COVID Outbreak Forced Changes to ABC 30 Newscasts

Normally, local TV news anchors are seen in the same camera “two-shot” sitting next to each other.

This week on ABC 30 newscasts, the “two-shot” has been replaced by a split screen.

Multiple sources tell Media Man that the Disney-owned station on G Street has been struck by COVID. Out of precaution, only three on-camera personalities are allowed in the studio at the time. They must remain socially distanced, hence the split screen. Similar precautions were taken during the height of the pandemic.

Since this story published, ABC 30 has resumed normal operation. Anchors sat at a normal distance during funeral coverage of slain Selma Police Officer Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. on Thursday.

Sinclair Hires New GM

Susan Connor

Sinclair Broadcasting, owners of KMPH Fox 26 and CW 59 (KFRE), hired Susan Connor as the new vice president/general manager. She starts next week.

“Fresno is a great television market and KMPH and KFRE are strong stations in the community,” Connor told Media Man in an email. “I’m looking forward to joining the strong leadership team there and take the station to the next level to Super Serve our Paying and Viewing Customers.”

Connor comes from Medford, Oregon — the 134th TV market by population — where she managed two Sinclair stations since 2019. She has 17 years experience running TV stations, including stops in Memphis, Seattle, and Albuquerque.

Her background is in creative services, a departure from many TV general managers who often come from sales.

Connor replaces Matt Morse, who left the station last year.

New KSEE Morning Anchor

Taryn Mitchell

Taryn Mitchell started as the new morning anchor on KSEE-24 Sunrise last week. She comes from KION, the CBS affiliate in Monterey where she spent the last two years.

Raised in Chicago, Mitchell graduated from Western Kentucky University. She started her career interning at a TV station in Hawaii.

NPR Coming to Town

A national radio show is coming to Fresno to discuss the issue of rural hospitals.

Jenn White, host of NPR’s 1A, will host a live event March 2 at Fresno City College. The program is part of the Remaking America series, which is collaborative effort of several public radio stations, including Valley Public Radio (KVPR-89.3 FM).

Madera Community Hospital closed last month. Producers at 1A, which originates at station WAMU in Washington, D.C.,  say more than 130 community hospitals have closed around the country since 2010.

“The event will be recorded and excerpts will be used in a 1A radio broadcast at an undetermined future date,” KVPR news director Cresencio Rodriguez-Delgado said. The show regularly airs on KVPR from 9-11 a.m. weekdays.

The live event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Old Administration Building auditorium. It is free to attend. More info can be found here.