News Bites: WKTU, ‘Give A Vet A Pet,’ Jesse Collins Entertainment, ‘What Made You.’ | Story

News Bites for March 2…

• iHeartMedia rhythmic CHR WKTU New York (103.5) is gearing up to celebrate three decades on the air with its official “30th Anniversary Show” Friday, May 8 at 8pm at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. The milestone event, produced by Mateo Productions and Monami Entertainment, will feature performances from Flo Rida, Shaggy, Paul Russell, Nina Sky, and more to be announced, honoring the artists and hits that have defined KTU’s sound since 1996. Program Director Jill Kempton said the celebration will pay tribute to the station’s listeners, legacy and cultural impact, promising a high-energy night of music and memories. “For 30 years, KTU has been the soundtrack to New York, and this night will celebrate that legacy in a big way,” she said.

• Hubbard classic rock “97.1 The Drive” WDRV Chicago’s “Sherman & Tingle” morning show has wrapped its ninth annual “Give a Vet a Pet” campaign, raising $107,144 in partnership with the American Veterans Service Dog Academy to provide service dogs for Chicago-area veterans living with PTSD. The total will fund seven highly trained service dogs, each costing about $15,000 and covering training, veterinary care and ongoing support. Since launching in 2018, the campaign has become a signature community initiative for the station, drawing support from “Driver Nation,” local VFW and American Legion posts, and area foundations, while helping expand AVSDA’s ability to serve veterans in need.

• Emmy Award-winning producer Jesse Collins Entertainment has been tapped to produce the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, airing live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 26, at 8pm ET/PT on Fox. Executive producers will include Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannaé Rouzan-Clay for JCE, alongside John Sykes, Tom Poleman and Bart Peters for iHeartMedia. Now in its 13th year, the iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrates the most-played artists and songs across iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app during 2025, while spotlighting emerging hits for 2026. JCE’s resume includes the BET Awards, American Music Awards and the Super Bowl Halftime Show, underscoring the scale and production pedigree it brings to the annual, star-driven music event.

• Deanna Marie, former night host at Midwest Communications AC “Mix 92.9” WJXA Nashville, is relaunching her podcast under a new name, “What Made You,” marking a return to long-form storytelling after its previous run as “Real Life With Deanna.” After leaving the station in September 2025, Marie says she spent months reassessing and refining the show’s vision, aiming for deeper, more focused conversations. The revived podcast explores the defining moments behind personal and professional identity, asking each guest the guiding question: “What made you who you are today?” Marie said the reboot, which will be available on YouTube, was essential to give artists and storytellers the space to share their journeys authentically, ensuring their voices continue to be heard. Marie continues to track afternoons on rock WSNJ/W236EA Bridgeton, NJ/Wilmington, DE (1240/95.1).