WHBC 1480 radio talk show host Jordan Miller let go in cost-cutting move

CANTON − WHBC 1480 radio show host Jordan Miller has been laid off by the AM station in a cost-cutting move.

Miller's "Live and Local" talk show was broadcast from 10 a.m. to noon weekdays, featuring discussion of both national and local news. Miller, who worked at WHBC for nearly four years, took phone calls from listeners, conducted interviews and covered news events in the community.

His last day was July 18.

His show has been replaced by The Ramsey Show, a syndicated radio program hosted by financial expert Dave Ramsey .

Miller, 28, said Tuesday evening in a digital message that he was shocked when a supervisor and management told him he was losing his radio show. He said he was assured "the decision to cut the show was strictly due to financial reasons." And "corporate had been on them for some time to make cuts, and the time finally came."

Miller said he also was told his radio time slot would not be going to another local host or show in the upcoming months.

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity that (Content Director Pam Cook, General Manager Larry Gawthrop and Operations Manager Clay Church) gave me at just 25 years old," he said.

"I can't thank (Cook) enough for taking the risk with a young Jordan Miller," he added. "... I wasn't too good when I first started, but WHBC guided me towards success over the years."

Cook said in a written response to questions from the Canton Repository that Alpha Media, WHBC's parent company, "has made cuts all across the country for the last several months." She described Miller as a "wonderful young man."

"It was a really tough decision but something that had to be done due to the financial issues with Alpha Media," she said.

Cook said the decision was "really tough because he's part of our family, and I'm proud of how much he's grown on the air in his time here." She added that "we plan to stay close as he's a big part of our Wishes Can Happen Wish-A-Thon in August."

No more job cuts are planned at WHBC

Cook said that no other staff cuts are planned at this time at WHBC or its affiliate station Mix 94.1 FM.

Other WHBC shows include morning news with Cook, a veteran Stark County broadcaster, as well as the Kenny and JT sports talk show on weekday afternoons and early evenings. Shows on 94.1, a pop radio format, include Matt Fantone's "Mix Mornings" and Java Joel's shows in the afternoon and early evening.

Mr. Microphone Matt Fantone helms Mix 94.1 morning show in Canton with pep, local content

Who is Jordan Miller?

In addition to serving as a radio host, Miller operates a popular online local news site, Jordan Miller − News , which has 77,000 followers on Facebook and covers breaking news, sports, community news and events in Carroll, Stark and Tuscarawas counties. Both the radio show and news site, which is independent of WHBC, have made Miller highly visible in the community.

Miller is also the editor of three AloNovus Corp. weekly newspapers — the Free Press Standard in Carrollton, The Hartville News in Hartville and the Harrison News-Herald in Harrison County.

But Miller said he will miss his radio gig and the "sometimes not-so-friendly debates with people." And he'll be open to doing fill-in work for WHBC if the station needs it.

"It was the only platform of mine that I was willing to be opinionated and I will miss that," he added. "As a former TV journalist (for WKYC in Cleveland and WTOV in Steubenville) and now digital news reporter, I don't have that opportunity. ... Radio is a wicked industry, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to host a show for three years in the area I live in. The radio station will always hold a special place in my heart."

WHBC supported Miller during his son's battle with cancer

Miller also has gained attention online and in the news because of his young son Xavier's battle with cancer following a diagnosis in December.

WHBC has been supportive, he said, allowing Miller to attend every doctor's appointment and chemotherapy treatment for his son.

"That isn't the case for every family that's been in our shoes," Miller said.

Reach Ed at 330-580-8315 and ebalint@gannett.com .

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: WHBC 1480 radio talk show host Jordan Miller let go in cost-cutting move