OSWEGO -- It's been a very good week for the news staff at WRVO; with 16 wins, the NPR affiliate is the only radio station in CNYRadio.com's coverage area to appear on the recently-released list of New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards. On the TV side, the wealth is shared among various local stations. The awards recognize excellence in broadcast journalism during 2010.
SYRACUSE -- Two staff members at Citadel rocker 95X (WAQX) were recently promoted. Big Smoothie tells CNYRadio.com he is now the afternoon drive host and night guy Joe D adds APD stripes. Big Smoothie says the announcement is "kinda late" and apologizes for his delay in informing us. (No problem... we're a little behind on news this week too, after Tuesday's storm caused some problems here at CNYRadio.com HQ.)
UTICA/ROME -- The three-station simulcast (two AMs and an FM translator) known as B95.5 will be rebranding itself come Monday as "95.5FM WUTQ, your FM local news and talk headquarters." The station, which has combined local talk with "beautiful music," will be focusing more on news and talk programming. As a result, longtime morning host Hank Brown has exited the station.
SYRACUSE -- At the start of his self-titled talk show today, Gary Nolan announced today is his last day at Citadel's 105.9 The Big Talker (WXTL). Just a little over a year since Nolan returned to Syracuse, he's heading back to Columbia, Missouri to launch a nationally-syndicated show.
FULTON -- It wasn't on your calendar, but this past Wednesday was officially "Christie Casciano Day" in the City of Fulton. The mayor presented Casciano with the proclamation on Wednesday evening, as she hosted an annual ceremony commending heroic actions of the emergency workers who serve the city.
SYRACUSE -- Nearly two inches of rainfall today in Syracuse caused problems all over the area. Part of I-81 in Syracuse was shut down after a few feet of water clogged the road. And Ronnie Miller from the morning show at Y94FM (WYYY) captured video of water pouring into the parking garage next to the cluster's Bridgewater Place studios.
PHILADELPHIA -- Former WOLF 1490 personality Don Lancer, who eventually went on to work for nearly 40 years at Philadelphia's KYW, has passed away. Multiple reports say Lancer, 68, lost his battle with cancer this morning.
SYRACUSE -- The anchors look nice and relaxed on the set, but things aren't always so calm off-camera during local TV newscasts. This Wednesday, ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-DT) will use its digital subchannel 9.2 to provide viewers a "backstage pass" of what's happening behind the scenes, while the station's early evening newscast airs on 9.1.
SYRACUSE -- After a variety of hosts have shared fill-in duties following the departure of Danny Parkins, we've learned Mike Lindsley will be taking over as permanent host for the midday show at sports-talk The Score 1260 (WSKO). He'll officially begin as host on May 2.
SYRACUSE -- The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) 2011 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award Winners have been announced. Between radio, television and online, WCNY-TV is the only local station to appear on the list. "Our Veterans and Their Families: 21st Century Challenges" took home the regional Murrow in the Video News Documentary category.