There were two stories in the news this week that offer an important reminder for every host: ‘Get it first, but first get it right.’ In a world where most performers work ‘without a net’ and news travels at lightning speed, that old adage is more important than ever.

First, WTAQ/Green Bay talker Gary Bader reported in a podcast this week that Wisconsin Lt. Governor Barbara Lawson was dropping out of the state’s gubernatorial race due to an alleged affair. Bader (pictured) later posted a retraction of the comments, saying he’d “lost confidence” in his sources for the story. And while he publicly apologized to Lawson, the end result is that Bader’s now on at least a two-week leave of absence, with WTAQ GM Duke Wright seeming to be keeping his options open telling the Green Bay Press Gazette, “He might not be back on, and he might.”

Meanwhile, down on Florida’s Gulf Coast, WDAE/Tampa host Dan Sileo (pictured) is also taking an unanticipated vacation from the Sports/Talker after reporting on his show that the Glazer Family - owners of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers — had lost millions in the Bernie Madoff scam, likely putting the team in financial trouble. Bucs co-chairman Joel Glazer took serious issue with the erroneous report saying, “This type of behavior by Mr. Sileo and his company, Clear Channel, will be dealt with in the appropriate manner.” CC has since posted a retraction and apology for the “factually incorrect” story and has sidelined Sileo TFN.

No, they haven’t built a taller tower, but CBS Radio’s “Sports Radio 66 The Fan” (WFAN/New York) will now be available to sports fans in the Sunshine State via HD Radio. Beginning today (10/30) the home of popular Gotham City Sports/Talkers Boomer Esiason, Craig Carton, and Mike Francesca can be heard on the HD3 channels of CBS Radio-owned outlets in three Florida cities including WOCL/Orlando; WLLD/Tampa and WEAT/West Palm Beach. “WFAN is a renowned brand with fans of the station located all over the United States — many of them in Florida,” said CBS Radio/New York VP/Programming and WFAN OM Mark Chernoff. “As home to many transplanted New Yorkers, Floridians will now have an outlet to hear about and discuss New York sports.” The move is part of a larger expansion of HD Radio programming by CBS that will also result in “The Sports Hub” WBZ-FM/Boston airing in Hartford on WTIC-FM’s HD 3 channel beginning next month.

The late radio programmer and former head of programming at FOX Sports Radio will be honored posthumously at next month’s Talk Show Boot Camp with the dedication of The Andrew Ashwood Award. The trophy will be given to salute an individual who has made a positive impact on the radio industry by discovering and mentoring talent. Talentmasters head honcho Don Anthony, the force behind the upcoming TSBC said, “Andrew was a great friend for over 30 years. He always believed in talent and was a great mentor to many. For years he encouraged me to extend our ‘Boot Camp’ concept to the Talk radio community, so it seems only appropriate to honor him in this way. There will never be another Andrew, but hopefully through this award, his legacy will carry on forever.” NTS MediaOnline is pleased to be a participating supporter of TSBC which will be held November 14th in Atlanta. Learn more about the event and read a detailed description of the agenda in today’s special edition of NTS MediaOnline Weekly HERE.

Yesterday’s verdict in the Entercom/Sacramento “Hold Your Wee For A Wii” contest offers a cautionary tale for all broadcasters that air contests. Read NTS MediaOnline Today’s coverage HERE … Talk shows looking for a break from political chatter might consider a discussion on a new book by Larry Harris, And Party Every Day, a look at life inside the rock ‘n roll world of Casablanca Records and the music biz of the 1970’s. Find out more HERE … CBS Interactive CEO Quincy Smith will exit the company at year’s end … Greater Media’s Heidi Raphael and The Oprah Winfrey Network’s Liz Dolan are among those named by American Women in Radio & Television as “25 Women To Watch In Sales And Marketing.” View the full list of honorees HERE … The National Radio Hall of Fame is sponsoring a lottery to win a First Class vacation at one of many Marriott Hotel Resorts via American Airlines. Your raffle ticket helps support the Museum Of Broadcast Communications good work. Learn more HERE.

KCBQ/San Diego host Mark Larson was personally invited by T. Boone Pickens to introduce the financier and his wife Madeleine at the recently held Big Brothers/Big Sisters Gourmet Dinner held in America’s Finest City. The Pickens’ were honored for their ongoing support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America and their $3 million donation to the group to start a national military program in San Diego for the organization. The evening, which raised over $400,000 in donations, also featured NFL Hall of Famer Lynn Swann as master of ceremonies. The fundraiser also reunited Larson (pictured) with his old boss and former crosstown KFMB GM Paul Palmer who has headed the San Diego Big Brothers/Big Sisters group for many years. Palmer was responsible for bringing Larson to KFMB back in 1976, launching the talk host’s on-air career in the market that has now spanned more than three decades.

WINS/New York morning reporter John Montone (l) and CNN Radio correspondent Steve Kastenbaum bask in the glow of the first-ever World Series games held at the new Yankees Stadium in the Bronx this week.

Also drawing the prestigious, albeit chilly, assignment of covering this week’s World Series games between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies is CBS Radio News correspondent Steve Futterman. This year’s Fall Baseball Classic marks the 18th World Series covered by Futterman.

Talk Talents Boot Up FCC To Study State Of Media Are You A Great ND?

Talk Talents Boot Up — Talk Show Bootcamp, a new offshoot of Don Anthony’s long running Morning Show Boot Camp, hits Atlanta next month. We detail the one-day event starting on page one.

FCC To Study State Of Media — The new Chairman of the FCC wants new data to drive policy changes. More in “Person-To-Person” on page two.

Are You A Great ND? — Consultant Greg Moceri is looking for America’s best News Directors. Details in “Gig Alerts” on page two.

Read it all here in NTS MediaOnline Weekly.

From our “Not-Exactly-Talk-Media-News Department: But this story is important for any station in any format that airs contests. A jury has awarded $16 million-plus to the family of a woman who died after participating in Entercom-owned CHR KDND/Sacramento’s “Hold Your Wee For A Wii” contest. Jennfer Strange, a 28 year old mother of three, died from “acute water intoxication” after participating in the January 2007 contest in which contestants competed to see who could drink the most water without going to the bathroom. Several employees at the station were fired in the wake of Strange’s death, including the morning show team. No word on whether or not the company will appeal the decision that was handed down earlier this afternoon (10/29) following a lengthy investigation and trial.

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) grilled NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell yesterday (10/28) on Goodell’s recent comments that contributed to Premiere Radio Networks talk host Rush Limbaugh being dropped from an investor group seeking to buy the St. Louis Rams. Noting that pop star Jennifer Lopez and Black Eyed Peas singer ‘Fergie’ are both owners of the Miami Dolphins, King (pictured) pointed out, “Between the two of them, they have alleged that the CIA are terrorists and liars, they’ve promoted sexual abuse of women, they’ve used the ‘N’ word, verbal pornography, recreational drug use, etc.” King also pointed out the irony in ‘Fergie’ being approved as an NFL owner on the same day Goodell made his statements against Limbaugh. “I’d ask you to go back and take a look at the owners of the Dolphins and the language that’s in the public venue, the songs that they recorded, review those lyrics, and respond to that question after the hearing as to whether you’ll put the same scrutiny on those owners who have really shined a negative light on the NFL as opposed to somebody that the NFL apparently just doesn’t agree with his politics.”

That was Roger Goodell’s response to the aforementioned questions posed to him by Congressman Steve King yesterday in DC. “My comments were directed about specific comments he [Limbaugh] made about Donovan McNabb. I made the point, and I will make it here again today, that the NFL is about bringing people together. It’s about unity and that we do not move towards divisive actions. Our teams, I think, have demonstrated that both on and off the field. Nothing brings a team and a community together better than the NFL.” Goodell (pictured) continued adding, “I’m not shining any kind of light on Rush Limbaugh, here. I am not an expert on this — all of his quotes. I think Donavan McNabb is an outstanding young man. He’s an outstanding quarterback and it has nothing to do with the color of his skin.”