For more than 25 years, Heather Brown has been a familiar voice waking up Central Arkansas radio listeners. But on Friday, November 13, that longtime morning radio tradition came to an unexpected end.
Heather Brown announced on Facebook that Heather and Poolboy were fired from Alice 107.7, KLAL-FM, in Little Rock, along with her longtime co-host Adam “Poolboy” Dunaway.
The announcement brought an immediate outpouring of reaction from listeners who have spent years, and in some cases decades, starting their mornings with the popular Heather and Poolboy Show.
Brown made clear in her announcement that the news was real, her Facebook account had not been hacked, and the situation was not a prank.
She also indicated that she and Poolboy were immediately available for employment, apologized for not having the opportunity to properly say goodbye to listeners, and expressed gratitude for nearly 30 years of support.
A Morning Radio Tradition Ends
The Heather and Poolboy Show aired weekday mornings from 6 AM until 10 AM on Alice 107.7, one of Central Arkansas’ longtime contemporary hit music stations. The program featured conversations about everyday life, relationships, families, entertainment, and the unusual situations that make people laugh.
Heather Brown joined the station in 1999 after previously working in radio in Lubbock, Texas.
Adam “Poolboy” Dunaway began his association with the program as an intern, became its producer in 2005, and moved into the co-host position in 2013.
The show’s history also includes the earlier Heather and DC era, remembered by longtime listeners.
Along with on-air contributor Moose, Heather and Poolboy developed a conversational morning format that connected with listeners across Little Rock and surrounding Central Arkansas communities.
Over the years, the program became known for its regular features, including:
- Monday Morning Court
- Try It Tuesday
- Relationship Wednesdays
- Thriller Thursdays
- Flush It Friday
- OPP, or Other People’s Problems
Those segments gave listeners opportunities to share stories, discuss relationships, laugh about everyday situations, and become part of the program.
The show and its personalities also received recognition from Arkansas publications over the years, including honors associated with the Arkansas Times, Sync Magazine, and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Part of Wider Cumulus Media Layoffs
The departures come as Alice 107.7’s parent company, Cumulus Media, carries out another round of layoffs at radio stations across the United States.
Broadcast industry publication Barrett Media reported November 12 that Cumulus had begun another company-wide reduction in staffing affecting longtime radio personalities and other employees in multiple markets. This is the company’s 2nd reported round of layoffs in 2026, following additional staff reductions in August.
The latest cuts follow a major financial restructuring at Cumulus Media. On October 16, 2026, the company announced that it had successfully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after receiving the required approvals, including approval from the Federal Communications Commission.
The restructuring eliminated approximately $550 million in debt. Alden Global Capital became the company’s controlling shareholder as part of the ownership changes associated with the restructuring.
The layoffs have affected radio personalities and employees in several major markets, including Houston, Nashville, Minneapolis, and other cities. The overall number of positions eliminated nationwide has not been publicly disclosed.
Cumulus Media has not publicly announced a replacement for the Heather and Poolboy Show. Although the departures coincide with the broader layoffs, Cumulus has not publicly confirmed the specific reason for the 2 firings.
Listeners React to the Announcement
The sudden announcement generated emotional responses from listeners who considered Heather and Poolboy part of their daily routines.
For some, the show was a familiar voice during the drive to school. For others, it became a companion during the commute to work or while taking their own children to school.
Listeners responding online shared memories of their favorite programs, recalled years of morning entertainment, and expressed disappointment that the personalities were unable to make a final on-air farewell.
Some listeners said they planned to remove Alice 107.7 from their radio presets. Others called for the station to bring the longtime hosts back. Another frequently discussed possibility was a new podcast or independently produced program featuring Heather and Poolboy.
Those suggestions reflect the loyalty of listeners who followed the personalities through years of changes in Central Arkansas radio.
Friday the 13th Announcement
The timing of the announcement added another unusual element to the story. The news broke on Friday, November 13, a date traditionally associated with bad luck.
Some listeners initially questioned whether the announcement was a joke or promotional stunt. Brown addressed that possibility directly, emphasizing that the announcement was genuine.
After more than 25 years of morning radio history, the popular program ended without the traditional farewell many listeners might have expected.
What Happens Next?
As of Friday evening, November 13, no official announcement had been made about a replacement morning program on Alice 107.7.
It also remains unclear whether Heather Brown and Adam Dunaway will reunite on another radio station, establish an independent podcast, or pursue separate opportunities.
Listeners interested in hearing previous episodes can look for the show’s “Here’s What You Missed” podcast, which has been distributed through podcast platforms and the Alice 107.7 website.
For now, the departure marks a major change in the Central Arkansas radio landscape. A morning show that entertained generations of listeners has come to an unexpected conclusion, leaving longtime fans wondering where they might hear Heather and Poolboy again.
ArkansasRadio.com will continue following developments involving the longtime Central Arkansas radio personalities.
Did You Listen to Heather and Poolboy?
Were Heather and Poolboy part of your morning routine? How many years did you listen? What was your favorite segment? Share your memories and thoughts with ArkansasRadio.com.
Sources: Heather Brown’s Facebook post, November 13, 2026; Barrett Media; Cumulus Media.
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