Latest news with #WLW
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brennaman is persona non grata after homophobic slur and other opinions you read the most
(In this column, Opinion Editor Kevin Aldridge briefly recaps the most-read letters to the editor and guest columns on this week in case you missed them. You can read all these opinions in their entirety by clicking on the links.) Thom Brennaman's return to the local radio airwaves was cheered and jeered by Cincinnatians. Brennaman has been hired by radio station 700 WLW, nearly five years after he lost his job as the voice of the Cincinnati Reds for saying a homophobic slur on-air during a game. Brennaman has been working to rehabilitate his reputation and career as a broadcaster ever since. WLW gave him a second chance to do what he loves, hiring him to take over the station's weekday drive-time show from Mike McConnell, who retired. The station's decision was applauded by some and criticized by others. Mel Shuller of Montgomery said WLW was tone-deaf for hiring Brennaman in one of the most-read letters to the editor this week. "While Brennaman has said that he is sorry for his homophobic slur on an open mic while doing a Reds game broadcast in 2020, I believe he is only sorry that he was caught," Shuller wrote. "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time." In his letter to the editor, Jeffrey DePuy of Maineville called Brennaman's hire "extremely disappointing." He said while Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman is Cincinnati royalty, his son is persona non grata. "I love listening to WLW in my truck going and coming from work on my 40-minute commute, but if Brennaman is the new morning host now, I'm probably going to be switching to another station," DePuy wrote. Others welcomed Brennaman back to the Queen City with open arms. Jenny Johnson of Blanchester wrote that Brennaman "will be a great addition to the 700 WLW team." And Glenn Harmeyer of Colerain Township reminded readers of the price Brennaman has paid for his mistake. "He lost his job immediately after making his comment that was never intended for the public airwaves. His life, and the lives of his family, changed drastically after that incident, and he has struggled to get back into the radio broadcasting business," Harmeyer wrote. "I wonder if Brennaman's critics have ever said anything that they regretted saying, lost their job because of it, or had their lives and the lives of their families changed forever?" More: Williams: Thom Brennaman's return to broadcasting on 700 WLW is a 'big deal' Jan Kuhn of Erlanger asked a simple question in her letter: "Aren't we as a country known for giving individuals a second chance? "For those criticizing this hire by WLW radio, I say to you, take a look at your own life, as no one is perfect. Are you?" I, too, weighed in on the Brennaman hire, saying he should get a second chance but still has work to do to rebuild trust, especially with the LGBTQ community. Some LGBTQ persons are indeed skeptical about whether Brennaman has truly changed; it's also fair to point out that he does have some supporters in the gay community as well. Send me a letter to the editor or op-ed with your thoughts about whether Brennaman deserved a second chance. Was it a smart hire by 700 WLW, and does it make you more or less likely to listen to the station? Do Cincinnatians need to forgive and move on? I can't wait to hear from you. The Cincinnati Bengals' Paycor Stadium lease with Hamilton County is one of the biggest stories of the year. The deadline is looming as the current lease expires on June 30, 2026. Bengals Executive Vice President Katie Blackburn recently said the team wouldn't rule out relocation if a deal can't be reached. 'We could, I guess, go wherever we wanted after this year if we didn't pick the up option up," Blackburn said. "So, you know, we'll see." Those comments did not sit well with Mark Zoller of White Oak, who took the Brown family to task for threatening to "hold Hamilton County and the taxpayers hostage" once again. His letter to the editor was the most-read opinion this week. "The Brown family should be eternally grateful to Cincinnati, but instead, they threaten to leave unless we pump millions of dollars more into their family business," Zoller wrote. "It is an expensive game that we can't continue to play." More: Bengals Beat Podcast: Getting ready for the 2025 Draft Michael Bruckmann of Colerain Township agreed that Hamilton County can no longer afford to keep the Bengals. Bruckmann said Hamilton County shouldn't have to foot the bill alone. "The Bengals are a Tristate team, and the Tristate should pay to keep them," he wrote in a letter to the editor. "Ticket holders come from all the surrounding counties, and all the surrounding counties abutting Hamilton County should have a sales tax to help pay for them." What do you say about Who Dey? Can Hamilton County afford to lose the Bengals? What do you think about Blackburn's comments about relocation? Should surrounding counties help pay to keep the Bengals here? How much confidence do you have in Hamilton County officials to get a fair deal for taxpayers? Send us your thoughts in a letter or guest column. Two months after a group of neo-Nazis held a demonstration on an I-75 overpass near Lincoln Heights, the mayor of Evendale wrote an op-ed about how he has been working to create lasting, tangible change from the ugly, hateful incident. Evendale was heavily criticized for the way its police department responded to the incident and how village officials handled the subsequent scrutiny. Mayor Richard Finan acknowledged they didn't handle things in the best way possible and offered an apology. "We recognize that the events of Feb. 7 not only caused pain but also raised questions about how we, as leaders, chose to respond when faced with such vile actions," Finan wrote. "We needed to be connected, empathetic, accountable and, when necessary, contrite. We were not... We should have first demonstrated our concern and our caring, which our community has in abundance. We apologize for this and are committed to learning from this experience." You can read the mayor's full commentary here. Lastly, in case you missed them, here's a chance to catch up on a couple more of the most-read opinions this week: Op-ed: I lost four friends and Cincinnati lost four giants Op-ed: My friends talked with JD Vance. They took a chance to speak truth to power Letter: Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase might be fast but he's slow on Cincinnati's Cajun cuisine Op-ed: Developing in Cincinnati is hard enough. Don't make Hyde Park another red flag As always, you can join the conversation on these and other topics by sending your thoughts to letters@ Letters of up to 200 words may be submitted and must include name, address, community and daytime phone number. Op-eds are submitted the same way, except they should be 500-600 words and also include a one-sentence bio and headshot. Submissions may be edited for space and clarity. If you need some tips on how to write an op-ed, click here. Opinion and Engagement Editor Kevin S. Aldridge can be reached at kaldridge@ On X: @kevaldrid. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Second chance for Brennaman is overdue; Bengals too costly to keep
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Everyone deserves a second chance, but Thom Brennaman still has work to do
"There but for the grace of God, go I." I thought about those words while sitting at my computer to type this column about Thom Brennaman's recent hiring by 700 WLW, almost five years after he used a homophobic slur on air as the broadcast voice of the Cincinnati Reds. The phrase is meant to express sympathy for others in difficult situations, acknowledging that we, too, could find ourselves in dire circumstances without the benefit of God's grace and mercy. In other words, "Let him who is without sin cast the first stone." As a man of faith, I'm hard-pressed to argue that Brennaman shouldn't get another shot. He's paid a heavy price since his hot mic moment and has repeatedly apologized. Whether Brennaman is truly repentant and a different man than the one who called a certain unnamed city the "f-- capital of the world" remains to be seen. Redemption is not a destination, it's a journey. Some remain skeptical, particularly in the LGBTQ community. Brennaman reached out and met with various LGBTQ leaders in Cincinnati in the wake of his suspension and subsequent firing by the Reds and Fox Sports. He said, at the time, that he wanted to better understand how hurtful his words were to LGBTQ persons. It might not be long before Brennaman's newfound LGBTQ sensitivities are tested on WLW, a right-wing chatterbox not exactly known as being a bastion of gay rights. Let's not forget this is the same radio station that gave host Bill Cunningham a pass after homophobic comments were made on his show during an interview with then-West Virginia University basketball coach Bob Huggins in 2023. The two had a good laugh about an incident in which "rubber penises" were thrown on the court during a Crosstown Shootout game between UC and Xavier. Cunningham joked about the game being "transgender night." Never mind, Huggins later called Xavier fans "Catholic f--s." Neither Cunningham nor the station's management assumed responsibility for the cringeworthy affair. Those are the shark-infested waters Brennaman now finds himself swimming in. It'll be interesting to see how his show develops and if this self-described "Trump-supporting Republican" can avoid getting bitten again while talking third-rail politics with that crowd. Brennaman's politics are his politics, but it's reasonable to wonder how he might reconcile his attempts to make amends with the LGBTQ community with his support of President Donald Trump, whose all-out assault on gay and transgendered people has been unrelenting. Then again, maybe Brennaman sees his own comeback story in Trump, a man notorious for saying and doing disgraceful things who was given a second chance by 77 million Americans. Second chances are funny like that. Whether someone deserves one or not is a complex question with no universal answer. The markets of public opinion and the business world often determine who gets second chances. In Brennaman's case, the two are entwined. You don't get a second chance in the broadcasting business unless people think you have an appeal that warrants it. In all likelihood, WLW weighed the benefits of Brennaman's name (he's Marty's kid, for God's sake), he's got built-in popularity in the Queen City, and he is a pretty darn good broadcaster (homophobic slurs aside). That made it worth the station's while. Editorial: Brennaman should be fired; our role is to forgive Plus, it's a low-risk hire for WLW. Anyone that outraged by Brennaman's employment probably isn't a regular listener anyway. And WLW can always say anyone who complains too much is "woke." There are some things you can't come back from professionally. Brennaman's homophobic slur doesn't appear to be one of them. People make mistakes. They say stupid things. None of us should be defined by our most embarrassing moments. Forgiveness is something we are called to do. If you believe Brennaman deserves a second chance, then remember to extend that same courtesy the next time someone you might like a little less, without as prominent of a name, messes up. Letter: Radio station's decision to hire broadcaster who used homophobic slur is tone-deaf Brennaman has said he is hungry to earn the listeners' trust. I think he's learned a costly lesson and recognizes that another slip-up would likely be his last. I, indeed, hope that Brennaman is who he claims to be and that he better understands the power and privilege of the platform he's been granted again. He could be an example to others of how to turn your worst moment into a force for good and positive change. Right now, all we can do is wait and see − and listen. Opinion and Engagement Editor Kevin S. Aldridge can be reached at kaldridge@ On X: @kevaldrid This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Radio host's return post-homophobic slur tests growth, grace | Opinion
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Radio station's decision to hire broadcaster who used homophobic slur is tone-deaf
In Jason Williams' column in Friday's paper ("Welcome back, Thom Brennaman," April 4), I read that Thom Brenneman was hired to replace Mike McConnell for the morning talk slot on WLW radio. While Brennaman has said that he is sorry for his homophobic slur on an open mic while doing a Reds game broadcast in 2020, I believe he is only sorry that he was caught. Williams stated that Brennaman was a "Trump-supporting Republican," which, to me, explains his behavior. The Trump administration's anti-LGBTQ policies explain why Brennaman is supportive of Trump. Editorial: Brennaman should be fired; our role is to forgive When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. Mel Shuller, Montgomery This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Station hiring Brennaman after homophobic slur says a lot | Letter
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Thom Brennaman set to become WLW radio host, to take over Mike McConnell's role
A familiar voice will wake up Cincinnatians on 700 WLW-AM. Thom Brennaman is set to take over Mike McConnell's hosting role, which ends Friday, April 4, the radio station revealed Thursday. McConnell announced his retirement last month. The show runs from 5-9 a.m. each weekday morning. "We came to Cincinnati when I was 10 years old because of my dad," Brennaman, who starts his new role Monday, April 7, told Enquirer sports columnist Jason Williams. "So I've had some family or my own personal connection to WLW for 51 of my 61 years. WLW is a big deal. I hope I can live up to the people who've done this job before me." Brennaman, a former Reds and NFL broadcaster for Fox Sports, has worked with Cincinnati-based Chatterbox Sports since 2022, hosting "Dialed In with Thom Brennaman." He joined The CW as the network's lead voice for nationally televised football games in 2024 and has occasionally filled in as a host on WLW. "Mike has done an amazing job. So for us to have the opportunity to move on from a legend like Mike McConnell to a polished, professional, seasoned broadcaster like Thom Brennaman was unbelievable for us, and we are thrilled to death," D.J. Hodge, division president at iHeartMedia, told The Enquirer. "(Brennaman) grew up listening to WLW," Hodge added. "He worked doing sports on WLW in the mornings with Jim Scott in the late 1980s, so to be able to bring Thom home into this position and to go from legendary Jim Scott to legendary Mike McConnell to now building that legendary status with Thom Brennaman, we are incredibly excited." The son of baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman was dropped from Fox's NFL broadcast team in 2020 after using a homophobic slur during a game between the Reds and Kansas City Royals. Thom Brennaman penned an open letter after the incident, apologizing for saying "something hateful on the air," and he resigned from the Reds' broadcast booth. "I'm a better man today than the guy who sat up there in August of 2020, I'll be a better broadcaster today than I was in August 2020 because of this whole experience and this whole journey," he told Awful Announcing in 2022. McConnell announced in late March he was retiring after 50 years in radio and over 10 waking up Cincinnati each weekday morning on WLW. "Mike and Thom did a great job of talking after the announcement, and you could hear the chemistry and you could hear the mutual respect they have for each other," Hodge said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thom Brennaman hired as radio host for Cincinnati's 700 WLW
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former Cleveland kidnapping victims now helping others
Go behind the headlines as NewsNation's 'Missing' investigates missing person cases from across the country, from cold cases to the latest developing stories. Tune into our latest case's digital show each Friday where we speak to loved ones and examine the case. Subscribe to our newsletter here. (NewsNation) — Three women who went missing on the streets of Ohio after being abducted are now taking back their lives years later. Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus and Michelle Knight, now known as Lily Rose Lee, were 14, 16 and 20 years old when they were abducted in Cleveland. The windows to the house were blocked, interior doors barricaded, until Berry made a daring escape. Berry became pregnant and gave birth in captivity. Her own mother ended up passing away without knowing Berry made it out alive. While she said she was 'very happy' to return after her ordeal, Berry says it's also 'very sad, because I thought I would come home to my mom.' 'I didn't get a chance to do that, so that's the only thing that hurts,' Berry said. The three were able to see the house they were held in demolished. 'After 11 years, I'm finally being heard,' Lee said at the time. 'And it's liberating.' The women also witnessed their captor, Ariel Castro, sentenced to life in prison. He later died by suicide at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio in 2013. 'In the beginning, everybody used to come up to me and tell me, 'Oh we've been helping your mom, we've been looking for you,'' DeJesus said. Have a question about the case? Join the conversation by submitting it on this page, and we may answer it in the show. You can watch new episodes of 'Missing' every Friday on our YouTube page. Submit a form. Now, in 2025, the group of women is focused on helping others in need. Berry joined the reporting ranks at NewsNation affiliate WLW, with a 'Missing' series spotlighting cases just like hers. 'I know life would've probably been a little bit easier if I would've just stayed to myself, but I felt like this is what I'm supposed to do,' Berry said. DeJesus and her cousin Sylvia Colon launched a non-profit, the Cleveland Family Center for Missing Children and Adults, which hosts families who are searching for loved ones and works with law enforcement to find them. 'Mad honey' poisoning blamed in Michigan family's 2022 disappearance 'We know what it feels like because of our missing loved one, but it takes time,' Colon said. 'Even if the person's been missing for 24 hours, if it's a kid or an adult, I always say: Life really is never the same.' For their contributions to public safety, Berry and DeJesus were given the Attorney General's Award. It's believed they've had a role in bringing countless numbers of the missing back home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
