ITHACA/CORTLAND -- Central New York enjoyed beautiful weather yesterday -- the warmest we've seen in quite some time. With a high of 59º observed yesterday in Ithaca -- it's tough to believe the battle Jim MacKay had to wage just to get to work at ESPN 1160 (WPIE) just a week earlier.
The U.S. House of Representatives voted today to cut funding for NPR. According to the Associated Press, the effort of the GOP-controlled house is not expected to be approved by the Democrat-led Senate. Even if it does, the White House says President Obama would veto the action. But WRVO's general manager says he's still worried about funding cuts.
Garrison Keillor, creator and longtime host of A Prairie Home Companion says he's only planning to tell the tales of Lake Wobegon for another two years. Keillor announced he plans to retire in 2013 -- he'll be 70 years old.
Updated 6pm: SYRACUSE -- Time Warner Cable has announced late this afternoon (via Twitter) that it will be adding the HD version of truTV (formerly CourtTV) to its lineups in time for Syracuse University's first appearance in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on Friday night.
Updated -- truTV is now available in HD on both FiOS and Time Warner. A new deal between the NCAA, the CBS television network and three different cable channels means you may have to do a little hunting to find Syracuse University mens basketball on your television this year. Inside, where to find the games and what else is different this year.
SYRACUSE -- From the "better late than never" file, we've just received confirmation that 93Q (WNTQ) personality Brandon C. is the Citadel CHR station's permanent night host. After two years as a part-timer, Brandon tells CNYRadio.com he accepted an offer to take the shift full-time in December.
SYRACUSE -- Although he's already held the post for at least a month, WCNY formally announced this week that Peter Spartano has been promoted to Vice President of Broadcasting. The award-winning journalist, who most recently held the title of Executive Producer, now oversees all television, radio, programming and education services provided by WCNY.
SYRACUSE -- As warmer weather approaches, duffers will be pleased to hear that Perry Noun's long running Tee Time with the Pronoun will be back on the radio this spring -- though it'll have a new home on the dial for its tenth season. Because Noun's old station, WHEN 620, abandoned its old sports format a few months ago, he's relocating to the ESPN Radio stations owned by Galaxy Communications.
Updated 3/12 with arrangements and 3/13 with official obituary. SYRACUSE -- Rod Carr, a former radio and television broadcaster who later changed careers into law enforcement, has passed away. Carr, who was actively serving as the Chief of Police in the Oswego County Village of Phoenix, died this morning of an apparent heart attack.
ITHACA -- Saga's Cayuga Radio Group is on the lookout for a traffic manager... meaning "schedule the commercials" kind of traffic, not the "Route 13 is jammed" kind of traffic. It's a fast paced job, and while experience is preferred -- especially with Marketron -- training will be provided for the right candidate.