Issue #152 |  May 24, 2019   |   View online
It's Memorial Day Weekend! The MAB will be closed on Monday, May 27. Normal office hours resume Tuesday, May 28. Our next MAB News Briefs will be published the week of June 3. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday weekend.

Top of the News:

* Conference Highlight: Marijuana Regulatory Agency   Director to Speak at #MABsummer
* Next National EAS Test Announced for August 7
* Government Relations Director Elena Palombo to   leave the MAB on May 31
* Deal Reached in Michigan Auto Insurance Health Care   Coverage
* NAB Demands Answers from FCC for 20% Higher   Annual Fees
* WZZM's Janet Mason Announces Retirement
* WLNS Continues its Partnership with Habitat For   Humanity

All this and more below

MAB SUMMER CONFERENCE

Join Us for Another GRAND 
#MABsummer

The 2019 MAB Summer Advocacy Conference, Annual Business Meeting and Awards Reception & Banquet will take place August 5 & 6 at the JW Marriott Grand Rapids.

This year's growing line-up of speakers includes Congressman Tim Walberg, 
the NAB's  Steven W. Newberry  and more! 

Register for the Conference, Reserve Your Room 
and Learn more at  MABsummer.com  
 
Conference Highlight: Marijuana Regulatory Agency  Director to Speak at #MABsummer 
Michigan's New Marijuana Regulatory Agency Director Andrew Brisbo will be on hand for the MAB's Advocacy Conference & Annual Business Meeting on August 5-6 at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids.  Read More

Time is Running Out for 2019 MAPB Public Media Impact Award Nominations 
Nominations for the annual MAPB Public Media Impact Awards are due June 5. This year's recipients will be recognized following the 2019 MAB Advocacy Conference on August 6 at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids. Learn More

EAS & ENGINEERING
Next National EAS Test Announced for August 7
FEMA has submitted a filing to the FCC indicating that the next national EAS test will be on Wednesday, August 7, at 2:20 p.m. Eastern.  Read More

ABIP 11 Is Your Station Overdue for an Inspection? Limited Spots Still Available  for 2019 ABIPs
Do you think the FCC no longer does routine inspections? Guess again.  With both radio and television public files online, it makes it easier than ever for the FCC to inspect.  You need to be certain your public file contains everything it should. A physical ABIP inspection checks technical as well as public file requirements, and more Read More



LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
 
The MAB Political Action Committee (PAC) invites you to experience Founders Brewery in Grand Rapids from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on August 5. This special fundraising event will feature a private tour of the brewery, dinner and, of course, brews direct from Founders taps! All proceeds benefit the MABPAC. Admission is $200 per person or $350 per couple. According to Michigan Campaign Finance Act no corporate donations are allowed under the law. Only personal payment is accepted. Register to Attend

Government Relations Director Elena Palombo to leave the MAB on May 31
After eight years serving the MAB and its members, Government Relations Director Elena Palombo has resigned her position, effective May 31.  Read More

State/Legislative Updates

Deal Reached in Michigan Auto Insurance Health Care Coverage
Gongwer reports that Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed publicly this morning  that the Democratic governor and the Republican legislative leadership reached an agreement on a bill to change how auto insurance covers health care for those injured in traffic crashes.    Read More

Michigan Supreme Court Calls For Comments On Electronics In Court Rules
Proposed rules to make use of cellphones and other portable electronics more consistent through state courthouses were released May 15 by the Michigan Supreme Court, and while the rules would allow for cellphones in the courthouse, making a phone call in a courtroom during a proceeding as well as using it for photographs, recording or broadcasting will be prohibited. Read More

Nessel Declares Major Components Of Petition Changes Unconstitutional
On May 22, Michigan Attorney General announced that the key portion of the 2018 law establishing new requirements for groups wanting to put referendums, initiative petitions and constitutional amendments before voters are unconstitutional. Read More


Federal/Regulatory Updates

NABlogo_150 NAB Demands Answers from FCC for 20% Higher Annual Fees
According to a report in Inside Radio, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has issued a letter to the FCC stating that because it has offered no explanation for the "remarkable" increase for its size, it's nearly impossible for the industry's trade group to offer any feedback on the proposed assessment.   Read More

NAB Files Comments Supporting Voluntary All-Digital AM
On May 11, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) filed comments with the FCC supporting a petition to allow AM stations to broadcast an all-digital AM signal on a voluntary basis.   Read More

IN THE NEWS
WZZM's Janet Mason Announces Retirement
WZZM-TV (Grand Rapids) President and General Manager, Janet Mason, has announced her plans to retire this summer after 22 years at the station and 44 years in the broadcasting industry.  Read More

WKAR-FM Names New Morning Edition Host
WKAR Public Media has announced that Mary Ellen Pitney will join the station as the Capital Region host and local producer for NPR's Morning Edition on 90.5 FM WKAR-FM at Michigan State University.  Read More

Scotty Gunther Joins Up North Radio's WCDY
Up North Radio's WCDY-FM (Cadillac) has teamed up with Comedian, Author, and Speaker Scotty Gunther to create a very different PM Drive show on the station.  Gunther, simply known as "Scotty" will host the show weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m.  Read More

WKZO's Retired John McNeill Receives State Tribute
WKZO's newly retired John McNeill was recently recognized for his 40-plus years of radio reporting.  At Tuesday night's Kalamazoo County Commission meeting, McNeill was presented with a special award Read More

WLNS Continues its Partnership with Habitat For Humanity
Nexstar Broadcasting's WLNS-TV (Lansing) this week partnered again with Habitat for Humanity Capitol Region's "Women Build" program to renovate a home on Lansing's north side. Women Build is a program that celebrates women eliminating inadequate housing by building or repairing homes and improving communities.  Read More

YOUR MAB
'Snack and Learn,'
What Does Your MAB Do for You?
Karole and Jackie were on the road this week visiting members at  CW50/WWJ-TV in Detroit. Do you know about all the services and programs through the MAB?  If not, the MAB would love to come "Snack and Learn" with you and your team! ! Invite us to your office and get informed about all the services offered by the MAB. We'll bring the snacks! Schedule your station's 2019 "Snack and Learn" with the MAB! Contact Jackie:  timm@michmab.com


Attention Members!  
Did you know that we offer the following services at no charge to you?  Find out more by clicking on the services below:  (Members only-must use password to access)






TRAINING & EDUCATION





June 20, 2019 | 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
 with Jeff Welton, Nautel

In this webinar, Jeff Welton uses excerpts from his 'Tips N Tricks' column in the Nautel Waves newsletter to provide useful thoughts and ideas to keep your facilities fully functional and secure. With almost 30 years of field experience, hundreds of sites visited in dozens of countries, Jeff has a wide range of experience that should help you to maximize the potential of your broadcast facility, without breaking .  Click here to Register

June 20, 2019 | 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
presented by Tonex

OTT training covers principles behind Over the Top (OTT) including video, television and other services provided over the internet. Learn how OTT platform can deliver on the promise of next-generation TV: anytime, anyplace, anywhere. And...learn how OTT services can generate revenue from video on demand (VOD), catch-up TV and interactive applications.  Click here to Register

Course Description:  Stress depends on the duration of the stressor, the intensity of the stressor, and the capacity of the individual to withstand the stress. Some people withstand stress better than others. This is something that you can learn to do, or learn to do better, and that's what this course is all about. We'll go over four simple steps you can take when managing your stress. We'll also review the seven signs of stress and how to handle each one. And lastly, we'll discuss how to better manage stress in the workplace. Click here to log in and watch this course.
 
Support: For questions, support or additional information please contact our amazing support team by email at
support@p1learning.com or by phone at (888) 944-9377.

Don't miss out on your opportunity for free, online training as an MAB member! Sign your staff up today! 

MAB FOUNDATION 
Meet Your MABF Board Member of the Week: Marla Drutz
Marla Drutz is Vice President and General Manager of WDIV in Detroit. Prior to joining Graham Media Group (formerly Post-Newsweek Stations) in July 2008, Drutz had been with E.W. Scripps Company.  Read More

DIGITAL / SOCIAL / WEB
Jumpstart Your Radio Station's Blog With This Simple Formula
By: Seth Resler
Jacobs Media Strategies

To keep listeners coming back to your radio station's website over and over again, you've got to continually pump out content. There's no shortcut. If you stopped playing music on the air, listeners would stop tuning in. Your website works the same way.  Read More

MEDIA BRIEF LINKS
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In This Issue
CALENDAR
June 1, 2019
Annual EEO Report Due in Public Files

June 5, 2019
MAPB Public Media Impact Award Nomination Deadline 


June 20, 2019
Webinar: "20 Tips for the Broadcast Engineering Professional" (Learn More)

June 20, 2019
Webinar:"What is OTT and How Can We Make Money?" (Learn More)

August 5-6, 2019
Advocacy Conference, Annual Meeting & Awards Banquet, Grand Rapids
(Learn More)

CAREERS

Promotions Writer/
Producer/Editor
WOOD-TV
(Grand Rapids)
Posted: May 20, 2019

Membership and Volunteer Coordinator
WGVU Public Media
(Grand Rapids)
Posted: May 20, 2019

Traffic Director
MacDonald Broadcasting
(Saginaw)
Posted: May 17, 2019

Share Your News!

We know your station is great.Now lets show all the other broadcasters across  Michigan just how great you are. Send pictures, video and news releases about your station's accomplishments to be featured in the 
weekly MAB News Briefs


MAB FOUNDATION
The MAB Foundation's mission to encourage, support, and sponsor educational activities for students interested in broadcasting cannot be accomplished without supporters like you. The Foundation wouldn't exist without your continued support and interest in the mission. The Broadcasters must work together to sustain the future of this industry by encouraging the brightest, most creative and energetic students to choose broadcasting as a career. You can make a difference by MAKING A DONATION TODAY at MABFgive.com


THANK YOU 
Foundation Supporters

Kenneth Baynard
Dena Blair
Dan Boers
Kristin Burns
Scott Clow
Rob David
Detroit Radio
Advertising Group
Marla Drutz
Susanne Elkins
Rebecca Falk
Bruce & Sue Goldsen
Colleen Grant
Tom Hahn
Wendy Hart
Bill Keith
Dan Kelley
Dick Kernen
Julie Koehn
Fred Jacobs
Paul Jacobs
Mark Libke
Jim Lutton
Pam Manor
Stephen A. Marks
Janet Mason
Christopher Meller
Dr. Peter Orlik
Robert F. Ottaway
David Oxenford
Lawrence Patrick
Jam Sardar
AnnMarie Scaramuzzino
Stephen Schram
Jason Springer
Rick Sykes
Peter Tanz
Jacquelen Timm
Denise Weston
Karole White
Jon Whiting
Jennifer Williams
Follow the MAB Foundation on Social Media!

Support the MAB Foundation, and stay in touch about upcoming events, awards programs, scholarships and more, by following the MAB Foundation on our social media pages!

@MABFoundation1


@MAB_Foundation


Thanks for the Support of Our Associate Members!











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Michigan Association of Broadcasters | 517-484-7444 | mab@michmab.com | MichMAB.com
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