Industry News Bits THU 2/26/26
Fundraisers this week .. Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net
Spring Sharathon season is here. Fundraising next week:
Christian FM and WHIF/Palatka
March 9th GoMix/Goldsboro, NC
Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by Dunham+Company.
JAN Nielsen PPM release Day 4 markets today including Austin, Nashville, Jacksonville and more. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings. Feb PPM comes starting March 23rd.
In the JAN PPM KJNW/Kansas City (Life 88.5) scored it’s first ever #1 among subscribing stations. KJNW’s AQH trend the last 3 months is 6.3-6.7-6.5 .
Life 88.5 PD Melony McKay tells HisAir, “We’ve been so grateful for God expanding the reach of Life 88.5 over this past year as that means more people get to hear about Jesus.”
The Northwestern Media station is listener-supported signed on in August 1970. NWM acquired KJNW in 2013. In 2014 Life 88.5 finished as runner-up for the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Station of the Year. In 2021, KJNW was named the CMB Large Market Station of the Year.
Melony who joined KJNW in 2013 adds, “This is such a passionate tireless team. Super honored to work with them. They inspire me daily.”
Minnesota based Christian radio network (PraiseLive) has returned to the name PraiseFM, stepping forward with renewed vision and leadership while carrying the same passion that has defined the ministry from the beginning.
Since 2017, the network has operated as PraiseLive — a season marked by growth and expanded connection. Now, as the ministry looks ahead, it has embraced the name praisefm once again — a name deeply rooted in its history and familiar to listeners across generations. The return reflects clarity and continuity: honoring where the ministry has been while confidently moving into what God is doing next.
At the same time, Katie Henslin (pictured) has been appointed Executive Director, effective January 1, 2026. She succeeds David McIver, whose faithful 40 years of leadership concluded on December 31, 2025. His decades of steady guidance built a strong foundation of worship, prayer, and biblical truth that continues to shape the heart of the organization today.
Henslin brings more than 26 years of pastoral leadership, teaching, and discipleship experience into this new season. She steps into the role with deep gratitude — and genuine excitement for what lies ahead.
“This feels like both a homecoming and a fresh start,” Henslin shared. “Returning to the name PraiseFM reconnects us with our roots, while this new season calls us forward with fresh faith. The mission hasn’t changed. We exist to help people encounter Jesus through worship, prayer, and Scripture — 24 hours a day. My heart is to see my neighborhood and the nations worshiping Him. We believe God is inviting us into something beautiful in this next chapter.”
HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners
One of the nation’s premier legacy Christian Radio stations, WDJC-FM 93.7 – is looking for a dynamic on air host who loves the Lord, believes in LIVE and LOCAL commercial radio, is SALES minded and ready to work closely with our seasoned Sales team and advertising clients.
If interested in this opening go HERE
Longtime Salem Radio Network (SRN) White House correspondent Greg Clugston has accepted an appointment to the Communications faculty of Indiana Wesleyan University, effective July 1st.
Tom Tradup, SRN VP/News, calls Clugston “the consummate professional whose solid coverage will be sorely missed by our Washington Bureau and by our listeners nationwide.” Tradup added that Clugston served on the White House Travel Pool and often traveled on Air Force One covering President Trump for SRN News
The Gospel Industry Network (GIN) will have its National Conference June 24-27 in Little Rock.
For more info go HERE
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In a private gathering at NRB 2026, Salem Media honored John MacArthur, the founder of the syndicated Christian teaching program Grace to You, with the 2026 Stuart Epperson Award for Excellence in Christian Media. MacArthur passed away in July at age 86. The award was accepted on behalf of the ministry by Grace to You Chief Operating Officer Jay Flowers.
MacArthur served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA, for 56 years. After starting Grace to You in 1977, he created a prolific body of written work, including more than 400 books and the MacArthur Study Bible, which Salem said has sold more than four million copies. MacArthur also founded The Master’s Seminary and served as president of The Master’s University, roles Salem credited with training pastors and Christian leaders serving in the US and abroad.
Several Northwestern Media stations combined efforts on February 4-5, 2026, to find over 900 new child champions (sponsors) for children living in extreme poverty, through the ministry OneChild. Radio stations that participated, included: KTIS, Life 101.9, Life 97.3, WBGL, Faith Radio, Life 96.5, Spirit FM, Life Omaha, Life 107.1, Life 88.5, Sound of Life, and KSLT.
According to Jason Sharp, Senior Vice President of NW Media, “I believe that we grow individually and corporately when we have a heart for the poor. Northwestern is grateful to partner with OneChild.”
Faron Dice, National Director for Radio and Artist Engagement at OneChild adds, “Each radio station focused on one specific area and Hope Center. These stations and their listeners were an answer to prayer for children in poverty.”
Pivctured (Front L-R) Shawn Scheffler Spirit FM, Faron Dice OneChild, Jeremy Nobles Life 979, Mikayla Brown Life 1025, (Middle L-R) Debbie Pack KSLT, Jill Mikkelson Life 973, Julie Sharp, Mercedes Rich Life 1071, David A Dein Life 1019, Coreen Sanchez Sound of Life, Courtney Canfield WBGL, (Back L-R) Shariff Welch Life 965, Ryan Mitchell Faith Radio, TJ Jackson Life 885, Andy Youso KTIS, Nick Kalina Life Omaha, Rick Smith WCIC, and Jason Sharp Senior VP Northwestern Media.
Chris Rohloff checks in with HisAir on the anniversary of the passing of his friend Richard McIntosh. Richard was former GM at KWVE/Santa Ana (K-WAVE 107.9) and Calvary Chapel group of stations passed away in 2016. He battled pancreatic cancer for the last few years.
In Chris’s reflection about his friend Richard he says, “He and I became friends meeting at conventions and working on various projects together, even
though we never formally worked on the same “team.” Richard might not be the biggest name in the Christian radio industry, but he has a special and meaningful place in my heart and life.”
Pioneer Christian Hip-Hop announcer, DJ “I Rock Jesus” (Gary) passed away this week. Gary was National DJ of the Year at the Carolina Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards in 2007. His syndicated Live Mix Show on Eprayze Radio became included interviews, exclusives, remixes, and a heartbeat for CHH long before the genre had the infrastructure it has today.
HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – Feb 26, 2024
Christian Radio veteran Wayne Pederson was inducted into the NRB “Hall of Fame” this year at the annual convention in Nashville. Wayne’s resume includes PraiseLive, Reach Beyond and senior leadership positions at Moody Broadcasting, NRB, CMB and Northwestern Media (KTIS/Minneapolis). Also, another industry vet Tim McDermott was elected NRB Treasurer. To view Tim’s many guest articles on HisAir, including the latest “Ministry & Business” go HERE.
HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – Feb 25, 2025
Dan Watts returns to WAKW/Cincinnati (STAR 93.3) as the Local Sales Manager and joins Pillar Media as the Director of Digital Sales. Watts served as a Sales Manager for Pillar Media from 2007 to 2015. Most recently Watts held leadership roles at Hope Media Group. He served as the Director of Digital and National Relationships for five years, followed by Senior Director of Software Partnerships for one year
In his new role, Watts leads the STAR 93.3 sales team and guides Pillar Media’s digital sales through innovative strategies while supporting each local sales team’s efforts.
Milestones:
Tom Perrault 11 years at Dunham+Company
Chuck Finney 17 years at Finney Media
Joseph Kudlacik 6 years at Salem Media
Cassandra Reimold 3 years at Salem Surround
KRNG-FM/Fallon, NV (Renegade Radio) goes dark 5 years ago.
2/25
Mysti Jordan 6 years at Family Life Radio/Tucson
Jake Townsend 12 years at WayFM
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