Twin Cities radioland suffered another jolt this week with the dismissal of four key people at two stations. KSTP (1500 AM) program director Steve Konrad told staff members Thursday that morning-drive personality Willie Clark and producer Jeremy Kienitz were no longer with the company. At WCCO (830 AM), news reporters John Wanamaker and Cory Kampschroer confirmed Thursday that they were laid off.
Management at both stations did not return phone calls for comment. Wanamaker said he was told that the decision was based on seniority, not performance. "We were at the bottom of the rung," said Wanamaker, who was hired in 2003. The station's news department is down to six people after the elimination earlier this month of reporters, Dan Terhaar and part-timer Roshini Rajkumar.
The KSTP move followed the firing two weeks ago of midday personality Tommy Mischke. Konrad's memo indicated that Clark's on-air partner, Jay Kolls, will continue in a restructured morning show. Plans for that will be revealed in "the coming days," he said.
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