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HAPPY HOLIDAYS
FROM OUR BROADCAST FAMILY TO YOURS
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As the year draws to a close, we would like to extend warmest wishes for a safe and joyous holiday season to our many valued members, associates and friends.
We sincerely look forward to serving our broadcast family in 2026. Despite the challenges that our industry faces, always know that we will stand with you, for you and on your behalf, as we serve, protect and elevate Kentucky's radio and television broadcasters.
Thank you for your membership, friendship and continued support. From the entire team at KBA, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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CANNABIS RECLASSIFIED?
BUT... DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP
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You may have seen an uptick recently as news reports circulate that Congress and the White House are once again discussing reclassifying cannabis from a Schedule 1 drug (no medical uses; purely an illegal recreational drug) to a Schedule 3 drug (has medical uses).
Before stations get too excited about that, be aware that such a reclassification won't significantly change the legal picture for broadcast cannabis ads. It would still be an illegal drug under federal law, just one with a recognized medical use. So years from now, when the FDA has approved a Pfizer drug containing cannabis for the treatment of chemotherapy nausea, that drug can be advertised like any other prescription drug. However, any non-prescription sales, like recreational or self-prescribed medical treatment, will still be illegal under federal law. As a result, advertising it will still carry FCC and other legal risks.
In fact, a lot of cannabis sellers are wary of such a reclassification, as it would open them up to prosecution under a host of newly-applicable laws, like selling prescription drugs without a license and distributing a non-FDA-approved prescription drug. Running ads for such sales could make a broadcaster an accessory to those crimes, and even if prosecutors had little interest in going after broadcasters that run such ads, the FCC will continue to be interested anytime a petitioner says that a broadcaster aired content that is not "in the public interest." While a move from Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 could be the start of a long path toward eventual federal legalization, until the feds reclassify cannabis as being in a category similar to aspirin, the obstacles to broadcast advertising will remain.
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SAVE THE DATE
WELCOME BACK TO FRANKFORT RECEPTION
| | Top Shelf Lobby, KBA's in-state lobbying firm, invites you to their annual Welcome Back to Frankfort Reception. The reception will take place on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 5:00pm eastern, at Top Shelf Lobby in downtown Frankfort. If you would like to attend, please RSVP by emailing Chris. | | |
CONDOLENCES
REMEMBERING RANDY BURKE
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The Kentucky Broadcasters Association mourns the recent passing of Randall “Randy” William Burke, a former NFL wide receiver who played for the University of Kentucky and later worked as a senior marketing consultant at WKYT.
Burke was born May 26, 1955, in Miami, Florida. He attended Southwest Miami Senior High School, where he played football and track.
Burke earned a football scholarship to the University of Kentucky, where he played wide receiver from 1973 to 1977. He appeared in 33 games and recorded 37 receptions for 428 yards and three touchdowns.
His standout performance came at the 1977 Senior Bowl, where he set a then-record with 11 receptions for 126 yards. The performance drew attention from NFL scouts.
The Baltimore Colts selected Burke with the 26th overall pick in the first round of the 1977 NFL draft. An injury cut short his rookie season, but he returned to play four more seasons with the Colts from 1978 to 1981.
Burke contributed on special teams with blocked punts and a safety. His best statistical season came in 1980, when he recorded 14 receptions for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
After leaving the Colts, Burke briefly joined the Los Angeles Raiders training camp in 1983. He played one game for the Washington Federals in the USFL in 1984 before ending his professional football career.
Burke started at WKYT in 1988 and retired in 2017 as a senior marketing consultant after 29 years with the station.
“For nearly three decades, I had the privilege of working alongside and knowing Randy Burke. He was a dear friend to me and never met a stranger,” said WKYT President and General Manager Jaime Kawaja. “Randy left a lasting mark on all of us at WKYT. We are heartbroken by his passing, and we extend our deepest love and condolences to his family. His legacy will forever be part of who we are.”
Randy Burke was 70.
Story courtesy of WKYT
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TOWER LIGHTS
ARE YOU INSPECTING QUARTERLY?
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The fourth quarter ends in December, which means stations owning their towers must complete the “Quarterly Tower Light System Inspection.”
While stations must review the proper operation of tower light once every 24 hours, the quarterly inspection involves much more.
Section 17.47(b) provides that the owner of any antenna structure that is registered with the Commission and that has been assigned lighting specifications pursuant to part 17 of the Commission’s rules “[s]hall inspect at intervals not to exceed 3 months all automatic or mechanical control devices, indicators, and alarm systems associated with the antenna structure lighting to insure that such apparatus is functioning properly.
Once the tower light system inspection is completed, ensure that all reports are accurately documented and easily accessible.
The FCC requires stations to keep quarterly tower light inspection reports for a minimum of two (2) years.
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MEMBER PIC OF THE WEEK
EVERYONE LOVES A PARADE
| | The team from WNKY-TV News 40 bundled up to participate in the annual Bowling Green Christmas parade. | | We want to promote YOU! Send us your staff additions, promotions and special events. Email Chris at chris@kba.org | | |
THE END IS NEAR
Where did 2025 go?
Did I accomplish what I needed to?
What’s left to do?
Am I prepared for 2026?
Do I even have time to think about this stuff? I’m too busy.
Sound like a conversation you’re having in your head, too? Between closing deals, tying up loose ends, managing holiday craziness, and juggling inboxes — it’s easy to let things spiral into chaos. But these last few weeks of 2025 are not just busy — they’re an opportunity. As Korn Ferry points out, finishing strong can make the difference in your performance review, your bonus, and set the tone for 2026.
If you want to take advantage of that opportunity — not just survive the finish line, but sprint across it — here’s how to tighten up, refocus, and really show what you’re made of.
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Simplify and Clarify What Matters: Take a moment to step back. Review your goals, your outstanding commitments, and your deadlines. Identify the one or two things that really move the needle — the actions that will impact results the most. Then declutter everything else. Korn Ferry calls this “declutter” — strip away noise so you can zero in on what truly matters. That might mean prioritizing high-value clients, renewing stalled deals, or finishing proposals that will close early next quarter. Let go of busywork that doesn’t create value.
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Invest in “Boss Time:” For many of us, the last months of the year bring more demands, more follow-ups, or more moving parts. Korn Ferry suggests scheduling time with your manager or key stakeholders to align priorities for the next year.
In a sales context, this could mean a short call or meeting to:
- recap what you’ve accomplished so far
- outline where you want to go next quarter
- make sure you’re aligned with what leadership expects
- It also means clearing out remote-work distractions: if you can meet in person, good. But if not, block time for a thoughtful call. That kind of clarity can make your January hit the ground running.
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Reflect, Learn, and Plan for 2026: Use the final weeks to look back at what worked — and what didn’t — over the past 11+ months. What closed? What stalled? Why? What changed along the way? Turn those reflections into three clear actions for next year so you can get a quick start in January. That might be sharpening your outreach process, refining your messaging, or doubling down on your highest-potential categories and clients. Treat these reflections not as a “year-end review,” but as the launch pad for next year’s momentum.
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Take Care of Yourself, Too: It’s easy to burn the candle at both ends in December. Do not ignore your own well-being: some light activity or movement is better than nothing. Your work depends on energy, clarity, and stamina. Block off time for a walk, a workout, or even a mental reset. A clear mind closes deals better than a drained one.
Here’s the bottom line: this end-of-year push doesn’t have to be about chaos, stress, and fire drills. It can be about clarity, focus, intention, and finishing strong. If you simplify what matters, align with leadership, reflect and plan, appreciate the people around you, and still take care of yourself, this finish line becomes less of a scramble and more of a launch pad.
Run that sprint intentionally. Because finishing 2025 strong isn’t luck. It’s a strategy.
| | Jeff Schmidt is the SVP of Professional Development at the Radio Advertising Bureau. You can also connect with him by email JSchmidt@rab.com or on Twitter and LinkedIn. | | |
FEBRUARY 19, 2026
9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - held via Zoom
MAY 21, 2026
9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Lexington
AUGUST 20, 2026
9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Frankfort
NOVEMBER 19, 2026
9:00am - KBA Board of Directors Meeting - Louisville
*All times shown are Eastern
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