Dr. James Dobson hosted his last Focus On The Family broadcast on Friday (2/26) in the final act of a long-planned transition that ends his role as the face and voice of the Colorado Springs-based Christian ministry he founded more than three decades ago. Although leaving FOTF, Dobson (pictured) is not leaving broadcasting, having previously announced he’ll launch a new program, Family Talk with James Dobson, in the next few months. Dobson has repeatedly stressed that the new broadcast — which will be co-hosted with his son Ryan — is not aimed at competing with FOTF’s flagship long-form radio show and daily Citadel Media-syndicated Commentary, pointing out that FOTF gave a $1 million grant toward funding for the new venture. “I’m not setting out to construct some magnificent organization like, frankly, this one is,” said the 73-year old Dobson on his final FOTF broadcast. “But I also do not believe the Lord is through using my voice in the culture and speaking to parents.” As NTS MediaOnline Today previously reported, FOTF President/CEO Jim Daly, officially takes over as the voice of the ministry’s broadcasts on March 1st.

Following yesterday’s Kabuki theater … err, we mean ‘health care reform summit’ in DC, the Democratic National Committee’s “Organizing For America” kicked off its latest online tool to teach party supporters how to end-run those pesky call screeners and producers of conservative Talk radio shows. Along with a list of suggested “talking points” supporting President Obama’s health care bill, the DNC-directed website tells potential callers to “be polite, respectful and clear.” Additional instructions note that, “Some hosts may challenge your views. Stay calm and firm. Sharing a personal story about how health care reform affects you and your family is a great way to show the importance and urgency of health care reform.” Callers are asked to document their conversation on the website, which even provides call-in phone numbers for many local and national conservative-leaning Talk hosts. Find out more, including which shows are being targeted by the effort, on the Radio.BarackObama.com website HERE.

That’s the question posed by Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs in the latest post to his company’s online blog. “This is more than a good question,” says Jacobs (pictured). “It is critically important to media professionals who are attempting to relate, communicate and engage with rapidly changing audiences. It is especially important for radio managers, owners, researchers and consultants to be conversant with new digital tools, gadgets, resources and outlets.” Read more of what Jacobs has to say on the topic and take a quiz to learn what your digital age/skill level is HERE.

Independently syndicated talker Dave Ramsey was the keynote speaker this week at the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. “We sell hope in my business,” he said. “And as a business we could all use a little hope.” Read more of what Ramsey (pictured) had to say to broadcasters as reported by The Tennessean HERE … WABC/New York expands its “New York Weekend” programming with the addition of The Shmuley Show, hosted by “the most famous Rabbi in America” Shmuley Boteach, Sundays from 7-9pm … Premiere Radio Networks Glenn Beck Show segues from now-defunct talker WROW/Albany, NY to crosstown Clear Channel 50kw flamethrower WGY. Beck takes over the 9am-noon slot currently occupied by Al Roney who exits … Congrats to Bob Carey and the crew at Syndicated Solutions Inc., as the Connecticut-based independent Talk syndication company celebrates its 11th anniversary this month … Talk Radio Network’s Watchdog On Wall Street Chris Markowski will be a featured speaker at tomorrow’s (2/27) “Tea Party Patriots” rally in Punta Gorda, FL (Ft. Myers).

Another installment in our recurring report on Talk radio ratings success stories, as WBAP/Dallas Ops Manager Tyler Cox reports, “Recent additions to the WBAP Morning News — co-host Brian Estridge and meteorologist Brad Barton — combined with winter weather and great topic material from Washington, helped WBAP achieve some great results in the January PPM.  Our morning show was ranked #1 among all listeners, and #2 among Adults 35-64. Additionally, Mark Davis’ mid-morning talk show is #2 12+, #3 Adults 35-64.”

Meanwhile, KTAR-FM/Phoenix PD Russ Hill checks-in to say, “I have to brag just a little for our team here in Phoenix. When you pull a 25.2 share Persons 25-54, you have to share it. That was KTAR-FM’s ratings the night of a rare tornado warning here in the Phoenix area in January. Yes, I said a 25.2 share!” Hill adds, “The rest of the monthly wasn’t bad, either: #4 P25-54, #6 P18-49, #2 Men 25-54, and #8 Women 25-54.” Hill also tells NTS MediaOnline Today that KTAR-FM has a “killer” opening for a News Director/APD at the Bonneville-owned News/Talker. “This is a rare opportunity to work for the best broadcasting company in the business, live in a place without miserable winters, and work for one of the highest-rated News/Talk stations in America,” he says. If you think you’ve got what it takes to nail down this primo gig, reach out to Hill with your resume and other pertinent info HERE.

Night’s Right For Noory Tiger Blows Up ESPN Hi Sarah, it’s Lars

Night’s Right For Noory – Seven years after taking over America’s most listened to overnight radio show, George Noory has put his own stamp on Coast-To-Coast AM. Our conversation begins on page one.

Tiger Blows Up ESPN – The disgraced PGA pro set a 10-year record at ESPN Radio. Details in “Emerging Talk Media” on page two.

Hi Sarah, it’s Lars – Alaska’s most famous resident can now listen to Compass Media’s syndicated talker. More in “Network/Syndication Notes” on page two.

Read it all HERE in NTS MediaOnline Weekly.

Veteran Talk radio programmer Rod Arquette has announced that he will step down as PD at Bonneville News/Talker KIRO-FM/Seattle and conservative Talk clustermate KTTH. Arquette will remain in his role with the stations through the end of March. “After a lot of conversations, I came to the conclusion that it was time to move on and for my wife Cindy and I to return to our family and home in Salt Lake City,” said Arquette. “Family is very important to us and being with them is what brings us the most joy.” Prior to his move to Seattle in 2007, Arquette served a lengthy stint at Bonneville/Salt Lake City where he served as VP/News and Operations for the company’s News/Talk flagship KSL. The company has already launched a search for Arquette’s successor in Seattle.

Howard Stern, who before moving to Sirius XM Satellite Radio dubbed himself the “king of all media,” has been doing a pretty good job in the past few weeks of getting a slew of media attention on the eve of his contract re-negotiation with the satcaster. Witness Stern’s latest promotion, in which he plans to stage a $100,000 beauty contest featuring the past mistresses of golfer Tiger Woods. So far, at least four of Woods’ 13 mistresses, who have been publicly identified in the press, have agreed to participate in the March 10th contest. They’ll compete in such categories as swimsuit, personality and talent to earn votes from the event’s judges. The $100K prize money for The Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant is being put up by AshleyMadison.com, a website that facilitates hook-ups for married individuals looking to have an affair. Boasting some 4.5 million users the website promotes itself with the slogan, “Life is short, have an affair.” You can get caught up on all-things-Howard at his website HERE.

KSPN/Los Angeles PD Larry Gifford checks-in with NTS MediaOnline Today to brag a little, not just about his own station, 710 ESPN, but also about Sports radio in Los Angeles in general. “Over the years I’ve always heard that L.A. is not a ‘real’ sports town, but radio listeners are working hard to disprove that,” said Gifford (pictured). “I want to share some ratings information that reinforces the reach of the Sports format in L.A. The combined January 2010 Arbitron PPM share of Men 25-54, Mon-Sun/6am-Midnight — including KSPN (2.8); KLAA (0.2); and KLAC (2.1) — is a 5.1 share. That makes Sports/Talk higher rated than the #1 station in the market in Men 25-54 (KLAX 5.0). KSPN and KLAC, combined, represent a 4.9. That’s enough to beat the #1 non-ethnic stations in the market. (KYSR 4.5, KLOS 4.5). That’s also up from a 2.5 combined share in January 2009. At KSPN, the hard work by all the on-air and off-air staff, in addition to the great partnerships with the Lakers and USC, has helped to more than triple our year-to-year share. To some this may come as a surprise, but with all the talk this week about Tiger, the Olympics, Manny Ramirez maybe leaving the Dodgers, and Kobe Bryant’s last second shot against Memphis - there is no doubt why the sports format is gaining momentum in Los Angeles!”