The 'spring book' is out and Syracuse's Top 40 formatted stations are big gainers in 12+ numbers.

Blair Garner, creator and host of the nationally syndicated country music show After MidNite has signed a multiyear, multimillion-dollar contract renewal with Premiere Radio Networks. The show which began in 1997 and is currently broadcast on over 200 stations across the country is heard locally weeknights from midnight until 6 a.m. on B104.7.

Football season is just around the corner, and WNSS AM 1260 has picked up the broadcast rights for regular-season games of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network beginning this fall. WNSS switches to its new sports fomat on September 5.

Garrison Keillor is recovering from heart valve surgery performed at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. The longtime host of A Prairie Home Companion is resting comfortably and is expected to make a full recovery. His popular weekly radio show heard locally on WRVO FM 90 will not be affected as the last live show of the season was taped on July 7.

After a Tuesday morning altercation in which gossip columnist A.J. Benza struck 'Stuttering John' Melendez, the semi-regular guest of the Howard Stern show was shown the door by WXRK manager Tom Chiusano. The fight occured after Melendez posed as a listener calling in to mercilessly insult Benza. Stern's morning show is heard locally on 95X.

Syndicated late-night talk host Art Bell has sued the Philippine Daily Inquirer for defamation, infliction of emotional distress and false light invasion of privacy after the paper printed an article excerpting an e-mail bashing Filipinos that was falsely attributed to Bell. As a result of the article, Bell claims he has received hundreds of e-mails, including death threats. Art Bell hosts the overnight show Coast to Coast, heard locally on 570 WSYR from 1 - 5 a.m.

Oswego's National Public Radio affiliate WRVO has played a bit of musical chairs with its weekend programming.

After more than 20 years, Syracuse classical music station WCNY 91.3 FM has decided to stop airing National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

Beginning in September, two 24-hour sports stations will grace the Syracuse radio dial. Former Comedy World franchise WNSS 1260 AM, will switch their affiliation to ESPN network programming as well as begin simulcasting 95X's play-by-play of Syracuse University basketball and football games. WHEN vice president Joel Delmonico doesn't view the change as a threat to his station's loyal audience. Part of the change will be ESPN's Tony Kornheiser Show moving to WNSS.

95X midday air personality Dave Frisina has decided to resign from his post as Chairman of the Syracuse Area Music Awards. Frisina, who will remain on the Sammys executive committee, cited the need to spend more time with his family as the reason for scaling back his involvement. Committee member Mark Ballard will take over the chairmanship. (Source: Syracuse New Times)