US101 wins CMA awards
It's become commonplace for WUSY-101.7 for take home trophies at the annual Country Music Awards shows and this year is no different.
Afternoon show co-hosts Melissa "Mo" Wagner and Greg "StyckMan" Owens won the 2021 CMA Broadcast Award for CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year in the medium market category. This marks StyckMan's 6th CMA and Mo's 5th CMA total. It's their 2nd win as a team.
"Mo & StyckMan have an authentic relationship with their listeners and they work tirelessly to put their community first, share great country music and be a true companion," said Justin Cole, Brand Manager, U.S. 101, in a news release. "I witness the drive, dedication and hard work daily; seeing our listeners and industry honor them with this award makes me incredibly proud and thankful."
"I am so fortunate to do a job that involves connecting with others on so many different levels," said Mo. "From smiles to tears, our listeners are simply the best. To win a CMA that acknowledges that connection with our amazing community is such an honor. It's humbling to win such a prestigious award just for doing something that I love."
"Mo & StyckMan" airs weekdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The show can also be heard in the mornings on 94.1 The Wolf (WLFP-FM) in Memphis and afternoons on Big 98.5.
NoogaRadio, Brewer shift station frequencies
Chattanoogans who tuned into WPLZ-FM 92.7 expecting to hear the local and syndicated talk shows they've become accustomed to in recent months got a bit of a surprise recently, and it wasn't just because the station is now playing Christmas music - in October.
NoogaRadio can now be found on FM 96.9 and owner Sabatino "Sab" Cuppeli said in a phone interview on Tuesday that he has plans for the station that will include airing it on a "bigger antennae, but I've signed a non-disclosure and can't talk about it right now."
He said he plans to announce the plans by the first of the year.
Also, Brewer Media moved its programming, which includes local and national ESPN programming, to WALV-FM 95.3 from its previous home at FM 105.1. The sport talk station was formerly Big FM and it now can be found at 106.9 on the FM dial, giving it a bigger reach in the market.
Brewer sold the 105.1 frequency to American Family and it is now WUIE-FM 105.1 and is airing religious programming.
Brewer also has WMPZ -FM 93.5 and WJTT-FM 94.3 locally.
Volkswagen's ID.4 named to Wards list
Volkswagen's 2021 ID.4 electric SUV has been named to Wards 10 Best UX list and recognized for exceptional user experience.
User experience, or how the driver and passengers interact with a vehicle, includes voice controls, touchscreens, connectivity, infotainment, intuitive controls, and driver-assistance technologies. Judging consisted of a thorough review of 33 vehicles available in the U.S. with all-new or re-engineered UX features, according to Volkswagen of America.
The ID.4 is Volkswagen's first all-electric SUV, the brand's initial global EV and is to be built in Chattanooga next year.
"User experience is crucial to achieving widespread adoption of electric vehicles. From estimating range, route planning and connecting to our devices, these experiences not only enhance the owner's connection with their vehicle, but also confront the obstacles which have hindered the mass market to shift to EVs," said Dustin Krause, Volkswagen's director of e-mobility for North America.
Virtual first health plan offers 15% lower rates
UnitedHealthcare has launched what it calls a "virtual-first" health plan where patients start with online health care providers before moving to in-person visits as needed.
The nation's largest health insurer,announced the health plan this week as a way to reduce costs at a time when the pandemic has prompted many to try web-based care.
Under the plan enrollees pay a $0 copay when going online to access primary care providers as well as virtual urgent care. Premiums will be about 15% lower than traditional benefit plans, John Rex, the chief financial officer at parent company UnitedHealth Group, said during the company's third quarter earnings call this month.
UnitedHealthcare expects savings will come in part through better integration of virtual and clinic-based care. Patients are matched with an online primary care provider (PCP) who connects patients with in-person health care providers as needed. The virtual PCPs are employed by Optum, which is UnitedHealth Group's division for health care services.
"UnitedHealthcare is using Optum's virtual capabilities to introduce a new suite of digital-first products offering a near seamless experience between virtual and traditional primary, specialty and urgent care," Dirk McMahon, the chief operating officer at UnitedHealth Group, said during last week's earnings call.
- Compiled by Dave Flessner