Tough Times for Local Radio

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Hall Communications, which owns a half-dozen radio stations in eastern Connecticut, laid off four of its employees this week due to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on advertising revenue, the stations’ general manager said Thursday.

WICH news reporters Kevin Gorden and Bernie Loubier and on-air personality Glenn O’Brien were let go, as was WCTY disc jockey Josh Matty, said the general manager, Andy Russell.

Gorden and Matty were full-timers, O’Brien and Loubier part-timers.

“It’s unfortunate. These are all good people,” Russell said. “It’s 100% COVID-related. Obviously, when businesses aren’t operating, there’s no reason for them to advertise. We just couldn’t sustain it any longer.”