Updated 10/13 -- SYRACUSE -- Multiple trusted sources, speaking on a condition of anonymity, tell CNYRadio.com that midday news anchor Nia Carter has exited Newsradio 570 and 106.9 (WSYR / WSYR-FM). By our count, that leaves the Clear Channel-owned newsroom with just three staff members -- a marked contrast from staffing levels just a few years earlier.
SYRACUSE -- For the past several years, Central New Yorkers have come to expect all-Christmas music to hit the radio on November 1. This year, a new record -- as of late Saturday night, October 5 -- there are two FM frequencies where you can hear holiday hits around the clock. "Holly-FM" is up and running at 95.3 in Syracuse, and 103.9 in Oswego.
Updated 7:10pm -- UTICA-ROME -- The fans spoke, and Galaxy listened. After being fired last Friday, longtime radio sportscaster Ed O'Brien is back on the payroll at Galaxy Communications. That's according to Galaxy CEO/President Ed Levine this morning.
SYRACUSE -- There's going to be a new radio home for Syracuse Crunch hockey when the AHL affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning takes to the ice this season. The team is partnering with ESPN Radio 97.7/100.1, owned by Galaxy Communications. The deal ends a three-year run with Cumulus Media-owned The Score 1260 (WSKO).
SYRACUSE -- Former WAER-FM sportcaster and WOLF 1490 news reporter John "Jack" Hessmiller, Jr., has died. An obituary published today reports the former broadcaster passed in May at the age of 58, following an illness. A memorial service is planned for August 3.
SYRACUSE -- After nearly a decade with Galaxy Communications, production director and on-air personality Ted Bilodeau won't be returning to the company's Walton Street headquarters for work on Monday. He's moving east to take a new radio job in his native New Hampshire.
Effective immediately, CNYRadio.com and CNYTVNews.com will be taking a summer vacation. Major breaking news will still be covered to the best of my ability... but I've decided to step back from the "routine day-to-day" types of stories for at least the next couple of months.
UTICA-ROME and SYRACUSE -- Radio and television broadcasters in both of these Central New York markets are asking viewers to help neighbors who've been devastated by unprecedented flooding over the last several days. A joint effort between multiple Utica-area stations is planned for tomorrow, and some Syracuse TV stations have been running a telethon all day today.
SYRACUSE -- NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) didn't have to look too far away to find a replacement for Leigh Isaacson, who recently departed for a new job in New Orleans. The ABC affiliate has hired Andrew Donovan, who has been working at another "NewsChannel" -- specifically, NewsChannel 2 (WKTV), the NBC affiliate in Utica.
SYRACUSE -- Every week, we wrap up "Picture of the Week" by reminding broadcasters that "we're always in taking a look at what's going on inside local radio and TV stations." Now, Google Maps is literally giving everyone a virtual tour of some local stations, as part of a new extension to its popular "Street View" feature.