Industry News Bits WED 1/14/26

Fundraisers this week  .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net

Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by Dunham+Company.

DEC Nielsen PPM release is complete. Holiday PPM arrives 1/26. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings.

New LPFM in Texas 94.3 KHSP/Huntsville (Spirit Radio) has gone on the air. The station has been streaming its CCM format sine Nov 2020, and went on the air Jan 1st. The FCC granted the LPFM license on 12-19-24.

Rob Hipp serves as president and program director of KHSP Spirit Radio. With a diverse background that includes owning IT and sports broadcasting businesses, as well as working as a play-by-play announcer for Sam Houston State University and North Dakota State, Hipp has long dreamed of launching a station like Spirit Radio.

“Spirit Radio exists to reach all people, restore hope, and point hearts back to Jesus through Christian teaching, music, and programming,” Hipp told Radio World.

WAFJ/Augusta morning host Ethan Milburn says he is heading to WLFJ/Greenville (His Radio flagship station) to host afternoons. That shift has been open since July 2025 when Brian Sumner moved to co-host mornings with PD Lizz Ryals. Jenny Bender has been heard on His Radio afternoons since then.

Could more changes be coming at WAFJ?

Prior to joining WAFJ in Dec 2021, Ethan was with KWND/Springfield (The Wind) where he was afternoon personality.

Salem Media today announced the promotion of Carolyn Cassidy to Vice President & Regional General Manager. In her new role, Cassidy will continue to oversee Salem’s operations in Columbus, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, while expanding her leadership role as part of the company’s Senior Leadership Team.

Cassidy has been an integral part of Salem for many years, beginning with her leadership in Columbus, where she cultivated a strong culture of teamwork, community involvement, and business growth. She later took on management of Salem’s Tampa market, followed by oversight of Orlando and, most recently, Miami.

“Carolyn has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, market insight, and a deep commitment to Salem’s mission,” said Allen Power, President of Broadcast Media for Salem. “Her ability to lead multiple large and diverse markets with both strategic focus and personal care makes her an outstanding addition to our VP ranks.”

Salem SVP Jeff Reisman added, “Carolyn’s experience across several dynamic markets uniquely equips her to join our senior management group where she will contribute to our continued growth and operational excellence.”

WDJC/Birmingham  Station Manager Justin Flores is now hosting a new show airing on Sundays from 9a-7p (4 hours repeated). The new show “Word and Worship, Then and Now”, also airs on sister Crawford station WMUZ/Detroit on Sundays from 9a-6p.

Justin tells HisAir, “I love music and since becoming a follower of Jesus Christ, I have been enthralled by hymns and spiritual songs and those who sang them. It has been a joy to learn of pastors and speakers of the past who have faithfully delivered the Word of God too. Now both of those things are coming together on the all new “Word and Worship Then and Now” program. We will take the hymns and spirituals, recorded from the last 80 years to today, along with recordings of those “pillars” of the church that delivered the Word, and blend them together to create an inspirational showcase.”

HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners

RadioU announces an in-person opening for a skilled, experienced radio promotions and marketing professional at our studios in Columbus, Ohio. In this role, you’ll elevate and oversee RadioU’s physical presence at concerts and community events, while also leading the expansion and oversight of our digital marketing efforts. Your ambition, organization, and enthusiasm for managing our nighttime and weekend promotional events will be vital to your success here.

If interested in this opening go HERE

The new Gateway Creative Broadcasting worship station KLJT/St Louis (Worship One) (88.1) is getting close to its launch date. KLJT PD Jeremy Louis tells HisAir an announcement is coming by the end of this week. 

In Oct 2025 Worship One hired WNFR/Sanduskey, MI (Hope FM) PD Brett Hager to serve as APD/morning host, he began his new role on 12/1.

Gateway Creative Broadcasting acquired KLJT after submitting the winning bid of $8.75 million for the station, narrowly outbidding K-LOVE, which offered $8.5 million in March this year.  Gateway also operates KLJY/St Louis (JOY 99.1) and KXBS/ST Louis (BOOST Radio). 

ClassicChristian247.com PD/talent Mike Schlote checks in with HisAir. Mike says he has started a new ministry called God’s Word Every Day. The website is GodsWordEveryDay.com.

Mike told HisAir, “I record and publish a new Scripture reading every single day. Each reading is quite short so that if someone gets a little behind, it will be very easy to catch back up. People can subscribe to the podcast directly on the site and I have made it available on Spotify and Amazon Music as well. This desire has been building in me for a long time as I observe a general lack of Biblical depth within the church. My hope is to provide a simple way for believers to get into God’s Word every day. It is absurd to think that we can become more Christ-like without understanding what Christ is like. God has revealed Himself through His Word, yet far too many believers ignore our ultimate source of Truth and life.”

In the past Mike has worked in Christian Radio at WQFL/Rockford, WMCU/Miami, WAFG/Fort Lauderdale and others

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The NRB 2026 International Christian Media Convention is right around the corner.  

NRB 2026 takes place February 17-20 in Nashville. Make plans to visit HisAir.Net on the exhibition floor. The HisAir booth is #112 and we’ll be there Wednesday thru Friday looking for you! We’ll have reports on social media sponsored by “Convoy of Hope”.

Aligned Talent Agency has announced the addition of Brandon Monson, founder and lead member of Presence Music, as a Booking Agent, further strengthening the agency’s commitment to relationship-driven, ministry-focused representation.

“Aligned Talent Agency has built something special by putting relationships, integrity, and ministry first. I’m honored to step into this role and come alongside artists, churches, and events in a way that serves everyone well,” said Monson. “Having lived on the road, served in the local church, and worked in the business world, I’m passionate about helping artists find opportunities that truly align with their calling not just their calendar.”

The Vidare Creative fundraising team wants you to join them for their next Free Webinar – Planning for Your Spring Fundraiser: Can you still ask for $1/Day?

Feb 10, 2026 at 1pm CT. You’ll learn the best practices for planning your spring fundraiser, including how much you should ask for before and during the event. 

Get registered HERE. 

HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – Jan 14, 2019

From January 5-11, 2019 i58:10 Media President David Harms was in Nepal gathering stories for World Concern’s SOS Initiative, which is an anti-trafficking radio campaign. In the photo at left David talks with a husband and wife who’s 8 year old daughter was kidnapped when a man soaked a rag in ether and covered her mouth until she passed out. The girl was trafficked to work in a brick factory but was later rescued and returned to her parents.

Milestones:
Kris Love 13 years at Centricity Music
Bruce Barrows 17 years at KNWI/Des Moines

Prayer List:
Joe Cheesman

The HisAir Prayer group is a place where the Christian Radio & Records industry can post prayer requests, and pray for others.
Go HERE to join the private HisAir Prayer Group group.

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