On-Air Staff
TOM MILLER, MORNING NEWS WATCH HOST (6a-9a Weekdays)
Tom Miller is the host of the News Radio WJPF Morning Newswatch Monday through Friday from 6:00 to 9:00.
Tom has lived all his life in southern Illinois began his radio career in Harrisburg, his hometown, in 1976 and spent much of that time on the music side of radio. But after an unsuccessful attempt to be elected to the Williamson County Commissioners, he was offered the slot as Program Director of WJPF/WCIL-AM as well as the morning show host position.
Since his arrival WJPF has been awarded Medium Market Station of the year, and “Best Public Service Program” by the Illinois Broadcasters Association, as well as being awarded the “Leaders Among Us Award” from the Southern Illinoisan newspaper. Tom is a former member of the Board of Trustees of the Bald Knob Cross of Peace and was also awarded the “Seven Seals Award” by Illinois National guard for his work on behalf of the Illinois national guard. The “Seven Seals Award” is the Illinois National Guards highest civilian award.
Along with his on air announcing duties he also serves as the Operations Manager of River Radio and its six radio stations.
When not at work Tom spends his time with his girl Kate and his dog Geddy Lee looking for deer across southern Illinois.
“In the absence of truth, rumor prevails” Tom Miller
ROBERT THIES, NEWS ANCHOR (6a-9a Weekdays, 6a-8a Saturdays)
Contact: robertt@riverradio.net
After graduating Trico High School in 2011, Robert attended SIU-Carbondale, majoring in Radio/Television with a concentration in electronic journalism. At SIU, Robert was a reporter, producer, and weathercaster for the student-run television newscast, winning the best TV weathercast trophy in 2014 from the Illinois Broadcaster’s Association. At SIU, Robert was also the host of Scholastic Hi-Q, a weekly quiz show featuring local high school students.
After graduating from SIU in 2015, Robert began working at River Radio in Carterville as a part-time news reporter. He’s now the full-time morning drive news anchor. Each weekday Robert can be heard on five different stations by tens of thousands of people. He’s interviewed a wide variety of public figures, ranging from US Senators to Statler Brothers.
Raised in Ava, Robert now lives in Carbondale with his girlfriend, Kaytlyn, and their two dogs, Pork-and-Beans and Leon.
MATT VARNEY, PROGRAM DIRECTOR 103.5 ESPN
Matt Varney is the 103.5 ESPN Program Director and also the morning sports anchor. He graduated from Illinois State University in May 2016 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mass Media and a focus in Radio.
Matt was born and raised in Bloomington, IL. He came to River Radio in January, 2017.
Matt lives in Herrin with his wife Marisa and son Cooper. They also have two cats, Jedi and Lily.
Matt has been the play-by-play voice of the Murphysboro Red Devils since 2019. He has done play-by-play for John A. Logan women’s basketball since Spring 2021.
He is a Detroit Tigers fan and, thus, well-acquainted with misery.
MIKE MURPHY, SPORTS DIRECTOR (6a-9a Fridays, 6a-8a Saturdays)
Mike started at WJPF in 1976 while still attending SIU, working under News & Sports Director Mike Powell. Mike has been News & Sports Director, Program Director and served two separate periods as General Manager of WJPF.
Mike is currently Sports Director at River Radio and co-host of the award winning SportsVoice program which airs Saturday mornings from 8:00 am to 10:00 am, Mike also does play-by-play for the Herrin Tigers and the John A Logan Volunteers.
Mike won the Merle Jones Award for Outstanding Sports Journalism in 2001, is a member of the Herrin High School Sports Hall of Fame, has been tabbed top Play-by-Play Announcer twice in voting by the Illinois Broadcasting Association, and winner of Best Broadcast Team with partner Scott Hudson.