The Morning Thing shined the spotlight on June First Friday today. We are excited to partner with Experience Mount Vernon for this special event.
Lacey Filkins, Executive Director for Experience Mount Vernon shared all the details of tonight’s event with us. She gave us highlights on the schedule, parking, food, family activities, bike valet and the theme. Click HERE to hear the full conversation or click the link below.
Come enjoy a fun summer evening with WNZR. It’s time to “Shake, Rattle & Roll” in downtown tonight! For more details, go to https://www.experiencemv.org/ You can see a map of the event, list of exhibitors and parking information below.
For our Friday Favorites this week, we are celebrating the 50th Annual Utica Ice Cream Festival. The hosts shared their favorite ways to enjoy ice cream.
Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric, Olivia, Daniel and Ethan OR click on the link below.
WNZR went “On The Road with Big Blue” to the Mount Vernon Farmer’s Market to talk about the 2026 Click It or Ticket Campaign. This is a safety initiative to educate the public about the importance of seat belt safety. We talked with representatives from local law enforcement:
Deputy Tom Queen from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office
Trooper Jared Myers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol
Officer Jackie Nauman from the Mount Vernon Police Department
Community Risk Reduction and Inspector Ross Wind from the Mount Vernon Fire Department
Click HERE to hear our conversation or click on the link below.
They shared some eye-opening stats on seat belt usage and how important it is to buckle up. We also talked about the importance of seat belts in all scenarios including summer travel, nighttime driving, and with teen drivers. They shared common misconceptions of seat belt usage including the interaction with air bags, proper child restraints and booster seats, and the importance for back seat passengers to buckle up.
One of the safest choices YOU can make is to buckle up! Buckle up all the time – for short trips and long trips, and in every seating position. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/SeatBelts
Today for our Friday Favorites, The Morning Thing hosts celebrated their Moms! They shared why they appreciate Mom and how she has influenced their lives.
Click HERE to hear from Marcy, Eric and NEW hosts Ethan Hershberger and Daniel Russell.
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior Kai Mays to reflect on his time at MVNU and his experiences with WNZR.
Kai, who is from Delaware, says he originally came to MVNU to play soccer after spending most of his life around the sport. While athletics brought him to campus, he eventually found a passion for Communication and Digital Media, graduating with a Business minor as well.
Kai became involved with WNZR through class requirements and later found his place with the station’s video crew. He helped direct productions, run camera, and assist with sports broadcasts. He says one of the biggest lessons he learned was how much work goes into producing content behind the scenes and how important the process is to creating something successful.
During the conversation, Kai also shared a few favorite memories from his time at MVNU, including Christmas parties with friends, exciting moments covering volleyball games, and even jumping into the reflection pond during the recent paint drop celebration.
As graduation approaches, Mays says it still feels a little surreal, but he is excited for the next chapter. After a short trip to Iowa, he plans to work for a renovation company this summer while exploring long-term career opportunities, including possible work in car photography.
Kai also asked listeners to pray for his sister and her fiancé as they prepare for their upcoming wedding in August, along with continued health concerns she is facing.
For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts share their favorite memories with our Seniors in the MVNU Class of 2026. Congratulations to Abby Almodovar, Zane Menzie, Isaiah Clark, Kai Mays, EJ Temple, Jackson Bush, Kara Jenkins, Naomi Kinne and Traven Griffith!
Click HERE to hear our memories or click on the picture below.
As part of Seniors Week at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart sat down with graduating senior EJ Temple to talk about his journey to MVNU, his time with WNZR, and what’s next after graduation.
Temple, who is from Mount Gilead, says his path to MVNU took a few turns. After attending Waynesburg University and Columbus State, he transferred to MVNU for his junior and senior years. He studied Communications and Digital Media with a focus on sports announcing.
At WNZR, EJ worked on The Viewer, served on the video team, and spent a year as a DJ. He says his favorite role was working behind the camera during sports broadcasts and video projects. Temple says one of the biggest things he learned during his time at the station was patience and how to work with people at different experience levels.
Looking back, EJ says he still remembers being nervous about getting accepted to MVNU, but now sees how worthwhile the journey has been. Some of his favorite memories came while working courtside at basketball games, including a funny moment during a women’s game when a player was less than thrilled to see the camera pointed her direction after a fall on the court.
After graduation, Temple will begin a job with Bankers Life selling life insurance. He says his background in sales and communication helped lead him toward the career. EJ asks listeners to pray for him as he prepares for his insurance exam and begins this next chapter.
For Mount Vernon Nazarene University senior Jackson Bush, the path to graduation has been shaped by opportunity, hard work, and meaningful connections.
Click HERE for the full conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart!
Originally from Roseville, California, Jackson grew up playing volleyball and continued that passion as a member of MVNU’s men’s team. He began college at Cornerstone University studying film and TV, but a visit to MVNU for a conference tournament changed everything. Impressed by the quality of the video stream—and after his original program was discontinued—he made the decision to transfer and pursue Communications and Digital Media.
Once at MVNU, Jackson jumped right in. He reached out and got involved with WNZR, taking on roles with the video crew, as a communications assistant, and as an intern. Along the way, he discovered just how much goes into media—and embraced the challenge of learning it all.
Some of his favorite moments happened off the court and behind the scenes—road trips, late-night food runs, and time spent with teammates. Those relationships are what he’ll miss most.
While graduation marks the end of one chapter, Jackson isn’t going far. He’ll continue with WNZR as a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in organizational management. As he looks ahead, he asks for prayer for his mom, who will undergo treatment for multiple sclerosis this summer, and for guidance as he works out his living situation for the year ahead.
It’s a season of transition—but one Jackson is stepping into with purpose and gratitude.
Abby’s path to MVNU came after moving from Augusta, Georgia to Ohio during high school. After visiting campus and connecting with faculty, she knew MVNU was the right fit—moving into her dorm the same day her family moved into their Ohio home.
She arrived undeclared but found her direction, becoming a double major in Communications and Digital Media while also adding English. Along the way, she became deeply involved with WNZR—working afternoon drive, summer staff, marketing photography, and serving as Station Operations Assistant. She also played a key role with the Lakeholm Viewer as editor, helping shape its creative direction.
Abby says one of her biggest takeaways has been learning how to build one-on-one connections and step into leadership, even as someone who considers herself naturally shy. Through her work, she’s grown in confidence and learned to trust both her ideas and her team.
Some of her favorite memories include Lifeline and the strong support from the community, along with unique classroom experiences like an honors “Zombies” course that brought creativity to life in a fun way.
As graduation approaches, Abby says it’s bittersweet. She was recently named Outstanding Staff Member of the Lakeholm Viewer and is grateful for the impact MVNU has had on her life. After graduation, she plans to stay in Mount Vernon and work in ministry with Starting Point Pregnancy and Family Resource Center.
She asks for prayer as she steps into this next season—seeking clarity and a continued opportunity to honor God in all she does.
Rise and Shine 