Hubbard Radio CEO Ginny Morris released the following memo to staffers regarding the layoffs, which affected all of the company’s markets outside of Northern Minnesota. We’ve heard that the cut’s have affected well over 50 people nationally.

Hello Everyone,

Today is a very tough and unprecedented day at Hubbard Radio. The extended and extreme revenue challenges that we are experiencing as a result of government mandated shutdowns due to COVID-19 have forced us to make some very difficult decisions about our workforce. Each of our markets except those in Northern Minnesota (but including the Twin Cities) have experienced the news of a reduction in their workforce today.

Earlier on in this COVID journey, I shared with you that we hoped this step could be avoided but the financial challenges are just too great and we still have no insight on when any, much less all, of our markets will begin to experience some relief. We couldn’t wait any longer to make a move toward a more efficient operating model.

The decisions faced by each of your local leaders was very difficult and in each of our markets, we are saying goodbye to good friends and trusted colleagues. Please join me in thanking them for their many contributions during their time with the company and in wishing them only the very best in the future.

As we turn the page toward the future, I am encouraged to report that as car traffic increases in our markets, radio listening levels lift accordingly. During this unprecedented time, each of our on-air teams have done an exemplary job of tending to the needs of our listeners. Whether from their homes or a studio, the programming teams have further proven to our listeners, friends and fans that we are here for them in good times as well as in challenging times.

Our sales teams have been working hard every day to help our advertising partners craft their messages for today and/or to prepare for a day when they will return to our airwaves and digital platforms. We have controlled what we could in constructive and creative ways and I believe we are well positioned for our communities’ and country’s ‘Grand Re-Opening.’ Our advertising partners know that we are here for them in good times as well as in challenging times.

Many of you are likely wondering “is this the end to the changes?” I certainly hope so but the simple truth is that we will need to continue to be responsive to the environment we are living and operating in. My greatest hope, of course, is that the loosening of restrictions in some of our markets will continue and build and advertisers and consumer alike will begin to gain confidence in spending and investing again. It’s pretty hard to advertise if your doors are closed and that is the position that a great many of our advertising partners find themselves in.

Please know that we continue to put your health and safety at the top of our list of priorities. Accordingly, when we do return to our offices all appropriate steps will be taken.

Thank you all for the very hard work you are doing on behalf of the company during this very difficult time in our history. It does not go unnoticed and it is not unappreciated.

With a heavy and hopeful heart,

Ginny

Among those departing the company are:

CHR “Movin 92.5” KQMV Seattle midday host Justin Barnes exits after a decade with the station. Barnes noted that he was one of seventeen people to be let go in Seattle.

Russ Egan exits nights at Classic Rock 100.7 KSLX Phoenix. Egan joined KSLX in 2015 after previous stints in the market at Variety Hits “98.7 The Peak” KPXK and Smooth Jazz 95.5 KYOT, the latter of which he served as Program Director. Egan previously programmed in Columbus OH and Yuma and worked at multiple stations in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

Hot AC “Mix 94.9” WREW midday host Ray Anderson and morning co-host Shannon were among the eleven cuts in Cincinnati.

Producers Don ‘Donny Love’ Michaels and Ryan Perpich depart “My Talk 107.1” KTMY Minneapolis with the station paying tribute to the duo here.

At News 103.5 WTOP Washington DC and “Federal News Network” 1500 WFED Washington DC, five positions were cut, two independent contractors were dropped, and four open positions will not be filled. Leaving the company were WFED Editor-In-Chief Lisa Wolfe, Production Manager George Moshos, Senior Web Developer Zoe Salwen, and sales account executives Deborah Martins and Morgan Vekeman. The independent contractors were WTOP Garden Editor Mike McGrath and WFED “Ask The CIO” host John Thomas Flynn. The positions that will not be filled are Traffic Director, Digital Advertising Strategist, Digital Sports Editor, and Virginia/Transportation Reporter. Cluster VP/GM Joel Oxley and Executive Editor Jason Miller will oversee WFED with Wolfe’s departure.

Original Report 5/1: Hubbard Radio has made cuts across its properties today.

The biggest move will see the end of the Sports “Skor North” project at 1500 KSTP St. Paul/Minneapolis. At least six on-air hosts: Matthew Coller, Ramie Makhlouf, Derek Wetmore, Seth Auger, Jon Harrison and Ross Brendel have departed KSTP as the station will curtail its digital-first platform due to the economic hits. Brand Director and afternoon co-host Phil Mackey wrote a column explaining the situation writing, “These last 60 days have been REALLY hard on sports media. Especially a new brand like SKOR North, which launched just over a year ago. And a recovery isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. It’s unbelievably frustrating. And great people — here and elsewhere — are now in search of work because of it.”.

Mackey and co-host Judd Zulgad will continue to host their daily show on KSTP from 5-6pm and on additional digital platforms. Some form of Minnesota Vikings coverage will remain as well. Most of the other programming on KSTP will revert to the national ESPN Radio lineup.

In St. Louis at Sports “101 ESPN” WXOS, Bernie Miklasz exits after five years in mornings. Miklasz, a longtime writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, previously hosted shows at the station before his 2015 return.

Starting Monday, May 4, the WXOS lineup will feature current afternoon host Randy Karraker and Michelle Smallmon in mornings. St. Louis Cardinals play-by-play voice Dan McLaughlin will host a one hour show from 10-11am. Jamie Rivers stays in middays, but loses the 10am hour while producer Brandon Kiley becomes co-host. Former midday co-host Anthony Stalter replaces Karraker in afternoons on “The Fast Lane” alongside Brad Thompson and Chris Rongey.

Bud Ford & Jerry Broadway depart mornings at “New Country 92.3” WIL St. Louis. The duo joined WIL in 2016 after time in mornings at afternoons at KTGX Tulsa.

Also departing WIL is Program Director Danny Montana. Montana had been with WIL in multiple roles for over two decades and was promoted to PD in January 2019.

At Variety Hits “106.5 The Arch” WARH, Robert Fithen departs afternoons and Bryce Jones is out as night host. Donny Fandango, Music Director/midday host at Alternative “105.7 The Point” KPNT, will add afternoon duties at WARH.

Robert Feder reports on the Chicago cuts.

At AC “She 100.3” WSHE, evening host Brian Middleton and morning show producer Robb Rose depart.

Classic Rock “97.1 The Drive” WDRV loses night host Phil Manicki and overnighter Greg Easterling.

Hot AC “101.9 The Mix” WTMX sees the departure of morning show producer Cynthia DeNicolo and social media manager Melissa ‘Mel D’ Dever from “Eric In The Morning”.

We are told the cuts include other departments including digital, engineering and promotions across the company with eleven departures total in Cincinnati and a dozen in Chicago.