News
About Magic 99 News
At Magic 99, we bring you coverage of the stories that matter most to our listeners. It's a passionate perspective - news, from people who love Edmonton as much as you do.
Our ever-changing weather and what it does to Traffic, the sports stories that the City of Champions lives for, the news that affects your world right now.
That's Magic News.
Call us at 780.438.8498 for News or Traffic tips.
News Team
Kurt Leavins
News Director
Kurt Leavins is the Program Director and News Director of Magic 99. Educated at the University of Saskatchewan and Western Academy Broadcast College, Kurt has spent his entire career with Rawlco Radio all over the country: Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Calgary, Toronto and now in Edmonton.
Over a 20-year career, he has been a News Anchor, Legislative Reporter, Beat Reporter, Sports Reporter, Talk Show Host, Morning Show Co-host and Host. He is also a veteran News Director and member of the RTNDA. His Newsrooms have won a number of national awards over the years.
He, his wife Cathie and his son Brandon, are proud to call Edmonton, Canada's Greatest City, home!
Allison Bailer
Morning News
Allison Bailer was born and raised in Spruce Grove and has only made it as far as west Edmonton since then! She is a NAIT grad, and while she isn't yet a veteran of the industry, she will be celebrating her 10th anniversary in radio in 2008.
From her grand beginnings in radio fetching someone important their coffee, Allison has spent most of her radio career behind the mic as a news anchor, but has done her share of time on the street as a News Reporter as well. Some of her favorite moments in radio involve the inevitable July thunderstorms that would knock the radio station off air just as she was about to read her newscast.
In her spare time Allison plays soccer, belly dances, runs in the odd marathon or triathlon around the province, and loves to pig out on East Indian buffets. Allison and her husband Doug live in a cozy condo with their dog / fur baby, Shadow. She is the news reader on The Magic 99 Morning Show with Shannon & Duncan.
Duncan Paterson
Morning Traffic
Through the late 80's Duncan Paterson received numerous awards and accolades for his work in motion pictures, starring in such films as "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles"...no wait...that's Molly Ringwald. We're always getting those two mixed up.
Let's try this again: from the time he was a small boy, Duncan Paterson had a dream...to become a bigger boy and eventually a man. Once thought to be unemployable, Duncan has been working steadily in both radio and television here in his hometown of Edmonton since 1990.
Through his career, Duncan has been involved in a variety of community organizations including Crime Stoppers of Edmonton & Northern Alberta, the Festival of Trees and the Edmonton Food Bank.
His proudest accomplishments include convincing his wife Kathy to marry him, and helping her to produce their two kids Sydney and Mackenzie.
Al Stafford
Magic 99 News
Al was excited to join the Magic 99 team in 2007 and continues to relish his role of "coming out of the bullpen" when required on the Magic Morning Show with Shannon and Duncan.
He began his broadcasting career in Toronto in 1983 moved to Alberta in 1985. Al has one of the most recognizable voices in Edmonton. He's been stadium P.A. announcer for the Edmonton Eskimos since 1998 and the corporate P.A. voice for the Edmonton Oilers since 1996. Al also finds time to work the occasional Edmonton Capitals baseball game during the summer.
Al has an active role in Edmonton's art community and is the store manager for St. John's Music on Mayfield Road. He's been the guitarist for Grant MacEwan's Wednesday Night Big Band since 2006.
Recreation for Al usually means camping with his beautiful wife Kim, daughters Laurel and Madison... and Karmel... the world's greatest Airedale!
Kris Laudien
Magic 99 News
Kris Laudien grew up in Vancouver and one day in 2005 decided to leave his roots for the promised land of Edmonton in 2005. He is a BCIT graduate and has spent over 10 years in the broadcast industry working at radio and TV stations in Quesnel, Kelowna, Vancouver and Edmonton. During his time in the business he’s been a news reporter, morning radio show host and sports anchor. In his spare time Kris likes to hit the volleyball court, eat Ju Jubes and plan his next vacation.
