» BREAKING NEWS: Just before as we were about to send today's edition, NTS Aircheck Today has learned that WABC/New York PD and Citadel VP News/Talk Phil Boyce is leaving the Citadel News/Talker after nearly 14 years at the helm of the Gotham City station. Citing the need for a "change" in his life and career after nearly a decade and a half programming WABC, Boyce's last day at the station is today. Don't expect the talented veteran to be on the beach for long. You can reach out to Boyce HERE.

» Talk Radio Better Get Ready For Obama: So says City Journal editor Brian Anderson in a post on the Investor's Business Daily WEBSITE. "Conservative-friendly media better get ready," writes Anderson. "Should Barack Obama win the presidency and the Democrats control Congress -- as now seems likely -- they will launch a full-scale war to drive critics, especially on political Talk radio, right out of legitimate public debate." Although Anderson notes Obama has not expressed support for re-imposing the repealed Fairness Doctrine, "most top Democrats, including Nancy Pelosi, are revved up about the idea and it's hard to imagine Obama vetoing a new doctrine if Congress delivers him one. Make no mistake; a new Fairness Doctrine would vaporize political Talk radio."

» Timely Insight Into PPM Panelists: In the wake of all the debate over Arbitron's commercialization of PPM in eight markets nationwide this week, the crew at Coleman Insights has posted a free, detailed summary of the company's recent NAB Radio Show presentation, Real PPM Panelists Tell All. While PPM critics have been less than complimentary about the electronic audience measurement technology, the Coleman study reports, "panelists welcome the opportunity to have their opinion heard," and says participants, "demonstrate a strong commitment to following Arbitron's procedures." Additionally Coleman says panelists report that "Arbitron is diligent and effective at ensuring compliance," and that "most participants report a positive impression of the PPM equipment and of dealing with Arbitron." Read the full summary HERE

» Radio's Average Daily News Minutes Grow: That's the findings of a recent report from the Radio-Television News Directors Association. The RTNDA survey, done in cooperation with Hofstra University, reports that the number of minutes per day devoted to news has risen at radio, both on weekdays and weekends, over last year's survey. RTNDA attributes the growth to a jump in the number of news minutes in afternoon drive and evenings in all markets, particularly at major and medium market stations. The recently released study also reports that the average full time staff size in radio newsrooms fell this past year from 2.5 people to 2.1. The median staff size remained at 1.0, where it has been for the past several years. On the bright side, both the average and median numbers for part-time radio news people rose over a year ago. You can find more details HERE

» Planning For A Democrat In The White House: While Election Day is still about a month away, Air America Radio SVP/Programming Bill Hess will moderate a panel on October 14 entitled, A Democratic Administration -- Speculation On The Next Four Years: The Implications Of Party Victory On Foreign And Domestic Policy And The State Of The Nation. The session will be held in NYC at the Time-Warner Politics 2008 Summit: The Media Conference For The Election Of The President. Assuming any time remains after announcing the session's title and the name of the event, participants on the panel will include AAR host Ron Reagan Jr.; network President Mark Green; Democratic National Committee Secretary Alice Germond; and Jennifer Palmieri, President of the Center For American Progress and former press secretary for John Edwards' 2004 presidential run. Get more info HERE.

» In Tomorrow's NTS Aircheck Weekly: This week's issue offers some stinging opinion and insights into the week's biggest story, the controversy over Arbitron's roll-out of PPM and the company's critics who are trying to halt it. Also, WBAP/Dallas PD Tyler Cox talks about the station's recent sound upgrade produced to address today's analog radio receivers and tomorrow's HD Radio audio needs. Read all about it only in the October 10 edition of NTS Aircheck Weekly arriving in your inbox tomorrow morning!

Really, Do These Guys Look Like Skater Dudes? At last week's "Rally For Rocketown" in Nashville ABC Radio Networks/Premiere Radio Networks syndicated host Sean Hannity was the featured speaker and helped raise more than $200,000 for the non-profit youth entertainment center and skate park. Shown hob-nobbing at the event are (l-r) Hannity and WLAC/Nashville host Steve Gill.