RadioInsight reports: Lotus Communications News “Northwest Newsradio” 1000 KNWN Seattle/97.7 KNWN-FM Oakville WA has eliminated its midday local news blocks.
Bloomberg programming now fills midday slot –Previous midday anchor Scott Carry moves to afternoons alongside Aaron Wright from 2-7pm succeeding Marina Rockinger.
Carty posted, “One consistent element of radio is change. The industry is changing in all aspects, including ratings and revenue. So, this begins a new and different week for me as I move to the afternoon show, 2 to 6 PM. I hope you’ll listen so we can keep our jobs!”
KNWN ranked fifteenth with a 3.2 share in the August 2026 Nielsen Audio ratings.
Thanks to Bill (friend of QZVX) for the tip — https://www.qzvx.com/inbox/comment-page-3/#comment-56545
From Carty’s comment it appears jobs are on the line if this fix doesn’t pan out.
Staffing Changes at KNWN NewsRadio
Jason Remington • September 30, 2026
Jeff Pohjola rises to Director of News & Programming for KNWN/KNWN-FM. Pohjola has served as a reporter at the station since 2015 after previous roles including News Director for Cherry Creek Radio Kennewick WA, anchor/reporter for KIRO Seattle, morning anchor at KGA Spokane, and freelance reporter for both ABC News and CBS News. He takes the programming reins from morning anchor Brian Calvert, who remains in that morning anchor role.
Director of Operations & Brand Jeff Connell said, “Jeff’s experience, editorial judgment and deep understanding of the Seattle market make him the right person to lead Northwest Newsradio’s news and programming.”
With the addition of Bloomberg and Dave Ramsey into the 10am to 2pm timeslot, the station has also noted the other position changes at the station.
Eric Heintz mbecomes Morning Editor and sportscaster for the station. Heintz has been with KNWN since 2011 holding multiple editorial, reporter and sportscaster positions during his tenure.
570 KVI Program Director Kevin Dodrill will add APD duties for KNWN to support Pohjola and the station’s programming operations.
Austin Smith rises to Production Director for the Lotus Seattle cluster, while continuing as a KNWN contributor.
Strong pairing
Jason Remington • September 29, 2026
Aaron Wright slid over from Tv and fits comfortably in the KNWN news format. In fact, he has a network-quality voice. With Scott Carty, KNWN presents a stronger afternoon drive show. Marina Rockinger just wasn’t a good fit for a news or news-talk format.
What's to come?
Jason Remington • September 29, 2026
Across the whole Lotus Communications group (roughly 40–48 stations in the West), the formats that show up most often are Spanish-language music, sports, and rock.
Most programmed formats
Spanish-language music
Especially Regional Mexican, Spanish adult contemporary/hits, ranchera, and Spanish variety/oldies (brands like La Buena, La Caliente, La Mera Mera, Radio Lobo, Concierto). This is Lotus’s historic core—the company started with Spanish radio in Los Angeles—and still accounts for a large share of the lineup.
Sports
A mix of English ESPN/Fox Sports stations and Spanish sports (Tu Liga / Deportes). These are common in Las Vegas, Reno, Tucson, Los Angeles, and Bakersfield.
Rock / classic rock / active rock
Strong clusters in Reno, Las Vegas, Tucson, and Boise (KOZZ, KDOT, KOMP, KXPT, KLPX, KFMA, The X, etc.).
Next-most common
News / news-talk (Seattle KNWN and KVI, plus some talk/ethnic outlets)
Smaller English music formats: adult contemporary / hot AC, classic hits, adult alternative, variety hits, and some classic country (“Hank FM”) on HD/translators or newer flips.