Tidbits

Sorry if it seems like I’ve been out of the loop for a while. There are times when I take advantage of “slow news periods” to focus on my other interests and so forth.

There are a few things worth mentioning which of taken place during this period of slow news…

– WTAE viewers have probably noticed that reporter Bob Hazen has left the station. He relocated to Orlando Florida where he works for sister station WESH. In fact, just ahead of the recent Hurricane Irma, Hazen was seen on WTAE through a report that WESH fed to its Hearst sister stations.

– Jim Lokay is in the news again. The East McKeesport native is now a WTTG in Washington DC where it looks like he will stay for the foreseeable future. Lokay is featured in an article in Variety showcasing his new late-night program called “Final Five” at the Fox O&O. Variety describes the program as “a spirited program in which he examines the topics in both national and local politics the new staffers believe are of most interest to local viewers.” The Fox O&Os are looking into making this commonplace at their stations to go up against the late-night talk shows as well as to replace the reruns of sitcoms which are now more available on demand.

-WYEP (91.3) is now accepting applications from area teen musicians to participate in the fifth year of the station’s Reimagination Recording Project. This is a program where teen musicians are partnered with professional mentors to record and produce their own original music. Since 2013, the program has engaged with more than 80 area teen musicians and ensembles including Urban Pathways Sounds of Steel, Center of Life Youth Jazz Combo, Daya, and others. Applications will be accepted at wyep.org/reimagination 5 until midnight October 27. Those who are selected will be notified in early November and a program orientation will take place on November 18.