Bob O'Dell and 95X (WAQX) have parted ways citing creative differences as the reason for the split.

O'Dell, who was the active rock station's program director and afternoon jock, is on the lookout for new opportunities. Likewise, 95X operations manager, Tom Mitchell, is searching for his replacement.

Conservative talker Laura Ingraham, who was bumped to a late night time slot on 570 WSYR earlier this year to make room for Michael Savage, will move to TalkRadio 1050 (WFBL) beginning in September.

Ingraham's show, which is also swapping syndicators, will air live from 9 a.m. - noon.

Locally, Ingraham replaces advice guru Dr. Joy Browne whose show moves to 2 p.m.

It was more than just the music that was rocking the house at Vernon Downs on Saturday. As rain and thunderstorms blew through, concert officials stopped the show as most of the 20,000 in attendance at the day-long outdoor concert headed for the horse track's grandstands.

570 WSYR relied on several of its street reporters and a simulcast of sister television station WIXT 9 for coverage of the Northeast blackout, while TK-99 (WTKV/WTKW) shelved its classic rock format for several hours Thursday afternoon to devote time to the talk of the town that day.

With last week's cancellation of the WSCP's Country Fest featuring Patty Loveless, the Syracuse New Times weighs in with its take on B104.7's controversial competitive promotion.
Source (link may no longer work):
newtimes.rway.com/2003/081303/chatter.shtml

This weekend's Countryfest featuring Patty Loveless at the Oswego Speedway has been cancelled by WSCP 101.7.

WSCP's owner, Galaxy Communications, cited a Loveless promotion sponsored by competitor B104.7 (WBBS) and the country singer's management's failure to halt their participation with the B104.7 event as reasons for the cancellation of the show.

The Arbitron spring book is out for the Utica-Rome market and there weren't too many surprises.

The top six stations all held their rank but Lite 98.7's comfortable three point lead over Regent sister station Big Frog 104 (WFRG) has shrunk to a half a point.

Clear Channel had mixed results: 96.9 WOUR and KISS-FM both gained at least a point, while Bob 102.5 (WRBY) and Kool 93.5 (WUCL) both lost ground.

Mornings just got a bit busier for Keith Kobland.

The morning anchor for WTVH's 5 on Your Side just last week picked up news duties on Big Mike's show on Sunny 102 (WZUN).

Kobland, a 1981 North Syracuse graduate, got his start in Syracuse radio as part of 570 WSYR's news team before making the switch to television in 1989.

With a commanding lead in Arbitron numbers for the Ithaca market released last week, Q-Country (WQNY) has nearly doubled its ratings in the past six months.

Lite 97 slipped into second place with a 14.4 which is a nearly 4 point increase for the Eagle Broadcasting AC station.

Syracuse country station B104.7 (WBBS) has launched a contest giving listeners a chance to win dinner with country star Patty Loveless while she's in town next weekend for Countryfest at the Oswego Speedway.

Things get a little sticky when you consider that it's B104.7's competitor, WSCP AM/FM, that is bringing the star to town. WSCP's owner, Galaxy Communications is threatening to sue, while Clear Channel's Joel Delmonico says, "there's no way it could hurt or damage the concert."