» Restructuring Bulldozer Rolls Through XM: Memo to all HR departments: Do not add an employee's last day on the job date to their online payroll file before locking them out of your system. As the ongoing reorganization of newly-merged satcasters Sirius and XM continues, at least 50 XM staffers are o-u-t, many of them learning of their termination by seeing their last date of employment with the company listed after accessing XM's internal payroll site. Upon realizing their snafu, XM reportedly shut down access to the site and went into "sirius" damage control mode. A number of employees have already exited XM's DC headquarters, while some remain on board but now know of their ultimate fate. Not surprisingly, rumors of more cutbacks continue to swirl as Mel Karmazin-led Sirius asserts its leading roll in the unfolding merger of the two subscription radio providers.

» Moran Moves In At WSJ: The Wall Street Journal Radio Network has named network radio veteran Susan Moran to the newly created position of Manager/Affiliate relations. Most recently Director/Marketing at Premiere Radio Networks, Moran will now be responsible for affiliation of radio stations and overseeing marketing and advertising for WSJ's radio network and its affiliates. "Susan is one of my mentors in the radio network business," said Nancy Abramson, Executive Director for WSJRN. "It is a privilege to have her on our team. Her accomplished career and knowledge of the industry will help ensure our continued success." Moran's network radio resume also includes stints as Director/Marketing for EFM Media Management and Director/Network Programming for ABC Radio Networks.

» Imus Returns To Raleigh: ABC Radio Networks' syndicated morning man will return to the air at McClatchey Broadcasting Sports/Talker WDNC (AM 620 The Bull)/Raleigh beginning in early December. Imus In The Morning had previously aired on sister Sports outlet WRBZ (The Buzz) but has been missing in the market since his old CBS Radio/Westwood One syndicated show was cancelled last year. The return of Imus comes on the heels of an announcement by owner Bill McClatchey that both "The Bull" and "The Buzz" will drop the stations' ESPN Radio affiliation to focus on a lineup of mostly locally-hosted Sports/Talk. McClatchey told local newspaper The News & Observer the decision to make the changes had more to do with bringing back Imus than it did with ESPN. "We're always concerned about the feelings of our audience," he told the newspaper regarding the I-Man's tendency toward offending some listeners. "But over the past year and a half, it's been clear to me that our audience has wanted Imus back on the air in the market."

» I-Man Hits The Road: In other Don Imus news, the syndicated morning yakker and his posse are hitting the road for a number of live broadcasts and appearances, beginning with tomorrow's early morning event at the Newseum in Washington in conjunction with DC affiliate WJZW. On November 7, Imus will broadcast his program live from the grand re-opening of New York City's Intrepid Museum and later that month (11/14), he'll head to New England for a live broadcast from the Rhode Island Convention Center in support of affiliate WPRV/Providence. Get additional details HERE.

» Community Broadcasters Grows In Watertown: The company already owns seven stations in Watertown, NY and the St. Lawrence Valley, including News/Talkers WATN and WQTK and Sports WSLB. Now owners Bruce Mittman and Jim Leven have purchased a construction permit from LiveAir to build out a new 25kw FM at 94.1. Under the call letters WEFX the new station will serve the Watertown market with a still undetermined format. "We are in the process of selecting a format and are taking the appropriate measures to ensure that listeners in the Watertown market will be pleased with the end result," says Mittman. The new station is slated to debut by the end of the year.

» CBS Radio News Wins Big At Murrow's: Enjoying a collective award-winning moment during this year's annual RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards dinner in New York are (l-r): Editor Rob Mank who accepted the "Best Newscast" award for a Harley Carnes-anchored hourly network news broadcast; Reporter Jim Krasula who won the "Spot News Coverage" award for his work covering the shootings at Virginia Tech; Reporter Steve Futterman who won for Best Use Of Sound" covering the retirement of TV legend Bob Barker; and Correspondent Cami McCormick who picked up the "Overall Excellence" award. Also winning but not pictured is CBS Radio News commentator Dave Ross who was honored with a "Best Writing" award.