Comings and goings: CPB announces exec changes, WBEZ rolls out morning shows …

CPB promoted Clayton Barsoum to SVP of government and external affairs.

Barsoum first joined CPB in 2017 as a legislative assistant and became director of government affairs in 2020. He left in 2022 to become director of government affairs for the Raben Group and returned to CPB in 2023 as a senior director. Earlier this year, he was promoted to VP of government and external affairs.

As part of the change, Debra Sanchez became chief of staff and will work closely with Kathy Merritt, EVP and COO. Sanchez most recently worked as EVP of government and external affairs and acting corporate secretary. She has also been SVP of education and children’s content operations.

The staff changes follow a vote in Congress in July to rescind fiscal year 2026 and 2027 funding for CPB. The corporation will begin winding down operations Sept. 30.

WBEZ in Chicago launched two morning programs.

Sasha-Ann Simons will host In the Loop, a Chicago-focused news talk show at 9 a.m. Simons joined WBEZ in 2020 as host of Reset, a daily midday program, after working for WAMU in Washington, D.C. WBEZ is replacing Reset with 1A.

Mary Dixon and Patrick Smith will co-host Say More, a live listener-driven conversation program at 10 a.m.

Smith joined WBEZ as an intern in 2013 and has also been a producer for All Things Considered and Morning Edition. He most recently worked as a public safety editor.

Dixon joined WBEZ in 2020 as Morning Edition anchor. As part of the change, Clare Lane will step in as the new local anchor of Morning Edition. Lane became a full-time fill-in anchor and reporter for the station in 2022.

“WBEZ has always been the place Chicago turns for trusted news and great conversation,” said EP Dan Tucker in a news release. “With this new morning lineup, we’re making mornings more dynamic and more locally connected. These shows give listeners the chance to hear fresh perspectives, share their own voices and feel like part of the daily rhythm of the city. For us, mornings are not just about headlines, they are about community, and that is what WBEZ is here to deliver.”

Development

Baltimore Public Media hired David Belew as director of development. Belew most recently worked as VP of external affairs for the Maryland Center for History and Culture. He first joined the nonprofit in 2012 and was also VP of grants and government affairs. Belew was also grants manager for the National Aquarium. “As a lifelong patron of public media, I am excited to help expand the organization’s base of support in a time when our community is more attuned than ever to its funding and impact,” Belew said in a news release.

Content

Ryland Barton will join NPR’s newscast team as a PM anchor who will write, produce and deliver hourly national newscasts. Barton joined NPR in 2023 as an editor for the states team on NPR’s National Desk. He has also been an overnight editor, working with the International Desk and National Desk on for Up First and Morning Edition. Before joining NPR, Barton was managing editor of collaboratives for Louisville Public Media in Kentucky, where he led the Ohio Valley ReSource and the Kentucky Public Radio Network. Barton has also been state capitol bureau chief for the Kentucky Public Radio Network and was a host for public radio stations in Texas, KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin.

Jim Meadows, All Things Considered host and agriculture reporter for WILL in Urbana, Ill., is retiring. Meadows joined the station in 2000 and has also hosted Morning Edition and the public affairs program Focus. Before that, he was a reporter, news anchor and jazz music director for WCBU in Peoria, Ill. “It’s really been a privilege for me to be able to work in broadcasting and public broadcasting all these years,” he said in an interview with the station. “This is what I wanted to be when I grew up, and I got to do it, and it’s been intensely rewarding. I’m not rich, but it’s been rewarding in a lot of other ways.”

Stephanie Haney was hired as host of Sound of Ideas, a daily news and public affairs program produced by Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland. Haney most recently worked as a digital anchor and legal analyst for WKYC, a commercial television station in Cleveland. She has also been a host for the Daily Mail and a producer fellow for Good Morning America. “I look forward to engaging with our listeners, amplifying diverse voices, and fostering meaningful dialogue that both informs and inspires,” Haney said in a news release.

Mike Lamp, host of Morning Edition for Colorado Public Radio, is retiring. Lamp joined the station in 2000 and has also been a producer for All Things Considered. Before joining Colorado Public Radio, he was a Morning Edition host and reporter for KNAU in Flagstaff, Ariz. He has also been a news anchor and producer for commercial radio and television stations in Arizona and produced segments for CBS’ This Morning.

Send news of “comings and goings” to people@current.org