Media Man
After 10 Years, Local Conservative Commentator Calling It Quits
After 10 years of providing a daily radio report, Michael Der Manouel Jr.’s last “Commentary on the News” airs on KMJ radio (580 AM/105.9 FM) this Thursday.
“It’s just time. I went to (program director) Blake Taylor on election night. It’s just been great and a real honor to be a part of the daily programing here,” Der Manouel said. “The day-to-day commitment was just running its course.”
Der Manouel has been providing a radio commentary with a conservative slant — a minute or two in length — since 2012. Most have aired on KMJ, except for a brief time Der Manouel took his show to Power Talk 96.7.
An insurance broker by day, Der Manouel has always been active in local conservative politics. He hopes to remain on the air in the future, providing occasional commentary when called upon.
He said his most controversial commentaries dealt with criticizing a local elected official.
“Controversies never bothered me. I took that responsibility of being a fair observer of news, putting my own spin on it, very seriously. So I didn’t let people’s reactions, potential reactions, ever influence my thinking,” Der Manouel said.
He says he took the most heat for criticizing the Pope over the pontiff’s criticism of Donald Trump.
New ABC 30 Reporter
A new reporter will be on the air soon with ABC 30.
Vince Ybarra comes from the Yuma, Arizona/El Centro, CA market reporting for KYMA (an NBC/CBS duopoly) for the last 18 months. It is a jump from a market ranked #166 (by population) to #55.
He is a 2020 graduate of Sacramento State.
#FRESNO! I’m so excited for my adventure in the central valley.
I’ll be #reporting for @abc30_actionnews, the #news leader in Fresno. I’m so grateful for this opportunity! The station has a group of exceptional #journalists and I can’t wait to learn and work along side them. pic.twitter.com/lNtEYluxXg
— Vince Ybarra (@vinceybarratv) December 23, 2022
