After shutting down its two stations in Fairfield IA in April, Connoisseur Media has now ceased operations at its four stations in Grinnell and Newton IA.
Connoisseur shut down AC 1410 KGRN Grinnell, Country 1280 KCOB/95.9 KCOB-FM Newton, and Hot AC “Energy 106.7” KRTI Grinnell and the local MyIowaInfo.com portal this morning as the company continues to streamline or divest undesired markets it acquired from Alpha Media last year.
The stations had only a handful of staffers remaining after Alpha’s staff cuts in May 2024. KRTI had relaunched a morning show with former Production Director and host Joe Swanson and previous morning co-host and account executive Sarah Jorges in August 2024. Former Content Director and morning host Jaime Grout notes that Station Manager Ron McCarthy and Lynn Miller were the remaining staff affected.
The Grinnell and Newton area is also served by most stations in the nearby Des Moines market.
Isn’t that always the way it goes? New owners who think they know what rural communities need. Many of our citizens listen to the radio as chores are being done. We always heard the radio going when in a barn. Too bad. Not everybody lives and breathes online resources. Available.