NorthEast Radio Watch 8/5/2024: Kruse Out at WKLB

In this week’s issue… Veteran Beasley middayer out – Bell divestiture prices announced – New FM in Nova Scotia – FCC assesses $2 million NYC pirate fine

By SCOTT FYBUSH

Jump to: ME – NH – VT – MA – RI – CT – NY – NJ – PA – Canada

*There’s been a lot of change since Boston’s current country station launched in 1993, but while the calls have changed (WCLB-FM and WBCS merging into today’s WKLB-FM), the frequencies have moved around (105.7 and 96.9, then 99.5 and now 102.5) and the studios have relocated from Allston to Dorchester to Waltham, there’s been one constant: Carolyn Kruse has been the midday voice – until now.

On Friday, Kruse told listeners to WKLB (102.5) that she’ll sign off on August 28, ending her 31-year run with the station, now owned by Beasley.

“So you know how every song has a beginning, middle and a end?,” Kruse said. “Well, today my friends I’m here to tell you that my radio song is about to fade out. But it’s a beautiful and long song filled with high notes I never believed I could reach.”

Is Kruse’s retirement voluntary? As usual, nobody’s really saying – but Beasley has been cutting back on live on-air talent, especially in midday and afternoon shifts, and there’s no word yet on who’ll replace her on WKLB’s midday shift when August ends.