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The Tennessee Association of Broadcasters, University of Tennessee Knoxville, and National Radio Talent System have announced May 15-24 as the dates for the inaugural TAB Radio Talent Institute. The Institute is 10 days and students will get insight from over 30 broadcasters with sessions that focus on every aspect of the business.

PNC Bank has awarded the grant to LPM (WUOL-FM Louisville). LPM says the funds will help WUOL broaden its presence across a variety of digital platforms, building more original programming to serve diverse audiences, engage with the community, and expand educational programs to better engage Louisville youth.

A pair of Cumulus stations in the Arkansas capital -- KLAL and KURB -- raised $155,593 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital through its two-day radiothon. It was the 13th annual radiothon for the stations and was held March 2-3 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The grand total now given to the hospital is $2.8 million.

Townsquare CEO Steven Price said 2016 was another good year for the company. "We reaped the benefits of a diverse platform." Townsquare's net revenue for Q4 2016 increased $6.5 million, or 5.8%, to $119.5 million compared to a year earlier. For the year, pro forma net revenue increased $14.9 million (3%) to $516.9.

The Townsquare CEO says he's optimistic about the year ahead. Townsquare is looking for its energy markets such as North and South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming to rebound as well as stabilization in the events industry, along with better weather.

Tampa has not been a low maintenance market for Beasley Media. Of course there's the ratings tampering situation with Bubba The Love Sponge that sort of involved the company because Bubba was on their station. Now, an issue with a PPM panelist that Nielsen decided to remove from the panel that will affect Beasley's Hispanic station WYUU.

Hispanic radio can sell groceries, cell phones, cars, and furniture, but can it sell itself? The radio industry as a whole often complains that agencies are out of touch — that ad execs in New York or L.A. don’t “get” radio’s impact on real consumers. Is this true, or does radio fail to make the most important first sale, selling itself to the agency?

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai will keynote the 2017 NAB Show Tuesday, April 25. The address is expected to provide insight into the FCC’s policy and regulatory objectives related to broadcasting, technology and communications law, and regulation. The new FCC Chairman will also be on the April 17 cover of Radio Ink Magazine.

The Long Island newspaper is called This is Country. It's a free, full-color newspaper dedicated to all things country music and will be published quarterly. JCV Long Island Market Manager Bruce Shephard said, “This is Country is the perfect fit for Long Island, lots of interviews, lots of behind-the-scenes pictures, and the country lifestyle all the time."

The station has just won eight Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters Association Awards. WTOP’s Chris Core was recognized for his series Core Values in the Editorial category, Kristi King for her “Sip ‘N Shop” feature, and Max Smith in the Individual Reporter category.