Jim McGuinn Exits The Current
• UPDATED Friday, 7:30am PT: On Thursday evening as we were wrapping up this issue of RAMP, we learned that, for reasons still unclear, Jim McGuinn had exited his longtime PD post at Minnesota Public Radio Triple A KCMP (The Current)/Minneapolis-St. Paul. In an intriguing bit of timing, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (digital subscription required) reports that McGuinn’s abrupt departure was announced to the staff moments after 17-year afternoon personality Mary Lucia signed off from her final show.
In a staff email obtained by the Star-Tribune, MPR President Duchesne Drew announced that Jim McGuinn (who had been in the PD chair since 2009) “is no longer with Minnesota Public Radio. We are proud of the programming we delivered with Jim and are appreciative of his contributions … The email added, “MPR will remain focused on building a culture that attracts, engages and rewards talented people who share our values and passion for public service.”
The Star-Tribune story notes that “Lucia had voiced criticism of her bosses near the end of her broadcast, saying: ‘I’ve never looked for outside affirmation about what I do… But these last couple days hearing from you I know I’ve made a difference. It doesn’t matter if the company or management doesn’t feel the same way.'”
In Wednesday social media posts, Lucia had cited the struggle for “equity and fair treatment of all of my sisters at the station” as a reason for her abrupt departure. “I’ve been trying for years to affect positive change in the company,” she wrote, addressing the co-workers she leaves behind: “Know your worth, embrace your unique talent and voice and lift each other up.”
Lucia’s comments prompted a pledge for equity from Jean Taylor, the new CEO of MPR’s parent company, American Public Media., which stated, “I am firmly committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment where all employees, including women and people of color, are respected and valued.”
• On Friday morning RAMP received this statement from Minnesota Public Radio that reads: “Jim McGuinn is no longer with Minnesota Public Radio. We are proud of the programming we delivered with Jim and are appreciative of his contributions. We do not discuss the details of personnel matters and will not be sharing any specifics.”
