Budget Cuts Hit KPLZ/Seattle
• Sinclair last week reported it would be cutting five percent of its workforce, and yes, those cuts have affected several of our radio friends at Sinclair Hot AC KPLZ (Star 101.5)/Seattle, where a reduction-in-force has resulted in the departure of morning duo Curt Kruse and Corine McKenzie, along with their producer, 30-year station veteran Leonard Barokas.
Kruse (pictured) joined KPLZ to do afternoons in 2002, following stints as MD at WGTZ/Dayton and WVKS/Toledo and a run in afternoons at the late WPLT (96.3 The Planet)/Detroit in 1996.
Kruse said, “I leave extremely proud of the time I had at KPLZ and thankful for opportunity to move to the morning show with Corine McKenzie in 2019, when Alan Budwill retired from the Kent and Alan Morning Show after 34 years (and PD Kent Phillips moved to afternoons). He added, “I’m especially appreciative of the mentorship and guidance of Kent Phillips, who took a leap of faith on me in 2002… and again with the move to mornings.”
That being said, Kruse is now interested in having meaningful conversations about all potential opportunities, whether in Seattle or elsewhere. He can be reached at 206-265-2000 or curtail@outlook.com. Contact Leonard Barokas at 206-407-9741 or ljbarokas@comcast.net.
