KPLZ Mornings Back On Kruse Control

• Back in March we reported that the pandemic had forced Sinclair to cut its budget by 5% across the board; at the time, those cuts took out 80% of the staff at Hot AC KPLZ (Star 101.5)/Seattle. Among those who left: morning duo Curt Kruse and Corine McKenzie, along with their producer, 30-year station veteran Leonard Barokas.

We are now pleased to report some blue skies at the end of this lengthy ordeal, as Star 101.5 officially welcomes Curt Kruse (left) back to mornings, starting August 11, leading into Jill Taylor in middays and the team of PD Kent Phillips & Jen Pirak in afternoons. Phillips commented, “Nice to have Star 101.5 back to doing what it does best — live, local and fun with a variety of music to appeal to our audience!”

Kruse originally joined KPLZ to do afternoon drive in 2002, and in 2019 was moved up to mornings with Corine McKenzie. Phillips remains hopeful that other staffers will be able to return as time goes on.