UTICA/ROME -- While the rain of Hurricane-turned-Tropical Storm Irene wasn't too intense for Syracuse, the Utica/Rome area got hit quite hard. Several streets in Oneida and Herkimer Counties have been closed due to severe flooding, and in fact, the NYS Thruway remains closed as of Tuesday night between Syracuse and Amsterdam. The locally-owned Roser cluster of stations is using social media to help people help each other as they clean up after Irene.
ROCHESTER -- A former news manager whose resume includes radio and television jobs in several places across Central New York has been arrested on child pornography charges. The U.S. Department of Justice says Robert Jason Fain -- a.k.a. Rob Jason -- was arrested after investigators say he was using computers at his job to distribute illegal images.
SYRACUSE -- Next time you're at the supermarket, look for CNY Central (WSTM/WTVH/WSTQ-LP) chief meteorologist Wayne Mahar. You'll find him, most likely, near the checkouts. He's the cover story for the August/September 2011 issue of 55 Plus magazine.
ALBANY -- Not many people have the honor of saying they were the General Manager of two prominent radio stations before turning 30, especially in a top-75 market. But Robert Ausfeld did just that, and after nearly four decades in radio, he's set to retire at month's end. Although Ausfeld was based in Albany, he oversaw one cluster of Utica-Rome stations for part of his career.
SYRACUSE -- Almost four months after Gary Nolan left the only locally-hosted weekday timeslot at 105.9 The Big Talker (WXTL), the Citadel station is putting out the call for a replacement. "We're searching for someone who knows how to immerse him-or-herself in local issues and converse with local newsmakers and callers," Ops Manager Tom Mitchell says.
UTICA/ROME -- If you've got on-air experience and want to "back" into the biz on a part-time basis, this one could be for you. Lite 98.7 (WLZW) is looking to expand its part-time roster. Here's the official announcement from PD Eric Meier:
WASHINGTON, DC -- As of today, the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC policy which sparked plenty of debate in the 1980s and again in recent years, has been deleted from the FCC regulations. Longtime residents of Central New York may remember that one of the biggest legal cases leading to the Fairness Doctrine's downfall, started right here in Syracuse.
SYRACUSE -- Fans of CNYRadio.com have pointed out that WSEN-FM 92.1 traded in its collection of Casey Kasem's American Top 40 shows from the 1970s, instead airing AT40 shows which originally aired during the 1980s. It's part of the station's effort to modernize its overall playlist.
SYRACUSE -- His peers have spoken. Next month, Bill Knowlton from WCNY's Bluegrass Ramble will receive top honors for his efforts to promote bluegrass music. That honor will come in the form of the International Bluegrass Music Association's Distinguished Achievement Award, to be presented to Knowlton in Nashville on September 29.
OSWEGO -- Student-operated 88.9 WNYO at SUNY Oswego has a "full lineup" of sports set for the upcoming academic year. Sports Director Scott Glickman tells CNYRadio.com the station will provide live coverage of Oswego High School home football games, followed by all SUNY Oswego Mens Basketball and Mens Hockey games. Glickman says WNYOsports.com has the full schedule.