Born on a mountaintop in Tennessee … wait, that was that other Davy. This one was born on a cattle and wheat farm on the Great Plains of North Dakota. Farm-fresh common sense, work ethic and imagination forged in the fields of great grains. Like spaghetti? Thank my dad. After an Honor Society high school career in Lakota, N.D., I attended junior college on a basketball scholarship where I repeatedly demonstrated that white men indeed can’t jump. But I did manage an associate’s degree in wildlife management. From there, a semester at the University of North Dakota, where I started to pursue a background in broadcasting and a minor in goofing off, so… To further educational opportunities and real-world experience, I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1974 and eventually became part of the first all-volunteer army. I served three years as a radio/TV information specialist with extra training in newsprint and leadership. The bulk of my tour was at Fort Lewis, Wash., and I made a note to return to the great state of Washington one day. Honorably discharged in 1977 I returned to North Dakota and Minot State University, where I received degrees in communications and psychology. While attending school I worked as a radio DJ and a TV news reporter at a local combo operation. It was there that I discovered that what was taught in classroom didn’t always square with what was going on in the real world. Good to know. From there I moved to Blacksburg, Va., and a radio/TV producer job for Virginia Tech University -- Go, Gobblers! Go, Hokies! Two years on the East Coast was enough and I headed west to the hippie enclave of Eureka, Calif., for my first TV news director/anchorman gig. Yes, I had a mustache and comparisons to Ron Burgundy would one day be appropriate … just keep them “classy.” At a news guy conference in Las Vegas I met legendary newsman T.J. Close, who was from Washington state! Here was my callback to the Evergreen State, but I wound up on the never-green side of the Cascades. T.J hired me to come to Yakima and KIMA-TV in the winter of 1982. I worked a couple of years there, then spent 10 years across town as news director/anchor at KAPP-TV. I tried my hand at TV sales and radio sales and ultimately got a morning talk show radio gig for about two years on KCHT. (K-chat. Get it? Me, neither) By then KNDO-TV, the only TV station in town I hadn’t worked for, was looking for a news director/anchorman and they came calling based on my track record of past success and the fact that I work cheap. That was a successful five-year run, but the station was sold and the new owners wanted their own people in place, so early in 2001 I was about to be out of a job when KIT’s manager called and asked me to breakfast. Best meal ever! LOTS of bacon. Sixteen years later the Morning News with Dave and Lance rolls on as Yakima’s most popular morning radio show, presenting a variety of news , sports, weather, talk and fun -- Information and good conversation wrapped in our tell-it-like-it-is kinda style. We champion our advertisers, we pull for the underdogs, we love kids, veterans, seniors, animals, America and everything else that’s good and true that list doesn’t cover. We are A.M Proud with conservative values and a love for the people of the Yakima Valley. And it sure beats working on the farm.
Dave Ettl
It’s June! So What Is Washington’s Favorite Wedding Movie?
“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, and half shut afterwards.”
Run For The Border! -One Way To Avoid Washington’s High Taxes
Whether Washington State is a "Utopia" or not is certainly up for debate, but the question of higher taxes has been asked and answered.
Uncle Sam Has Your Cash If Your Program Is An ARPA Fit
Yakima County is now accepting applications for 2022 ARPA Funds
Cruising Yakima Ave, For Fun, Friends and Food For Hungry Kids
The Vintiques ask that you please bring your non-perishable food items and bottled water or donations down to cruise night on Yakima Avenue.
Why Wait? Tickets On Sale Now For Yakima’s Newest Music Party!
Today is the day to put into motion your plans to attend the premiere party of the fall
10 Centuries Of Drums and Dance-Hopi Nation Dancers Visit Yakima
The Hopi Indians and their ancestors are Native Americans who have lived in Northwestern Arizona for a thousand years.
Yakima Knows How To Turn Lemons Into Better Business For Kids
The lessons of Lemonade Day include setting a goal, making a plan, working the plan, and achieving their dreams.
Jury Drops The Hammer On Heard – Johnny Depp Wins Millions
The trial has lasted six weeks during which both Depp and Heard spent about four days each on the witness stand
Ignoring Student Threats And School Assaults Puts Society At Risk
Common sense says the greater good is served by warning society and the innocent school community, at least you wouldn't think so, but then you aren't the ACLU
Faster Than The Great Depression – Yakima Job Growth Pushes 5%
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics show that employment in the Yakima metro area has grown.