Earlier this year, Peter Alexander left NBC News after more than two decades to join MS NOW, which had split from NBC. The expectation was that he would get his own show on the cable network.
That was confirmed Monday. MS NOW announced that Alexander’s new show will start next Monday.
“State of Play with Peter Alexander” will air weekdays at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The show will be based in Washington. Alexander also will serve as the network’s chief national reporter and a breaking news anchor.
Alexander spent 22 years at NBC News, including covering the White House, as well as co-hosting the weekend version of the “Today” show for nearly eight years.
First-year Boston College men’s basketball coach Luke Murray is removing all vestiges of the program’s disappointing recent past, right down to the team’s radio announcers.
One of actor Bill Murray’s six sons, he was hired in March after a five-year run as a University of Connecticut assistant that included a pair of national championships.
And as part of Luke’s renovations, WEEI announcers Kevin Collins and Josh Maurer have both been let go after working nine seasons together. According to Collins, that decision came down directly from Murray.
‘The reasoning? According to sources, the new coach wants a whole new fresh coat of paint on the entire program.
”We have nothing to do with any of that. But he wanted us removed. Didn’t feel comfortable being around a link to the past, if you will. My challenge was, well, how can he not feel comfortable around us? He hasn’t even given us the chance to meet us,” Collins said.
Collins offered to stay on as an engineer in a non-speaking role, but was turned down.
NBC Nightly News launched in 1970 as the successor to the long-running Huntley-Brinkley Report.
Chet Huntley retired after the final Huntley-Brinkley Report on July 31, 1970.
The program officially became NBC Nightly News starting August 1–3, 1970 (weekend broadcasts began around August 1; the first major weekday edition is often dated August 3).
It aired in the traditional half-hour evening news slot (typically 6:30 p.m. ET).
NBC initially used a rotating “troika” (or platoon) system of three anchors:
David Brinkley
John Chancellor
Frank McGee
At least one (and often two) would appear on any given night. This arrangement proved confusing for viewers and lasted only about a year. By August 1971, John Chancellor became the sole primary weeknight anchor, with Brinkley shifting to commentary and McGee moving to Today.
The change came at a time when the Huntley-Brinkley Report had dominated ratings for years but was losing ground to Walter Cronkite’s CBS Evening News. The new Nightly News struggled initially in the ratings and generally finished second to CBS through much of the 1970s, though it remained a major national newscast covering major events of the era.
Yes, KZAL (94.7 FM, licensed to Manson, Washington, serving the Lake Chelan and Greater Wenatchee area) has rebranded as 94.7 The Bull.
In July 2026, the station (previously known as Z-Country 94.7) shifted from a general country format to classic country, positioning itself as “True Country From the 90s Beyond.” It is owned by AudioSphere LLC (which acquired it in 2025).
The station features hosts including Randy Roadz in mornings and Jeff Conwell in afternoon drive. Its website is 947thebull.com.
The FCC has announced it will hold Auction 114 of 132 commercial FM allocations starting on February 2, 2027. (Details from Radio Insight https://radioinsight.com/headlines/368492/fcc-report-8-3-date-rules-set-for-fm-auction-114/ )
In Washington, a Class A at 94.5 FM – Oak Harbor
Class A is the lowest-power full-service commercial FM class, intended mainly for local coverage: Maximum effective radiated power (ERP): 6 kW
Maximum antenna height above average terrain (HAAT): 100 meters (328 feet)
Reference/protected service contour: 60 dBu (1 mV/m) out to about 28.3 km (17.6 miles)
City-grade (70 dBu) contour: roughly 16.2 km (10.1 miles)
(U.S. SUN & PAGE SIX) Many of Howard Stern’s former employees are reportedly fighting for more severance after getting laid off earlier this month.
Stern laid off about a dozen staffers from his SiriusXM show, Page Six previously reported, because he’s preparing to drop to just one new show a week after Labor Day.
But many of the now-unemployed staffers declined the severance package offer of just about one week of pay per year worked, instead pushing for more money, the US Sun reported Thursday.
The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, has expressed concern over a recent wave of Big Four (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) network affiliation changes/swaps among local TV stations, launching investigatory actions into at least one (and potentially more) of these transactions as of late July 2026.
These involve stations in multiple markets shifting affiliations—for example, CBS affiliations moving from certain Nexstar-owned stations (in places like Albuquerque and Bismarck) to others such as Hearst or Forum stations (sometimes on digital subchannels), and an ABC affiliation shift in St. Louis tied to activity involving Gray Media and Sinclair.
Carr has framed the issue around the idea that some broadcasters appear to treat affiliation deals as a lawless free-for-all. He stated that “This is not the Wild West, or as I like to say, it’s not Nam. There are some rules of the road,” and that companies mistaken in viewing it as completely unregulated are wrong. The FCC is examining whether the moves may violate federal policy or existing rules governing network-affiliate relationships.
A key worry is that the flurry of changes could leave local TV stations in a weaker bargaining and operational position relative to the national networks that supply national news and entertainment programming. This ties into broader FCC priorities around localism and stations’ ability to fulfill public-interest obligations.
It always amazes me that someone making this kind of money puts it all on the line with some stupid action like drinking and driving…
NYTimes– When CBS Sports signed Tony Romo to a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020, a top sports media executive called me immediately after and said, “This is the worst contract in media history.”
It may end up being just that.
CBS has called a timeout on the deal after Romo’s arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Following the arrest has been a steady drip of new information, including 45 minutes’ worth of multi-angle video of the traffic stop during which Romo is given a citation for an open container of alcohol that contradicted him saying he had no drinks.
The incident led the network to announce that Romo “is on leave from his role at CBS until further notice.” CBS elevated J.J. Watt to team with Jim Nantz in the network’s No. 1 NFL booth and offered no further comment.
Romo’s contract calls for him to receive a nearly implausible $72 million over the next four years, but he is going to have to make quite a case to get his top job back.
“I’m told that there have been dozens of screen tests conducted in recent weeks for potential ‘60 Minutes’ correspondents, a practice several veteran television executives I spoke to described as odd. As they noted, those under consideration for a job on broadcast television’s most prestigious news program should already have a body of work to review and a screen test would also do little to shed light on a journalist’s investigative reporting skills. In any event, CBS News has been asking those interested in a job to participate in the tests — even those under contract at other networks, creating somewhat of a stir within the industry.”
— Oliver Darcy, Status media newsletter
Sidebar: The tests themselves are also, well, unusual. Some have featured mock interviews with a person playing Ghislaine Maxwell, the close Epstein associate. Weiss has long wanted to secure an interview with Maxwell, So, in that context, perhaps the Maxwell mock interview makes a little sense, though it is nevertheless a bizarre way in which to interview for any job, never mind ‘60 Minutes.
Alexander's new show
Reader Submission • August 4, 2026
Earlier this year, Peter Alexander left NBC News after more than two decades to join MS NOW, which had split from NBC. The expectation was that he would get his own show on the cable network.
That was confirmed Monday. MS NOW announced that Alexander’s new show will start next Monday.
“State of Play with Peter Alexander” will air weekdays at 11 a.m. Eastern time. The show will be based in Washington. Alexander also will serve as the network’s chief national reporter and a breaking news anchor.
Alexander spent 22 years at NBC News, including covering the White House, as well as co-hosting the weekend version of the “Today” show for nearly eight years.
Axed at Boston College
Reader Submission • August 4, 2026
First-year Boston College men’s basketball coach Luke Murray is removing all vestiges of the program’s disappointing recent past, right down to the team’s radio announcers.
One of actor Bill Murray’s six sons, he was hired in March after a five-year run as a University of Connecticut assistant that included a pair of national championships.
And as part of Luke’s renovations, WEEI announcers Kevin Collins and Josh Maurer have both been let go after working nine seasons together. According to Collins, that decision came down directly from Murray.
‘The reasoning? According to sources, the new coach wants a whole new fresh coat of paint on the entire program.
”We have nothing to do with any of that. But he wanted us removed. Didn’t feel comfortable being around a link to the past, if you will. My challenge was, well, how can he not feel comfortable around us? He hasn’t even given us the chance to meet us,” Collins said.
Collins offered to stay on as an engineer in a non-speaking role, but was turned down.
Collins (left) and Josh Maurer.
Good Night Chet, Good Night David
Jason Remington • August 4, 2026
NBC Nightly News launched in 1970 as the successor to the long-running Huntley-Brinkley Report.
Chet Huntley retired after the final Huntley-Brinkley Report on July 31, 1970.
The program officially became NBC Nightly News starting August 1–3, 1970 (weekend broadcasts began around August 1; the first major weekday edition is often dated August 3).
It aired in the traditional half-hour evening news slot (typically 6:30 p.m. ET).
NBC initially used a rotating “troika” (or platoon) system of three anchors:
David Brinkley
John Chancellor
Frank McGee
At least one (and often two) would appear on any given night. This arrangement proved confusing for viewers and lasted only about a year. By August 1971, John Chancellor became the sole primary weeknight anchor, with Brinkley shifting to commentary and McGee moving to Today.
The change came at a time when the Huntley-Brinkley Report had dominated ratings for years but was losing ground to Walter Cronkite’s CBS Evening News. The new Nightly News struggled initially in the ratings and generally finished second to CBS through much of the 1970s, though it remained a major national newscast covering major events of the era.
KZAL now the BULL
Jason Remington • August 4, 2026
Yes, KZAL (94.7 FM, licensed to Manson, Washington, serving the Lake Chelan and Greater Wenatchee area) has rebranded as 94.7 The Bull.
In July 2026, the station (previously known as Z-Country 94.7) shifted from a general country format to classic country, positioning itself as “True Country From the 90s Beyond.” It is owned by AudioSphere LLC (which acquired it in 2025).
The station features hosts including Randy Roadz in mornings and Jeff Conwell in afternoon drive. Its website is 947thebull.com.
FCC Commercial FM Auction
Jason Remington • August 2, 2026
The FCC has announced it will hold Auction 114 of 132 commercial FM allocations starting on February 2, 2027. (Details from Radio Insight https://radioinsight.com/headlines/368492/fcc-report-8-3-date-rules-set-for-fm-auction-114/ )
In Washington, a Class A at 94.5 FM – Oak Harbor
Class A is the lowest-power full-service commercial FM class, intended mainly for local coverage: Maximum effective radiated power (ERP): 6 kW
Maximum antenna height above average terrain (HAAT): 100 meters (328 feet)
Reference/protected service contour: 60 dBu (1 mV/m) out to about 28.3 km (17.6 miles)
City-grade (70 dBu) contour: roughly 16.2 km (10.1 miles)
Stern Pinching Pennies Regarding Employee Severance
Jason Remington • August 1, 2026
(U.S. SUN & PAGE SIX) Many of Howard Stern’s former employees are reportedly fighting for more severance after getting laid off earlier this month.
Stern laid off about a dozen staffers from his SiriusXM show, Page Six previously reported, because he’s preparing to drop to just one new show a week after Labor Day.
Network Switcheroo Concerns FCC
Jason Remington • August 1, 2026
The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, has expressed concern over a recent wave of Big Four (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) network affiliation changes/swaps among local TV stations, launching investigatory actions into at least one (and potentially more) of these transactions as of late July 2026.
These involve stations in multiple markets shifting affiliations—for example, CBS affiliations moving from certain Nexstar-owned stations (in places like Albuquerque and Bismarck) to others such as Hearst or Forum stations (sometimes on digital subchannels), and an ABC affiliation shift in St. Louis tied to activity involving Gray Media and Sinclair.
Carr has framed the issue around the idea that some broadcasters appear to treat affiliation deals as a lawless free-for-all. He stated that “This is not the Wild West, or as I like to say, it’s not Nam. There are some rules of the road,” and that companies mistaken in viewing it as completely unregulated are wrong. The FCC is examining whether the moves may violate federal policy or existing rules governing network-affiliate relationships.
A key worry is that the flurry of changes could leave local TV stations in a weaker bargaining and operational position relative to the national networks that supply national news and entertainment programming. This ties into broader FCC priorities around localism and stations’ ability to fulfill public-interest obligations.
Living the Life Of Romo
Jason Remington • August 1, 2026
It always amazes me that someone making this kind of money puts it all on the line with some stupid action like drinking and driving…
NYTimes– When CBS Sports signed Tony Romo to a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020, a top sports media executive called me immediately after and said, “This is the worst contract in media history.”
CBS has called a timeout on the deal after Romo’s arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Following the arrest has been a steady drip of new information, including 45 minutes’ worth of multi-angle video of the traffic stop during which Romo is given a citation for an open container of alcohol that contradicted him saying he had no drinks.
The incident led the network to announce that Romo “is on leave from his role at CBS until further notice.” CBS elevated J.J. Watt to team with Jim Nantz in the network’s No. 1 NFL booth and offered no further comment.
Romo’s contract calls for him to receive a nearly implausible $72 million over the next four years, but he is going to have to make quite a case to get his top job back.
Start Your (Hydro) Engines
Reader Submission • August 1, 2026
August 1954 Hydro highlight… Dr. Black calmly said to Cantrell, “Did you have an invitation?” And offered him a cocktail.
Filling out the “60 Minutes” roster
Reader Submission • August 1, 2026
“I’m told that there have been dozens of screen tests conducted in recent weeks for potential ‘60 Minutes’ correspondents, a practice several veteran television executives I spoke to described as odd. As they noted, those under consideration for a job on broadcast television’s most prestigious news program should already have a body of work to review and a screen test would also do little to shed light on a journalist’s investigative reporting skills. In any event, CBS News has been asking those interested in a job to participate in the tests — even those under contract at other networks, creating somewhat of a stir within the industry.”
— Oliver Darcy, Status media newsletter
Sidebar: The tests themselves are also, well, unusual. Some have featured mock interviews with a person playing Ghislaine Maxwell, the close Epstein associate. Weiss has long wanted to secure an interview with Maxwell, So, in that context, perhaps the Maxwell mock interview makes a little sense, though it is nevertheless a bizarre way in which to interview for any job, never mind ‘60 Minutes.