Haefner Signing Off From WJR/Detroit
• Dick Haefner, longtime News Director of Cumulus News-Talk 760 WJR/Detroit and one of the longest-tenured and most recognizable news voices in his hometown, announced his impending retirement, effective this Friday, Dec. 11, capping a remarkable 51-year career in radio news.
Haefner began his radio news career in 1969 has been WJR News Director since 1989. Under Haefner’s leadership, WJR News has been honored with nearly every national and local news award in the business, including: the Peabody Award, Associated Press national award for Best Broadcast Reporting, Edward R. Murrow Awards, and numerous state news awards. His most recent awards were for “Best Newscast” and “Best Feature” in 2019 from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB). It is believed that Haefner may be connected to more news awards from the MAB than any other broadcaster.
Some of Haefner’s projects have changed laws: a series on suburban toxic waste dumps resulted in tighter rules for handling waste, and an investigation of fraud at gas stations brought about new regulations on service station inspections and fuel hauling, and even changed the way the IRS taxes the fuel hauling industry. In 2005, Haefner was diagnosed with prostate cancer and became one of the first patients to undergo robotic surgery. He tracked his own surgery and recovery as a reporter, and used his experience to produce a series, Robots In The O-R — the only radio production to win the National Association of Medical Communicators Award, the top honor in the field of health and medical reporting.
On a more personal level, Haefner commented, “Anything I may have accomplished is because of other people, my wife Judy and my family who allowed me to pursue adventures in broadcast news, and especially my co-workers. My most important job was to put them in position to do their best work. What they accomplished every day is my greatest reward. I have had the best job in Detroit radio news for almost 32 years. I’m the luckiest person I know.”
Steve Finateri, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Detroit, commented, “Dick Haefner can be considered one of the all-time brand ambassadors for 760 WJR Radio and Cumulus Detroit. He’s one of the most talented in our industry and has upheld the highest standards of integrity and professionalism each and every day he has graced our airwaves.”
