Ron Fortner
Encyclopedia
Ronnie Fortner was an American radio
and television anchor.
, working alongside veteran California newscaster Michael Tuck both in San Diego and San Francisco. Immediately after Fortner's death from cancer
, Tuck took it upon himself to help raise college
and support funds for his son, 13-year-old Blaise Alejandro Fortner. According to Tuck, "Ron had hit on hard times over the past few years, and I wanted to do something to help. He was a terrific guy, professionally and personally."
Fortner's work in the San Diego TV market included stints at XETV-TV Channel 6 during that station's initial attempts at creating a news department. He later moved to KNSD
-39 and had a talk radio
show during that time at KSDO (AM). In the early 1970s he and Tuck anchored The Tuck and Fortner Report on San Francisco's KTVU
-2.
Upon his move to Palm Springs
, Fortner concentrated on radio as the conservative
host of The Ron Fortner Show originally carried on KNWZ
(AM). Poor ratings meant a move to KESQ (AM)
Palm Desert
. After that station's sale, Fortner moved one final time to KGAM (AM) Palm Springs. While at KNWZ, Fortner was host of a national show bearing his name on the Talk Radio Network
.
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television anchor.
Career
Fortner spent more than thirty years as a broadcasterPresenter
A presenter, or host , is a person or organization responsible for running an event. A museum or university, for example, may be the presenter or host of an exhibit. Likewise, a master of ceremonies is a person that hosts or presents a show...
, working alongside veteran California newscaster Michael Tuck both in San Diego and San Francisco. Immediately after Fortner's death from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, Tuck took it upon himself to help raise college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
and support funds for his son, 13-year-old Blaise Alejandro Fortner. According to Tuck, "Ron had hit on hard times over the past few years, and I wanted to do something to help. He was a terrific guy, professionally and personally."
Fortner's work in the San Diego TV market included stints at XETV-TV Channel 6 during that station's initial attempts at creating a news department. He later moved to KNSD
KNSD
KNSD is the NBC television station based in San Diego, California. It is owned by a joint venture of NBCUniversal and LIN TV . However, because NBCUniversal has majority control, KNSD is run as an NBC owned and operated station...
-39 and had a talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
show during that time at KSDO (AM). In the early 1970s he and Tuck anchored The Tuck and Fortner Report on San Francisco's KTVU
KTVU
KTVU, virtual channel 2 , is the Fox-affiliated television station serving the San Francisco Bay Area. Licensed to Oakland, California, the station has been owned by Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises since 1964, making it the largest Fox affiliate by market size that is not owned and operated by the...
-2.
Upon his move to Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
, Fortner concentrated on radio as the conservative
American conservatism
Conservatism in the United States has played an important role in American politics since the 1950s. Historian Gregory Schneider identifies several constants in American conservatism: respect for tradition, support of republicanism, preservation of "the rule of law and the Christian religion", and...
host of The Ron Fortner Show originally carried on KNWZ
KNWZ
KNWZ-970 and KNWQ-1140 is a simulcast news/talk station owned by Morris Multimedia under the name Morris Desert Media. It has an affiliation with Fox News Radio...
(AM). Poor ratings meant a move to KESQ (AM)
KESQ (AM)
KESQ is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish Religious music format. Licensed to Indio, California, USA. The station is currently owned by the News-Press & Gazette Company and rented by a Spanish religious radio network by La Iglesia Alfa Y Omega .The radio station itself began broadcasting in...
Palm Desert
Palm Desert, California
Palm Desert is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, in the Coachella Valley, approximately east of Palm Springs. The population was 48,445 at the 2010 census, up from 41,155 at the 2000 census...
. After that station's sale, Fortner moved one final time to KGAM (AM) Palm Springs. While at KNWZ, Fortner was host of a national show bearing his name on the Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
.