Wake-Up Call: Crypto King Busted In The Bahamas

SBF Arrested

UPDATE 7:30 am...crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried has been arrested by authorities in the Bahamas, where the SEC has charged him with defrauding investors to the tune of $1.8 billion.  The 30-year-old was taken into custody Monday night after the Bahamian government received formal notification from the US of the charges against him, according to the Office of Attorney General in the Bahamas.

"Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the U.S. Government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams wrote in a statement shared on Twitter. Royal Bahamas Police Force said in a news release that Bankman-Fried was arrested in reference to "various Financial Offences against laws of the United States, which are also offences against laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas." Bankman-Fried will appear in local court on Tuesday, the release said. 

He was in charge of the crypto exchange which collapsed just weeks after it was valued at $32 billion. Stars including Gisele Bundchen, Tom Brady, Larry David, Shaquille O'Neill and Steph Curry who were paid to advertise FTX have continued to remain silent after Bankman-Fried's arrest.

➤ANOTHER SAM IS FIRED: Sam Brinton, 35, has left their Department of Energy job after being was accused of stealing luggage in two separate incidents. Brinton uses they/them pronouns, and left their role after allegations of stealing cases from airports in Minneapolis and Las Vegas. It is unclear if Brinton left of their own accord, or if they were fired. The former government official had been on administrative leave after news of their alleged thefts was made public. 

Biden invites anti-police nonbinary drag queen to White House: 'F--- the police' https://t.co/254DOUtZQ7

— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 13, 2022

➤DAD OF SLAIN CO-ED CALLS COPS 'COWARDS':  The father of one of the four murdered University of Idaho students described how the victims had “big open gouges” on their bodies from the “sadistic male” who killed them — while blasting the tight-lipped local police as “cowards.” Steven Goncalves, whose daughter Kaylee was among the murdered students in Moscow, Idaho, said coroner Cathy Mabbutt had revealed the chilling details when they spoke.  “She says, ‘sir, I don’t think stabs is the right word, it was like tears, like this was a strong weapon, not like a stab,’” he told Fox News Digital.   “She said these were big open gouges. She said it was quick. These weren’t something where you were going to be able to call 911. They were not going to slowly bleed out,” the grieving father continued. He also described how his beloved daughter’s liver and lungs were slashed.

Kaylee, 21, was killed along with Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, in the early morning hours of Nov. 13.

ESPN Would Like A “Mike & The Mad Dog” Reunion

Mike Francesa and Chris Russo

ESPN wants to revive previous talks with Mike Francesa to team him with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on “First Take,” according to The NY Post citing sources. If it were to happen, it would be one show to start, but ESPN is open to expansion if it goes well.

While Stephen A. Smith remains the undisputed star of “First Take,” the show has received a boost by Russo’s energy during his appearances every Wednesday morning.

Russo started in February and has been a sensation, using his triple-threat position of opinions, long-ago historical references and mispronunciations to baffle his co-hosts. Russo has also shown deference to Smith being the leader of the program.

Premiere Nets Promote Scott Shapiro To SVP/Sports

Premiere Networks announced today that Scott Shapiro has been promoted to Senior Vice President of Sports Programming for Premiere Networks. 

In Shapiro’s new position, he will continue to oversee the daily execution of the company’s sports programming and content, including the FOX Sports Radio Network, which reaches nearly 11 million monthly listeners on more than 600 stations nationwide, as well as its lineup of podcasts and digital assets, which continue to achieve record audience levels. FOX Sports Radio’s family of podcasts surpassed 45 million listens in the month of November (Source: Triton/Omny).

‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Returns to No. 1 on Hot 100

Like Santa setting off on his annual airborne sleigh ride, Mariah Carey makes her ascent back to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart with “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Billboard reports the modern carol logs its ninth total week atop the Hot 100 and becomes the first song to have led in four distinct runs on the ranking.

The song was first released on Carey’s album Merry Christmas in 1994 and, as streaming has grown and holiday music has become more prominent on streaming services’ playlists, it hit the Hot 100’s top 10 for the first time in December 2017 and the top five for the first time in the 2018 holiday season, before reigning over the holidays in 2019 (for three weeks), 2020 (two) and 2021 (three).

Here’s a deeper look at Carey’s latest Hot 100 coronation with “Christmas,” on Columbia Records/Legacy Recordings.

Songwriting Legends Light Up ASCAP's Top 25 Holiday Songs Chart

As cherished seasonal songs take over the radio and streaming playlists, filling the world with nostalgia and cheer, ASCAP shines a spotlight on the songwriters behind the songs that help listeners fall in love with the holidays. 

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers, announces the Top 25 Holiday Songs of 2022. Featuring no fewer than 16 Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees, this year’s chart recognizes the songwriters whose beloved works are on constant rotation as the soundtrack to the festive season.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” returns to the top of the chart for the first time since 2019. The holiday classic, written by acclaimed Broadway composer Meredith Willson, originally debuted in 1951 as a hit for Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters. A familiar holiday album favorite, the tune has been covered by top artists including Meghan Trainor, Kelly Clarkson and Michael Bublé. It has also made appearances on both the screen and the stage with features in the popular Home Alone film franchise and the musical Here’s Love.

Next up on the list is “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish at #2.

FOX News Channel to Present All-American New Year 2023

• Multi-Platinum Country Music Star Brantley Gilbert to Perform
• FNC’s Emily Compagno, Griff Jenkins and Jimmy Failla to Co-Host Pre-Show "Countdown to All-American New Year" at 9 PM/ET

FOX News Channel (FNC) will ring in 2023 with special New Year’s Eve programming on December 31st from 10 PM – 1:30 AM/ET. Sponsored by Tunnel to Towers, FOX & Friends Weekend’s Will Cain, Rachel Campos-Duffy, and Pete Hegseth will co-host the program live from the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Richmond Radio: Audacy Stations Raise $287K+ For Children's Hospital

Audacy raised over $287,000 to benefit Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) during the annual “36-Hours for Kids Radiothon” in Richmond. 

Now in its 11th year, this annual radiothon has raised over $2.2 million with support from Big 98.5 (WRXL-HD2), Newsradio WRVA (WRVA-AM/WTVR-HD2), The Fan (WRNL-AM/105.1 FM), Mix 98.1 (WTVR-FM), Q94 (WRVQ-FM) and 106.5 The Beat (WBTJ-FM).

“We are grateful for the generosity of our listeners in their support of CHoR and the families and children the hospital serves in the Richmond community,” said Bennett Zier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Virginia. “We are also thankful for the contributions of the many volunteers who donate their time. ‘36-Hours for Kids’ could not happen without their dedication and support.”

Cincy Radio: Thousands Attend Cat Country's Hometown Benefit

Cumulus Media announces that its Country radio station Cat Country 94.1/WNNF-FM in Cincinnati, OH, hosted its annual benefit concert, “Homegrown,” on Saturday, December 3rd, featuring local bands and benefiting children’s and veterans’ charities in the greater Cincinnati area. Over 1,000 people attended the concert at the Madison Theater in Covington, KY, hosted by Cat Country 94.1’s Patrick Scott, Austin Ratcliff and Madison Taylor.

Cat Country 94.1 partnered with the Covington, KY, Police Department and the Steinford Toy Foundation to collect toys for local children in need and filled two bins at the event with toy donations from generous listeners. The station also joined with Welcome House, Inc. to collect toiletries for area veterans and filled one full bin of toiletries.

Patrick Scott, Program Director, Cat Country 94.1/WNNF-FM, said: “The generosity of Greater Cincinnati residents never ceases to amaze me. To see folks taking time out of their day to purchase toys and toiletries for those in need makes this event exactly what we want it to be. I am thankful for the talented local bands and our loyal listeners for joining us for this show, and it is something I look forward to every year. I can’t wait until next year and it will be even bigger than this year’s show!”

Philly Radio: “BIG 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon" Raises $194K+

Audacy Philadelphia raised over $194,000 for the Child Life, Education and Creative Arts Therapy Department at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) during the 21st annual WOGL “BIG 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon.”

“We are so thankful for the generosity of our listeners, fans and clients who donate each year to help the kids at CHOP,” said David Yadgaroff, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Audacy Philadelphia. “Seeing our communities come together to support this radiothon is amazing. We are proud to partner with CHOP to help put smiles on the faces of children and their families each year.”

“BIG 98.1 Loves Our Kids Radiothon” was broadcast live from Audacy corporate headquarters in Philadelphia on December 8 and 9. The event was hosted by morning show host Coop alongside an array of co-hosts, including talent from sister stations B101.1 (WBEB-FM), 96.5 TDY (WTDY-FM), SportsRadio 94WIP (WIP-FM), KYW Newsradio (KYW-FM) and Talk Radio 1210 WPHT (WPHT-AM), as well as talent from NBC10 Philadelphia.

Boise Radio: KBOI Breaks Toys for Tots Record

Cumulus Media announces that its Boise radio station Newstalk KBOI 93.1 FM/670 AM and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve broke records for their annual holiday toy drive – the aptly named “Idaho’s Largest Toy Drive” - benefiting Toys for Tots in Boise and children in Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Northern Nevada. 

Over the course of the 12-day event, Newstalk KBOI collected four and a half 53-foot semi-trailers of toys holding over 15,000 donated toys and raised more than $45,000 in cash donations for Toys for Tots. The 12-day event was held at the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Meridian, ID, from November 25th through December 6th.

NYC Radio: 77WABC Airs A Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash

Joe Piscopo and Margo Catsimatidis

77 WABC celebrated the birthday of ol’ blue eyes with the Bulova Frank Sinatra Birthday Bash Sunday evening, featuring a live broadcast performance in Studio 77 hosted by the multi-talented Joe Piscopo, who regaled both the radio and in-person audiences with Sinatra tunes. Studio 77, the WABC multi-media facility, was transformed into a Rat-Pack Era nightspot.

Backed by a live six-piece orchestra, the multi-talented Piscopo entertained the audience with two hours of songs and stories and gave a surprise performance on drums that blew the crowd away. Piscopo was also joined by his son Mikey Piscopo for a blistering duet on guitars.

“Joe is an outstanding and versatile performer,” said Margo Catsimatidis, Owner of Red Apple Media and WABC Radio. “New Yorkers love Frank Sinatra, and nobody does Sinatra like Joe. This event brought a lot of joy to a lot of people.”

Chicago Radio: Herman & Tingle's Operation Santa Paws Raises $25K+

97.1 FM The Drive (WDRV) morning hosts Sherman & Tingle held their 7th annual “Operation: Santa Paws" live broadcast and fundraiser on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the Jewel-Osco at 1151 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg, IL.

97.1 FM The Drive partnered with The Anti-Cruelty Society – a local organization helping thousands of pets and their humans every year through adoptions, veterinary programs, investigation and rescue, behavior support, education, and more -- to collect food, new toys, and cash donations for those animals who don’t have homes or families for the holidays.

Over $25,000 in pet food, supplies and monetary donations were collected at Sherman & Tingle’s live broadcast and from donations received online at wdrv.com.

December 13 Radio History

➦In 1897...Andrew Russell Pearson born (Died at age 71  – September 1, 1969). He was one of the best-known American columnists of his day, noted for his syndicated newspaper column "Washington Merry-Go-Round," in which he criticized various public persons.

From 1935 to 1936, Pearson and Robert S. Allen broadcast a 15-minute program twice a week on the Mutual Broadcasting System. They continued with a 30-minute music and news show, Listen America, in 1939–40, ending this partnership in 1941.

Drew Pearson

Pearson continued alone on NBC with Drew Pearson Comments from 1941 to 1953. His commentary was broadcast through 1968 on the now-defunct Intermountain Network.

In addition to radio, Pearson appeared in a number of Hollywood movies. In 1952 and 1953, Pearson hosted The Drew Pearson Show on the ABC and DuMont TV networks.

The "Merry-Go-Round" column started as a result of the Pearson's anonymous publication in 1931 of the book, Washington Merry-Go-Round, co-written with Allen, the Washington bureau chief for The Christian Science Monitor. The book was a collection of muckraking news items concerning key figures in public life that challenged the journalistic code of the day.

According to his one-time partner, Jack Anderson, Pearson saw journalism as a weapon to be used against those he judged to be working against the public interest.When forced to choose between a story's accuracy and Pearson's desire to pursue a person whose views he disliked, Pearson had no qualms about publishing the story anyway. He faced 50 libel suits during his 40 year career, but lost only one.

➦In 1924...KOA-AM, Denver, Colorado, signed-on. KOA was originally owned by General Electric. The station started with 5,000 watts, and in 1927, increased to 12,500 watts. In the early 1930s, power was raised to the current level of 50,000 watts. KOA is the dominant clear-channel station on 850 AM.

At night the signal can be heard in over 30 states of the U.S. and over most of Canada and Mexico. KOA sometimes can be picked up in California, and is usually picked up in Central Washington state, both locations are west of the Rocky Mountains, an obstacle that prevents most east coast radio stations from traveling west of the Rockies. KOA is frequently heard in northern Europe, Australia and Japan, and is one of the most frequently reported stations worldwide.

John Stroebel

➦In 1926...WWVA Wheeling signed-on.  WWVA began broadcasting at 2 a.m. when John Stroebel threw the switch that sent power to a home-built 50-watt transmitter in the basement of his home. One week earlier, the Federal Radio Commission had granted a broadcast license on 860 kHz to the radio station WWVA. In its first year of operation, it broadcast to listeners with home-made crystal sets, principally from Stroebel's own home.