Posted Tuesday, January 9, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
News Radio 106.7 (WYAY-FM) really needs to change its name. It has basically given up on the "news" part of its mission. It's now a talk station interspersed with a few news breaks in between.
Last month, the station dropped Rob Stadler's morning news program, the last of its kind on a station that started as All News 106.7 in 2012. Over time, it transitioned to talk, gradually letting go the news people and replacing them with talk show hosts.
First came Kim "The Kimmer" Peterson in early afternoons in the fall of 2013, then Michael Graham in late mornings in 2014. The Kimmer quickly became the ratings leader on the station. In 2016, Graham was replaced by Shannon Burke, whose numbers quickly matched those of the Kimmer. Talk show host Brian Joyce took over late afternoons last year to much more modest effect.
Stadler, after an incredible 28-year run at Star 94, joined 106.7 in late 2015 and stayed at the station for two years.
In a text, Stadler said "the last two years have been a lot of fun, but my sights are now set on a new position that doesn't require a 1 a.m. wake-up! Can't talk about it right now but soon. In the meantime, this break has allowed me to enjoy the holidays with family and friends, heal up from recent shoulder surgery and recharge my batteries. I sincerely wish the talk and news talent at WYAY-FM the very best for future success!"
Since Stadler's departure, the station has been using Mike Brooks and Rob Carson as subs. Program Director Tom Lee said he has not finalized who will take over mornings full time but he will have the name of one soon.
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