KSNV-TV changes noted in Manteris lawsuit

Anchor Sue Manteris alleges KSNV-TV, Channel 3 made recent moves "in what appears to be an attempt to deflect" her discrimination charges.

The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Tuesday against Valley Broadcasting Co., owner of KSNV, formerly KVBC; News Director Bob Stoldal; General Manager Lisa Howfield; company attorney Douglas Roman Hill; and others.

The complaint alleges the NBC affiliate recently fired its human resources director, hired two minority anchor/reporters and re-signed a minority anchor previously "targeted" by Stoldal.

After being hired in August 2009, Stoldal "made a disproportionate number of personnel changes each strongly indicating a race, age and or gender bias," according to the lawsuit.

Stoldal "forced out or not renewed" all five minority anchors that he inherited and re-signed five of the six Caucasian anchors, the lawsuit states.

Manteris was moved from her 11 p.m. anchor job last summer to the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts "even though her numbers had always been good."

Howfield, in an email Wednesday, said "Channel 3 does not generally comment on personnel matters. We are saddened Ms. Manteris has chosen to file a lawsuit. Her claim that Channel 3 discriminates because of race, sex or age is simply not true."

A telephone message left with Stoldal was not returned.

MEDIA UPDATE

Julie Cane is moving to the Hard Rock Hotel as public relations director after nearly a decade with N9NE Group, which operated the nightclubs and restaurants at the Palms. Her new job begins effective May 31. ...

Andrew Paul has been hired as the new program director at KXNT AM/FM. He replaces Bob Agnew, who had the job for a year.

WEDDING DETAILS

Flamingo headliner Marie Osmond said the face of her late son, Michael Blosil, will be Photoshopped into her wedding photos.

Osmond revealed the tribute during her appearance, along with brother Donny, on Piers Morgan's CNN show Monday.

She told Morgan some wedding photos were taken with Donny standing in for the shots that will be Photoshopped.

She remarried her first husband, Steven Craig, at a Mormon temple in Las Vegas on May 4.

Blosil, 18, took his own life 14 months ago in Los Angeles.

Marie Osmond said she needed to return to work right after her son's death because "I was really afraid if I didn't I wouldn't go back again."

She told Morgan she decided about two years ago to "give it a shot" with Craig. They were married from 1982 to 1985.

She said their marriage plans were kept secret, even from family members, until just before the wedding.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Mildred Myers celebrates her 100th birthday today in a Summerlin retirement home. When she was born, Las Vegas had a population of about 800. Her grandson is Blake L. Sartini, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Golden Gaming Inc. She was born on a ranch near Clements, Calif., and has been a Las Vegas resident since 1980.

SIGHTINGS

NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, dining at Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare (Wynn Las Vegas) on Wednesday. ... Shaun Phillips, of the San Diego Chargers donning a Burger King character costume while taking part in a bottle presentation Tuesday at Lavo (Palazzo). At another table: DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles. At Hussong's Cantina inside The Shoppes at Mandalay Place on Tuesday: "Glee" cast members Mark Salling, Cory Monteith, Chord Overstreet, Darren Criss, Harry Shum Jr. and others, dining on the late-night menu. ... Rapper T-Pain and pop sensation Ke$ha, partying at Moon Nightclub inside the Palms on Tuesday night.

THE PUNCH LINE

"Arnold (Schwarzenegger) kept the child secret for 10 years. So maybe he is a good actor after all." -- Conan O'Brien

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.