Miller/Newell Named “IBA Broadcasters of the Year”

For the first time in the history of award, two broadcasters to receive the honor.

(Springfield, IL) Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Board of Directors have selected Randal (Randy) J. Miller, Miller Media Group, and the late Shaun Newell, WMBD-TV Peoria and as its 2025 IBA/Vincent T. Wasilewski Broadcasters of the Year.

Never in the history of the award have two broadcasters been selected for the award, but this year, IBA’s board of directors felt both nominees deserved equal recognition.

Miller, a former IBA Trustee, recently retired from a 52-year broadcast career, of which 43 were spent in station ownership, having owned and operated stations in Virden, Carlinville, Taylorville, Kewanee, Galva, Shelbyville, and Clinton under the banner of Miller Media Group.

Under his leadership, Miller Media Group not only operated award-winning stations but also created new platforms, including TaylorvilleDailyNews.com in 2005 and DewittDailyNews.com in 2018, extending radio’s public service mission into the digital age. His stations have covered high school sports, county fairs, local festivals, city councils, markets, and breaking news with a relentless focus on the communities they serve.

Miller has also been a tireless servant leader outside the studio: helping launch the Christian County CEO Program, serving on the Taylorville Kiwanis Club, the Taylorville Development Association, the Loving Arms Crisis Pregnancy Center, the Lake Land College Foundation, the Illinois Broadcasters Association, among many others. His fingerprints are everywhere in the civic and nonprofit fabric of Central Illinois.

Sadly, honoree Shaun Newell passed away after a year-long battle with cancer just days after learning of the award. Family members reported that he was extremely pleased when learning the news of his selection.  

Upon earning a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Western Illinois University and a master’s degree in business administration from Bradley University, Newell began his broadcast career at WLDS/WEAI Radio in Jacksonville, IL. His professional career included work with the Center for Prevention of Abuse, WEEK-TV, WMBD Radio and eventually became news director at WMBD-TV and later the station’s VP/GM, the position he held at the time of his death.

Outside the station, Newell served on the board of directors for the Center for Prevention of Abuse spending the last three years as President of the Board. He brought empathy, vision, and tireless energy to the cause, helping to expand services, raise awareness, and ensure that every survivor was met with dignity and hope. He was a proud and active member of the Rotary Club of Peoria North and The Dirksen Congressional Center, and he served on advisory boards for the Illinois Children’s Hospital and Easter Seals. A trustee of IBA’s board of directors at the time Newell most recently served on IBA’s downstate events committee and made significant contributions in the planning of this year’s IBA2025 conference.

The IBA will pay tribute to both Randal Miller and the late Shaun Newell at its upcoming October 27^th IBA2025 conference luncheon at the Doubletree President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield.

Tickets for the event can be purchased here.