» Kyl Speaks Out On Fairness: United States Senator and Assistant Republican Leader John Kyl (R-AZ) tells Phoenix-based online news site The National Ledger that he is "watching carefully" for any efforts by Democrats to revive the long-repealed Fairness Doctrine -- a policy Kyl characterizes as "anything but fair." A co-sponsor of the Broadcaster Freedom Act, Kyl says that with so many media outlets available today, "Americans are as free to hear diverse opinions as they are to freely change a TV channel or tune the radio dial." He adds that in a world of more than 1300 Talk radio stations, the Internet and 24/7 cable news channels, "There's no need to return to an antiquated policy that was designed for the 1940s." Read more HERE.

» DFW Gets A Third Sports/Talker: After a couple hours of stunting with college fight songs, CBS Radio FM talker KLLI/Dallas flipped to Sports as "105.3 The Fan" late yesterday afternoon. Rumors have circulated for the past few weeks that CBS Radio VP and WXYT/Detroit OM Tom Bigby was working with KLLI PD Gavin Spittle on a flip and those rumors became reality as the station jettisoned it's longtime entertainment-based Talk format in favor of Sports/Talk. Out in the switch is afternooner Russ Martin, while morning host Jagger and middayers Ben and Skin remain on board. "The Fan" will now compete with crosstown Cumulus Sports/Talker KTCK ("The Ticket") and ESPN Radio's FM sports outlet KESN for the hearts and ears of DFW sports fans. Asked for comment on the addition of a third Sports/Talker to the market, longtime sports radio advisor Rick Scott said, "It validates the power and impact of the format as an option for FM stations that are struggling. But it takes more than just flipping to sports. Like any other format, you have to do it right for it to work."

» Hit The Road, Doug: That's what nationally syndicated talker Doug Stephan did last week as he took his talk show on a 2700 mile road trip, broadcasting live from Good Day affiliates all across the country. The journey took Stephan from his first stop at WTTF/Tiffin OH, to WJOB/Hammond IN, WZFG (The Flag)/Fargo, KOTA/Rapid City, KKTL/Casper WY, KTKK/Salt Lake City and finally KNUU/Las Vegas. Long known as one of the most affiliate-friendly syndicated hosts in Talk radio Stephan said, "In these difficult times, I do whatever I can to support my affiliates. The meetings I had with each station's staff was helpful for me and for them." Check out more pix and videos of Doug's nationwide trek HERE.

» Talk Media News Notes: NBC-TV announced today that current Tonight show host Jay Leno will get a new five-day-a-week primetime talk show at 10pm (ET) beginning in 2009 ... The New York Times reports that Air America Radio president Mark Green is considering a run for the post of New York City Public Advocate, an office he previously held from 1994-2001 ... WDYT/Charlotte hosts Danny Fontana, Bo Thompson and Molly Carroll are all o-u-t at the CRN Communications News/Talker as a result of budget cutbacks ... XEPRS (Double X Sports 1090)/Tijuana-San Diego hosts "Philly Billy" Werndel and Joe Tutino have both been let go at the BCA-owned SoCal Sports/Talker ... WSCR/Chicago sports anchor Fred Huebner has exited the CBS Radio Windy City Sports outlet.

Condolences: Sad to report the death of veteran programmer and Dial-Global Senior Programming Consultant Steve Young who died following a heart attack while on vacation yesterday (12/8) ... Longtime Memphis broadcaster Fred Cook has died at age 83. Cook spent more than 50 years on the air in the Tennessee city, most of those at now News/Talker WREC ... Former Major League Baseball voice Bob DeLaney died November 25 following a stroke. He was 84. Over the course of his career DeLaney called games for the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and New York Yankees ... Veteran Arizona sportscaster Tom Dillon passed away suddenly on December 2 at his home in Phoenix. He was 65. Dillon was most recently heard on the Sports USA Radio Network.