NBA Members Advocate on Capitol Hill
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Vol 46 No 1 March 2023
NBA Members Advocate on Capitol Hill
NBA board members participated in the annual State
Leadership Conference hosted by the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) in Washington
DC on February 28 and March 1. A record number of
local broadcasters from across America attended the
fly-in, which culminates in meetings with our
respective federal delegates. Representing our NBA
members were Ami Graham, NBA Past Chairperson
and General Manager of NRG Media – Lincoln;
Shannon Booth, NBA Chairperson Elect and
VP/General Manager for Gray Media Group –
Lincoln/Hastings/North Platte; Franco Gentile, NBA
Board Member and VP/General Manager of
KPTM/KXVO TV – Omaha, and NBA
President/Executive Director Jim Timm.
Three primary issues were discussed in our visits
with Congressman Mike Flood, Congressman
Adrian Smith, Senator Pete Ricketts, Senator Deb
Ami Graham, Shannon Booth,
Fischer and the staff of Congressman Don Congressman Mike Flood,
Bacon: 1) The Local Radio Freedom Act (LRFA), Franco Gentile and Jim Timm
which opposes any new performance tax on radio
stations. We expressed our gratitude to all three of
our Congressmen for their continued co-sponsorship
and asked both of our Senators to sign on in
support. 2) The Journalism Competition
Preservation Act (JCPA), which would allow
broadcasters to negotiate fair compensation from Big
Tech for their use of our content. 3) Urging the FCC
to support the continued rollout of Next Gen TV.
The NBA contingent capped their day on Capitol Hill
with a guided tour of the Capitol building from fellow
broadcaster and Congressman Mike Flood. Rep.
Jim Timm, Shannon Booth,
Flood provides Wednesday evening tours for visiting
Congressman Adrian Smith,
Nebraskans and if you ever get the opportunity, take Ami Graham & Franco Gentile.
him up on it. It’s a very special opportunity and Rep.
Flood provides tremendous insights with his
commentary on the tour.
The trip concluded with a meeting with several
Federal Communications Committee (FCC) staff
members, where local broadcasters shared stories
about the increasing challenges our industry
faces. As the aforementioned issues (and others)
take shape in the coming weeks and months the
NBA will keep you posted and let you know when we
need you to take action.
Franco Gentile, Ami Graham,
Senator Deb Fischer, Shannon Booth &
Jim Timm
Jim Timm, Ami Graham, Senator Pete Ricketts, Shannon Booth & Franco Gentile
Threats to AM/FM Radio in
the Dashboard
Recently increased nationwide attention is being given to
the questionable future of AM (and FM) radio in the
automotive dashboard. As NBA Chairman Dennis Brown
notes in his Chairman’s Column in this issue, he and the
NBA have been in frequent contact with industry leaders on
this topic over the last few months.
Multiple people with extensive knowledge and concern for radio’s place in the evolving
dashboard continue to work on our industry’s behalf. The NAB (National Association of
Broadcasters) has undertaken a series of initiatives on this issue dating back several
years and very soon, will release details of a multifaceted action plan.
Working alongside the NAB, you will see the NBA and NASBA (National Alliance of State
Broadcast Associations) become even more active in the coming weeks and months on
behalf of radio stations everywhere. We're going to need your assistance, too.
As Dennis said, “stay tuned!”
State Legislative Update
There’s good news and bad news. We’ll start with the bad.
The ongoing “filibuster festival” that has come to define this year’s
Nebraska Legislative session has ground things to a halt, in terms
of the body’s ability to debate and perhaps pass needed,
meaningful legislation.
The good news: the resulting logjam appears to have made it less
likely that bills of potential harm to NBA members will pass this
year. The EPIC Consumption Tax, Winner Take All and Permanent
Daylight Saving Time each appear unlikely to advance. That said,
the NBA will continue to monitor the activity and let you know if we need you to take any
action.
To learn more about any of these issues, contact Jim Timm at jim@ne-ba.org or 402-933-5995.
Pinnacle Awards Entry Window
Opens April 13
Who will be recognized as the best of the best in Nebraska
Broadcasting this year?
Entries for the 2023 NBA Pinnacle Awards competition will be
accepted beginning on April 13.
Official criteria & rules – including "must have aired" dates
and a tutorial on the "Rock Our Awards" entry portal – can all
be found here.
New in 2023: “Best Local Radio Show.”
Coming in 2024: “Best Election Coverage” for TV & Radio.
We look forward to celebrating our winners on the evening of Wednesday, August 9
in La Vista!
Host, Studio & Delivery Changes for
Governor's Call In Show
Significant changes to the monthly NBA Governor’s Call In
Show are taking place, beginning with the next show on
Monday, April 24.
The show will now originate from KLIN with Mark Vail
serving as host. KLIN will distribute the show via live stream
with the support of Triton Digital. Huskers Radio Network
will no longer distribute the show; the live stream will be our
only distribution method.
New phone numbers for callers: Toll free: 800-799-7696. Lincoln area: 402-479-1400. We
will soon email a new promo voiced by Governor Jim Pillen detailing these new
numbers.
The NBA thanks everyone at KFOR who has
supported this show so well for so many years. We
especially thank Charlie Brogan for serving as
host. The NBA also thanks Mike Elliott and the
Huskers Radio Network for their many years of
providing distribution across the state. The NBA also
thanks everyone at KLIN for providing their studio
and Mark as host.
Last but not least, the NBA thanks our 40+ affiliates
for airing this unique public affairs program. We’re
doing everything we can to make this transition as
smooth as possible for you.ing Here
Mark Vail
Bill Kelly, Val Lane and Otis Twelve to join
NBA Hall of Fame
The Nebraska Broadcasters Association will welcome Bill Kelly, Val Lane and Otis
Twelve into the NBA Hall of Fame on the evening of August 8th in La Vista, during the
88 th Annual NBA Convention. Established in 1972, these inductees will bring the total
number of NBA Hall of Fame members to 115.
Bill Kelly has provided over four decades of service to
broadcast journalism in Nebraska. His career began in
1981 as a political and investigative reporter for Omaha’s
WOWT TV before taking an interim producer’s role in 1989
at KOLN/KGIN TV in Lincoln. In 1990, Bill joined NET
Television/Radio (now known as Nebraska Public Media)
as a producer/reporter – a role he enthusiastically and
successfully continues today. Respected for reliable,
balanced and well-researched stories and documentaries,
Bill has earned more than 40 first place state, regional and national awards for
reporting and production excellence, in television and radio, including Regional
Emmys and AP awards. Kelly has also worked tirelessly to expand courtroom
camera access for all Nebraska journalists, working hand in hand with members of
the Nebraska Judicial Branch, Nebraska Bar Association and fellow journalists from
across the state to foster increased cooperation and better coverage.
Long before the show “Better Call Saul” gained popularity,
the cry from dozens of Nebraska radio stations has been
“Better Call Val.” Val Lane has been providing outstanding
engineering support for more than 40 years across
Nebraska and remains in steady demand. From overseeing
the design and construction of everything from remote
broadcast headsets to 1,000-foot towers, Val still travels the
width and breadth of Nebraska upgrading, modifying,
repairing, replacing and building for many Nebraska
broadcasting companies. Widely respected for his humble demeanor and
willingness to teach others as he solves problems and builds new facilities, Val
doesn’t view his work so much as fixing objects as much as understanding the vital
service broadcasters provide in informing the public. Prior to devoting his time to
contract engineering, Lane assisted 1970’s studio recordings by Neil Diamond
(“Love at the Greek”) and Bob Dylan (“Bob Dylan at Budokan”).
The name Otis Twelve is iconic to two generations of
people growing up in Omaha. Otis got his start as the host
of “Midnight Mondo” on KQKQ in 1973. Six years later he
began his rise to even greater fame as the morning show
host of “Otis Twelve with Diver Dan Doomey” on
KEZO. The show brought a new style of morning radio to
Omaha, incorporating a significant amount of produced
humor that quickly resulted in the top-rated program in the
market. Demonstrating his versatility and adaptability, Otis
moved on to do mornings at KFAB in 1993 and at KKCD in
1994 before becoming a talk show host on Omaha’s KKAR from 1999 to 2001. Otis
also served as a movie critic for local TV stations KETV and then KPTM from 1984
to 1996. Today, Otis is the morning classical music host on Omaha’s KVNO FM,
continuing to deliver his unique style of humor and his outlook on life on yet another
radio format. 50 years in and still going strong, Otis is an Omaha radio icon.
Chairman's Column
Earlier this month, Ford announced that it
will not be installing AM radio in the next
year’s internal combustion engine Mustang.
Ford had previously said they would not put
AM in the dash of the 2023 EV F-150
because of electronic interference. A
problem that is easily solved, by the way.
Ford isn't alone. The very future of radio in
vehicles is threatened. The fear is FM
could very well be the next target. The NBA
along with the other state broadcast
associations and the NAB are preparing for
the fight that is ahead. In addition, some
Congressmen as well as former FEMA
directors have written to Ford and other
manufacturers asking them to reconsider
the decision to remove AM radio from
Dennis Brown vehicles.
KBPY/KCSR, Chadron
The NBA is on this and you will be hearing more from us in the near future. This is a “wow”
moment for those of us who love radio not just as people in the industry but as listeners -
for most of us - all of our lives. How many of us have spent late nights traveling and
turning the dial to AM stations in faraway places? Stay tuned.
As I write, this week is Severe Weather Awareness week in Nebraska. Nothing else
shows the importance of over the air local radio and television than summer storm
coverage in the car on the radio and at home with live shots of storms on TV. Here is
wishing you all well this summer. Stay safe, and continue providing your viewers and
listeners with that lifesaving coverage.
Changes to the NBA Governor’s Call In Show are coming soon to a radio near you. Jim
Timm, Ami Graham and the folks at KLIN have been working hard to put the changes in
place to make this program “new and improved” as they say. Thanks to everyone at KLIN
for putting together this new package.
Have a successful second quarter. And as always, reach out to your Nebraska
Broadcasters Association. We're here to help keep Nebraska Radio and Television
stations among some of the best in the nation.
Dennis Brown
Chairman of the Board 2022-2023
Nebraska Broadcasters Association
Board Briefs
A summary of the NBA Board of Directors
winter meeting held at the
Cornhusker Bank Community Room
in Lincoln on February 7, 2023.
Chairman Dennis Brown called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. and recited our Antitrust
policy. Minutes from the November 16, 2022 meeting were approved.
Brown led the 2023 NBA Hall of Fame election process, which resulted in Bill Kelly, Val
Lane and Otis Twelve being elected for induction during our Annual Convention in
August.
Financial reports for October, November and December, 2022 were approved as
presented by Vice Chairperson Jessie Johnson.
President/Executive Director Jim Timm reported on federal and state legislative items
under watch, and previewed the forthcoming annual NAB State Leadership Conference in
Washington, DC.
Regarding the monthly NBA Governor’s Call In Show, Timm reported on a pending
change in originating station, host and distribution.
For the NBA Pinnacle Awards, the board approved adding two new categories: “Best
Local DJ” for radio beginning in 2023 and “Best Election Coverage” for radio & TV - in
even-numbered years - starting in 2024.
Regarding Future Talent, Timm reported that the High School Radio Project is up and
running at Millard West High School in Omaha.
Brown thanked everyone for attending and the meeting adjourned at 12:29 p.m.
Kinney & Sodomka Awarded NBA EEO Scholarships
Congratulations to Hannah-Kate Kinney and Kylee Sodomka, recipients of the NBA
Foundation’s two, $2,000 NBA EEO Scholarships for 2023. Both students attend the
College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Kinney is pursuing a triple major in Broadcasting, Journalism, and Advertising/Publication
Relations, and is tracking to graduate in May of 2024. Sodomka has nearly completed her
double major in Sports Media and Communication/Broadcasting and is preparing to
graduate in May.
This unique scholarship program is supported by participating NBA member Station
Employment Units (SEUs) who fund and promote the program and then review and score
the resulting qualified applications. SEU scores are then averaged with the top two scoring
applicants each awarded a scholarship.
Hannah-Kate Kinney Kylee Sodomka
Future Talent: Developing Our Next Broadcasters
High School Radio Project
Millard West High School is the first school to engage
with the NBA’s High School Radio Project (HSRP). Since
late January, students in Mark Hilburn’s Journalism &
Media class have been learning how to program and
operate an internet-based radio station with software,
hardware and instruction led by NBA President/Executive
Director Jim Timm. Recording their own voice tracks,
news, imaging, legal IDs and PSAs, the students are
scheduling these elements in their own blend of Alternative, Country and Top 40
formats...using a Rodecaster and two mics connected with MusicMaster and
PlayoutONE. Nicknamed “The Uproar,” you can hear the station here.
The HSRP concept was created by Timm
following the NBA board’s request for a
new idea that might get more kids
interested in radio careers. After Timm
outlined the initial concept and thought he
had a winner, he asked Jordan Walton of
the Massachusetts Broadcasters
Association to critique it and say if he saw
the same potential…or, if he thought Timm
had been smoking something. Walton
loved it, as did the respective NBA and
MBA boards, so Timm & Walton went
about bringing the HSRP to life. Millard
West will be active with the HSRP through
this semester. Other Nebraska high
schools will take urns with it starting in the
fall. In Massachusetts, Watertown High
School is off and running this semester.
MWHS student Logan Moseley scheduling
music in MusicMaster.
You can learn more about the HSRP here. In addition to Walton, Timm thanks Omaha
radio veteran Kurt Owens for his work in creating video tutorials and lending other
significant expertise; Patrick Lawrence for creating the virtual machine on which the
HSRP runs; as well as Hilburn for allowing his students to be the first ones to find out how
much fun it is to be on the radio!
300+ Attend UNO High School Media Conference
UNO’s annual High School Media Conference attracted more than 300
students from over a dozen Omaha metro area high schools on March
30 th. Among the speakers were Jake Anderson of KETV on Online
News and Dave Kaplar of WOWT TV on Breaking News. NBA Hall of
Famer & current Media of Nebraska President Rose Ann Shannon
delivered the keynote address on Censorship. The NBA has been
sponsoring this event for several years and appreciates these members
volunteering their time to inspire students and further showcase broadcasting careers.
Jake Anderson Dave Kaplar Rose Ann Shannon
WOWT Supports Iowa Western Career Forum
Iowa Western Community College recently
hosted its annual 10th grade Career
Forum. Andrea Westphal of WOWT
addressed students on the opportunities in
television and promoted the NBA’s
ChannelYou NBA platform as a source for
learning more about our industry. Thank
you, Andrea!
Students at IWCC Career Forum
UNK Digital Expressions Media Camp Set for June
The 7th annual Digital Expressions Media Camp will take place at
the University of Nebraska – Kearney from June 4-9. Under the
leadership of Ford Clark and Jacob Rosdail, this camp allows 20
high school students to gain tremendous hands-on experience in
radio, television, digital media and photography. The NBA proudly
sponsors the camp and provides scholarships to students in
need. Registration is open now.
NBAF Awards High School Senior Scholarships
The NBA Foundation (NBAF) recently awarded $1,000.00 scholarships to four Nebraska
high school seniors with plans to earn a broadcasting-related degree and aspirations to
work in broadcasting. Applications were reviewed by a panel of NBA board members,
resulting in the following students earning a scholarship:
Lacie Hartman, Aquinas Catholic High Graham Kahlandt, Boone Central High
School – David City. Lacie will attend UNL School – Albion. Graham will attend UNK
to pursue a degree in Broadcasting and to pursue a degree in Sports
Sports Media. Communication.
Levi Ottman, Grand Island Northwest High Ellen Pham, Papillion-La Vista High
School. Levi will attend UNL to pursue a School. Ellen will attend UNL to pursue a
degree in Journalism/Sports Media. degree in Broadcasting: Media Production.
Virtual Job Fair April 24 - 28
Hiring? The NBA’s next Virtual Job Fair is April 24 - 28. Member stations can post jobs,
interact with candidates and expand your outreach program.
Registration deadline is April 17th.
Complete details here:
Contact Linda Meuret at linda@ne-ba.org with any questions.
Save the Date
Save the Date!NBA Annual Convention
August 8 & 9, 2023 - La Vista
Members in the Spotlight
Doug Duda – sports director for After several years as market
Flood Communications in Hastings & manager for NRG Media – Omaha,
Kearney – was named Nebraska’s Mark Shecterle heads south to
2022 Sportscaster of the Year by the assume the same role with the Cox
National Sports Media Association. Media Group radio cluster in Tulsa,
OK.
Honors abound for iHeartMedia – But wait, there’s more. The Omaha
Omaha’s KXKT. The ACM awards Press Club recently honored Lundy
have tabbed the station a finalist for as their latest “Face on the Barroom
Medium Market station of the year, Floor” which included a roast by
while morning hosts Steve Lundy colleagues Scott Voorhees, Gary
and Gina Melton – better known as Sadlemyer and Melton. Attendance
“Steve & Gina in the Morning” – are resulted in a reunion of sorts for
ACM finalists for Medium Market former Mitchell Broadcasting alums,
Personality of the Year. from L to R: Jim Snyder, Voorhees,
Dawn Villone, Brian Barks, Norm
Roberts, Mark Ryan, CharlesWarner, Lundy, Neil Nelkin and
Marty Riemenschneider (seated).
Alpha Media - Lincoln recently After nearly 35 years of supporting
realigned some programming, her colleagues behind the scenes,
launching “Mix 103.3” after moving Patty Garner has retired from
some news programming from KFOR Omaha’s KPTM/KXVO TV.
(1240 AM) in with some sports
programming from KLMS (1480 AM).
P1 Learning Moves to Ten Minute Trainer NetworkTransactions
The Nebraska Rural Radio Association has closed on its $1.5 million purchase of KBRY
FM (92.3, Sargent/Broken Bow) from Mark Jensen’s Mid Nebraska Broadcasting, LLC.
The NBA thanks President Emeritus
Marty Riemenschneider
for compiling items from the NBA
archives.
REWIND
1963: 60 Years Ago
Radio-TV education will be shifted to the School of Journalism at the University of
Nebraska starting next fall. In the past, the J-School has shared radio and TV
responsibility with the Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts. Dean Walter Militzer of
the Arts and Science College indicated the transfer will permit the journalism school to link
the sequence of courses in journalism, advertising and broadcasting.
1973: 50 Years Ago
Mrs. Ardella Jones, mother of Heisman trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, was a guest of
WOW-TV on the trip to the Orange Bowl sponsored by the station.
Charlie Brogan, recent University of Nebraska Journalism grad and KLIN staffer, moves
to WMAQ-AM-FM Chicago as weekend newsman.
If the FCC approves, there will be a partial ownership change at KOOO AM/FM,
Omaha. Buyers would be a group including country-western entertainers Roy Clark and
Hank Thompson. Clark, star of “Hee Haw,” will give a concert March 22 in the Omaha
Municipal Auditorium arena.
1983: 40 Years Ago
KOLN-TV/KGIN-TV, Lincoln-Grand Island, announced that contract negotiations have
been completed for the 1983 season of "The Tom Osborne Show.” The program, hosted
by 10/11 Sports Director Dick Janda and featuring Nebraska Head Football Coach Tom
Osborne, will air on Sunday nights at 10:30, and includes the spring intra-squad game,
pre and post-season games, plus all 11 regular season games.
1993: 30 Years Ago
Larry Rice is celebrating his 25th anniversary at KBRB, Ainsworth and airing many of the
congratulatory tapes sent to him by fellow broadcasters. Larry wanted to officially thank all
of you who sent him taped wishes! He’s having a great time this month.
2003: 20 Years Ago
The new Nebraska Amber Alert system was called into action on Wednesday, December11, 2002, when a 9-month-old child was abducted in a stolen vehicle from a gas station in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Because Iowa does not yet have an Amber Alert system, the
procedure to activate the plan took a little longer than expected. However, proper protocol
was followed and the child was found unharmed less than three hours later. This was the
first actual alert to be activated. The Nebraska Amber Alert has been in operation since
September 30, 2002.
2013: 10 Years Ago
10/11 has announced the launch of KNPL-TV, a high-definition television station
broadcasting in the North Platte market. On or about September 1, 2013, 10/11 will launch
KNPL as “10/11 North Platte,” which will be the first local CBS affiliate in the area. The
station will also broadcast high-definition local newscasts.
Sync with the NBA Calendar
EVENTS, MEETINGS & DEADLINES
Pinnacle Awards Practice Entry Window Open: April 1 - 7, 2023
Pinnacle Awards Live Entry Window Open: April 13 - 5:00 PM CDT May 2, 2023
Virtual Job Fair Registration Deadline : April 17, 2023
Virtual Job Fair: April 24 - 28, 2023
2023 NBA Annual Convention (La Vista): August 8 & 9, 2023
2023 GOVERNOR PILLEN CALL IN SHOW SCHEDULE
All shows air at 2:00 pm CT unless otherwise noted.
More than 40 member stations carry the
NBA Governor's Monthly Call In Show,
which originates from KLIN in Lincoln.The
NBA and Governor Pillen thank our many
affiliates and remind you to promote each
month's program on the air, online and
through social media.
Upcoming Call In Show Dates:
April 24, 2023
May 15, 2023
June 26, 2023
Future dates to be announced.
Governor Jim PillenIn Remembrance
Dick Chapin -
rapidly rose through the ranks from selling
radio in Lincoln to management,
ownership, brokering and industry
leadership.
Lew Hunter -
grew from his Nebraska roots to become
one of the most successful TV network and
film company executives of his era.
Matt Parsons -
longtime DJ on Grand Island’s KSYZ,
culminating as co-host of the “Matt and
Julia” show in the early 2000’s.
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