Former Hot 107.9 jock Java Joel has parted company with Rochester CHR 98PXY. No official word yet on the reason or where he might be headed.

Hot 107-9 morning man Dakota likes to have a good time in the morning.Whether it's an on-air prank at a local Wegmans or a live broadcastfrom a tattoo parlor, Dakota may be Syracuse's closest thing to the nationally syndicated 'The Howard Stern Show'.

Syracuse rock station 95X (WAQX) has signed a new five-year contract with syndicated 'shock jock' Howard Stern. The often vulgar, sometimes controversial morning show ranked third in the market during the last ratings period.

Ted Long and Amy Robbins have signed a new contract that will keep them on the air at 93Q through December, 2004. 93Q Operations Manager Tom Mitchell says, 'the Ted & Amy Show has been the cornerstone of 93Q for over 12 years. I'm very glad to report that they'll continue their successful run here for at least another 3 and a half years.'

Classic FM has hired two new on-air hosts, both with extensive classical music backgrounds. Bill Shedden, most recently and announcer at WWFM-FM in Trenton, NJ takes over as morning host. Rayna Schneider, a former flutist with the Catskill Symphony Orchestra, is the new midday host.

The Radio Television News Directors Association (RTNDA) has announced its 2001 Edward R. Murrow Awards. Winners include Syracuse's 570 WSYR for acheivements in overall excellence in the small market division.

Eighteen-year WCNY-FM veteran Bonnie Beth Derby is leaving her position as midday host at Classic FM. She has accepted a position as full-time organist and music director at St. James Church in Syracuse. Derby plans to continue producing and hosting 'Choral Traditions' and 'Orgelwerke'.

Classic FM's morning host Chuck Klaus is leaving his full-time position at WCNY to take a position with the Syracuse Opera Company as director of development. In his new role, he will be responsible for all individual and corporate financial support. Klaus, who has been with WCNY since 1982, will continue to host that station's 'Cinemusic' on Friday evenings and Saturday's opera programming.

Two months after most radio stations across the country stopped streaming their signals on the web because of a dispute over fees for traditional radio commercials that are simulcast on the web, Clear Channel Interactive announced that they have come up with a solution.

Nationally syndicated commentator Paul Harvey, who has spent the past several weeks off the air recovering from a bout with laryngitis, hopes to be back in the saddle in a few weeks. In a letter sent to affiliates yesterday Harvey says, "The good news is that the voice is returning gradually. The bad news is that it is not yet the broadcast quality that ABC affiliates deserve." Unofficial word is that Harvey is not likely to return before June 25. Paul Harvey's news and commentary can be heard locally on 570 WSYR.