Veteran Seattle newsman and yachtsman, Tony Miner has not only been retained by Bonneville during ongoing sea-changes of the cluster, he's been promoted.
As of Nov. 1, he's Assistant PD at KTTH, home of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Medved, and Dave Boze (m-f, 3-6p.
Tony has been one of the few constants around the KIRO newsroom through the ownership and management changes of the last five years or so. He's worn all the hats: anchor, reporter, editor... but most amazingly he's done that while commuting from LaConner.
His new job won't be all that new to him: He's been PD at KVI, and Director of Talk Programming for Jones Radio Networks.
Miner will do news anchor fill-in from time to time on KIROFM occasionally.
They're just putting him out to pasture. What "Assistant PD" responsibilities are there on a station with one live local host? Will he be calling Rush Limbaugh and critiquing his show? I think not. He's an albatross.
Posted by: Dori | October 26, 2010 at 02:28 PM
If he was an albatross, they'd ax him like they did Hersholt. No, they think he's still got something to offer B'ville...
Posted by: Jaime | October 26, 2010 at 03:37 PM
Tony's a great guy, likeable personality and they'll use him, I'm sure, to fill in for Bill Radke and maybe Linda when they're on vacation on the morning show. He's a known, non-offensive commodity.
Posted by: Nantuckett | October 26, 2010 at 03:55 PM
I wouldn't call being named an Assistant PD a "promotion" - Nantuckett is right, Miner's so unoffensive and that's what keeps him employed.
Posted by: Fred | October 26, 2010 at 05:37 PM
Inoffensive? I can't imagine any newsman worth his salt being anything but.
Posted by: Ralphie | October 26, 2010 at 06:47 PM
Congrats to Tony. I have always seen him as an objective news reporter - a rare commodity today.
Posted by: KS | October 26, 2010 at 07:04 PM
Did he report on city workers sloughing off on the Internet blogging about the evils of gubmint while at work?
Posted by: Coiler | October 26, 2010 at 07:09 PM
Smart a$$ - He should have reported on Ecoli blogging while on his job, which has been noted numerous times right here.
BTW -I blog only during lunch or breaks.
Posted by: KS | October 26, 2010 at 07:25 PM
You take a lot of breaks, KS.
Posted by: The Anti-Dori | October 26, 2010 at 07:29 PM
ok Frank Burns
Posted by: Coiler | October 26, 2010 at 07:29 PM
hey Anti-Dori- I have read your blogging sent during the day on numerous occasions too.
Posted by: KS | October 26, 2010 at 09:50 PM
Tony Miner is a pro, and he's just maneuvered a minefield few have survived. Assistant PD is a promotion from anchor, news editor and reporter. Glad to know we'll still be hearing his name and voice. He's a terrible conservative, you know...
Posted by: LaConner listener | October 26, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Is it just me or does "Assistant PD at KTTH" sound suspiciously like "a big open field where he gets to run around with other Assistant PD's all day."
Posted by: Andrew | October 26, 2010 at 11:00 PM
I like Tony Miner and I'm glad that Bonneville has decided to retain him. The PD could be deciphered to be the consummate professional and dependable one who has always been there to pick up the pieces. Tony has a great radio voice and in my opinion is one who hides his political bias at all times. He is also meticulous about being politically correct in all comments.
KIRO, unlike other stations who seem to be wandering listlessly, is being dynamic in their restructuring efforts and I believe that will pay off big time for them in future ratings.
Posted by: MstngSally | October 27, 2010 at 07:09 AM
It's a title and a continued paycheck, but Miner's on-air presence will be dramatically diminished.
Tony will bring experience and ability to KTTH (which, apart from Boze, has no local programming to direct), but for KIRO FM -- a station that's struggling to solidify its position in the market -- taking a seasoned, reliably listenable anchor off the air is a questionable decision.
Speaking of on-air presence: What's with the new Trafic Pixie in morning drive on KIRO FM? She sounds like a high-school cheerleader on nitrous.
Posted by: wje46 | October 27, 2010 at 07:22 AM
I remember listening to Tony Miner when he worked for KING AM back in the 80's. Back then he did occassionaly express his political opinions and they were usually conservative.
Posted by: gorkri | October 27, 2010 at 07:28 AM
Just heard in the same meeting where they announced Tony's new assignment, they also told the staff that these days, "opinion is NEWS". Sounds like a big shift at KIRO. No more pussyfooting around.
Posted by: PinkFloydForever | October 27, 2010 at 09:14 AM
I think KIRO's inchoate formats will likely change to reflect this posture.
Posted by: MstngSally | October 27, 2010 at 10:22 AM
Oh greate another terrorist of Middle Eastern decent. If the liberal establishment doesn't come up with a better solution then giving them all a hug, more and more people are going to watch FOX News, where they're saying openly "what are we going to do about these Islamic Jihadists?"
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2010 at 12:03 PM