Ed Baxter on 'NewsTalk' 910 AM from 4-7 PM Today; Ex-KGO Radio news anchor

Ed Baxter spent over three decades at the old KGO, both as reporter and newsman. Late last year, without any warning, and on vacation in Hawaii, Baxter called in and announced his retirement. Like, "now", no ceremonies needed.

Seemed a lot of people were surprised not so much that Baxter called it quits, (at KGO at least), but in the manner in which the veteran newsman did it. Not me.

Baxter, who's filling in this evening for Gene Burns, (NewsTalk 910 AM 4-7 PM PST) already was getting tired of the mushy morning news format. While not saying so publicly, Baxter was increasingly wary of the over-insertion of Facebook mentions; the onslaught of music and unnecessary, chirpy actualities intended to attract a more "younger demo"--right, like the IPod crowd would suddenly bolt for badly-run AM news. It was a disaster then and has only been muddled further now that KGOne has become simply unlistenable.

I must confess that at first, listening to Baxter try to act hip to what clearly sounded like garbage, caught me off-guard. It was obvious by his sudden, "see ya later, KGO" that Baxter saw things coming and did the honorable thing. He chose to split from the abyss.

I doubt he goes into the specifics of his final act at the former news-talk giant. Instead, I expect a lot of feel-good stories about Jim Dunbar, Ted Wygant, Ron Naso and Rosie Allen. Speaking of Rosie, both she and Baxter will co-host the show tomorrow, (Friday, 4-7 PM). Should make for a interesting three-hour show.

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