Exclusive: TRN Down and Out; Oregon Staffers Given Severance While East Coast Employees Left in Lurch; The Real Story You Only Get Here

This is NO spin.

This is NO double talk.

Not a silly press release that the trades have bought hook, line and sinker, not to mention a host of radio trolls and misinformed broadcast people.

And a whole bunch of people have been baited and switched with regard to what's really transpired at the life support corral in radio Oregon known as Talk Radio Network, the syndicate that is essentially living on fumes. The doofus patrol has bought the Kool-Aid. TRN is down and out. Maybe the buildings are still operational but people are not getting paid and several are now working for free looking for the tooth fairy.

My sources are impeccable. I know this might shock you but I have been told the real story, not the charred falsely-stated puff coming out of the mouth of TRN's head suit, Mark Masters.

Here's the situation, from multiple connections in the industry--

Several informed sources tell me the Washington crowd is furious. Several have lawyered up. Masters paid severance for Oregon employees but left the East Coast Operations in the lurch, owed thousands and thousands of dollars.

One employee said: "Spread the word Mark Masters is crazy. He refuses to take any responsibility for his company and what happened to it. He blamed everyone else."

 

One on-air talent is in the middle of breast cancer treatment and didn't get a dime in severance. I can't use her name because she asked me not to.

 

Dana Mills, (from America's Morning News)- was the lucky one. She got fired a month ago and got all her money. She's now in Florida looking for employment.

And finally, this note about Rusty Humphries from Inside Radio.  They're done.

 

 

*Rich Lieberman 415 Media Exclusive

 

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Exclusive: Saturday Night Massacre at KTVU; 3 Fired Over Asiana Airline Gaffe; 'More Firings Possible'; Update: GM Raponi Statement

OUT! at KTVU  BREAKING NEWS from 415 Media

Roland De Wolk: Investigate Producer

Cristina Gastelu: Special Projects Producer

Brad Belstock: Producer

**Three independent sources confirmed the firings to me. All spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the story.

UPDATE: 10:07: Statement from Tom Raponi: GM, KTVU

 "Consistent with our apology, we are carrying through with our responsibility to minimize the thoughtless repetition of the video by others."


Note: Elvin Sledge, a veteran news producer who works the Noon Show, (and was on duty the day of the gaffe),  told management that he's retiring. According to a source, Sledge weeks ago informed his bosses he was going to retire, well before the Asiana Airline name snafu.

**I am told a Cox Media attorney went to KTVU and conducted "major" investigation.

**Source tells me "they are not done yet--could be more."

**Developing...

**415 Media Exclusive

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