What's News? April 2005

New Night Show On WTKS 4-3-05
It seems that a new show will be taking over the slot vacated by Drew Garabo. "The Hideout" with El Heffe and J Dubbs from WJFK in Washington, DC. Don't know if they'll be local or out of DC. They will be introduced on the Philips Phile on WTKS-FM 104.1, Monday 4-4-05.

Musical Chairs At K92 4-4-05
WWKA-FM 92.3 "K92" has made some schedule changes recently. Bo Mathews, former morning co-host with Melissa Moore has moved to the 3PM-9PM slot. The morning show now consists of Ellis B. Feaster, Melissa Moore, Johnny Twinkles and producer Mark "Skid" Lavin.

Thanks Scott 4-14-05
Thank you to Scott Maxwell at the Orlando Sentinel for the mention in his "Taking Names" column today.

WQQZ Sings A Different Tune 4-15-05
Bob Mervine from the Orlando Business Journal reports WQQZ-FM 88.7 is now WWKG-FM and the format has gone from Tropical to Black Gospel. The switch was made on March 14. Owners, Hispanic Broadcast Systems, has leased the station to a group that includes General Manager Noe Chaparro.
Editors note: What does this mean for WPOZ's purchasing plans? See related story; WPOZ To Buy WQQZ

Former PD Sues WLOQ 4-15-05
David Kosh, former program director for WLOQ-FM 103.1, has filed a lawsuit over the loss of his job alleging racial insensitivity toward management. In a complaint filed in Orange County Circuit Civil Court, Kosh claims his contract was not renewed two years ago by the station because he agreed to testify on behalf of a fellow employee who filed a race discrimination complaint against the station with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2002.
According to the suit filed by Kosh, then-music director and midday air personality, Patricia James, filed an EEOC complaint against Gross Communications. Kosh says he was retaliated against because he was willing to testify on behalf of James.
In his suit, Kosh claims station owner Herbert Gross required James and the station's other African-American radio personalities, to take elocution classes so they wouldn't sound "too black" on the air. Also, the suit alleges Gross once fired an African-American radio personality for sounding "too black," and that Kosh's predecessor was fired for playing programming that sounded "too black."
Gross Communications denied the allegations in the March 17 filing. According to Gross "His contract simply expired, and we didn't renew it."
Kosh, who joined the station as program director in December 1999, agreed to provide information to Patricia James in her EEOC complaint and was willing to testify on her behalf. Kosh's suit claims the EEOC complaint by James was later settled. James, hosts the "Smooth Jazz Lunchbreak" at WLOQ. James told the Orlando Business Journal she has "no comment" regarding the EEOC matter or Kosh's complaint. The suit says that because Kosh helped James in her race-bias complaint, Gross provided no explanation and chose not to renew Kosh's contract when it expired on Feb. 10, 2003. Attorneys for WLOQ are asking Judge Donald E. Grincewicz to dismiss Kosh's complaint and enter a judgment in its favor.

Jeff Turner Moving On 4-20-05
Orlando Magic radio broadcaster Jeff Turner will be leaving the organization to join Lake Highland Preparatory School as Executive Assistant to the President for Leadership Development. Jeff starts his new job July 1. Turner’s last Magic Radio Network game broadcast will be Wednesday night’s final game of the season against the Miami Heat, and he will continue with the organization through June 30.