Idaho Radio News Etc.

KID/96.1 The Bull made a big change earlier this month – jettisoning the local show for syndication (Big D & Bubba). The switch happened November 3rd.

KPRC/92.1 The Edge is also getting out of the local game for the AM drive – bringing Adam Carolla to the shift. Josh slides to mid-day.

Of course, KPKY/94.9 The Rock already has Bob & Tom slated in.

GAP West’s fourth FM in the market — KLLP/Star 98.5 still has a local show… for now.

KLIX/News Radio 1310 news director made his status as a gay man known on the radio last week – in the wake of the controversy over a parade float. Organizers of the Western Days event barred a float from a local gay & lesbian group last year – then put a set of very strict restrictions on the group this year (they could not use symbols like rainbows, etc.) KLIX news director James Tidmarsh told the station’s listeners about his sexual orientation – and stance on the story.

“For several years the Magic Valley has trusted me to inform them of the important issues. As a gay man, the issue of the Western Days parade is one not only important to those the western days committee is trying to blatantly silence, but to the perception of our great community as a whole,” he said.

Gap West management issued a news release in reaction to Tidmarsh’s statement:

Some of our listeners may have been shocked initially by the revelation that James is gay. However we trust his sexuality is not, nor has ever been an issue. The management of GAPWEST – Twin Falls will expect the same quality of fair reporting and news gathering from James that we always have. We also recognize his right to have an opinion, and in this case some may view it as a controversial one. While not necessarily reflective of the management or ownership of News Radio 1310 KLIX, we stand behind that right, as we do for any of our on air staff, and more importantly the listeners we serve.

Tidmarsh has been with KLIX for five years — and before that worked at KIDO/NewsRadio 580 in Boise.

Editor’s note: I don’t generally post about the people’s personal lives in this way… but a new release was issued. Keep the comments clean, please.

R&R reports former Clear Channel Boise VP and one-time CC Twin Falls manager Terry Tario has landed a new gig. Tario will replace Mike Schutta at the helm of GapWest’s properties in Idaho Falls & Pocatello.

“We are extremely fortunate to have someone of Terry’s caliber to join our team,” GapWest president Erik Hellum told R&R in a prepared statement. “Not only is he one of the most seasoned and respected broadcasters in the state of Idaho, he is also a great cultural fit for GapWest. With his focus on people, product and a positive workplace, he will lead our team in Idaho Falls and Pocatello to accomplish great things.”

Tario takes over June 2

Mike Schutta is no longer the VP of the GAP Broadcasting station in Pocatello and Idaho Falls. Schutta was let go Tuesday according to sources. He started the job just a few months ago – picking up the VP title last January. GAP’s president Eric Hellum came to town to make the announcement.

Former interim GM/Director of Sales Neica Kinney is back in the GM role on a temporary basis. Staffers tell Idaho Radio News Schutta was a “bad fit.”

Hey Peak and GAP folks — still got Clear Channel stock? The Wall Street Journal reports the deal to take the company private is about to collapse. This, of course has no effect on the Idaho markets since those deals to sell were separate — but it looks like the $19 billion deal with Providence Equity Partners will collapse under its own weight. Now both CC’s radio and outdoor divisions are starting to plunge – and the stock price is starting to tank on reports the deal will fall apart.

Boise was the largest market Clear Channel sold — and it looks like folks here in Idaho got off the Titanic just in time…

Michael R. Schutta will head up the six station GAP West group in Idaho Falls/Pocatello. The group includes KID-FM/96.1 The Bull, KID-AM/NewsRadio 590, KLLP/Star 89.5, KPKY/94 Nine, KPPC/92.1 The Edge and KWIK/NewsRadio 1290.

Schutta was VP for Pittman Broadcasting in Louisiana – before moving west two years ago.

“I’m excited about joining Skip Weller and his team at GAP West as VP/Market Manager for both Idaho Falls and Pocatello. It’s great to be part of a first class organization and I’m looking forward to working with the top notch staff in both markets,” Schutta said in a prepared statement.

Neica Kinney will slide into a new role as general sales manager.

Gap Broadcasting II now owns the former Clear Channel Communications clusters in Twin Falls and Idaho Falls – the culmination of a $74 million deal that also included a rash of small market stations in several states.