With the recent filing window coming up for new non-commercial educational (NCE) stations, some LPFM operators may think that this is their "security blanket" to a primary service. Before LPFM operators get their hopes up on this primary service nirvana, LPFMers should be aware of the additional responsibilities that come with the territory.

As we have learned with previous opportunities to file for NCE-FM stations, the number of situations where applications can be mutually exclusive are very high, especially in more suburban and urban areas. Some MX applications have gone for over 10 years before either a settlement agreement or comparative review. There is no "if there's 3 equally qualified applicants, we will split the license" rule with NCE-FM.

It is with deep regret that we report today on the death of veteran KTLA newsman Hal Fishman. As someone who has grown up in Los Angeles since the mid-1970's, I considered Hal Fishman as the voice of Los Angeles news. His delivery was in a method that addressed authority and did not advocate fluff. Even though I have been living in Phoenix since 1995, I still continue to watch KTLA to this day via satellite. KTLA and Fishman are my link to my true home in Southern California. Hal has always been welcome in my house every night at 10PM PT and he will be missed.

Michelle A. Eyre
for REC Networks

The use of news helicopters was very much pioneered here in the Phoenix market, mainly because of our large general aviation community and great flying weather. What happened today was a spectacular tragedy. I have done my share of crying over the incident. I will be looking forward to the outcome of the investigation and any new rulings the FAA may come out with. It's very rare that you hear of incidents like this and this is because of the processes that have been put in place (again, many pioneered here in Phoenix) that allow these choppers to communicate with each other. It is fortunate however, this took place over Steele Indian School park on a business day, just a few feet to the south and they could have hit the 4041 N.

Izumi Sakai, the singer of the JPOP group Zard died of a brain contusion at the age of 40. Zard was popular in the 1990s and this decade and was originally planning a new release later this year. During the time Hardcore J has been on the air, we had released 9 tracks from Zard as well as brought back some of Zard's older tracks through our hourly "memory box" segment.

For the rest of today, Hardcore J will memorialize Zard by playing a Zard song at the bottom of the hour.

In a brief on-air statement, REC's Michelle Eyre simply said "Thank you for the beautiful music and may you rest in peace."