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Top Radio News
Super Hi-Fi Partners with Connoisseur Media on AI Radio
| RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, January 27, 2026 | 6:00am CT |
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Super Hi-Fi has formed a strategic partnership with Connoisseur Media, under which select Connoisseur stations nationwide will be re-platformed using Super Hi-Fi's AI Radio technology. As part of the agreement, Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw will join Super Hi-Fi's Board of Directors.
The partnership centers on Super Hi-Fi's cloud-native AI Radio platform, anchored by "Program Director," which the company describes as the industry's first end-to-end radio operating system. The platform is designed to master, schedule, produce, and deliver station content directly to a Super Hi-Fi playout device at the transmitter.
Super Hi-Fi says the approach is intended to help stations sound more local and more engaging, while modernizing operations and replacing legacy workflows. The companies expect the deployment to reduce operating costs while elevating audio production standards and the overall listener experience.
"Our mission is to have the best live and local radio experience in every market across America," Warshaw said, adding that Super Hi-Fi's capabilities will allow Connoisseur to deliver compelling new radio products.
Super Hi-Fi CEO Zack Zalon said Warshaw's addition to the board strengthens the company as it scales its technology across the industry.
Initial launches using Super Hi-Fi's platform are already underway at WERV (95.9 The River) in Aurora IL and KKUS (104.1 The Ranch) in Tyler-Longview, along with stations in Columbia SC, San Antonio TX, and Lincoln, NE. Additional launches are expected throughout 2026.
AM/FM Radio Builds Local Brand Awareness in Lake Charles
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 26, 2026 | 1:54pm CT |
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A new study examining advertising effectiveness in Lake Charles, LA, finds that consistent AM/FM radio campaigns are helping local service businesses achieve strong brand awareness well before consumers need their services.
The research, conducted by Quantilope and commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group, measured unaided brand awareness across several local advertiser categories, including plumbing, HVAC, and automotive repair. One hundred Lake Charles consumers were surveyed between August and October, 2025.
Lake Charles, an unrated market with a population of approximately 175,000, provided a clear snapshot of how audio advertising can shape consumer memory. The study focused on unaided awareness-asking respondents to name brands that come to mind without being prompted by a list.
Among the findings, Able Plumbing led all plumbing services with 14% unaided awareness, outperforming national brands such as Roto-Rooter, Lowe's, Ace, and Home Depot. However, nearly three in ten respondents were unable to name a single plumbing brand, underscoring the competitive advantage of simply being remembered.
In HVAC, Burnworth's AC emerged as a leading local brand, cited unaided by 6% of respondents. At the same time, 25% of consumers could not name any heating or air conditioning service, highlighting what the study described as a significant opportunity for brand-building in the category.
Meads Automotive topped the auto repair segment, with 10% unaided awareness. Still, 23% of those surveyed were unable to name any auto repair brand at all, reinforcing the idea that advertising often competes most directly with consumer unfamiliarity rather than rival businesses.
The study emphasizes that unaided awareness is a critical indicator of brand strength. Advertising, it notes, works by creating memories that can later influence purchasing decisions when a need arises. Businesses with stronger brand memories tend to convert awareness into sales more effectively and sustain demand even as prices increase.
As a comparative benchmark, the report also points to Steve's Pest Control in Columbia, MO, which has achieved 34% unaided awareness through long-term radio advertising, illustrating the potential scale of brand impact from sustained audio campaigns.
According to the findings, successful advertisers in Lake Charles share four common practices: broad market reach, frequent exposure, year-round consistency, and the use of memorable, emotion-based creative. Together, these elements help brands become familiar to consumers who may not currently be in the market but will be in the future.
The report concludes that AM/FM radio remains a powerful medium for building "known before needed" brands, particularly in local service categories where consumer demand is intermittent but highly influenced by memory and familiarity.
Read the entire blog post here.
Paul Allen Steps Away From KFAN After On-Air Remarks
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 26, 2026 | 10:00pm CT |
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Minnesota Vikings radio play-by-play announcer Paul Allen has apologized and is taking a brief leave from his daily show on KFAN following criticism over comments he made last week about what he referred to as "paid protesters."
During the January 23 broadcast of The Paul Allen Show, Allen joked about whether protesters receive hazard pay for demonstrating in cold weather, later repeating the phrase "paid protesters" in additional remarks. The comments quickly spread online after being highlighted by sports media outlet Awful Announcing, drawing widespread backlash.
On Monday, January 26, Allen addressed the controversy on air, calling the remarks "insensitive and poorly timed" and offering multiple apologies to listeners.
"I made comments on Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed, and I'm sorry," Allen said. He later described the remarks as a misguided attempt at humor, adding that his "best was lacking" during the broadcast.
The situation intensified following a fatal shooting in Minnesota the next day, after which Allen posted a lengthy message on X expressing sorrow over violence in the state and pledging there would be "no more cheap one-liners" from him. The post drew more than 2,000 responses, many of them critical, with some calling for Allen's dismissal from both KFAN and his role as Vikings announcer.
Others came to Allen's defense, including former KQRS host Tom Barnard, who urged critics to show understanding toward broadcasters who spend hours on air each day and are susceptible to mistakes.
In a prerecorded statement aired Monday, Allen reiterated that his program does not take political positions and does not focus on political issues. He then announced he would be stepping away from the show for a few days, with longtime KFAN contributor Paul Charchian filling in during his absence.
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Benztown Launches AirReady AI Imaging Feature
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 26, 2026 | 10:17am CT |
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Benztown has introduced a new AI-powered feature designed to streamline radio imaging production across its audio libraries. The company today launched AirReady, a tool that allows stations to instantly swap their own voiceover and brand voices into any Benztown Libraries imaging element.
AirReady is aimed at station imaging and production professionals seeking faster turnaround while maintaining consistent on-air branding. By automating voice replacement, the feature reduces the time and resources typically required to rebuild imaging pieces from scratch.
The AirReady functionality is included with subscriptions to all Benztown Libraries. In addition, the company is offering two optional add-on packages. The Producer Package: Producer Swap provides production-level voice swapping with batch processing, while the PD Package: Instant Imaging delivers pre-built imaging with immediate voiceover application.
Andreas Sannemann, Chief Executive Officer of Benztown, said the new feature represents a significant shift in how stations customize imaging. He described AirReady as a step toward greater creative flexibility, allowing producers to tailor imaging elements with a single click.
Oliver Klenk, Head of Production & Composition, said the technology changes day-to-day workflows for production teams. He noted that AirReady enables producers to spend less time rebuilding assets and more time focusing on creating distinctive, on-brand audio.
To introduce the new feature, Benztown will host a free 30-minute AirReady webinar for radio professionals on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 9am PT. Register for the webinar here.
BobbyCast Expands to Netflix With Kenny Chesney Episode
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 26, 2026 | 10:12am CT |
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Bobby Bones Presents: The BobbyCast has expanded to Netflix, marking the show's first appearance on the streaming platform as part of an exclusive video podcast partnership between Netflix and iHeartMedia.
Hosted by radio and television personality Bobby Bones, the long-running country music podcast launches its Netflix run with a new episode featuring Kenny Chesney. The conversation explores Chesney's career arc, including early setbacks, the physical demands of touring, and his connection with fans known as No Shoes Nation.
In the episode, Chesney reflects on the impact of a triple-platinum greatest hits album released early in his career, his approach to sustaining multi-hour stadium performances, and lessons learned along the way. He also discusses his Sphere residency, his New York Times No. 1 nonfiction book Heart Life Music, and his professional respect for tourmate Megan Moroney.
The Netflix debut adds a video component to The BobbyCast, which will continue to release episodes in both video and audio formats. New episodes will stream on Netflix every Tuesday and Thursday, with audio versions available simultaneously on iHeartRadio and other podcast platforms.
The move places The BobbyCast among a limited group of iHeartPodcasts now offered on Netflix.
iHeartPodcasts Sets Narrative Series on DMX's Early Years
| RADIO ONLINE | Monday, January 26, 2026 | 2:11pm CT |
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iHeartPodcasts has partnered with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's G-Unit Audio andpodcast studio Narratively to produce Look Thru My Eyes: Becoming DMX, a new narrative podcast series examining the early life and rise of the late hip-hop icon DMX.
Set to debut later this year on the iHeartRadio app and major podcast platforms, the multi-episode series traces the formative years of Earl Simmons before global fame, focusing on his upbringing in Yonkers, New York. Hosted by Yonkers native and rapper Jadakiss, the project features firsthand accounts from family members, childhood friends, collaborators, rivals, and cultural figures who witnessed DMX's early path.
The series is executive produced by Jackson alongside Noah Rosenberg, Bruce Miller, Justin Baez, and Paul Anderson. Producers say the narrative centers on themes of legacy, faith, struggle, addiction, and survival, with Miller and Baez bringing personal ties to Yonkers and DMX's family to ground the storytelling in the community that shaped the artist.
"DMX's story is bigger than the music," Jackson said, describing the series as an effort to document the years before fame through voices closest to Simmons.
Narratively serves as the lead creative and production partner, with production also handled by G-Unit Audio, Blue Light Media, and 1982 Media, in association with Workhouse Media. The showrunner is Drew Nelles, whose credits include projects for iHeartMedia, Sony, and Gimlet Media.
Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts, said the partnership leverages the company's scale to bring DMX's story to a global audience. The first season will chronicle Simmons' early life and artistic emergence, with future seasons envisioned to explore the origin stories of other iconic artists.
Maire Mason to Lead MediaCo's Local Operations
| RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, January 24, 2026 | 5:57pm CT |
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Maire Mason is departing Spanish Broadcasting System to take on a senior leadership role with MediaCo, where she will oversee the company's local radio and television operations in New York City, Chicago, and Denver, with additional markets expected to follow.
Mason will serve as Vice President and General Manager for all local MediaCo markets. Her portfolio includes New York-area properties Hot 97 (WQHT), WBLS, Luna 107.5 (WBLS-HD2), La Buena (WQHT-HD2), and Estrella TV (WMBC-TV). Her responsibilities are reportedly expected to expand as MediaCo advances its national growth strategy in multicultural broadcasting.
A veteran broadcast executive, Mason brings decades of leadership experience across major radio groups. She spent more than 20 years with CBS Radio/Infinity Broadcasting, serving as Vice President and General Manager of several New York stations, including WCBS-FM, WXRK, and WNEW. Her career also includes senior roles at Univision New York and Cumulus Media, where she was instrumental in launching New York City's first FM news station and its first country music outlet.
Most recently, Mason served as Vice President and General Manager for SBS's New York stations Mega 97.9 (WSKQ) and Amor 93.1 (WPAT), a role she assumed in 2018. In 2022, her SBS responsibilities expanded to include oversight of Chicago's La Ley 107.9 (WLEY).
Her move to MediaCo marks another high-profile executive shift as broadcasters continue to invest in local leadership and multicultural audience growth across major U.S. markets.
Edison Releases Top 50 Q4 2025 Podcast Rankings
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 23, 2026 | 9:59am CT |
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Edison Research has released its Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. based on reach for Q4 2025 among weekly podcast consumers ages 13 and over, using data from Edison Podcast Metrics.
The top five shows remained unchanged from Q3 2025, with The Joe Rogan Experience holding the top spot, followed by Crime Junkie, The Daily, Call Her Daddy, and SmartLess. Several titles posted notable gains during the quarter, including Stuff You Should Know, which climbed four places to No. 6, and This American Life, which rose five spots to No. 7.
Rounding out the Top 10 were This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von (No. 8), Dateline NBC (No. 9), and New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce at No. 10, despite a three-rank decline.
One of the quarter's fastest risers was Good Hang with Amy Poehler, which climbed to a new high at No. 38 following its March 2025 debut. The show recently earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Podcast, though Edison noted that many Top 25 podcasts -- including This American Life, New Heights, The Breakfast Club, Radiolab, and Club Shay Shay -- were not eligible for Golden Globe consideration.
Three podcasts entered the Edison Top 50 for the first time this quarter: The Diary Of A CEO, The 85 South Show, and Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce. Meanwhile, The Charlie Kirk Show posted the steepest decline, falling 30 positions after peaking at No. 17 in the previous quarter.
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FCC Designates El Paso Radio Station Transfer for Hearing
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 23, 2026 | 2:12pm CT |
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The FCC has designated a proposed transfer of control involving three El Paso radio stations for hearing, citing substantial and material questions about unauthorized control, foreign ownership compliance, and possible misrepresentation to the agency.
In a Hearing Designation Order released January 23, the FCC's Media Bureau placed the transfer application for KBNA-FM, KAMA-AM, and KQBU-AM into abeyance and ordered a formal evidentiary hearing to determine whether the stations' licenses should be revoked and whether the proposed transaction should be approved, denied, or dismissed.
The application seeks approval for Luz Maria Rygaard to transfer control of 97.5 Licensee TX, LLC to Lorena Margarita Perez Toscano, a Mexican citizen. Toscano also filed a related petition requesting approval for 100% indirect foreign ownership of the stations under Section 310(b)(4) of the Communications Act.
Following a lengthy investigation, the Bureau concluded that the record raises serious questions about whether Rygaard maintained actual control of the stations after acquiring them in 2022, or whether control had effectively shifted to Toscano or a related company without prior FCC authorization. The Commission cited concerns that programming, personnel, and financial operations may have been controlled by Pro Radio LLC, an entity ultimately owned by Toscano and her family, under an unwritten agreement that was not disclosed in the transfer application or placed in the stations' public inspection files.
The FCC also pointed to the financial structure surrounding the transaction, including a $2.45 million debt owed by the licensee that Toscano acquired the right to collect shortly before Rygaard purchased the stations for $10,000. The same nominal purchase price appears in the pending transfer application. According to the Bureau, these circumstances, combined with undisclosed family relationships between the parties, raise additional questions about who has exercised de facto control of the stations.
In addition to potential unauthorized transfer of control, the Commission found substantial questions regarding misrepresentation and lack of candor. The Bureau cited incomplete, inconsistent, or contradictory responses to letters of inquiry, as well as the omission of material facts related to programming arrangements, debt obligations, and station operations. Such issues, the FCC noted, directly implicate a licensee's character qualifications and could support license revocation under Sections 312(a) and 312(c) of the Act.
Under long-standing FCC policy, the agency will not act on the transfer application or the related foreign ownership petition while unresolved character qualification issues remain. The forthcoming hearing will determine whether the stations' licenses should be revoked and whether the proposed transfer can proceed in the public interest.
The FCC emphasized that the designation for hearing does not represent a final decision on the merits, but reflects the need for a full evidentiary record before any determination is made.
Emily Harlan Named Music Director at Bay Country 94.5
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 23, 2026 | 10:08am CT |
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Connoisseur Media has promoted Emily Harlan to Music Director at KBAY (Bay Country 94.5), effective immediately. Harlan has been with the San Jose-San Francisco Bay Area country outlet for more than three years, where she has worked on music scheduling, label relations, promotions, and on-air support. In her new role, she will oversee the station's music strategy and direction, collaborating with programming leadership and air talent.
"Emily has a real love for music and radio and a strong understanding of what serves our listeners," said J. Love, Operations Manager. "She's earned this role, and I'm excited to work closely with her as we continue to grow and strengthen the sound of Bay Country 94.5."
Cumulus Shifts Topeka Radio Operations to Kansas City
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, January 23, 2026 | 4:06pm CT |
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Cumulus Media has relocated its Topeka radio staff to Kansas City as part of a consolidation of operations, while maintaining that service to the Topeka market will continue uninterrupted.
The company confirmed to WIBW that it has consolidated the studios and management teams for its Kansas City and Topeka stations in Kansas City. Cumulus said the move will not affect programming.
According to the company, all local sports coverage will continue to air on its existing Topeka outlets, including KMAJ-AM (The Big Talker 1440/93.5 FM).
Cumulus also emphasized that its local partnerships in Topeka remain "vital" and said serving the community will continue to be a top priority despite the operational shift.
ESPN Cleveland Ups Jordan Klimack to Director of Content
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 5:03pm CT |
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WKNR (ESPN Cleveland) has promoted Jordan Klimack to Director of Content, according to a post on his LinkedIn profile. The appointment places Klimack in charge of the station's programming and content strategy as the Good Karma Brands-owned outlet continues to expand its digital presence alongside its traditional radio operations.
Klimack steps into the role following the August 2023 departure of Matt Fishman, who held the Director of Content position for more than three-and-a-half years. In the interim, ESPN Cleveland leaned on internal continuity, a process that ultimately positioned Klimack as the natural successor.
A Cleveland market veteran, Klimack joined ESPN Cleveland in 2018 and served as producer for The Next Level from 2020 through 2023. During that period, he helped shape the show's daily sound and editorial focus while gaining broader experience across the station's programming.
With the promotion now official, Klimack assumes responsibility for advancing ESPN Cleveland's growing digital initiatives while maintaining its core radio product, balancing day-to-day programming needs with longer-term strategic planning in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
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Podtrac Launches First Multi-Channel Podcast Rankings
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 3:24pm CT |
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Podtrac has released what it calls the podcast industry's first comprehensive Multi-Channel Podcast Ranking, designed to measure podcast consumption across audio, video, and social platforms.
The new Top 200 monthly ranking captures delivery from traditional audio podcast downloads on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify, full video episodes viewed on YouTube and Spotify, and short-form podcast video clips played on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Every audio and video podcast is eligible for inclusion in the ranking.
According to Podtrac, the expanded measurement reflects how publishers are increasingly distributing and promoting shows across multiple platforms and bundling advertising packages around those strengths. The ranking is intended to answer key industry questions, including the relative popularity of short video clips versus full episodes and where top podcasts are choosing to post video content.
Highlights from Podtrac's December 2025 Top 200 Multi-Channel Podcast Ranking show that all 200 ranked podcasts distribute audio episodes via RSS. Video distribution is also widespread, with 64% of podcasts posting video episodes to YouTube and 22% to Spotify. While audio remains dominant overall, 26% of the Top 200 podcasts receive the majority of their delivery from video.
Among the Top 50 podcasts, delivery is nearly evenly split between video (51%) and audio (49%). In contrast, podcasts ranked 51 through 200 skew more heavily toward audio, which accounts for 77% of delivery. By genre, News leads the ranking with 52 podcasts, followed by Comedy (35), Society & Culture (20), True Crime (19), Business (17), and Sports (11).
Short-form video plays a significant role as well. Sixty-five percent of the Top 200 podcasts post clips to Instagram, 55% to TikTok, and 55% to YouTube. More than one-third of ranked podcasts generate more delivery from video clips than from full podcast episodes. On YouTube specifically, 53% of podcast delivery comes from clips, compared with 47% from full episodes.
Podtrac said the new ranking is designed to provide advertisers with a clearer view of top podcasts across platforms, help publishers benchmark and expand their reach, and offer the industry a broader understanding of how audiences engage with podcasts in an increasingly multi-channel environment.
iHeart Audience Network Tops December Triton Podcast Ranker
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 10:04am CT |
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Triton Digital has released its December 2025 U.S. Podcast Ranker, for the reporting period from December 1 through December 28, as measured by its Podcast Metrics service.
In the Top Sales Network Report, iHeart Audience Network retained the top position with 62.6 million Average Weekly Downloads. Audacy Podcast Network followed at No. 2 with 12.8 million Average Weekly Downloads, while Audioboom ranked third with 11.3 million.
On the individual podcast rankings, Stuff You Should Know held onto the No. 1 spot based on downloads. 48 Hours moved into second place, with The Charlie Kirk Show ranking third.
Several titles debuted on the December ranker, including You're Dead to Me from the BBC and Bloomberg Businessweek from iHeart Audience Network, among others.
Westwood One to Air NFL Championship Sunday Coverage
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 10:07am CT |
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Westwood One will provide live play-by-play coverage of NFL Championship Sunday on January 25, continuing its role as the official audio partner of the National Football League.
The day's coverage begins with the AFC Championship, as the New England Patriots face the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Live coverage starts at 2pm ET, with the winner earning the Lamar Hunt Trophy.
Later in the evening, the NFC Championship will feature the Los Angeles Rams against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Westwood One's coverage of that matchup begins at 6:30pm ET, with the George Halas Trophy on the line.
This season marks Westwood One's 39th consecutive year as the NFL's official audio partner. For the 17th straight season, Scott Graham will host the network's pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage for Championship Sunday.
Carey Coleman Steps Down at WNIR to Run for Congress
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 10:40am CT |
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WNIR (100 FM)/Akron OH talk show host Carey Coleman has resigned from his program as he prepares to run for the United States House of Representatives in Ohio's 13th Congressional District.
Coleman, who has been a familiar voice on WNIR, announced his departure to focus on his campaign in the district, which covers portions of Northeast Ohio. His exit creates an opening in a prominent time period on the station's schedule.
Known as "The Talk of Akron," WNIR is a longtime talk radio pioneer, having brought talk programming to the FM dial in the 1970s -- making it one of the first stations in the nation to do so.
The station is now accepting applications for a talk show host to fill Coleman's former slot. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact WNIR President Bob Klaus here.
Rob Parker Named to Black Sportwriters Hall of Fame
| RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, January 22, 2026 | 2:40pm CT |
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Rob Parker has been named to the 2026 inductee class of the Black Sportwriters Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that spans four decades across print, radio and television. Parker is a co-host on FOX Sports Radio's The Odd Couple with Rob Parker & Kelvin Washington, an MLB Network analyst, and the founder and editor of MLBbro.com.
He began his journalism career in 1986 at the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader and, by age 22, was a full-time sportswriter at the New York Daily News. Parker went on to break barriers throughout his career, becoming the first African American sports columnist at the Detroit Free Press in 1993 and at Newsday in 1995. In 1991, he became the first African American beat writer to cover the Cincinnati Reds for The Cincinnati Enquirer. He later spent nine years as an award-winning sports columnist at The Detroit News.
Parker will be inducted alongside fellow 2026 honorees Clifton Brown, Garry D. Howard and Ron Thomas. The induction dinner and ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, 2026, at North Carolina A&T State University's Deese Ballroom at the Student Center.
"What an honor to be recognized by your peers, your people," Parker said. "I'm thrilled to be inducted alongside such a groundbreaking sports editor and accomplished writers. What a class! I'm both humbled and grateful."
The Black Sportwriters Hall of Fame honors Black sportswriters and editors for excellence in journalism. The Hall is located on the North Carolina A&T campus in Crosby Hall within the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.
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