Will Cascade PBS go under the FCC microscope?

There is a FCC investigation cooking about whether or not PBS and NPR stations are violating federal law by running commercials? They are all supposed to be publicly funded. If you watch the interminable pledge drives on KCTS (Cascade PBS) Seattle or KBTC Tacoma, you are bombarded by pleas to call and contribute, often durin rerun music/concert shows or Ken Burns docs. But those drives don't pay all of the bills. This article from the Columbia Journalism Review offers insights, explanations and proposals -- including points about public radio -- and is worth a read. Interestingly, KUOW at the University of Washington is a monthly radio ratings leader and KNKX has grown in recent years and took home a national Edward R. Murrow award for content.

https://www.cjr.org/analysis/npr-and-pbs-face-a-moment-of-truth.php

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Rebecca Stevenson has left KOMO

"I am no longer at Komo 4." Thanks. Longtime Weather Anchor Rebecca Stevenson confirms that she left the station just before Christmas. Her last Facebook posts are 12/17. She has the Seattle station Quintafecta, having worked at the old NWCN, KING, KIRO, KCPQ and KOMO. Looks like her decision. Wants a new chapter. She was doing mainly weekend evenings for KOMO. Perhaps Stella Sun will move there. She has been sharing weekend mornings with Theron Zahn.

Seattle TV Weekender Ends Her Run

So long to KOMO's longtime weekend morning anchor Lee Stoll who did her final show Saturday. She previously worked at KIRO7 and KREM2 in Spokane and did a little fill-in for me at the old NWCN. She's a Northwestern U grad. Weekend weather sidekick Theron Zahn will likely step right into anchor slot. Newcomer Stella Sun may also be in the mix. Zahn bid Lee a final goodbye this morning. She is not revealing what is next, saying "That's for later." Also, next month Komo News Operations boss Dennis Hanson and longtime Production Tech Rena Mullen are retiring. There's a big Studio C station bash for them and retiring ND Phil Bruce on December 5th.

Where is Frankie?

Many have missed KIRO 7's weekend PM weather anchor, Frankie Katafias, so I reached out to some of my sources to find an answer. She is apparently taking a few months of leave, but not known specifically what the reason may be. Although there is uncertainty, it could be a personal or family matter. I am told she is expected back at some point in the new year. She is a great asset to what has become a troubled station. Meanwhile former KOIN Portland chief met holds down the fort.

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