SYRACUSE -- No word yet on who's leaving -- or perhaps already left -- (any tipsters?) but ABC affiliate NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) has an "immediate opening" for a news producer. The job posting appeared on the station's website earlier this afternoon. The posting doesn't indicate which newscast(s) the future hire will be producing, but states that applicants should be "willing to work nights, weekends and holidays."
SYRACUSE -- Condolences to family, friends and former colleagues of longtime WSTM-TV employee Joseph Turrisi, who died this past weekend at the age of 81. The lifelong Syracuse resident enjoyed a 46-year career at channel 3, where he held the position of production manager upon his retirement.
SYRACUSE -- Fifty years ago, Rod Wood started his career in broadcasting. And tonight -- much to his surprise -- NewsChannel 9 devoted most of its 5:30pm newscast to honoring the milestone. Not wanting Wood to learn about the event in advance, the station did no promotions on-air, online or otherwise... and when you see how many people were on-hand in the studio, you might say organizers deserve a big hand for keeping it all under wraps.
SYRACUSE -- After many years split between two separate buildings, NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) is looking to bring its entire staff back together under a single roof. Texas-based owner Nexstar Broadcasting is looking to expand the station's main studio building on Bridge Street in East Syracuse, while selling-off a separate office building on nearby Enterprise Parkway.
Updated 10/22 with GM comment -- UTICA -- According to documents filed with the Federal Communications Commission, NBC affiliate NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) will very likely have a new owner in the near future. Pending FCC approval, Utica's oldest television station will be sold to a company headed by Robert S. Prather, Jr., who resigned from the post of President and COO of Gray Television earlier this year. The pricetag for the sale: $16 million.
UTICA-ROME -- From the "while we were on hiatus" file, all-sports 95.5 WUSP has become an affiliate of the CBS Sports Radio and Yahoo! Sports Radio networks. But, in a twist not seen often in Central New York, it's a two-way connection with Yahoo, as the network has picked up one of WUSP's locally-produced programs.
SYRACUSE -- An effort that started in 2007 will "officially" come to fruition later this month, as WCNY hosts a day-long grand opening for its brand new facilities on Syracuse's near west side. The general public is invited to stop by 415 West Fayette Street, anytime between 9am and 5pm on Wednesday, October 30. A variety of tours, events and special guests are scheduled.
ALBANY -- Two broadcasters with ties to Central New York are among the five men named as this year's inductees to the New York Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Former WTVH General Manager Bill Ransom, Nexstar Broadcasting CEO/President/Founder Perry Sook and three others will be honored at a special ceremony next month in New York City.
Updated 10/20 -- SYRACUSE -- An obituary published today advises, "be prepared to smile, laugh, and cry" at a celebration of life this weekend in Cazenovia, in memory of former WSYR radio news anchor Tara Howard Knauff. She died on Monday following a battle with cancer.
UTICA-ROME -- Catching-up on happenings from the "summer hiatus," there are some notable changes at two Roser Communications Network stations in the Mohawk Valley. Former Syracuse on-air personality Brandon C. joins the lineup at Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU), while news/talk/music hybrid 100.7FM WUTQ shuffles the schedule to make room for more music.