MediaMaven

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A federal judge has blocked a $6.2 billion merger of local television giants Nexstar Media Group and rival Tegna until an antitrust lawsuit is resolved. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley made the ruling late Friday afternoon, finding that eight attorneys general and DirecTV were likely to prevail in their legal bid to stop the merger.

ABC World News Tonight on KOMO reported Friday that a woman got a $300k settlement from Carnival Cruise Lines for being OVER SERVED with 15 tequila shots over several hours on a trip and KOMO is hyping the start of the cruise season on Seattle as a big feature item on its news.   Laughable.   Left hand, right hand.   

I thought Fox 13 weather wizard Abby Acone might be through with foolish, juvenile sexually oriented posts from her station's studio, including mocking true breaking news.  But, no.  She pins the stupid giddy meter every time.   Grow up.  https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXIMfDxElIn/?igsh=c3Z6NjE5bjNhemN2

I have posted about this before on April 7, but thought I would add a little clarity. Chief meterologist Thomas Patrick's contract was not renewed, so he sought a new opportunity in Waco, TX. Jeremy Lagoo did quit, apparently over a late breaking surprise contract controversy/dispute and left the business for a better schedule, pay, and work/life balance. His position has not been posted yet apparently because of the ongoing TEGNA/NEXSTAR quagmire. No hubbing going on from a sister Tegna station at this point.  But the staff is wayyyy short.

Angie Mentink has been recovering from a debilitating stroke but has returned to the broadcast booth after a tough rehab.  She was called out by a Twitter poster for asking AI help to get some post game interview questions.  She did respond with her own post, chuckling a bit.  Scroll for full story. "Currently asking AI how to handle going viral for using AI. 😅 In all seriousness, I'm late to the AI party. Earlier this season I experimented with AI to see if it had any questions to add to my list for my postgame coverage. We've come a long way from pen and paper when I started in 1997. Always learning."  Here's the X post that started the trouble from a Jim Root.  Who?   Hmmm: "Seattle Mariners broadcaster Angie Mentink was caught asking AI for “Good questions after a tough loss in baseball”…"   She's getting lots of support for sure on social.    Colleague Brad Adam responded: Here’s my response, and I asked AI for help because I ...

  KING5 reporters Drew Andre and Maddie White are leaving the station and apparently heading for the same San Francisco newsroom.  Both came to Seattle by way of Las Vegas TV.     More defections in the midst of the Tegna/Nexstar quagmire.   These moves follow the departure of reporter Connor Board.   Three major staffing shortages at the big K5.    Not good with ratings sweeps starting Thursday and World Cup looming with Iran coming to Lumen.  Protests galore in the offing.

Mark James is gone from KJR-FM's talk lineup after just 14 months.  He got pretty well beat up on social media for some comments, in particular, about Ryan Rowland-Smith's accent on Mariners baseball broadcasts.    More at the link: https://barrettmedia.com/2026/04/15/marc-james-departs-kjr-as-iheartmedia-continues-ongoing-layoffs/