By a 3-0 vote, the FCC adopted an order yesterday that officially allows AM radio stations — many of which program News/Talk/Sports — to use FM translators, effectively granting AM outlets the ability to enhance their reach within the communities they serve. Commenting on the FCC action, NAB EVP Dennis Wharton said, “AM stations broadcast some of the most localized programming in America, providing listeners with News, Talk and Sports programming focused on community issues. Allowing the use of FM translators will help stations overcome some of the many technical challenges that are unique to AM broadcasters. We salute the FCC for recognizing the important role played by AM stations across the country.”

Earlier this week we learned that former KLSX/Los Angeles PD Jack Silver was being hired back for a new role at CBS Radio’s L.A. cluster. Today we learn that former WFAN/New York VP/GM Lee Davis is returning to the company’s Gotham City cluster as GSM of All-News WINS. Most recently VP/GM for Cox Radio’s southern Connecticut stations, Davis has a long prior history with CBS Radio. First joining WFAN in 1990 as an Account Executive, Davis went on to become LSM, then GSM, before rising to VP/GM of the Sports/Talker. “Lee’s stellar performance has always been evident in the numbers he’s delivered,” said CBS Radio/New York SVP and Market Manager Don Bouloukos. “I am thrilled to be working with Lee again and we are all glad to have him back home in New York City with the CBS Radio team.” Davis officially begins his new gig on July 8th.

Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, has launched an investigation into Arbitron’s PPM electronic audience measurement methodology. The U.S. lawmaker says an investigation is warranted because he believes PPM may under represent minority broadcasters. “I remain deeply concerned that without deliberate and timely investigations into this matter the increased use of PPM will further threaten the financial viability of minority targeted radio stations,” said Towns (pictured) in a letter to FCC Commissioner Michael Copps. “To date, many of these stations continue to suffer from significant downgrades in ratings, threatening the extent of their programming, or even ultimate closure.” Arbitron President Michael Skarzynski said the ratings company “welcomes any opportunity to discuss the importance of electronic measurement, the effectiveness of PPM technology, the value of the data it produces and our disciplined approach to the deployment of the service across the U.S.”

The Library of American Broadcasting will honor its 2009 “Giants of Broadcasting” at ceremonies to be held October 1st at New York City’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. Among this year’s honorees are just-retired RTNDA President Barbara Cochran, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric, Westwood One founder and Chairman Norm Pattiz, and legendary radio and TV broadcaster Ed McMahon (who will be honored posthumously). CBS News veteran Charles Osgood (pictured) will serve as master of ceremonies. You can learn more and register for the luncheon event HERE.

With the approach of this week’s Independence Day holiday, numerous TEA (”Taxed Enough Already”) Parties are scheduled to take place across the nation. WLAC/Nashville and Radio America syndicated host Steve Gill sent the above photo of yesterday’s TEA Party held in Music City that also featured crosstown WWTN hosts Phil Valentine and Ralph Bristol. “The mainstream media here kept calling it an ‘anti-Obama’ rally,” Gill told NTS MediaOnline Today. “But most of the conversation focused on Congress passing the ‘crap and trade’ bill.”

CBS Radio News VP Harvey Nagler points out that with yesterday’s announcement of this year’s Edward R.Murrow Award winners by the RTNDA, the network has received the award for “Overall Excellence” for the third consecutive year. Adding to that the four other awards won by the network, Harvey notes with obvious pride that CBS Radio News won the most Murrow trophies of any network radio news division this year … And Bonneville VP/News and Programming Jim Farley also checked in to brag just a little bit, noting that the company’s DC all-newser WTOP-FM picked up more Murrow’s this year than any other individual radio or TV station. Got something special about your station or company that’s you’d like to brag about? Email the details to al@ntsmediaonline.com.

The title of that 1979 hit by pop-star Michael Jackson seems more than applicable today, as much of the media world has remained in all-Michael-all-the-time mode since his unexpected death late last week. Anticipate the frenzy to continue for weeks, perhaps even months, as the various twists and turns in the bizarre saga of Jackson’s life and death are breathlessly reported by both old and new media organizations, alike. In keeping with the trend, here are a couple of additional MJ items that landed in our inbox over the weekend:

PC World is warning that the Internet is awash in Michael Jackson viruses and malware as “fraudsters exploit the public’s interest” in the death of the “King of Pop.” The PC World website reports researchers have observed “hundreds of cases of malicious messages masquerading as information about Jackson’s death.” Bottom line? Be very wary of emails reporting to have exclusive news, info or video about Jackson and avoid clicking on links to sites offering such content unless you are sure of the source.

From Our “Brush With Greatness” Department: During a 1992 visit to the FAO Schwartz toy store in Chicago, Salem Radio Network VP Tom Tradup recalls that he and his wife noticed another shopper whom they wrote off as a “really bad Michael Jackson impersonator,” complete with surgical mask and a flashy outfit. Thinking no more of it Tradup and his wife headed off to the movies, only to read in the Chicago Sun-Times the next day that the real MJ and his pal Emanuel Lewis had been in town for a shopping spree at the Windy City toy store where they purchased about $8000 worth of goodies. “It turns our we were making fun of the real guy,” says Tradup. “One of the few time in my life I was speechless.”

That’s the advice for radio from Sabo Media EVP Harry Valentine regarding the death of Michael Jackson. Valentine (pictured), who lives in New Orleans, says he saw and heard reports all over the Internet and on satellite radio within minutes of Jackson’s death, but had a tough time finding coverage of the rapidly unfolding story on traditional radio. “In 45 minutes of constant punching around the radio dial in late afternoon [on June 25th], I heard absolutely nothing about Michael Jackson’s death on terrestrial radio,” says Valentine. “I realize that less than an hour of listening in one market hardly qualifies as a representative sample of radio, I’m sure many stations covered it. But, if your station failed to adequately cover Jackson’s death, consider this: We live in time with many new media channels of distribution. When something happens that your audience cares about, word will get out. If you choose to be part of it, you can bond with your audience and build brand equity for your station. Radio still has that ability. The alternative is to be irrelevant. A ‘buzz’ is not something to be squandered.”

After a 12-year run as PD of KLSX/Los Angeles, you’ll recall that Silver (pictured) was ousted earlier this year when CBS flipped that station from Talk to CHR. But, following a four-month stretch of what he calls, “funemployement,” Silver is returning to the company’s Tinseltown cluster in the newly created role of Director/Integrated Marketing for Oldies KRTH (”K-Earth 101″) and Smooth Jazz KTWV (”The Wave”). In his new gig Silver will work with AE’s and clients of those stations to help develop sales promotions and marketing ideas that will help advertisers and also drive audience share for the stations. He’ll report directly to recently promoted head of marketing and promotion for CBS Radio/Los Angeles, Amy Stevens.

WEEI/Boston launches a new iPhone application, powered by FlyCast, that allows listeners of the Entercom Sports/Talker to access live audio, on demand content, rewind capabilities and a direct link to Twitter to post comments … Newly confirmed FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski assumes his new job today. The U.S. Senate is expected to also soon confirm Mignon Clyburn and Meredith Atwell Baker as new FCC Commissioners … Hot on the heels of its number one finish on the USA Today bestseller list, Glenn Beck’s Common Sense (Threshold Editions) also hits #1 on the New York Times bestseller list this week and surpasses one million copies in print. The Premiere Radio Networks talk host and FOX News Channel personality is one of the few authors in history to reach #1 on the Times’ fiction, non-fiction and paperback original bestseller lists … Only a few hotel rooms are left and there’s just over a week remaining to take advantage of registration savings for Don Anthony’s 21st annual Morning Show Bootcamp, July 30th - August 1st, in Nashville. Get details on one of the industry’s best gatherings for on-air talents HERE.