The host of “The Mark Johnson Show” is stepping down.
Veteran Vermont journalist Mark Johnson announced Monday he will be leaving WDEV radio to take a position as senior reporter/editor at the online news site, VTDigger.
Johnson has hosted the popular public affairs, call-in program for 25 years, 16 years with WDEV in Waterbury and for nine years before that with WKDR, a Burlington station that Johnson also co-owned.
His last program is scheduled for Aug. 28.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve Vermonters in a forum that has allowed for vigorous debate of the issues,” Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to another way to serve, joining the hardworking journalists at Digger, a must-read, go-to resource for Vermonters looking for in-depth reporting.”
Anne Galloway, editor of VTDigger, is delighted that Johnson is joining the VTDigger team.
“We are very excited about the long experience, journalistic integrity and passion for news Mark brings to VTDigger,” Galloway says.
Johnson, 55, began his journalism career in Vermont in 1982 as a news reporter at the Eagle Times in Springfield. In 1984, he was hired by the Burlington Free Press, where he covered criminal justice issues and then the City Hall beat when Bernie Sanders was mayor. After the Free Press, Johnson was a freelance reporter for Vermont newspapers, the Boston Globe, and several Vermont radio stations.
In 1990, Johnson began his two-hour radio show after he and radio personalities Louie Manno and Jim Condon, now a Colchester state representative, led a group that purchased WKDR Radio in Burlington. Johnson replaced longtime talk show host and later state Sen. Jack Barry.
Radio Vermont, owned by Ken Squier and Eric Michaels, purchased WKDR in 1999, when Johnson’s show began to also broadcast on WDEV. Squier later sold WKDR.
“I’ve had one of the best jobs in Vermont and appreciate the editorial freedom Ken and Eric have allowed and the overwhelming support of an active, well-informed audience. Vermonters have made the show a popular, valuable forum that will continue on, no doubt, with an equally curious and challenging host,” Johnson said. “I’ve had a great run.”
Johnson is also a regular panelist and guest host on Vermont PBS programs, including “Vermont This Week,” and is the host of “Report from Washington” and “Report from Montpelier.”
Johnson begins at VTDigger Oct 1.
