SPRINGFIELD, MA -- Former NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) news director Jim Tortora appears to be prospering in the 13 months he's been with ABC 40 (WGGB) and FOX 6 (WGGB-DT2) in Springfield, Massachusetts. Hired as News Director last September, recent job postings now list Tortora's title as Station Manager and Vice President of News.
SYRACUSE -- Fans who followed Hunter Scott and Josh Grosvent from 95X (WAQX) to KROCK (WKRL/WKRH/WKLL) expected to hear the pair sign-on at 6am yesterday. But they said their debut was delayed by approximately 90 minutes, thanks to a threat of legal action from their former employer.
SYRACUSE -- Although it was granted FCC approval to sign-on in August, an observant CNYTVNews.com reader says a new station, WDSS-LD channel 38, appears to have just recently boosted to its authorized power of 15,000 watts. The station is carrying religious programming from Daystar Television Network.
ITHACA/CORTLAND -- The stations of the Cayuga Radio Group are asking listeners to band together in support of Ithaca Police Officer Anthony Augustine, who was shot while pursuing a suspect earlier this month. The public is invited to sign a giant "get well" card (it's over 7 feet tall) that will be presented to Augustine.
SYRACUSE -- One week ago tonight, Syracuse University got fans pumped-up for the upcoming college basketball season with its annual "Orange Madness" pep rally in the Carrier Dome. Thanks to one CNYRadio.com reader, we've got a floor-level look at part of the festivities.
UTICA-ROME -- Sports talk stations WUSP and WRCK are looking to add a name to its sales team roster. We received the following job description today from Frank Abbadessa at Good Guys Broadcasting:
Updated 10/20 -- ROME, ITALY -- She was born in Utica in 1838 and, after joining the Sisters of Saint Francis, she helped establish hospitals which still stand today there, and in Syracuse. This weekend, Mother Marianne Cope will be officially canonized as a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Several local TV journalists have traveled to Rome to cover the ceremony. In addition to reports appearing on newscasts over the next few days, Syracuse TV stations are producing a total of three long-form programs to tell the story of Cope's journey to sainthood.
SYRACUSE -- Major staffing changes at KROCK (WKRL/WKRH/WKLL), first reported by CNYRadio.com last night, have been confirmed by owner Galaxy Communications today. Out are three KROCK staffers. In are the two morning hosts who suddenly resigned from 95X (WAQX) earlier this week. Galaxy is also revealing more new details about the shakeup.
Updated 10/19: SYRACUSE -- Late last month, hundreds of people -- including many past and present employees of NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) gathered at the SRC Arena to celebrate ABC affiliate's 50th anniversary. DVR Alert: A two-hour special taped on location at the event will air Friday night from 7 to 9pm.
SYRACUSE -- In what appears to be the next step in a potential local radio coup, Galaxy's KROCK dismissed three on-air personalities today. Trusted sources tell CNYRadio.com that morning host Dex Mitchell, midday host / program director Nixon, and night host Candace Curby are no longer employed by Galaxy. The purge comes less than 48 hours after the morning co-hosts at Cumulus-owned competitor 95X (WAQX) suddenly walked off the job.