» South Florida Also Braces: Over on the other side of the Sunshine State Clear Channel/Miami Director AM Programming Ken Charles reports News/Talker WIOD and CC's South Florida stations are, "not in lock down the hatches mode yet, but close." Charles, who also pulled hurricane duty at CC/Houston before moving to Miami, says experience has taught him to "use your resources wisely" when it comes to disaster coverage. "Don't burn the staff out early because these are many-day events," he says. "Almost like a sporting event, there's the pre-game with all the lead up to the storm, then there is the 'game' itself -- when the height of the storm is hitting and the station is the life line to your community -- and then the post game after the storm has passed and things are calming down. If you burnout your staff too early, you'll have nothing left during the height and aftermath of the storm."

» Ober Segues To ND In Ft. Wayne: Citing his belief that "the presentation of local news and content has never been more important than it is today," Federated Media/Ft. Wayne GM Mark DePrez says current WOWO and WKJG ("ESPN 1380") OM Andy Ober will move to a new role as News Director for WOWO effective immediately. "Over the past year Andy has completely devoted himself to being the Director of AM Operations," says DePrez. "We are fortunate that he has agreed to take on this new challenge." If you think you have the right stuff to be considered as a candidate for a primo OM opening in America's heartland cyber-rush your resume to DePrez HERE.

» More Reasons To Be Positive About Radio: Last Friday's (8/15) issue of NTS Aircheck Weekly, focusing on why broadcasters have reason to be optimistic about the future, has drawn a higher than average response from readers, including the aforementioned Ken Charles who is smack-dab in the middle of pre-hurricane coverage in South Florida. "You ask 'what is positive about radio?' -- this is it," he says. "Radio does this better then any other medium. You don't have to wait for tomorrow for it to show up on your doorstep and, unlike TV, we are interactive using our audience as resources and extra eyes via the phones. These days are why spoken radio is not dead and never will be."

» The "Original Social Network": Adding his perspective on the topic FOX Sports Radio VP/GM Andrew Ashwood says, "Talk radio is the original electronic social network and our best days are still ahead of us, thanks in large part to the people who practice our art form." Meanwhile, MediaSense head honcho Bob Michaels adds this positive prediction: "Talk is the only format for people to voice their thoughts and have them shared with thousands of people at once. Whereas music radio can be substituted by various technologies, the human thought of individuals is what makes Talk radio the format best suited for the future." Your comments are welcome HERE.

» Cowherd Stampedes To ESPNU: The 24/7 college sports television network will simulcast ESPN Radio's The Herd With Colin Cowherd from 10am-1pm (ET), Monday-Friday, beginning August 25. Shown just prior to attending a seminar on what to wear to work everyday and how to apply make-up even though you're on the radio are (l-r): board op David Fisch, host Colin Cowherd, and producers Amanda Gifford and Vince Kates.