Columbus broadcasting said goodbye to one of the greats when local broadcasting legend, Dick McMichael passed away on the afternoon of January 31.
A native of Columbus, McMichael spent nearly his entire life in the Georgia town, leaving only twice for opportunities in Atlanta and Columbia, SC. McMichael’s broadcasting career began on the radio before moving on to television. The broadcaster spent many years with WRBL as a news anchor before making the transition to WTVM in 1986. McMichael retired from the station in 2000.
In 2002, McMichael was awarded the GAB’s Broadcaster of the Year Award and in 2020 was inducted into the GAB Hall of Fame.
The GAB mourns fellow Georgia broadcasters and the Columbus community in mourning of the broadcasting’s greats.
Gray Media, Inc. has announced Pamela Biddle as General Manager of WTVM Columbus.
Biddle has 22 years of experience in the industry, most recently as WTVM’s Director of Sales.
Biddle succeeds Holly Steuart, who returned from the Vice President and General Manager role on December 31, 2025.
The AM for Every Vehicle Act has been reintroduced in the 119th Congress by Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). The bill has received bipartisan support in the past two sessions, with high hopes of passage in both the House and Senate in this session.
The bill would require car manufacturers to provide AM radio access in all passenger vehicles and currently has 45 co-sponsors.
In celebration of Black History Month, WSB recognizes the station’s trailblazers.
Lorenzo “Lo” Jelks, who was posthumously inducted into the GAB Hall of Fame in 2024, is credited as the first black reporter in the South. Jelks joined WSB in 1967 and appeared on the air for the first time in 1968.
In the 1970s, Jocelyn Dorsey and Billye Suber Aaron joined the station. Aaron was the first African-American woman in the Southeast to co-host a daily hour-long talkshow. Dorsey, who went on to have a lasting career with WSB, was the first African American news anchor in Atlanta.
Atlanta broadcasting royalty, Monica Kaufman Pearson credits Dorsey and Jelks for paving the way for herself and others. Pearson went on to become the first black woman in the deep south to anchor the primetime news hour.
Urban One Atlanta’s R&B station Atlanta’s Classix 102.9, is shifting formats and embracing Southern Soul. The station will now merge Classic R&B with Southern Soul.
“Southern Soul is where it’s at! We will deliver it in a fun, powerful way while continuing to serve our Classic R&B listeners,” says Classix 102.9 Program Director Tony Richards.
iHeartMedia has welcomed Manni Supreme as the newest weeknight co-host on 96.1 The Beat.
A Georgia native, Supreme has previously hosted on Urban One’s Hot 107.9 (WHTA) and Edgewater Broadcasting’s Streetz 94.5.
“I’m beyond excited to join a team that excels through collaboration and shared success. It’s truly inspiring to be part of a group that works cohesively to achieve remarkable results at 96.1 The Beat! I look forward to connecting with listeners and the community not only in Atlanta but all across the state of Georgia!” Supreme shares in a statement.
“The GAB was proud to once again partner with the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business for the annual Economic Series for 2025,” says President of the GAB, Randy Gravley. “The event provided our GAB members the opportunity to hear from experts on the national, state and local economic outlook. As we traveled across the state meeting with our radio and television members, as well as, our college and university partners, it was gratifying to see the great work that our local stations are doing serving their local communities.”
