SYRACUSE -- More than 35 local school children will appear on television later today. They're the finalists in the Post-Standard/WCNY Spelling Bee, which will be televised live on WCNY-TV 24.1. The winner will advance the national level of competition in Washington, D.C. this spring.
SYRACUSE -- The Mars Hill Network, based at flagship station 102.9 WMHR, is observing Black History Month with brief vignettes airing twice each weekday throughout February. You can hear the segments, titled "Treasured Moments in Black History," at 7:40am and 6:20pm.
SYRACUSE -- Get a handful of the area's top local professors. Sit them down at a table. Invite them to discuss current political and social issues. Add lights and TV cameras. Sit back and enjoy for 30 minutes. It's a recipe for success for WCNY-TV's "Ivory Tower Half Hour," which celebrates its 400th episode -- a special hour-long edition -- tonight at 8:00pm.
SYRACUSE -- It's a blast from the past in this latest installment of "Picture of the Week." NewsChannel 9 (WSYR-TV) anchor and Syracuse broadcast historian Rod Wood recently sent over several photos from his extensive collection. This week, we look back at a WTVH publicity photo from the late 1980s or early 90s. Can you name everyone in this photo?
SYRACUSE -- Following the recent resignation of J. Daniel Pluff, there will be not one, but two new hosts taking WCNY-TV's "Financial Fitness" into its 20th year. The PBS affiliate says Jim Burns and Vicki Brackens will share hosting duties for the locally-produced program. Both are familiar faces to viewers: Burns has been guest hosting since Pluff exited, and Brackens had been a regular panelist on the show.
NEW YORK CITY -- Jeff Rossen, former reporter for ABC affiliates in Utica (WUTR) and Syracuse (WSYR-TV, though it was WIXT then), has been named "National Investigative Correspondent" for NBC's Today show. Rossen will also be producing investigative pieces for NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and Dateline.
UTICA/ROME -- The locally-owned Roser Communications Network is one big step closer to picking up another radio station. The FCC announced today that it has approved Roser's plan to buy WRCK 100.7 from Educational Media Foundation. The $425,000 deal was first revealed in November.
WASHINGTON, DC -- Contrary to a report CNYRadio.com published on January 25, it looks like Cranesville Block Company isn't ready to give up on plans to bring a new AM station to St. Johnsville. Cranesville has filed a "petition for reconsideration" with the FCC, likely blaming the non-launch of WKAJ on factors beyond the company's control.
SYRACUSE -- After founding and hosting Financial Fitness on WCNY-TV for the past 20 years, J. Daniel Pluff has recently resigned from the program. According to an email Pluff sent out to former guests and obtained by CNYTVNews.com, Pluff says he walked out over a disagreement with station management.
ITHACA/CORTLAND -- Dave Vieser has resigned from his post as APD and co-host of the Morning News Watch on Ithaca news/talker WHCU. Although some fans were displeased with the brief announcement made by the station on Friday morning, possibly fearing Vieser was laid off, GM Susan Johnston tells CNYRadio.com that Vieser resigned on his own accord.