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In a great act of community support, iHeartMedia Chicago and 107.5 WGCI, “Chicago's No.1 Station for Hip-Hop & R&B,” have launched a year-long partnership with Scott Joplin Elementary School on Chicago’s South Side. The goal: To develop a music program for the school’s students.

It’s the 13th Annual ESPY Day Auction to benefit the V Foundation for Cancer Research. It’s already underway on eBay and will continue through Wednesday, July 12. Among the 60 items up for grabs are tickets to prime sporting events, unique experiences with ESPN talent and legendary coaches.

It only affects two markets, New York and Washington DC, however it's important enough to Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw that he's been providing the FCC with data, meeting with FCC staff, and has now written a letter asking the Commission to change its rules regarding embedded markets.

The NAB filed comments with the FCC in support of eliminating the Main Studio Rule, which has been on the FCC's books since 1940, and was revised in 1998. The rule requires The NAB says the rule will have no negative impact on how radio stations serve their communities.

In yet another FCC filing the NAB submitted comments urging the Commission to reduce or eliminate some paperwork, recordkeeping and filing burdens during the Commission's proceeding on modernizing its media regulations.

This Friday, July 7, marks the first anniversary of the ambush of Dallas police officers that left five dead and nine injured. The shooter, Micah Xavier Johnson, was an Army veteran said to be upset about police shootings of black citizens. After a standoff, he was killed by police.

That's according to BuzzAngle Music's latest report which analyzed consumption for the first six months of the year. So far in 2017, total music consumption is up 9.9% over 2016. Over 290 million album project units have been sold compared to 266.6 million album project units in the first half of 2016. Here are some of the highlights from the report...

The CRB has selected its Board of Directors for 2017-2018. Board President is Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media). R.J. Curtis (All Access Music Group) will return as Vice President, and Beverlee Brannigan (E.W. Scripps) will serve as Secretary.

It’s time for all the early birds to get ready to register for Country Radio Seminar 2018, to be held Feb. 5-7 at the Omni Nashville. Early bird registration opens July 10 with the special rate of $499. Registrations will be available for purchase at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. This will be the 48th annual CRS.

(By Bob McCurdy) Winston Churchill once described success as, “Walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” The tenacity to face down adversity and triumph. That is grit. Hall of Fame basketball coach Pat Riley has often said, “I can get knocked down five times but I will get up six times.” That is grit. And that is what Radio certainly has.