» Rush Responds To Colin Powell: The Premiere Radio Networks host had words for the former Secretary of State who suggested during an interview on CNN that Republicans should "stop listening to Rush Limbaugh." "Let me get this straight," said Limbaugh. "The guy who has supported the Republican candidate for president should be thrown out of the party. That would be me. But the guy who bolted and sabotaged the Republican nominee by endorsing the Democrat candidate should stay in and be part of the team that determines what the Republican Party is going to be. The turncoat, General Powell, is the one who the party is going to listen to? McCain's a moderate. I supported McCain. Powell, who wants a moderate, did not support McCain. It's unreal. It's just incredible." Read more of Limbaugh's response HERE.

» Winds Of Change In Chicago: Late yesterday came word that WGN/Chicago PD Bob Shomper has crossed the street to become PD at Citadel News/Talker WLS. Moments later WGN VP/GM Tom Langmyer announced that former Clear Channel/Cleveland OM Kevin Metheny has been named to succeed Shomper at Tribune's Windy City flagship. Langmyer praised the outgoing Shomper as "a good person who will be missed" and characterized veteran programmer Metheny as "a true radio guy with a great understanding and respect for WGN." Ironically, still no official word from anyone at Citadel about the changes, and absolutely no comment on the fate of current WLS PD Kipper McGee. Some have speculated McGee could be in line for the open PD slot at WABC/New York, but one would assume the folks at Citadel would have announced that move as part of yesterday's blizzard of PR's. When contacted for comment a spokesperson for McGee, David Martin, would say only that, "Mr. McGee is not available."

» Mike Pintek Returns To KDKA: The 24-year station veteran returns to the lineup at the CBS/Pittsburgh News/Talker after a four-year sabatical during which he did some local on-air work and served stints at KMOX/St. Louis and WHFS/Baltimore. Pintek will be part of a revised KDKA lineup that will see veteran Steel City host Fred Honsberger move to a new noon-3pm slot, followed by an extended PM drivetime news and information block anchored by Paul Rasmussen and Rose Ryan-Douglas. Pintek, who will slide into KDKA's 6-10pm hours said he is "absolutely ecstatic" about his return to the station where he spent nearly a quarter century of his career. "The guy who said 'you can't go home again' was wrong!" said the talk host who officially returns to the air on January 5.

» Gibson Debuts New Midday Show: Longtime FOX News Radio host John Gibson will get a new noon-3pm (ET) timeslot and a new show name, Gibson On FOX beginning January 19. FOX is making the move to offer affiliates of The Radio Factor with Bill O'Reilly an easy alternative as O'Reilly makes his planned getaway from his daily radio show to focus on his nightly FOX News Channel television program. The new show will offer Gibson's contrarian take on the day's biggest news stories, along with familiar segments from his current nightly radio show and conversations with newsmakers from both the political and business worlds. "John Gibson has shown a strong following with the News/Talk audience," said FOX News EVP Kevin Magee. "We are confident that our affiliates will find Gibson on FOX to be a strong alternative to The Radio Factor.

» ABC News Partners With People: Beginning tomorrow (12/17) the network will team with the popular weekly magazine to present a new one-hour special, People Magazine's Year In Entertainment. Hosted by ABC News Radio Entertainment Correspondent David Blaustein and featuring top editors from the magazine, the special is based on People's annual year-end double issue that hits newsstands this Friday (12/19) and People.com's "The PEOPLE Vote '08." The year-end special will include "the biggest stories from 2008 in music, television, film, celebrity marriages and divorces, births, trouble makers and news makers."

» Gig Alert: If you're a talk host looking to do some fill-in work over the holidays, KLIF/Dallas PD Steve Nicholl checks in to note he has a number of hours available, both pre-Christmas and all through the holiday season right up until the New Year. If you're interested in being heard on the Cumulus News/Talker email your audio aircheck to Nicholl pronto at steve.nicholl@cumulus.com.

» R.I.P. Condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of legendary broadcaster Steve Brown who died December 13 at age 68. Brown first made his mark on the industry in the 1950's and '60s when he helmed KOIL/Omaha in its Top 40 heyday. He went on to make a transition to Talk radio in the 1980s as part of the team that launched Omaha talker KKAR. For the past year Brown had been hosting a regular weekend show and doing fill-in work at KFAB/Omaha where PD Gary Sadlemyer remembers him as "a good guy, a good friend and a great broadcaster." Services for Brown will be held tomorrow (12/17) at the Heafey-Heafey-Hoffman-Dworak funeral home in Omaha.