Auburn, CA  Journal staff writer Paul Cambra pens a great piece on the local focus of hometown radio station KAHI/Auburn. “We’re focusing on the community,” GM Jerry Henry told the newspaper. “It’s the one thing we have going, being in the shadow of the Sacramento market. The people of Auburn have a wide choice of radio and it’s hard to compete with the big guys. So, we choose to focus on the local happenings in hopes that people want that, too.” While the station does air several syndicated programs, unlike so many small market radio stations these days KAHI still programs live and local talk shows in both morning and afternoon drive, and an hour of local news and information each weekday at noon. Since newspapers rarely have many good things to say about radio, this is a story worth a look HERE.

Nationally syndicated FOX Sports Radio host JT “The Brick” will make a live appearance at tomorrow’s (6/25) Move America Forward Troop-A-Thon at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA. JT (pictured) will join a celebrity guest list that also includes Premiere Radio Networks talker Rush Limbaugh, former Vice President Dick Cheney, former President George H.W. Bush, actors Jon Voight, Gary Senise, Kelsey Grammer and others. The 8-hour event, titled “Honor Their Service,” will air live on radio, TV and on the Internet at www.Troopathon.org. As previously announced Melanie Morgan — co-host of the Talk Radio Network/Washington Times syndicated America’s Morning News program – and Breitbart.TV head honcho Andrew Breitbart will co-host the event. Last year’s Troop-A-Thon raised over $1.5 million in donations to help Move America Forward send care packages to U.S. troops serving overseas.

WLS/Chicago commentator Dan Proft says he plans to seek the Republican nomination for governor of Illinois. Proft is expected to take a leave of absence from the Citadel News/Talker to pursue his political ambitions … Arbitron launches ARB-TV, a new service to track out-of-home viewing using PPM … From our “Not Exactly Talk Media News” department: Bonneville rock station KSWD/Los Angeles will fire up the way-back machine on Friday, July 10th for a one-day return of legendary SoCal rocker KMET. “Mighty MET” personalities Jeff Gonzer, Ace Young, Paraquat Kelley, Jack Snyder David Perry, Rick Scarry, Sam Bellamy and Dr. Demento will all be part of the on-air tribute. KSWD streams live HERE … WRIF/Detroit reunites longtime Motor City morning partners Drew Lane — who has been off the air for the past two years — and Mike Clark. The duo previously enjoyed a successful 14-year run hosting wake-ups together on the Greater Media outlet.

Congrats to WBAL/Baltimore on being honored with five Maryland Society of Professional Journalists 2009 Excellence In Journalism Awards. Among the trophies taken home by the Hearst News/Talker: First place in the “Breaking News” and “Sports Reporting” categories, and individual awards for news reporters Scott Wycoff, John Patti and Anne Kramer … Both CBS Radio Sports/Talk WFAN/New York and All-News clustermate WCBS-AM — flagship outlets for the Mets and Yankees, respectively — gained in May PPM results … In Detroit, CBS Radio FM Sports/Talker WXYT leaps 5.3-6.5 in May, good for #1 overall in the Motor City … In Chicago no less than three AM Talk outlets populate the Windy City’s top five PPM stations in May including all-newser WBBM-AM (#1), News/Talker WGN (#2) and News/Talk WLS (#5) … In the nation’s capitol Bonneville All News WTOP finished at the top of the DC PPM ratings pile in May, increasing 8.9-9.0 (12+). Got Something To Brag About? Send your good news about ratings, a great promotion, station awards, etc. to al@ntsmediaonline.com.

Clear Channel progressive talker KKZN/Denver (AM 760) will be on hand at this weekend’s “PrideFest 2009″ to offer Mile High City same-sex couples a chance “to express their love by walking down our aisle, exchanging rings and posing for wedding photos in front of family and friends.” Although same-sex marriage in not currently legal in Colorado, the station says it wants to give same sex couples “the chance to express their love and commitment publicly and with pride!”