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
Pride In Honest Goverment? Pride Flag Won’t Fly At City Hall
Never say never when the liberals are in charge.
Coming To Yakima- The Mid-East Horse Games/Dead Goat Not Required
The Pegasus Project, central Washington's therapeutic riding program is teaming up with Pingrey Ford in Selah to bring a day of Polo to the Yakima Valley.
Sister Ross Was Always A Boss, Now She’s A Ted Robertson Winner
She is the heart and soul of the can-do spirit that ultimately brought about Heritage University in Toppenish.
Yakima Has A Plan To Reduce Domestic Violence And Protect Victims
The US Department of Justice is sending some big bucks to Yakima to help attack a big problem
Covid Can’t Keep The Music Down – St. Timothy’s Concerts Are Back
The concert at St. Timothy's is another victory in the war to return to normalcy following the pandemic.
Captain Obvious Asks- What’s In Washington’s Favorite Sushi?
Each of the three states that are generally considered to make up the Pacific Northwest has a sushi favorite of its own.
What Are You Really Mad About? Anger Is Often A Mask
Anger is a secondary emotion, meaning it usually masks another feeling that needs to be dealt with.
The Dam Story Continues -$26 Million To Save Fish, Ease Flooding
City and County officials have been working on the design and implementation of the project for more than a decade
Starbucks Pulls The Plug, Closes Some Stores For Worker Safety!
Starbucks Corporation announced Monday (6/11/22) that it is closing 16 U.S. stores after workers reported incidents related to drug use and other disruptions in cafes.
I get Inflation But This Is Ridiculous! 200 Bucks For Fries?
All of this spud talk is leading up to National French Fry Day on Wednesday, July 13th, and the Guinness World Record most expensive plate of fries!