The Planet is returning to local airwaves — along with one of the original voices of its galaxy. Dave Levora and Darren Pitra will return to the morning radio airwaves 5:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday on 93.9 FM with a new alternative rock format replacing that station’s eclectic Jack format. The alt rock playlist will echo that of Planet 93.5, the popular station that drew strong numbers during the alternative rock-ruled ’90s. Levora was recently fired from his gig as morning guy at WOC-AM, Pitra had been a free agent since being let go from Townsquare Media in 2016. Levora worked for... Read More

Fran Riley, one of the most beloved members of the local media and a longtime favorite at KWQC-TV6, passed away Friday after a battle with prostate cancer. Riley had been retired from the local NBC affiliate since November, after a  25-year stint there, capping a 46-year career in broadcasting. Riley was especially admired and loved for his Fran Riley Features, which told stories about interesting area people and places in his singularly beguiling way. He was also a bright and sunny presence around the newsroom, always quick with a smile and hello and a kind word. The Boston-born-and-raised Riley... Read More

It was worth a shot. But you can stop calling and e-mailing the stations. It ain’t happening. When it was announced first here on QuadCities.com that a number of on- and off-air personnel were let go from local I Heart Radio stations, including WOC’s Jim Fisher and Dave Levora, Debbie McFadden of Mix 96 and Q106, Todd Alan of KISS-FM and Ron Evans of Mix 96, fans of those shows were understandably upset. When it was learned that, a day later, two shows and six jobs had been restored to Des Moines sports talk station KXnO, due to, as they put it “overwhelming fan outcry,” there was some... Read More