Let’s Talk News-Talk
• Mary Walter makes a sizeable leap upward in market size, transitioning from evenings at iHeartMedia News-Talk WHAS/Louisville to mornings on Cumulus News-Talk WMAL/Washington as the new co-host of Mornings on the Mall with Brian Wilson, starting March 1. Walter is already familiar to WMAL listeners, as she’s been a frequent guest host on the station for the past several years. Bill Hess, who doubles as PD of WMAL and VP of NewsTalk for Cumulus Media said, “Mary’s experience, energy, and familiarity to our audience made her the perfect addition to our team.”
Walter’s previous radio stops include two stints on WKXW (New Jersey 101.5)/Trenton, NJ and she hosted Mary in the Morning on WCTC-AM/New Brunswick, NJ. She was also a prime fill-in host on Fox News Radio, and has appeared as a pundit on Fox News. She currently does occasional guest-hosting stints on SiriusXM’s Patriot channel. Walter said, “I’m really excited about joining Mornings on the Mall. Bill Hess has built WMAL into a powerhouse and this is an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up. I am honored to be working alongside Brian Wilson, and to be on the same station as Chris Plante and Larry O’Connor — it’s an incredible line-up! My thanks to Bill, Mike McVay and Jake McCann for their support.”
• Scripps News-Talk WTMJ/Milwaukee has solidified its on-air line-up with addition of Steve Scaffidi, who will team up with WTMJ News Executive Producer Erik Bilstad to form the cleverly named Scaffidi & Bilstad show, which will roll weekdays from noon to 3pm, starting Feb. 28. They will be joined by anchor/reporter Colleen Boland. Scaffidi has resigned as Mayor of Oak Creek, WI and his position as an AE with Leonard & Finco Public Relations in order to join the station. “We’re pleased to welcome Steve to our team. He brings a great depth of knowledge and local connection, to add to his take on the news of the day,” said Tom Langmyer, VP/GM of WTMJ & WKTI and VP of of News, Talk and Sports programming for The E.W. Scripps Company.
With the addition of Scaffidi & Bilstad the WTMJ lineup is now set: 5-8:30am: Wisconsin’s Morning News with Gene Mueller; 8:30-noon: Jeff Wagner; noon-3pm: Scaffidi & Bilstad; 3-6pm: Wisconsin’s Afternoon News with John Mercure; 6-9pm: Sports Central with Greg Matzek.
