OFF-TOPIC

   August 2, 2025


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Jason Remington

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217 thoughts on “OFF-TOPIC”

  1. Paramount is at least thinking about taking away some of Bari Weiss’ power.

    Reader Submission • May 20, 2026

    From Puck:

    “Bari has endured her role as media punching bag with relative aplomb, refusing to betray exhaustion or vulnerability while seeming to plow ahead with her plans to overhaul the network. Meanwhile, (Paramount CEO David) Ellison and the Paramount brass have afforded her ample leeway because they genuinely like her, endorse the editorial pivot, and, frankly, have far bigger priorities than the news division. (Finalizing Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.)

    “Members of the senior leadership team have had informal discussions about changing Bari’s mandate at CBS News — and, eventually, CNN — in ways that would give her less control over the linear product.”

    While doing that, the network might then bring in someone with more TV experience.

    “Bari would likely cede day-to-day control over ‘Evening News,’ ‘CBS Mornings’, and ‘60 Minutes’ to this more experienced, as-yet-unnamed executive, shifting her focus to the news division’s digital growth while maintaining broad editorial influence across all the company’s platforms.”
    — Dylan Byers, Puck

  2. Cuts at NPR

    Reader Submission • May 19, 2026

    NPR is restructuring its newsroom, and that will include cuts to some reporting and editing jobs.

    NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher says the network has to fill a gap of $8 million in its $300-million annual budget because of the elimination of federal subsidies for its member stations, which pay NPR to air programs such as ‘Morning Edition’ and ‘All Things Considered.’ In a memo to staff, she said the network expects to earn $15 million less in station fees this year and is anticipating a drop in corporate sponsorship revenue.”

    The network is offering buyouts to approximately 300 employees, mostly within newsgathering desks in the newsroom. Staff of NPR’s news programs, including hosts, are not eligible. The company said more targeted layoffs of journalists would ensue if 30 staffers do not accept the voluntary buyouts by next Tuesday, May 26.

    Congress cut $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports NPR and PBS. That led to an outpouring of support from supporters, as well as a gift of $113 million from two donors. However, most of that money was earmarked for new technology.

    NPR’s David Folkenflik writes: “The network plans to overhaul its app and reshape its user experience across platforms to enrich the experience for listeners, readers and even viewers of its digital and streamlining products. And NPR’s senior corporate leaders — some of whom have deep roots in the world of tech — are pivoting from the mantra of ‘reaching people wherever they are’ to encouraging people to use NPR on its own platforms.”

    1. In his defense

      Jason Remington • May 15, 2026

      The weather was a little muggy that day. Anyway, do they really care anymore at KIRO 7? They gave up on an entire Sports department. Maybe a dress code is not a thing at KIRO these days.

  5. Ichabod Caine - Steven Kilbreath podcast

    Jason Remington • May 15, 2026

    Stephen Kilbreath interviews KJR and KMPS country radio personality Ichabod Caine.
    They discuss the past and how finding spirituality has helped transform Ichabod in this section of life.

    Live The Final Third is about people who are using experience, curiosity, and heart to make a difference in this next chapter of life. We share real stories from everyday people and familiar voices who are doing interesting, generous, and sometimes surprising things in their final third.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggJblMx9a_U

  6. Disgruntled CBS journalist quitting @ end of month

    Jason Remington • May 9, 2026

    Longtime 60 Minutes correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi is reportedly leaving CBS News. Alfonsi will leave the network at the end of May when her contract expires. In late 2025, Alfonsi publicly pushed back after CBS pulled her completed segment “Inside CECOT” (on Venezuelan deportees sent to El Salvador’s high-security prison) hours before airdate. She alleged political interference and corporate meddling by CBS News leadership (including editor-in-chief Bari Weiss), arguing the story was fully vetted but required more Trump administration response. The segment later aired via a Canadian outlet.

    She has spent most of her career at CBS, starting out as a New York-based correspondent in 2002 before rejoining the network in 2011 after a brief stint at ABC News.

    She began in local news:
    KHBS-KHOG-TV in Fort Smith, Arkansas (reporter, weekend weather anchor, photographer, editor).
    WVEC-TV in Norfolk, Virginia (military coverage).
    KIRO-TV in Seattle (covered WTO riots).
    WBZ-TV in Boston (award-winning reporter and substitute anchor, covering stories like the Catholic Church scandal and Rhode Island nightclub fire).

  7. Russell Wilson in talks with CBS

    JASON REMINGTON • May 3, 2026

    It appears Russell Wilson’s playing career is over. The 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback is in serious discussions to join CBS’s The NFL Today, according to a report from The Athletic.The two sides have held extensive conversations. Wilson, 37, also recently visited the New York Jets about a possible backup role behind Geno Smith. (Barrett Media)

  9. Bye Bye Starbucks

    Jason Remington • April 21, 2026

    Chris Daniels (KOMO 4) reports: The rumors are officially true. Starbucks is building a new HQ in Nashville, Tennessee. The company announced Tuesday that it is a $100 million investment expected to create 2,000 jobs. The coffee giant said it will keep its Seattle headquarters, and Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol labeled the move as an expansion, rather than any sort of relocation from the company’s longtime home of Seattle.
    —
    Starbucks is opening a major new Southeast Corporate Office in Nashville, Tennessee (up to 250,000 sq ft, aiming for ~2,000 jobs over time), relocating some supply chain, sourcing, and operations teams there.

    This includes offering relocation to some Seattle-based employees.

    Reasons cited by analysts and reports include lower taxes in Tennessee (no state income tax), economic incentives from Tennessee, avoidance of Washington’s new or proposed taxes (like the 6.5% IT services tax and the recently passed 9.9% “millionaires tax” on high earners), plus broader cost-cutting under CEO Brian Niccol.

    Separately, Starbucks has closed multiple underperforming Seattle stores (including five more in early 2026, with 69 layoffs), amid national restructuring, crime/safety issues in some urban locations, and post-COVID shifts.

    Former CEO Howard Schultz (and his family office) recently moved to Florida, citing retirement/family but amid the millionaire tax debate.

    Seattle and Washington have seen business pushback—higher employer taxes (e.g., Jumpstart Seattle), crime/homelessness concerns, and capital flight signals from companies like Amazon (shifting some to Bellevue).

    Tennessee markets itself as business-friendly with tax advantages. Critics argue progressive policies (high taxes on business/high earners, soft-on-crime approaches) accelerate this; defenders point to growth strategies, labor priorities, or non-tax factors like regional expansion.

    ****Congratulations to Seattle’s leadership and Olympia’s tax-and-regulate crowd: you’ve helped tax and regulate another iconic Pacific Northwest business into diversifying out of the region. Nashville thanks you—mission accomplished on driving jobs and investment elsewhere.****

  10. FM car display enhancement by Bell Media Canada

    Jason Remington • April 17, 2026

    (Bell Media – Canada) Bell Media has announced the launch of an enhanced in-car advertising and listening experience across all FM radio stations nationwide, including leading stations such as CHUM 104.5, VIRGIN RADIO, ÉNERGIE, ROUGE, PURE COUNTRY, and more, bringing enriched programming information and seamless listening to audiences across Canada.

    The latest capability allows advertisers to amplify their audio message, syncing a display text and brand logos on in-car dashboard displays with Bell Media’s AdSyncs offering, bringing a terrestrial counterpart to complement iHeartRadio App display ads.

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