Television: Minnesota (and WCCO) lure news director Libin back

When former KSTP news director Scott Libin moved to Florida four years ago, he kept his Twin Cities cell phone number. He must have had more than a hunch that he'd be back.

Libin returns next month as WCCO's news director, a promising marriage between one of local TV's smartest minds and one of the country's more progressive news stations.

"My wife and I always had an agreement that if the right job opened up, I would go for it," said Libin, whose spouse was raised here. "It was a no-brainer."

Libin's experience in the area played a major role in his hiring, said WCCO's general manager, Susan Adams Loyd. Of two dozen candidates she seriously considered, about half had strong local ties.

Libin's other strong selling point is that he has worked off and on at Florida's Poynter Institute, a kind of brain spa for journalists looking for instruction and inspiration.

Angela Davis, a reporter on WCCO's morning show, worked for Libin at KSTP and gives him high praise as an educator, especially when it came to helping her learn how to be a better ad-libber.

She said she was ecstatic to be working for him again.

"It's kind of like a college boyfriend moving back in your neighborhood," she said. (Davis might want to be careful about her wording; her hubby is Duchesne Drew, the Strib's assistant managing editor for local news.)

"He's a teacher that pushes you to do the very best."

Libin's last stint at Poynter also provided some valuable education in Internet journalism, which is becoming more and more important in local news. He most recently served as managing editor for Poynter.org, a popular destination for anyone interested in the press.

KARE leads the way right now webwise with its highly interactive "On Live" program, hosted by Diana Pierce and Pat Evans, but it probably won't take long for Libin to provide stiffer competition in this increasingly important arena.

"Young people are not consuming news the same way their parents did," Libin said. "We all hoped they would grow into their parents' habits, and they haven't. News organizations have to respond to that and anticipate lifestyles without alienating their best customers, the loyal viewers."

Dear John

Loyalty, of course, isn't what it used to be. Take the case of John Hines, who spent more than 16 years building a successful morning show at K102, a local country-music station. In March, he agreed to try his hand hosting a talk show at flailing KTLK, which is a little like asking a star pitcher to help out the Toledo Mud Hens. Last week, just three days before his 54th birthday, he was dismissed without ceremony.

Hines was gracious about the business move, but it had to sting that nobody at Clear Channel, which owns both stations, would publicly thank him for the memories. When I called local managers for comment, I was referred to a spokeswoman at Clear Channel's San Antonio headquarters and was told repeatedly that "she'd be happy to talk to me."

She wasn't. Her assistant told me I had to reach out to a public relations firm in New York City. They insisted on an e-mail request for comment. Five days later, I still haven't heard boo.

"I don't doubt for a minute that there are people that feel bad about the decision and they just can't verbalize it," Hines said. "Maybe they will in time."

The veteran broadcaster sounded in good spirits and hoped to continue working in the Twin Cities, but he couldn't help but be reflective when he realized that this week will mark the longest time he's ever been off the radio or TV airwaves in the Twin Cities in 30 years.

You'd think that kind of contribution would deserve some hoopla, if not a public "thank you."

njustin@startribune.com • 612-673-7431