Rising Canadian Talk Star Added to KMOX, St. Louis Cracking U.S. Radio Market
Up-and-coming talk radio host David Cooper – star of the syndicated program, “The Last Show” – is being added to the roster of Audacy’s heritage outlet KMOX-AM/FM, St. Louis. KMOX brand manager Steve Moore says, “The show is quirky, curious, unexpected and entertaining – a fresh voice in a crowded radio landscape that gives people something they won’t find anywhere else on the dial. We’re excited to bring David’s unique perspective to KMOX and think St. Louis is going to love it.” The program now airs weeknights from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm on the Midwest powerhouse that will serve as its U.S. flagship.
Cooper was honored at TALKERS 2026 this past June as the conference’s “Special International Guest” – see photo with Cooper (r) being introduced by Michael Harrison (l).
Cooper already boasts major market clearances across North America, including Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary. The show connects listeners with brilliant, primary-source experts in technology, AI, science, psychology, relationships, and pop culture.
Driven by genuine curiosity, Cooper steers away from what he describes as “pedantic talk,” guiding guests into “authentic and grounded conversations that connect with a wider audience.” Cooper, a self-described “recovering Silicon Valley software engineer,” created the show to focus on curiosity rather than outrage and divisiveness.
To learn more about “The Last Show with David Cooper” please click here www.lastshow.pizza or contact: Rob Basile at rob@lastshow.pizza or phone 917-300-8042.
with WCHS-AM, Charleston, West Virginia talk host Chris Lawrence the only one across five categories. Lawrence was named the winner in the Small Market Personality of the Year during last night’s ceremony at the Edison Ballroom in New York City on the eve of NAB Show New York. Other spoken-word honors went to Cox Media Group’s 95.5 WSB (WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta) for News/Talk Station of the Year and to Audacy’s WEEI-FM, Boston for Sports Station of the Year. 
family care, housing emergencies, relocation, or theft. BFoA chair Scott Herman says, “This expands our ability to reach broadcasters who are struggling to meet their expenses because of extraordinary circumstances. I was delighted that the Board unanimously approved this initiative. We are up and running and ready to help more members of our broadcasting community when they need it most.” The BFoA also provides Monthly Grants to broadcasters dealing with prolonged illnesses and Emergency Grants to those affected by disasters, including floods and hurricanes. For more information, radio and television professionals who currently or previously worked in broadcasting may visit 
stream of its television programming, Court TV will now offer SiriusXM listeners access to expert legal analysis, in-depth reporting, and detailed insight into the evidence and legal perspectives at the center of the cases captivating the nation.” Law&Crime was founded by ABC News chief legal analyst Dan Abrams.
and survived via an STA (special temporary authority) on their two FM repeaters in Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. Thomas says, “Ask my high school teachers. All my projects were done just in the nick of time!” He thanks his engineer Alan Williams, the engineers at Kintronics and his lawyer Patrick Cross from Brooks-Pierce for getting the FCC to give their approval. Pictured here are (from l-r): Thomas Media general manager Vinnie Kice, Elaine Thomas, and Joe Thomas with the Virginia Association of Broadcasters’ CT Lucy Lifetime Achievement award and the 2026 Best Newscast award.
PPM service in the Baltimore, Jacksonville, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets. Additionally, the MRC denied accreditation for the Audio PPM service in 18 markets including Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Dallas, Hartford, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, and West Palm Beach. This does not mean that Nielsen cannot continue to market the service; the PPM ratings in the above markets will lose their “audited” label. As in the past when accreditation is revoked or denied, Nielsen says it is working to improve the measurement systems.
Isaias. Some of the key findings include: 1) On Friday, October 9, Hurricane Isaias hit Mobile: While hour-by-hour in-car AM/FM radio listening occasions reveal drivers heeded shelter warnings, from 9AM to 11AM, there was higher than normal car traffic for last-minute shopping and getting to safety; 2) Sunday, October 11: Mobile morning in-car occasions recovered to 86% of historical levels and on Sunday, noon to midnight, in-car listening recovered to 98% of historical levels; 3) Atlanta’s News and Talk WSB notched its highest shares and cumes as Hurricane Isaias hit the market; 4) In Panama City, Florida, Christian stations saw strong audience growth during the storm week; 5) The Cumulus Pensacola cluster shares doubled versus a typical day; and 6) In Mobile on Friday, October 9, hurricane landfall day, the Cumulus cluster share grew 30% compared to a typical day. 
“America’s First News with Gordon Deal” adds some 20 new affiliate stations, including KMOX, St. Louis; WCCO, Minneapolis; and KMBX, Las Vegas. This brings the total number of affiliate stations for the Compass Media Networks-syndicated show up to 325. Host Gordon Deal says, “It’s both humbling and motivating to grow listenership and find new partners. We promise to continue leading in the news space.”
candidate will help prepare and deliver engaging news content, report on breaking news events, serve as a board operator for special programming, and produce special projects and programming as assigned. The part-time position fulfills a combination of needs for our station on weekends.” Candidates must submit an audio demonstration of their on-air ability with their resume and be prepared to take a writing test if requested. Please submit resumes and required audio demonstrations to 
he’s singed a multi-year contract extension to continue his role on the “Hammer and Nigel” afternoon drive show on Urban One’s news/talk WIBC-FM, Indianapolis. Hammer co-hosts the show with Nigel Laskowski. Hammer posts, “I’m really happy with the outcome here. Thanks to the management team at Urban One and the best agent in the game Heather Cohen for making this happen! LFG!”
For 100 years, radio programmers have tried to keep listeners listening longer. “Coming up next…”
Saga Communications’ CapitolCityNow news platform – reports LaTessa was found dead in his apartment in downtown Springfield. Chris Bullock is VP and general manager for Saga’s Capitol Media Group and he says, “Capitol Media Group was John’s family. We know what a huge Cardinals fan John was, and he LOVED working for us.” Saga says station personnel will take on LaTessa’s work in the interim, as plans have not yet been made for a replacement. Funeral services have also not yet been announced. 
Most radio stations broadcast from office buildings, broadcast centers or studios tucked away from the public. JVC Broadcasting decided to do something different.
wireless access point, sideline reporters use their smartphones to send and receive high-quality, low-delay audio using the free Comrex FieldTap app. This new option provides more connectivity options such as 4G/5G, and public Wi-Fi services. FieldLink Cloud is a Comrex-managed server that gets around complex router and firewall issues to make connections fast and simple. It uses both iOS and Android devices and the device’s default web browser to give the user a simple, yet comprehensive interface for connection, control and statistical feedback when connected to the FieldLink codec. Comre4x says that for a limited time, customers purchasing a FieldLink sideline reporter codec will receive a free, one-year subscription for FieldLink Cloud. Subscription signup is all managed through the FieldLink codec’s front panel OLED screen and is fast and simple. FieldLink and Comrex’s suite of broadcast reliable products will be on display at the NAB New York Show October 21 and 22 at the Javits Convention Center. Visit Comrex at Booth 445.
on October 12 at 79. Calarco served with CBS Radio for 28 years, beginning as a salesperson at WCBS-AM before rising to vice president and general manager of WCBS-FM. His career also included positions at ABC Television, CBS-owned WCAU-AM, Philadelphia and The CBS National Sales Rep Firm in Chicago. He began his career in sales at WFAS-AM in White Plains, New York, returning years later as general manager, a position he held until his retirement.
Commission. Cumulus canceled 100% of its existing funded indebtedness – approximately $600 million – in exchange for 100% of the Company’s reorganized equity and $50 million of new convertible notes issued to former lenders. Cumulus is now a privately owned company with a new board of directors but retains its existing
management team. Cumulus president and CEO Mary Berner states, “I am grateful to our lenders and noteholders for their collaboration throughout this process, and to our employees, vendors, affiliates, customers, and partners for their continued trust and support. Emerging with a significantly stronger balance sheet, we are more committed than ever to providing engaging content across our national footprint, serving as a lifeline and voice for the local communities we serve, driving meaningful growth for our advertising partners, and delivering value for our new shareholders.”
and one of America’s most accomplished interviewers. It’s the culminating celebration of Gross’s 50 years with ‘Fresh Air,’ honoring five decades of curiosity, thoughtful listening, music and revealing conversations.” Gross says, “I was 13, screaming in the movie theater, when A Hard Day’s Night came out. It is an honor to now have the opportunity to talk with Sir Paul, on stage, about different chapters of his life and music. Is there a better way to celebrate my 50th anniversary hosting Fresh Air? Absolutely not! Thank you, Sir Paul.” The event will directly benefit public media and WHYY president and CEO Bill Mazzarro says, “We’re deeply grateful for his generosity and for everyone joining us to help sustain public media and Fresh Air’s work for generations to come.”
AM/WSBB-FM “95.5 WSB.” Jones comes to CMG from his most recent post as SVP of sales with iHeartMedia. CMG Altanta director of sales Kris Hackett Lucas says, “We’re excited to welcome Chris to an already exceptional sales team at CMG Atlanta. He brings fresh energy and proven leadership that will help us build on our momentum and raise the bar even higher. I’m confident Chris will make an immediate impact—creating new opportunities for our clients, inspiring our team, and helping drive our sales organization forward.”
For the third consecutive year, TALKERS will serve as the Presenting Sponsor of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) Conference. The event – IBSNYC – the longest running and most important national gathering of campus radio and mediacommunicators, will take place February 25-27, 2027, at the Sheraton Times Square hotel in the heart of Manhattan. It will bring together almost 1,000 outstanding broadcasters from university, college and high school radio-TV stations and departments of communication. Its power packed agenda of speeches, panels, workshops, exhibits, award ceremonies, and networking opportunities will cover the ever-expanding spectrum of platforms and issues unfolding before young practitioners entering the field of modern communications. This outstanding event is a must-attend for bright industry newcomers who are serious about developing careers in a landscape marked by unprecedentedly rapid change as well as established players determined to keep up with what’s coming and discover new colleagues.
TALKERS VP / associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison will again join the roster of outstanding IBSNYC speakers. Harrison, senior partner in the firm of Harrison Media Law, is a media and intellectual property attorney and author who advises radio hosts, digital content creators, and creative entrepreneurs. He has written extensively on fair use, AI law, and the future of digital rights.
TALKERS founder, publisher, and radio industry icon, Michael Harrison will deliver one of the conference’s two keynote addresses. The speech, titled, “Five Things Every Communicator Must Know to Survive and Even Thrive During the Next Five Years,” promises to be a riveting, eye-opening highlight of the conference.