WAPL To Soldier On, Minus McNeal

• Sadly, it’s the end of a remarkable four-decade run on Woodward Classic Rock 105.7 WAPL/Appleton-Oshkosh-Green Bay, WI, as the station announced that morning co-host Rick McNeal, who has been out on medical leave for the past four months, will not be returning.

McNeal, half of The Rick & Cutter Show, and WAPL released a joint statement via social media Monday morning that reads: “Hey folks, it’s with heavy hearts that we announce some tough news — we had exciting plans to celebrate Rick’s retirement and honor his remarkable 39-year career of entertaining Northeast Wisconsin at WAPL.

Unfortunately, due to his ongoing health issues following the WAPL International Incident in early March, Rick is now stepping away. As a result, we’re now faced with moving forward without him as we start the search for a new co-host to join Cutter in the morning. It’s a tough spot all around, no doubt about it. Sucks for him, sucks for you, sucks for us. If Rick is feeling up to it, he may return as a guest in the future.”

In closing, the statement says, “Let’s come together to send Rick our best wishes and gear up to welcome a new voice to the team. Stay tuned for updates on his upcoming benefit event.”

Feel free to send cards or correspondence to: Rick McNeal, c/o WAPL-FM, P.O. Box 1519, Appleton, WI 54912.