WAMU-FM (88.5) news director Jim Asendio exits American University's Washington, D.C. public radio news and information outlet. Meymo Lyons will serve as Acting News Director as the search for Asendio’s full-time replacement ensues. According to The Washington Post, WAMU Director of Programs Mark McDonald declined to discuss reasons for Asendio’s departure: “We don’t discuss personnel issues." But the Post was able to communicate with Asendio, who said he objected to station plans to have some of his reporters attend a breakfast this week with major donors. Asendio says that was “crossing the firewall…that questions our credibility and trustworthiness.” He indicated that he wouldn’t be attending the gathering, then got a memo from GM Caryn Mathes. It said “my refusal to attend a major station event would be an irreversible and permanent statement on whether I was a member of the team.” His decision? “I felt it best to stand on my journalistic ethics and resign.” Asendio was in commercial radio before joining then-WLIU on Long Island and coming to news/talk WAMU in 2006. Post writer Wemple says Asendio is gearing up for a ride to Western Maryland on his motorcycle, saying “I’m fine…I wish my newsroom all the success.”