Updated 10/13 -- SYRACUSE -- Multiple trusted sources, speaking on a condition of anonymity, tell CNYRadio.com that midday news anchor Nia Carter has exited Newsradio 570 and 106.9 (WSYR / WSYR-FM). By our count, that leaves the Clear Channel-owned newsroom with just three staff members -- a marked contrast from staffing levels just a few years earlier.
One of our sources says Carter's departure was not of her own choosing. CNYRadio.com has contacted WSYR program director Aaron Trimmer for comment, but he has not responded as of 12:30pm Friday. (If he responds, we will gladly update this report.)
By our count, Carter's exit leaves the WSYR newsroom is left with just three anchors based in Syracuse -- Jim Donovan in the morning, Don Lark during the midday hours, and Kevin Schenk for afternoon drive. Donovan splits his time as the midday disc jockey for adult contemporary sister station Y94 (WYYY). Other reporters heard doing "local" stories are often based at other Clear Channel stations including WHAM in Rochester.
Updated 10/13 at 11:15pm -- When this story was initially posted, there was a reference made to WSYR being "the market's sole local radio news" outlet. We perhaps should have clarified by calling WSYR the only commercial radio news outlet in Syracuse -- a CNYRadio.com reader wrote in to remind us of the award-winning news staff at public radio station 88.3 WAER. Located on the Syracuse University campus, the WAER news department has multiple full-time reporters out in the field covering stories each day, in addition to a number of anchors and producers. Syracuse is also covered by some part-time reporters working for the Oswego-based WRVO stations. We meant no disrespect in omitting these fine stations earlier, and we apologize for the error. The story has been corrected accordingly.
Too bad. Nia is a class act.
Why do they even bother broadcasting? It's a joke.
What a shame. There are other people in that sewer who should have been cast out long before Nia!