History Making Female News Reporter Retiring
(Grand Rapids, MI) Becky Carlson, the morning news reporter for 91.3 WCSG is signing off this month for the final time, marking a career that not only spans four decades, but sets her apart as the longest serving female radio news announcer in Michigan. Not only this, but after preliminary research, Carlson is perhaps the longest tenured female radio news announcer in the Midwest. As a mainstay in West Michigan radio for the last 40 years, Becky will be signing off and retiring on August 15th. Approaching her work with humility and patience, over the years Carlson has consistently practiced careful discernment in selecting news stories, and relaying the day’s headlines with an impartial, factual, and compassionate approach.
Growing up in Rogers City, Michigan, and as the daughter of Harvey and Janice Klann, radio is in her blood. Harvey Klann helped create and organize the Rogers City Broadcasting Corporation, constructing and managing radio station WHAK in 1948 and WHSB FM Alpena in 1964. Once in high school, Becky began working part-time at WHAK in the summers as an on-air host and did the daily sign off. She attended Grand Rapids Baptist College (now Cornerstone University) and began an internship at WCSG in 1980, becoming a full-time news reporter at WCSG in 1981.
She diligently undertook a charge to help build and lead the station’s fledgling news department. Carlson realized a growing desire to help listeners by sharing accurate news and positive messages in a family-friendly way.
Over the last 4 decades Becky has covered major news events ranging from the Challenger explosion, 9/11, the COVID pandemic, and multiple presidential elections. Carlson’s influential leadership both on-air and behind-the-scenes—have contributed to WCSG’s competitive reputation as the top-rated station in any format in West Michigan and empowers an audience of over 180,000 listeners each week. Her voice has become a
reassuring presence in an often chaotic world. She will be greatly missed at WCSG, but she is excited for this next season of her life.
