I fixed the issue - for anyone else benefit: open up newscast\framework\helper_functions\lots_of_small_helpers.php and replace:
##################################################################
# check if the current page has a custom widget and set a global
# var if that the case
##################################################################
function check_custom_widget()
{
global $custom_widget_area, $k_option;
//special widget area
$specialpage = explode(',',$k_option['includes']['multi_widget_final']);
$specialcat = explode(',',$k_option['includes']['multi_widget_cat_final']);
if(is_page($specialpage))
{
$custom_widget_area = get_the_title();
}
else if(is_category($specialcat) || ($k_option['includes']['single_post_multi_widget_cat'] != 2 && in_category($specialcat)))
{
$custom_widget_area = get_the_category();
$custom_widget_area = $custom_widget_area[0]->cat_name;
}
}
add_action('wp_head', 'check_custom_widget');
with:
##################################################################
# check if the current page has a custom widget and set a global
# var if that the case
##################################################################
function check_custom_widget()
{
global $custom_widget_area, $k_option;
//special widget area
$specialpage = explode(',',$k_option['includes']['multi_widget_final']);
$specialcats = explode(',',$k_option['includes']['multi_widget_cat_final']);
if(is_page($specialpage))
{
$custom_widget_area = get_the_title();
}
foreach ($specialcats as $specialcat)
{
if ( is_archive() && is_category($specialcat) )
{
$cat = get_category( get_query_var( 'cat' ) );
$custom_widget_area = $cat->name;
}
else if( is_single() && (is_category($specialcat) || ($k_option['includes']['single_post_multi_widget_cat'] != 2 && in_category($specialcat))) )
{
$custom_widget_area = get_the_category();
$custom_widget_area = $custom_widget_area[0]->cat_name;
}
}
}
add_action('wp_head', 'check_custom_widget');