CANTON -- North Country Public Radio recently brought home two national Edward R. Murrow Awards from the Radio/TV News Directors Association.

UTICA -- Northeast Public Radio, a multi-station network originating from flagship WAMC/Albany, has reportedly traded away WRUN(AM) for an FM translator in Cooperstown.  The deal allows the network to reach more listeners closer to its home base, but it won't be completely leaving the Mohawk Valley.

ITHACA -- Nationally-syndicated progressive talk show host Thom Hartmann will broadcast his three-hour program live from Ithaca later this year.  Local affiliate Progressive Talk 1470 WNYY made the announcement today.

NATIONWIDE -- If you catch the top-of-hour news on WIBX/Utica, WTNY/Watertown, WHCU/Ithaca or any other CBS affiliate, you'll notice something missing today: those quick little "chirp" tones that had been part of the newscasts for more than three decades.

ROCKLIN, CA -- Former K-LOVE morning co-host Jon Rivers says his addiction to prescription painkillers was the reason he and spouse/co-host Sherry suddenly disappeared from the mic about three months ago.

WATERTOWN -- It's a double dose of something we haven't seen in many a Friday around here: pictures from the North Country, and pictures from the past.  Tunes 92-5 (WBLH) afternoon host Johnny Keegan sends in a shot from his very first remote, and another bonus blast from the past.

ITHACA -- With so many people out of work -- in radio, and in general -- it's not the kind of story we'd expect to be running.  But three weeks since Saga's News-Talk 870 WHCU announced an opening for a news reporter/anchor, APD Dave Vieser reports, "we are a little bit surprised to see a lack of response to our search."

WATERTOWN -- Tunes 92-5 (WBLH) is planning a live on-air auction to benefit two charities at the end of this month.  Right now, they're seeking donations of goods and services to be auctioned.

SYRACUSE -- You often hear about hockey players being sent back and forth between the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL and its parent club, the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Today, the NHL team announced it's calling up Crunch broadcaster Bob McElligott.

Updated 7/8/09 - Radio reacted quickly to the death of Michael Jackson last month, sharply increasing spins of his titles.  But few local radio stations went out of their way to offer live coverage of the singer's memorial service in Los Angeles today.