UTICA/ROME -- If the FCC approves (and we can't see why they wouldn't), it looks like WRUN-FM will soon officially drop the -FM suffix from its call sign. The station at 90.3FM, licensed to Remsen, simulcasts "Northeast Public Radio" from WAMC in Albany.
OSWEGO -- You already read here about Dave Bullard's recent move from WRVO to Syracuse ABC affiliate WSYR-TV. Now, we've learned a few others have recently exited the NPR affiliate on the SUNY Oswego campus. The station's GM confirms at least two others have left in what he's termed a staffing "reset."
SYRACUSE -- It doesn't matter whether you liked or hated Jim Reith's afternoon talk show -- if you listen to radio, chances are good you have an opinion about Clear Channel's decision to terminate Reith's position on FM Newsradio 106.9 and 570 WSYR earlier this week. And those opinions have been popping up all over -- on TV, in newspapers, and online.
UTICA/ROME -- Some national attention for morning show host Gary "Big Poppa" Spears at Kiss-FM (WSKS/WSKU), after an interview he conducted on-air yesterday morning caught the attention of famous celebrity news blogger Perez Hilton. Spears was chatting with American Idol season 3 finalist Diana DeGarmo, when she unleashed an interesting development about her love life.
PULASKI -- If you know anyone who enjoys fishing, chances are they've told you the stories about "the big one" they claim to have caught, or nearly caught... and you wonder if they're really telling the truth or spinning a tall tale. Well, for one fisherman who used to forecast the weather for Central New York TV viewers, there's no question about it -- he's got photographic evidence!
UTICA -- A little over a month since Vic Vetters announced plans to leave NBC affiliate NewsChannel 2 (WKTV) for a new job in Providence, the station's parent owner has named a new GM -- who comes to Utica from Providence. While Vetters went to Providence's NBC affiliate (WJAR), Steve Doerr comes to WKTV from the market's ABC affiliate (WLNE).
SYRACUSE and UTICA/ROME -- When this year's Heisman Trophy winner is announced, Dave Coombs will be able to say he had a hand in the decision. The co-host of the Gomez and Dave morning show on Syracuse's TK99/105 (WTKW/WTKV) and Utica's 96.9 WOUR has been selected to take part in voting for this year's Heisman Trophy voting process.
SYRACUSE -- Earlier today, we reported Jim Reith has exited WSYR radio, after 27 years at the news/talk station. It appears Reith's departure is among many nationwide, ordered by WSYR's owner, Clear Channel Communications. Since this afternoon, the tips have poured in, and we've learned at least three others received pink slips in Syracuse today.
Update 6:00pm - We've learned 4 people have been laid off at Clear Channel Syracuse. Click here for the newer story.
SYRACUSE -- Longtime local radio fixture Jim Reith has exited FM Newsradio 106.9 and 570 WSYR. In place of his weekday 3-7pm talk show, the Clear Channel station's website now says syndicated host Sean Hannity will air from 3-5pm, followed by "Daily Wrap with Joe Galuski" for the 5pm hour. Syndicated host Michael Savage begins at 6pm, going for the next seven hours.
SYRACUSE -- "You'd never know it by looking at the picture," says WSYR-TV Assistant News Director Roger Mirabito, but a scary-looking scene involving the ABC affiliate's satellite truck late last week -- was all caused by a simple mechanical problem that cost less than ten bucks to fix.