy Behar of The View (http://theview.abc.go.com/) has five more months to enjoy being part of the cast as she says farewell to her Co-Hosts; she was among the first co-hosts when the series debuted. Behar has co-hosted the show for 16 seasons.

The publication Visions has been renamed Capital Magazine (http://acchamber.org/MediaCenter/visions.aspx). Capital Magazine is part of The Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber. The magazine provides tools and advice to its members that will help promote success within their business.

Gray Television and CBS Television is to launch KNPL-TV as a CBS affiliate in North Platte, NE. Read more regarding the agreement here: http://www.cbscorporation.com/news-article.php?id=946

Peter King is a talented award-winning journalist, author, and household name for die-hard NFL fans all over the country. He joined Sports Illustrated in 1989 as a Staff Writer, recently celebrating his 20th anniversary with the magazine. King presently heads up the “Monday Morning Quarterback” column, a popular read for NFL insiders and fans. This month Sports Illustrated announced plans to not only extend his contract for three more years, but also unveiled a spinoff football-centric website. Though the site still remains nameless, it is set to debut this upcoming summer and King will serve as its Editor. Alongside the contract extension and new role, King will also be one of the highest paid journalists at Time Inc.

Two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Anthony Lewis sadly passed away this month. According to an article published by ABC, “He won his first Pulitzer Prize at the age of 28 for a series of articles in the Washington Daily News that were judged responsible for clearing a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy from McCarthy-era allegations that he was a security risk.”  Lewis also served as an advocate for various liberal causes, dedicating his New York Times column to topics such as free speech and human rights. After a 32 year tenure with The Times Lewis penned his last column on December 15, 2001.
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/national_world&id=9041411

Earlier this year Nick Lemann announced he would be stepping down as Dean of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. This month Columbia President Lee Bollinger sent out a press release naming Steve Coll as Lemann’s replacement, effective July 1, 2013. Coll is the former Managing Editor of the Washington Post and currently serves as a Contributor for The New Yorker.
http://www.poynter.org/latest-news/mediawire/207542/steve-coll-named-new-dean-of-columbia-journalism-school/

Proof that one can write at any age: Turn4RacingNews.Com (https://twitter.com/Turn4RacingNews) was started by 15-year-old aspiring journalist Jason Schultz (https://twitter.com/Nascar_Jason_). Contributing to the blog is 17-year-old Alanis King (https://twitter.com/alanis102495) who hopes to be a NASCAR TV reporter for the SPEED Channel. The site offers NASCAR news, race recaps and previews, interviews and more; the young writers can be reached at turn4racingnews@gmail.com.

Reporter David Catanese (https://twitter.com/DaveCatanese) recently opened up http://TheRun2016.com/ in preparation for the 2016 Presidential race. It highlights the primary candidates for the 2016 race and the current moves that are being made by said candidates. Catanese is a Political Reporter based in Washington D.C. who previously worked at POLITICO and NBC television affiliates. He can be reached at dave@therun2016.com.

NBC affiliate KTUU-TV (https://twitter.com/Ch2KTUU) in Anchorage, AK is building a new studio in downtown Anchorage after 60 years as a station. “This is a major milestone for Channel 2,” President and General Manager Andy MacLeod said in a statement. “As we celebrate our 60th Anniversary this year, there is no better time to look toward the future. This 40,000-square-foot facility is an investment in Alaska, and it will give us the unparalleled ability to grow and develop content across all media platforms long into the future.” The facility will be only about a block and a half away from the station’s current studio and newsroom.http://articles.ktuu.com/2013-03-25/southeast-alaska-nbc-affiliates_38018725

Washington State University has announced plans to name a building at The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication after former KOMO anchor Kathi Goertzen, who died last year from complications of brain tumors. Goertzen graduated from WSU in 1980 and joined KOMO later that year. The building will be known as the Kathi Goertzen Communication Addition and will become home to Murrow College’s nightly newscast, which Goertzen worked for while she was a student. “We recognize the unique perseverance, hard work and dedication that Kathi demonstrated throughout her professional career and in her personal life,” WSU president Elson S. Floyd said in a statement. “Kathi will forever be remembered as the truest of Cougs whose life is an inspiration to WSU’s alumni, friends and students for years to come.” http://www.komonews.com/news/local/WSU-to-name-building-in-honor-of-Kathi-Goertzen-199577941.html

The Orange County Register is adding a Washington, DC bureau which will be led by Cathy Taylor who is returning to the paper. Contact Taylor via email at ctaylor@ocregister.com.

Entertainment publication Variety stops publishing daily and will now publish weekly on Tuesdays. The long standing celebrity publication has also decided to drop its website paywall.

Bodybuilding legend and publisher Joe Weider has passed away at age 93. Weider was publisher of Muscle & Fitness, Flex and Shape magazines. Weider also introduced Arnold Schwarzenegger to the world as a young weightlifter and created the Mr. Olympia, Ms. Olympia, Fitness Olympia and Figure Olympia contests.

Former radio host John Farahi was sentenced to 10 years in prison for selling bogus securities on his radio show. Farahi was Host of Economy Today on KIRN-AM. http://blogs.laweekly.com/informer/2013/03/john_farahi_sentenced_investment_fraud.php

LGBT bi-weekly magazine Frontiers LA has filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy. Co-Editor Aaron Drake resigns just one day before the filing.

Due to a decline in advertising, The Boston Phoenix ceased publication. Founded in 1966, the paper was known for its incisive political coverage and keen awareness of culture and music. Six months ago the paper attempted to change its look to a magazine format however,  the advertising they desired didn’t manifest as they hoped. The Portland Phoenix (http://portland.thephoenix.com/) and The Providence Phoenix (http://providence.thephoenix.com/) which are both sister papers to The Boston Phoenix, will remain in publication.

Sales & mergers continue to headline the moves of rivals Telemundo and Univision. Telemundo has teamed up with Warner Music Latina, exposing Warner Music Latina to a broader audience and opens new marketing doors. Univision has sold KUKC-TV, WUMN-TV, WLZE, & WUVF to Media Vista Group. 

BLOG & WEB NOTES:

The Huffington Post (New York, NY) -- Executive Health Editor Alana Elias Kornfield (https://twitter.com/AlanaEKornfeld) is no longer at the online publication. Meanwhile, Anjali Sareen (https://twitter.com/AnjaliSareen) has joined as Front Page Editor and Harry Bradford (Harry.bradford@huffingtonpost.com) was promoted from Assistant to Associate Business Editor. (https://twitter.com/HuffingtonPost).

The Daily Beast (New York, NY) -- Jon Favreau, former Speech Writer for President Barak Obama, will be joining The Daily Beast (https://twitter.com/TheDailyBeast) as a a Columnist.

Buzzfeed (New York, NY) -- Reporter Peter Lauria (https://twitter.com/PeterLauria3) has been hired by BuzzFeed (https://twitter.com/BuzzFeed) to start its new business section.

ABCNews.com (New York, NY) -- The newest Health Editor at ABC News is Katie Moisse (katie.A.Moisse@abc.com); Eric Noe (eric.noe@abc.com) is now a Managing Editor (https://ABCNews.com); and Andrew Springer (https://twitter.com/AspringNY) has started as a Senior Editor and Social Media Manager. He can be reached at andrew.v.springer@abc.com.

New York Times (New York, NY) -- The New York Times (https://twitter.com/NYTimes) previewed its new website design this month. Here is a first look: http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/prototype/

The Daily Truffle (Internet) is a blog that includes trends & local news stories for Los Angeles residents. It is owned by LA native Caroline M. Roman (Caroline@dailytruffle.net) and can be found at https://www.TheDailyTruffle.com/.

Always A List (Internet) is run by "pop culture personality" Jawn Murray (https://twitter.com/JawnMurray) and features celebrity news. He can be reached at Jawn@AlwaysAlist.com and the blog url is https://AlwaysAList.com/.

ReadWrite.com (Internet) is losing Editor-in-Chief Dan Lyons (https://twitter.com/RealDanLyons) to marketing software company HubSpot (https://twitter.com/HubSpot).

MEDIAware March 2013 Media Briefs

You can follow all of the latest media moves and news from PR Newswire's Audience Research Department on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/PRNmedia. Also, check out the "Blog & Web Notes" section after the Briefs in this section.

Over the past few years Newsweek Global (https://twitter.com/Newsweek) has endured several foundational changes including a 50/50 partnership with The Daily Beast in 2008 and the groundbreaking announcement of plans to go digital late last year. With a new year and a new digital Newsweek and Daily Beast on the horizon Editor-in-Chief Tina Brown (https://twitter.com/TheTinaBeast) unveiled a new name -- NewsBeast.

Beginning in March, readers will notice one notable Editor missing from the Vogue (https://twitter.com/voguemagazine) masthead. Managing Editor Laurie Jones announced that February 28th would be her last day with the mag. Before beginning her iconic tenure with Vogue, Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour was hired by Laurie Jones at New York Magazine. Later Wintour brought Jones over to Vogue where she would become Managing Editor.

The International Herald Tribune, the New York Times Company's 125-year-old Paris-based newspaper is getting a name change. This Fall the paper will be known as The International New York Times. In addition, the brand change will combine forces between the New York Times website and the Tribune's to create one international news site for the rest of the world outside of New York, You can check out the newspaper here: http://global.nytimes.com and https://twitter.com/iht.

Global pharmaceutical company SCRIP Intelligence (http://www.scripintelligence.com) names Brett Chase US Companies Editor. Chase was previously Deputy Managing Editor for Crain's Chicago Business, Deputy Business Editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, health industry team Assignment Editor for Bloomberg News and Milwaukee Bureau Chief of the American Banker in Chicago. Contact Brett on Twitter at https://twitter.com/brettchase or email him North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has hired former Political Reporter Kim Genardo as his Communications Director. Genardo is no stranger to North Carolina politics as she has worked at WNCN-TV in Raleigh since the late 90s as well as WGHP-TV in Greensboro prior to that. Genardo hails from Chicago and is a graduate of Northwestern University. 

A rash of television station re-designs have occurred this past month with three in the South being updated. WTVC-TV in Chattanooga, WXIA-TV in Atlanta and duopoly WDRB-TV/WMYO-TV in Louisville have all recently undergone renovations. WTVC-TV in TN now features a high definition set with LED color changing lights, large back-lit graphics and a 1×4 strip of monitors in the Weather Center With a rear projection screen.NBC affiliate WXIA now includes a new Gannett graphics package. Also, the set has color changing, frosted plexiglas and flat screen monitors including a large freestanding 3' by 4' monitor array. While construction on the set of the Louisville stations has just begun, it is scheduled to be expanded by 11,000 sq. ft. The existing facility dates back to 1980 and is too small for the station, which has grown considerably in that time.

Being a field reporter has its dangers. Just ask News 14 Carolina Reporter Caroline Vandergriff. Vandergriff was struck by a car while reporting on a story about severe weather in the area. While reporting from a major intersection in Charlotte where the traffic lights were out due to the storm, two cars collided after one lost control and struck Vandergriff. She was immediately taken via ambulance to the local hospital where she ended up staying for a week. She is back at work now.

WSB-TV in Atlanta is just one of the many companies in Georgia donating to the relief of tornado victims.After a tornado struck down in Bartow and Gordon counties, the ABC affiliate donated $50,000 to the Red Cross to help victims of the tornado, which spawned winds of more than 135mph. The epi-center of the storm was in Adairsville, Ga., where three fatalities were reported.

WKYT-TV in Lexington is adding another newscast to its line-up. The CBS affiliate will now air news 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. This makes two early afternoon newscasts in the market with WLEX-TV of NBC being the other. WKYT-TV's news will be anchored  by DeAnn Stephens. She was re-hired specifically for the show. She can be emailed at deann.stephens@wkyt.com. Stephens also can be heard on WBUL-FM in the morning.

A pioneer in Carolinas television passed away last month. Reporter Jane Harrington-Smith passed away at the age of 62 from heart failure. Harrington made history as the first black female Reporter/Anchor at Winston-Salem, N.C. station WXII-TV in the turbulent 70s. She also hosted a weekly program called "Shades of Ebony." She worked there for six years before moving to Indiana. She worked at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, covering such big stories as the Mike Tyson rape trial in 1992. Harrington was a graduate of Fisk University in Nashville and a member of the Black Professional Journalists Association.

Entertainment Weekly announced two veteran Contributors would bid farewell to the Time Inc. magazine. Senior Writer and Film Critic Lisa Schwarzbaum was the first to accept a buyout package earlier this month. Shortly after TV Critic Ken Tucker followed suit. Tucker was a member of the founding staff of the magazine in 1989. According to Adweek, the buyouts are a result of a 6% overall cutback set in place by publisher Time Inc.

Last month, Reporter Ann Mercogliano (http://twitter.com/AnnMercogliano) departed WCBS and sister station WLNY-TV. This month she join joins WPIX-TV (http://pix11.com/) as a freelancer. She will be reporting both mornings and evenings when needed. 

Ken Tonning, the President and General Manager at Tampa’s WTSP-TV announced he will retire in July. Before joining the station in 2008, Tonning worked for stations including KUSA-TV in Denver and WXIA-TV in Atlanta where he was the Sales Manager. Beginning his career in 1974, he was credited for altering traditional journalism and pushing the envelope of newscast reporting. http://www.wfla.com/story/21058646/gm-of-st-pete-tv-station-to-retire-in-july

In a strange twist, Orlando’s WKMG-TV hires the son of an Anchor at a competing news station. Justin Warmoth joined WKMG as a News Reporter with the blessing of his father Greg Warmoth who is the Anchor for Orlando’s WFTV-TV. Surely journalism runs in the genes of this family.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2013/02/wkmg-hires-son-of-wftv-anchor-greg-warmoth.html

The Web Producer at WFOR-TV, Dave Game has passed away. Dave was only 57 and leaves a long legacy in the industry. Game, a veteran journalist, came to WFOR in 1985 where he served as a General Assignment Reporter, Investigative Producer and Reporter. He is accredited with creating one of the first broadcasting websites in South Florida for WFOR.
http://miami.cbslocal.com/2013/02/06/longtime-cbs-miami-web-producer-dave-game-dies-at-57/

WTVT-TV Channel 13’s Andy Johnson has left the Fox TV station after over three decades with the company. Johnson joined the station in 1979. A native of Tampa as well, the low key retired Meteorologist has not spoken on his plans hereafter.
http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/wtvt-ch-13-forecaster-andy-johnson-leaves-air-today-after-33-years-marking-low-profile-depar

Journalist Mike Guy (http://twitter.com/MrMikeGuy) has stepped down as Editor-in-Chief of The Fix.com. He still regularly contributes to Playboy Magazine and Wenner Medias Men’s Journal. He will also continue to be the Editor-in-Chief of Hopper.com.

Thrillist (http://twitter.com/Thrillist) features off-the-beaten-path activities, restaurants and products found around the world. The website is easily accessed by each city; a total of 21 are featured, including New York, London and Miami. The site managers are looking to add more cities to explore in the near future.

London's Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk) is opening a new Washington, D.C. office and it will be headed by David Martosko (http://www.twitter.com/EditMeDavid). Martosko was the Executive Editor at The Daily Caller. Martosko's new title will be U.S. Political Editor.

National Editor Kevin Merida (https://twitter.com/meridak) takes the reins as Managing Editor at The Washington Post. Merida has been with the Post for over two decades. And Deputy National Editor Cameron Barr tackles the National Editor role now. Deputy Managing Editor Shirley Carswell is leaving the Post.

Long-time broadcasting Executive Larry Wert has been named President of Local Broadcasting for the Tribune Broadcasting Company. Wert will oversee strategy and operations of the company's 23 local television stations and WGN Radio in Chicago. He most recently served as Executive Vice President of station initiative, President and General Manager at Chicago NBC station, WMAQ-TV. You may follow the Tribune Company on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/TribuneCompany.

Comcast SportsNet Chicago is set to debut "Full Court Press", a show that focuses on the Chicago Bulls. The show is set to run for the entire NBA basketball season. You may follow Comcast SportsNet Chicago on Twitter at  http://www.twitter.com/CSNChicago.

Veteran broadcasters Bill Kurtis and Walter Jacobson will sign off for the last time on Chicago CBS station, WBBM-TV. Rob Johnson and Kate Sullivan will anchor the 6:00 p.m. weekday newscast.

Chicago broadcast journalist, Carol Marin (cmarin@suntimes.com) (https://twitter.com/CarolMarin) will host a new online newscast for the Chicago Sun-Times called "The Marin Report". The show will appear at noon Monday through Friday on the home page of suntimes.com. The show is a roundup of headlines and highlights; Marin will talk to newsmakers and include various reporters to discuss major stories. Marin will also write a weekly political column for the Sun-Times.

KNST-FM in Tucson, AZ has changed its format from a news and talk radio one to country music. The station has changed its name to “Wild Country 97.1,” and will feature the nationally syndicated “Bobby Bones Show” in addition to other county music and entertainment. Learn more at knst.com.

The Santa Fe New Mexican will unveil its new website next month, which will include complete content from the newspaper’s signature arts magazine, Pasatiempo, according to Publisher Ginny Sohn. The 164-year-old newspaper will also start charging for digital content and will end unlimited free access to its website, www.santafenewmexican.com.

David Axelrod becomes one of the newest members of the team at NBC News and MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com).Axelrod has been named Senior Political Analyst of the station.
He previously served as the White House former Senior Advisor and Senior Strategist during President Obama's campaigns in 2008 and 2012.

Herman Cain joins the team at Fox News. The network welcomes Cain as their newest contributor. Considering Cain’s political background; he will be responsible for contributing analysis and commentaries on Fox News. Although Cain is new as a contributor, he is not new to the network; he has previously made appearances on Fox News.Cain has also hosted his own show "Herman Cain Show" on WSB Radio (www.wsbradio.com).

ABC Television Network welcomes Robin Roberts once again. Roberts re-joins the team of "Good Morning America" (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/) after being on leave for six months.
She previously left the show in August to undergo a bone marrow transplant. She rejoins the cast of the show as one of the Hosts.

WLS-TV late night program, 190 North is signing off after 14 years. The show may return as quarterly specials. The lifestyle program hosted by Janet Davies featured cultural stories from night spots to trendy restaurants in the Chicago area. Davies also served as Executive Producer for the show. Show Contributors Doug Banks, Mark Nilsson and Eva Saha, are leaving the ABC station.

Media Latino Communications has created two new divisions MLC Entertainment and MLC Radio. KBFW 87.7 FM  in Texas is the first station under the new umbrella.

And we will have FUSION. After months of speculation, Univision and ABC have released the name of their newest combined network together. "Fusion" is scheduled to be launched in the latter portion of 2013.

This movie is Rated H. H for Hispanic. Telemundo and Fandango have joined forces to create a website geared to inform Hispanic movie lovers with movie information and showtimes in Spanish.The new site will be called Fandango Cine (http://msnlatino.telemundo.com/entretenimiento/fandango_cine/).

Austin's KHFI-FM welcomes Elvis Duran as Host of the AM drive time slot on Clear Channel Media. "The Elvis Duran Program" will replace "The Bobby Bones" program which previously aired in that AM drive slot. Elvis Duran Show can be reached at: elvis@elvisduran.com. The Bobby Bones program will changed to a country format and will move to clear Channel’s sister country station KASE-FM.

Little Rock Fox affiliate KLRT-TV and NBC affiliate KARK-TV have decreased their staff as a result of lay offs. Almost 30 employees lost their jobs at two Arkansas television stations. Air personalities from KARK include Wendy Suares, Adam Rodriguez, Jonathan Athens just to name a few. General Manager Mike Vaughn would not confirm the exact number of layoffs. Sports Anchor of KLRT-TV David Raath was also included in the layoffs.

Former Santa Barbara News-Press (http://www.newspress.com) Editor Jerry Roberts who eventually won a lawsuit against the papers' owner, Wendy McCaw, has donated $150,000 of his nearly $1 million settlement to three journalism organizations. The organizations are Society of Professional Journalists (http://www.spj.org), Electronic Frontier Foundation(https://www.eff.org) and Mission and State, formerly known as the Santa Barbara Journalism Initiative. The organizations will receive $50,000 each.

The Hollywood Reporter (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com) is making an impressive turn-around from a has-been entertainment publication to the talk of tinsel town. New Publisher Janice Min is being credited for the transformation.http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/17/fashion/the-hollywood-reporter-dusts-off-its-party-clothes.html?_r=0

KNBC NBC4 Los Angeles (http://www.nbclosangeles.com) has added a weekend 1/2 hour newscast at 5pm, 6pm and 11pm. Anchors Robert Kovacik and Kathy Vara are the hosts.

Prince Michael Jackson, son of late  music icon Michael Jackson, has signed on with Entertainment Tonight (http://www.etonline.com) as a Correspondent. The first interview for 16-year old Prince was with the stars and director of the remake of "The Wizard of Oz."

BLOG & WEB NOTES:

Deadspin.com (New York, NY) -- Emma Carmichael (emma@deadspin.com) is the new Deputy Editor. She can be followed at (https://twitter.com/EmmaCargo).

The Huffington Post (New York, NY) -- Executive Editor of the The Huffington Post (https://twitter.com/HuffingtonPost), Tim O'Brien (https://twitter.com/TimOBrien) is leaving the outlet to write a book.

Business Insider (New York, NY) -- Joseph Weisenthal (http://twitter.com/TheStalwart) has been named Executive Editor at BI (http://www.businessinsider.com/). He was previously Deputy Editor.

Huffington Post Canada (Internet) and AOL Canada (Internet) has hired Sasha Nagy (https://twitter.com/sasha_nagy) as their new Video Editor. The websites can be found at http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/ and http://www.aol.ca, respectively.

Inside The Navy (Internet) announced Managing Editor Dan Taylor (https://twitter.com/DanPTaylor1) will be parting ways with the publication. The site can be accessed at http://insidedefense.com/ 

Lifehacker.com (Internet) Editor-in-Chief Adam Pash (https://twitter.com/AdamPash) has been replaced by Whitson Gordon (whitson@lifehacker.com).

Whisky in my Sippy Cup (Internet) is a whimsical site for parents written by Carroll Shannon (heymrlady@gmail.com) aka @MrLady (https://twitter.com/MrLady). The blog can be found at http://whiskeyinmysippycup.com/

The Happiest Mom (Internet) is a parenting blog geared towards moms, written by author and mother of five Meagan Francis (media@thehappiestmom.com). The website can be accessed at http://thehappiestmom.com/

Free Range Kids (Internet) was started by Blogger and former Columnist Lenore Skenazy (lskenazy@yahoo.com). It explores parenting tips while at the same time presenting ways on how not to be an overprotective and overbearing guardian. The site can be found at http://www.freerangekids.com/.

Always Judging (Internet) was founded by Blogger Courtney Trop (courtney@alwaysjudging.com). It debuted last month and features blogs about the LA woman’s fashion sense as well as her own personal style. It is on the web at http://www.alwaysjudging.com/

Black and Married with Kids (Internet) offers parenting and relationship advice from Lamar Tyler and his wife Ronnie Tyler (https://twitter.com/RonnieTyler). It can be found at http://BlackandMarriedWithKids.com

She Writes (Internet) is a web community targeted toward women writers and editors. It was founded by Blogger Kamy Wicoff (kamy@kamywicoff.com) and can be accessed at http://www.shewrites.com/.

Shermans Travel (Internet) hired Amanda Black (ablack@shermanstravelmedia.com) as new Associate Editor. The website can be accessed at http://www.shermanstravel.com.