Connoisseur Media has taken another step in its effort to reshape its recently expanded portfolio, shutting down four stations serving the Grinnell and Newton, Iowa markets.
The company has ceased operations at Adult Contemporary 1410 AM KGRN in Grinnell, Country-formatted KCOB-FM 95.9 and KCOB 1280 AM in Newton, and Hot AC outlet KRTI 106.7 FM, branded as “Energy 106.7.” The company’s local digital platform, MyIowaInfo.com, has also gone dark. Reports indicate the stations ended operations on Monday.
The move follows Connoisseur’s shutdown of its Fairfield, Iowa stations earlier this spring and continues a broader strategy of evaluating smaller-market properties acquired as part of its purchase of Alpha Media. Since completing that acquisition, the company has sold or exited several markets while concentrating resources on properties viewed as stronger long-term fits.
The Grinnell and Newton stations had already undergone significant reductions in local staffing over the past two years. Industry sources indicate only a small number of employees remained with the cluster at the time of the shutdown. Among those reportedly impacted were longtime Station Manager Ron McCarthy and Lynn Miller.
KRTI had attempted to rebuild its local presence in August 2024 when former Production Director Joe Swanson returned to launch a new morning show alongside Sarah Jorges, who previously served as both morning co-host and account executive.
The closures leave another gap in local broadcasting across central Iowa, although listeners in both communities continue to receive signals from the much larger Des Moines radio market, which provides extensive coverage throughout the region.
The stations’ long-term future remains unclear. Connoisseur has not publicly announced whether the facilities will be sold, returned to operation under new ownership, or remain silent.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.