Earlier this week, the Milwaukee Radio Alliance announced Van McNeil would be the new co-host of a morning show on the rebranded Trending Radio 93.3, WLDB-FM.

"It was what I went to school for," McNeil said when talking about the new gig he will start on Monday. "It was the passion for it that brought me back."

In late 2013, McNeil and Entercom parted ways after a 15-year run. McNeil kept his public address duties with the Milwaukee Wave indoor soccer team, which led to a fulltime PR and marketing post after the team’s ownership changes. With Mark Zimmerman at the helm with his MKE Sports & Entertainment, McNeil was kept pretty busy with the Wave and baseball teams including the Jamestown (N.Y.) Jammers, the Rockford (Ill.) Aviators and the Kokomo (Ind.) Jackrabbits.

"Zimmerman did say, ‘You are staying with us with the Wave?’" McNeil said. "Yes, I’m staying."

McNeil said he’s been on a rollercoaster with traveling to get the out-of-the-area baseball teams ready for the season and now sitting in off air with C.V. (Carol Von), his new co-host at WLDB.

"It is another transition," McNeil said. "I’m getting used to getting up early in the morning. I’m excited about this opportunity."

Von, who has been the morning show co-host at WLWB with area radio veteran Jane Matenaer, is looking forward to working with McNeil.

"I’m excited to begin this new chapter in my radio life," C.V said in a statement. "Van is a joy, and I cannot wait to start our new show on Monday!"

As McNeil chatted about some of the new things he wants to do on air, it truly was the ability to connect with the community that drives his motivation.

"I’m looking forward to connecting with the community again and bringing fun and entertaining content back to Milwaukee morning radio," he said in a statement.

In our conversation, McNeil took that need of a connection to the next level. His experience in PR speaks volumes in what he wants to do in radio. And with a new format for the music on the station, and the current landscape of broadcast in Milwaukee, he has a great opportunity.

EVENT: The Urban Ecology Center Green Birding Challenge will be presented by Time Warner Cable on Saturday.

The cable provider is partnering with Milwaukee’s Urban Ecology Center to sponsor the Green Birding Challenge, which challenges participants to spot as many birds as possible without burning fossil fuels. 

At the event – from 6 a.m. to noon – adults and children will learn about what to look for and set out to find birds in teams.  

FINALE: National Geographic Channel will air the series finale of "The Raft" at 9 p.m. on Sunday. The two teams, stranded in the Bermuda Triangle, are adrift on life rafts and have to endure the elements in a grueling test of survival.

TONIGHT: The Fox Business Network will present a one-hour program, "America’s Trust Deficit," at 7 p.m. tonight, taking a hard look at Wall Street. Anchored by the outlet’s Neil Cavuto, the show will examine how a recession can change investment habits across the country.