WIND/Chicago morning talkers John Howell and Cisco Cotto decided to have some fun with crosstown WGN’s newly-named morning host Greg Jarrett by presenting the longtime KGO/San Francisco broadcaster with a “Welcome to Chicago” basket. In a letter to Jarrett, after taking a few shots at Tribune’s well-publicized financial challenges, Howell and Cotto detailed the contents of the gift basket and the “why” behind each item’s inclusion. As for the two hats — one for the Cubs, the other for the White Sox, the Salem/Chicago Talk duo offered the inbound Jarrett this advice: “You have to pick just one. Don’t try to be like so many radio goofs who try to ride the fence. Declare your loyalty and send back whichever one you don’t choose. Remember, the ‘Trib’ won’t own the Cubs forever, so don’t feel like you have to choose the Cubs.” Jarrett debuts in wake-ups at WGN on June 22.

With many broadcasters expressing serious concern about proposed FCC-mandated “community advisory boards,” we get an alternate take on the topic from pubcaster Joe Cassara, Ops Manager at Miami’s WDNA. “We’ve had to contend with them for years,” he tells NTS MediaOnline Today. “It’s crucial to understand such a board exists to advise, not mandate. It’s up to senior management and the marketplace — yes, even in Public Broadcasting — to decide whether the board’s proposals are compatible with their plans for long-term growth.” Although Cassara says he’s “troubled” by any government agency being involved in programming at commercial radio, he adds, “As long as the boards’ recommendations are non-binding, stations can stand to benefit from the input.”

Cassara also thinks advisory boards could be a good thing. “My counterparts in commercial radio should consider the benefits,” he says. “Advisory boards offer insight into local attitudes, tastes, and issues of importance in the community — all without expensive surveys and research — that can translate into better voluntary programming strategies, when merged with traditional metrics collection efforts.” Cassara also contends the boards are good PR. “Those liners saying ‘WXXX cares about the community’ will be more than an empty slogan cooked up in the PD’s office. You’ll have a body of representatives from the community to back it up.”

WHAS/Louisville adds Citadel Media syndicated talker Mark Levin, effective July 6th. Levin will air 9pm-midnight on the Clear Channel News/Talker as Talk Radio Network’s Savage Nation leaves the WHAS lineup, presumably for a new home on a rumored soon-to-launch crosstown FM talk outlet … Sirius XM Radio is now available to iPhone and iPod users via the Apple App Store. The hitch is that Howard Stern and Major League sports play-by-play are not part of the satcaster’s mobile package … Congrats to KFI/Los Angeles morning mouth Bill Handel who recently received his star (pictured) on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Handel’s “more stimulating” star can be found right outside number 6-”640″ Hollywood Blvd.

KFI/Los Angeles news reporter Steve Gregory recently took a ride on the wild side as he joined a squad of “special ops” cops patrolling the streets of Tijuana — or, as those of us in SoCal call it, “TJ.” When told by Mexican authorities that reports of drug violence in Tijuana and other Mexican cities has been blown way out of proportion by the U.S. media, Gregory (pictured) replied, “Prove it. Let me ride along with your guys and see for myself.” The veteran reporter got the OK to tag along for what he described as “a helluva ride” and we have the full story in today’s issue of NTS MediaOnline Weekly, delivered to your inbox earlier today. If you missed it, you can access it HERE.

Although no one at CBS News is commenting, and reports have been conflicting, sources including TVNewser are reporting that legendary CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite, 92, is gravely ill. The man who was once called “the most trusted man in America” first joined the network in 1950 as a Washington correspondent and was named anchor of the CBS Evening News in 1962. For nearly two decades Cronkite was a nightly fixture in American homes before he was forced to retire in 1981 to make way for CBS News’ then up and coming star, Dan Rather. NTS MediaOnline Today sends our best wishes to Mr. Cronkite, his family and his many CBS News friends and colleagues. Additional developments on this story will be posted as available throughout the weekend.

UPDATED (Sat. June 20, 12n ET): Walter Cronkite’s assistant tells the Boston Globe that the venerable newsman is “not gravely ill” but says he has been sick and is “dealing with the challenges of being a 92-year old man.” Cronkite is reportedly recuperating from his undisclosed illness at his New York home attended by his companion Joanna Simon, who is the sister of singer Carly Simon.