The ongoing purges of local programmers and on-air talent at Alpha Media is still ongoing.
Following their cuts in Misosuri earlier this month and the cuts on Tuesday at all of the conpany’s Iowa and Minnesota stations, the company’s clusters in Brookings and Watertown SD were hit on Wednesday with the majority of the on-air staff let go.
RadioInsight has learned that Alpha regional managers will be visiting additional markets across the company into next week making more cuts likely. Inquiries for comment from Alpha corporate have gone unanswered.
KEYC-TV also confirms that all on-air talent were let go in Mankato MN. Among the exits there were Hot AC “Mix 99.1” KEEZ Content Director/morning host TJ Palesotti. Palesotti joined KEEZ in 2020 after 22 years in the market including KYSM-FM, KATO, and KXLP.
Northpine.com has audio of KBRK Brookings SD morning host Bob Wayne announcing his departure on the air. Other staffers publicly exiting include Brookings’ Jason ‘Salzy’ Salzman and KDLO-FM Watertown SD Content Director/morning host John Seiber.
My job at Brookings Radio has come to end, as of today. Parent company Alpha Media is going all national syndication. So our local shows are done. This is a terrible day.
— The Salzy Show (@salzmanstudios) May 22, 2024
Original Report 5/22: After cutting the majority of their on-air staffers at their Missouri stations earlier this month, Alpha Media has made similar cuts at stations in Iowa and Minnesota.
Like in Missouri, the cuts are directed solely at the programming and on-air staffers at their stations in Austin, Albert Lea, and Luverne MN plus all of their clusters in Iowa including clusters in Fort Dodge, Grinnell, Mason City, and Newton. Sources tell us that much like the Missouri stations, the company is planning a new programming structure in the coming weeks for its small market stations.
Many of the people at the Mason City IA cluster have been the first to come forward with news of their extis
Jared Allen exits as Operations Manager in Mason City IA after 18 years with the cluster.
Britt Bailey is out as Content Director and morning hosts at Country “93.9 The Moose” KIAI.
Tim Fleming departs as Sports Director and morning host after 47 years at News/Talk 1300 KGLO. Fleming previously served as Operations Manager. Also exiting KGLO and 1490 KRIB is News Director Bob Fisher. Fisher told Northern Iowa Today, “Alpha Media is going a different direction with their radio stations in their smaller markets. A majority of the programming staff, including myself, were terminated this morning as part of that plan. This is not only happening here, but throughout the country with their smaller markets.”
Over in Grinnell IA, Jaime Grout is out as Content Manager and morning host at Hot AC “Energy 106.7” KRTI.
Mark Anthony 
Tommy Brower 
Jane and Lynn Garretson 
Elvina Cunningham 
What a travesty for North Iowa. Particularly seeing Tim Fleming leave after a 47 year Hall of Fame career, and still at the top of his game. One of the great sports play by play people.
Some other radio station will gain a real professional and it will be Alpha’s biggest regret.
To all the Northern Iowa talent that we’re let go today. I am truly sorry and wish you nothing but the best in your next professional endeavors in the future.
I resigned as Market Manager in Fairfield, Iowa (KMCD/Classic 96) rather than lay off Steve Smith after 35 years on the mic. Didn’t change the re-formatting and Steve still won’t be live anymore, which is a gigantic loss for our listeners, but at least he got to keep his job and maintain some level of choice about his own fate. I wish him and everyone lost to this purge the very very best.
How kind of you Tommy! We are beyond sad over this decision to take the on air local broadcasting away!! We have listened to KMCD everyday since we were children and our parents had it on! We feel a great loss of connectivity within our community!! So, so sad!!!!ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
Good for you.
So glad I got out of the business in 2008. Corporate bean counters have no idea how radio works they expect listeners to come to them and not the other way around. Is satellite radio we’re going backwards. It will just enforce me not listening to terrestrial radio and continue to stream other sources. I told an old program director of mine here and Des Moines. About 15 years ago to brace himself because this was gonna happen. It’s what happens when Radio is not ran by real radio people who understand the gig. Have friends and acquaintances that most likely are out of work now and it sucks.