SYRACUSE -- When Clear Channel eliminated the sports format on AM 620 (WHEN), as part of a two-stage move to create an AM/FM simulcast of dominant news/talk station WSYR, two local sports shows hosted by Mike Bristol were left homeless. Now, both shows are "back and better than ever," across town at the four ESPN Radio stations owned by Galaxy Communications.

ITHACA -- Observant CNYRadio.com readers have noticed some changes at Saga's Lite Rock 97.3 (WYXL) over the past couple of weeks: about a week after morning co-host Brian Stoll disappeared from the station, a new co-host is in place.  Dave Ashton, a familiar name to local listeners, is back in the market -- not only for mornings, but to program the station as well.

SYRACUSE -- While your editor was away for a road trip this weekend, Sinclair Broadcast Group stations Fox 68 (WSYT) and My43 (WNYS) were supposed to disappear from local Time Warner Cable systems.  But they didn't -- the cable company says it and Sinclair have reached an "agreement in principle" to keep the stations on cable.  But it's not a done deal just yet.

UTICA/ROME -- For the first time in two years, Arbitron's audience estimates for the Utica-Rome market are NOT embargoed from the general public.  But there's one very noticeable "asterisk" on the results -- stations owned by Galaxy Communications do not appear on the list.  Arbitron didn't provide a reason, but we suspect it has something to do with the fact Galaxy has has been a subscriber to the Eastlan Ratings service for the past few years.  Check out the complete Arb chart here.  And compare with Eastlan here.

Updated 1/17 -- SYRACUSE -- As national radio news websites like Radio-Info.com report on job cuts at Clear Channel stations across the country, we've heard rumblings that those cuts include two reporters at FM Newsradio 106.9 WSYR.  While the cuts have not been confirmed by Clear Channel management, we've heard from multiple readers known to us as trusted sources.

ALBANY -- He worked for many years in the Utica/Rome market, mostly at WRCK and WTLB.  Larry Oyer, who went by the name "Big Larry Williams" on the air, has died at the age of 57, following a brief illness.  Calling hours and a funeral are set to take place today near Albany, but a memorial service closer to Utica has been scheduled for next weekend.

SYRACUSE -- Since late November, local news on NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) has been presented from a temporary set in the corner of the ABC affiliate's East Syracuse studios.  The set used since 1999 was being dismantled -- and earlier this month, the station finally made the long-anticipated announcement that it would soon launch local news in HD, with a brand new set.  This week, one last look back at the old set -- and part of the transition.

SYRACUSE -- Time for our latest installment from the "Where Are They Now?" file.  Two former Syracuse broadcasters are moving to new jobs.  Mike Couzens recently left the Syracuse sports radio scene to take a job in New York City.  And one timezone west, former CNY broadcast journalist Leila Walsh leaves the NBC affiliate in San Antonio for a job in Houston.

UTICA -- The corporate battle that resulted in NBC affiliate WKTV's removal from certain Time Warner Cable lineups -- including systems serving Utica and its immediate suburbs -- has ended.  As of Saturday night, the two sides say they've reached a new agreement which should have WKTV back on the lineups by Sunday morning.

SYRACUSE -- Judy Kelly will soon be on the beach... but in her case, that's good news!  The GM of Leatherstocking Media Group's six stations is packing her bags and heading south, to take a new job in Florida.  Her last day at Leatherstocking's Baldwinsville studios will be a week from today.