Updated 4/17 with additional names: After making cuts across sales departments at iHeartMedia last week, more cuts were made this week on the programming and on-air side.
Asheville
Ariel Rymer has exited as morning co-host at CHR “Star 104.3” WQNQ after eleven years in the position alongside Josh Michael. Rymer wrote, “I was informed this morning that my time with iHeart Radio has come to an end. After nearly a decade of memories, to say I’m in a state of shock would be an understatement. Josh, I want to thank you for the opportunity and the friendship. You gave me my internship in 2012 and advocated for me to be your co-host in 2016, and I will always be thankful for that. I love you more than you’ll ever know. To the listeners, thank you for welcoming me into your cars, homes, and lives every morning. It has been a privilege to be part of your daily routine. It was the honor of my life to serve you during Hurricane Helene, to be a voice that could bring you comfort, and to bring you unique experiences thanks to the amazing partnerships I was able to form with local businesses. Matt and I have been discussing a move out of the area for a while now, and we’re choosing to see this as the official green light to start our next chapter. Having been a public personality for so long, having the option to be private is something I never thought possible. I will be taking time off from social media and will be focusing on recalibrating my life. It’s been one hell of a ride! Love y’all so very much!”
Dallas
Anna De Haro departs as Public Affairs Director and morning co-host at Classic Rock “Lone Star 92.5” KZPS after a 27 year run in the cluster. DeHaro shared on social media, “After 27 years… What a ride! Thankful for the amazing memories and the incredible friends I have made over the years.” During her tenure, De Haro co-hosted mornings on “Jammin Oldies 102.1” KTXQ, “Mix 102.9” KDMX, “Sunny 97.1” KEGL, and KZPS and was Assistant OM for KEGL and 1190 KFXR.
Her co-host Alan Ayo also exits KZPS. Ayo had served as Executive Producer/co-host since 2023 and has been a producer and national voicetracker for the cluster since 2014. He had a previous run of APD/MD and host for Alternative “102.1 The Edge” KDGE from 1999 to 2009.
Orlando
Sabrina Ambra is out as co-host of the midday “The News Junkie” based at Hot Talk “Real Radio 104.1” WTKS-FM and also heard on “Real Radio 92.1/101.7” WZZR West Palm Beach/WCZR Vero Beach. Ambra had been with the show since 2013.
Seattle
Marc James’ “MJ in the Midday” has come to an end after fifteen months on Sports 93.3 KJR-FM. James joined KJR-FM in February 2025 to host 10am to 1pm. He began his career in Miami and has also spent time in afternoons at WFNZ Charlotte NC, mornings at “92.9 The Game” WZGC Atlanta, and as an anchor for NESN in Boston where he also hosted at WEEI Boston.
Washington DC
“Intern John & Your Morning Show” has come to an end at iHeartMedia CHRs “Hot 99.5” WIHT Washington DC and “Z104.3” WZFT Baltimore as Intern John, co-host Shelby Sos, and producer Erick V have departed.
John and Erick had previously been part of “The Kane Show” until Kane’s exit in April 2020. The show would immediately drop all of its syndicated affiliates to focus on Washington and Baltimore with John rising to lead the ensemble. Sos would join the show in June 2023 replacing Riley Couture after serving as a Kane Show producer earlier in her career.
We are aware of many other significant exits this week that have not become public yet. As policy we do not report on layoffs unless the person has gone public or it is reported elsewhere.
If you have been affected by the cuts and wish to share your contact information email us at [email protected].
Original Report 4/14: Among this week’s exits:
Colorado Springs
Aaron Kinnischtzke has departed his role as Marketing and Promotions Director after nearly five years in the role. He shared on LinkedIn, “Hi everyone! I’m seeking a new role and would appreciate your support. If you hear of any opportunities or just want to catch up, please send me a message or comment below. I’d love to reconnect.”
Hartford
Allison Demers departs as midday host at Classic Hits “105.9 The River” WHCN after just shy of two years. Demers joined WHCN in June 2024 after a 23 year run co-hosting mornings at Audacy AC “Lite 100.5” WRCH. She also co-hosted mornings at WATR Waterbury CT and held morning show roles at then-CHR “KC 101” WKCI New Haven. Demers wrote, “Monday was my last day on-air. Due to budget cuts, iHeartMedia has been laying off staff all across the nation and here in CT for some time now. I’ve watched it happen to many friends and colleagues who work for other companies too. I just want to thank everyone for listening. I will miss the personal interactions, the interviews, hosting events, the music and all of the amazing people I met and worked with. I have been SO blessed to do this work! I’m so grateful for all of it! I’m 56, and I started when I was 22! ”
Louisville
Country Aircheck reports that Rachel Elliott has exited as Director of Country Programming for the Kentucky/West Virginia Region. Elliott held the role since February 2024 after previously serving as Digital Program Director and midday host at Rock 102.7 WEBN Cincinnati. She was overseeing ten Country stations in Kentucky, South Carolina, and West Virginia including WAMZ Louisville, WEZL Charleston SC, WCOS Columbia, WBUL Lexington KY, and WOVK Wheeling WV.
San Francisco
RAMP reports that Ricci Filiar has exited after sixteen years programming Soft AC “98.1 The Breeze” KISQ and “Classic Hits 103.7” KOSF San Francisco. Filiar joined KISQ in 2009 as APD/MD of then Rhythmic AC “98.1 Kiss-FM” and rose to PD in 2010. He previously held roles including PD/morning host at 1110 KRLA Los Angeles, APD/MD at Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 100” KCMG, Smooth Jazz “94.7 The Wave” KTWV and “Movin 93.9” KMVN Los Angeles, and Director of Network Operations for Art Laboe. He can be reached at [email protected].
Seattle
Classic Rock 102.5 KZOK Executive Producer Ryan Gibbons departs after two years at the station. Gibbons joined KZOK in July 2024 to produce the then “BJ Shea and Sarah” morning show. He previously held the same role at KZOK from 2013 to 2016 and has also held producer roles at WYSP Philadelphia and WXSS Milwaukee. Gibbons can be reached at [email protected] or (414)364-5003.
West Palm Beach
‘Meagan Spaghetti’ Lahti exits her roles as afternoon host at CHR “Wild 95.5” WLDI and midday host on Classic Rock “98.7 The Gator” WKGR and Country “Wave 92.7” WAVW Stuart/Vero Beach. She joined the cluster in 2021 and co-hosted mornings on WLDI from 2022 until February 2025. She shared in an Instagram story, “I am no longer with iHeartRadio. To my listeners you are no longer subject to my lame jokes. Truly, thank you for letting me be a part of your mornings, middays & evenings for all these years. New chapter ahead. Stay tuned.”
Additional exits from the Market President level from last week’s cuts include Milwaukee Market President Dan Lenz, Sacramento Market President Steve Darnell, and St. Louis Market President Libby Kochan-Nolan.
We have also confirmed that multiple members of a major market morning show have exited, but none have gone public yet.
If you have been affected by the cuts and wish to share your contact information email us at [email protected].
















