Amelia Preparing To Unplug From 98 Rock
• After more than 20 years as one of the most recognizable voices in Baltimore radio, Amelia Ryerse — best known on-air by her first name — announced that she will retire from Hearst’s WIYY (98 Rock) at the end of 2026. Listen to her announcement HERE.
Ryerse has been a fixture on 98 Rock since returning to the station full-time in 2003; she has entertained generations of listeners across multiple dayparts — as part of the Mickey, Amelia and Spiegel morning show, solo in afternoon drive, and currently in middays. Her longstanding commitment to the Baltimore community has been underscored by her decades of charitable activity and her work highlighting local organizations on 98 Rock’s Sunday public-affairs program, Maryland Perspectives.
“For over two decades, Amelia has been synonymous with 98 Rock. Her dedication to our on-air product as well as our community service efforts is truly unmatched,” said Dan Joerres, President & GM of WBAL-TV 11, 98 Rock and WBAL NewsRadio. “This is a retirement that is well deserved.”
“Radio stations go through different eras, different lineups and different trends, but Amelia has always been one of the constants listeners could count on,” said Justin Johnson, Program Director of 98 Rock. “She brought heart, personality and credibility to every shift she worked, and 98 Rock simply wouldn’t have been the same without her.”
“98 Rock has changed my life on so many levels, not just professionally but personally,” Ryerse said. “I leave with so many great memories and life lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”
98 Rock plans to celebrate Amelia’s outstanding career throughout 2026 with special programming, guest appearances and listener tributes leading up to her final broadcast later this year.
