UTICA/ROME -- Minutes after we reported learning that SportsWatch is returning to the WIBX lineup, we've learned the station is now looking for its next News Director / Program Director.  Here's the official job posting as provided to CNYRadio.com by Townsquare Ops Manager Bill McAdams:

UTICA/ROME -- After a sudden absence which started nearly two weeks ago, the long-running SportsWatch returns to Townsquare news/talker WIBX 950 tonight. The show will air in less than an hour, resuming its most-recent timeslot of 6-8pm. WIBX News Director Jeff Monaski will share co-host duties with Ray Rich.

UTICA/ROME -- We had first reported this on May 25, but it was quickly retracted by those involved.  Now, the news is "official" -- Gene Conte and Fred Miller are moving from Townsquare Media's WIBX to Galaxy Communications' trio of ESPN Radio stations.  Conte, who has been serving as PD for WIBX, will become PD of the ESPN trimulcast.  ESPN Radio also picks up Dave Peroni for play-by-play duties.

UTICA -- Applications are now being accepted for journalists, anchors, producers and meteorologists as Nexstar Broadcasting moves closer to bringing a local news product back to ABC affiliate WUTR this fall. The operation will also produce newscasts for sister stations Fox 33 (WFXV) and MyNetwork 11 (WPNY-LP).

ITHACA -- It's always exciting when the home team wins, even better when it's a comeback victory.  But for the broadcast team from ESPN Radio 1160 (WPIE), strong winds created a bit of an annoyance during Wednesday's Class A boys lacrosse quarterfinal between West Genesee and Ithaca.

ITHACA -- Real Rock Radio 93.5 WVBR, owned by Cornell Radio Guild, Inc., is looking for some help in the sales office. Although it's staffed primarily by Cornell University students, WVBR is a commercial station thanks to its independent ownership. Here's a job posting we received from WVBR's Robert Schur:

WASHINGTON, DC -- Just a few months after being named Assistant Program Director for Washington's 95.5 WPGC, CBS radio has removed "Assistant" from Jason Kidd's title.  Kidd formerly programmed Syracuse's Hot 107-9 (WWHT), before moving to Pittsburgh in 2002, then to Baltimore in 2003.  Kidd's promotion at the rythmic top 40 station was first reported today by AllAccess.com.

OSWEGO -- The award-winning newsroom at the WRVO Stations is growing. The station welcomes "Innovation Trail" reporter Emma Jacobs, who held the same title at Binghamton's WSKG. In addition, the NPR affiliate is employing several freelance reporters to increase coverage throughout the WRVO coverage area.

GRANBY -- Our sympathies go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Chris Ulanowski.  The former news director for the WRVO Stations has died at 51.  

UTICA/ROME -- Arjuna Broadcasting's 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) is taking applications for a job opening in the sales department. Here's the full job description as provided to CNYRadio.com by WXUR's Jack Moran.