If you grew up in the Twin Cities over the last two decades, there’s a good chance Staci Matthews was part of your daily routine.
Whether it was the drive home from work, picking up the kids, running errands, or simply escaping the chaos of the day, Matthews’ voice became one of the most familiar and trusted companions on Minnesota radio.
Now, that era is coming to an end.
KS95 afternoon hosts Staci Matthews and Greg “Hutch” Hutchinson will be departing the Hubbard Radio powerhouse after their contracts were not renewed, creating one of the biggest on-air vacancies in the market in recent memory.
For Matthews, the departure closes a remarkable run that began in 2003. Over the next 22 years, she became synonymous with KS95’s afternoon drive, helping transform the station into one of America’s most successful Hot AC brands while creating an unmistakable connection with listeners across Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Following the retirement of legendary afternoon personality Larry “Moon” Thompson in 2019, Matthews was joined by Hutch, a respected Minnesota broadcaster whose experience and personality helped continue the station’s tradition of strong local radio.
Together, they became part of the soundtrack of everyday life for hundreds of thousands of listeners.
And that’s what makes stories like this different.
Radio isn’t television.
Radio isn’t streaming.
Radio isn’t social media.
The relationship between listeners and personalities is personal.
People invite these voices into their cars, homes, offices, and lives every single day.
When those voices disappear, listeners notice.
On The Dial Publisher Steven Mills called the news one of the most significant talent departures of the year.
“KS95 isn’t just another radio station. It’s one of the greatest heritage brands in American broadcasting. What Staci accomplished over more than two decades is incredibly rare in today’s radio environment. She wasn’t simply hosting a radio show. She became part of the fabric of the Twin Cities. Generations of listeners literally grew up with her. Those kinds of careers don’t happen by accident, and those kinds of connections can’t be replaced with a format clock or a playlist.”
Mills continued, “When you talk about legendary runs in radio, this belongs in the conversation. Twenty-two years in afternoons at a station like KS95 is the kind of accomplishment broadcasters dream about. Staci and Hutch helped define an era, and their impact on the station, the market, and the audience will be felt long after the microphones go silent.”
Hubbard Radio now begins the search for the next voice of afternoons on one of the country’s most recognizable stations, a task that will undoubtedly draw attention from across the industry.
But for many listeners, this story isn’t about who comes next.
It’s about saying thank you to the voices who were there for the ride.
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On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.