Radio-Info.com

KGO-TV's "I-Team" finds two women who claim that then-"Father Bernie" behaved inappropriately with them when they were teenagers at a Catholic high school. One says Ward took her to the beach, bought a bottle of rum, offered her a joint, and then began kissing her. Ward's attorney Doron Weinberg tells KGO-TV "the allegations are completely false" and "could have a negative impact on the federal prosecution" against him - the case in which he just changed his plea from "not guilty." Ward faces a minimum of five years on computer-related child porn charges, and the San Francisco Chronicle says KGO Radio management has now relaxed its "suggestion" that talkhosts avoid the topic of his arrest and legal situation. On Thursday, host Ronn Owens devoted the first hour of his show to the pent-up feelings of his listeners. Read the KGO-TV I-Team report here.

Its Q1 statement includes scant news about the merger that's supposed to be closing by June 12, except that it's "unable to estimate a closing date, and is not certain that a closing will occur." The company says its 4% revenue drop at Clear Channel Radio "out-performed the majority of our markets." Though it says this current second quarter is pacing to be off a bit more, down 5.3%. Expenses were also down in Q1 (2%), but so was what Clear Channel calls OIBDAN (roughly, cash flow), off 6%. Both national and local revenue dropped, though Clear Channel derived more revenue from "traffic, online and syndicated" - meaning Premiere. Several months ago John Hogan ordered a freeze on outside consulting and research, and that appears to have saved it about $11.5 million in the first quarter. Study what the company's saying here.

Programming and Los Angeles market veteran Dave Beasing is named program director of KRBV "100.3 the Sound", while Peter Burton joins as GM. Beasing has spent the past 13 years as a programming consultant with Jacobs Media, but prior to that, he programmed LA's KYSR and KEXZ. Burton is headed up from San Diego, where he has been the Director of Sales for Lincoln Financial's group there. Discuss It

Many of Philadelphia's best known and most listened to radio personalities from over the years will return to WMMR (93.3) Philadelphia this weekend for the station's 40th anniversary celebration. Beginning Saturday morning, voices heard once again on 'MMR will include Mark Goodman, Earl Bailey, John DeBella, Anita Gevinson, David Dye, Bubba John Stevens, Lyn Kratz and Razz. Sunday's lineup includes Joe Bonadonna, Ed Sciaky, Ray Koob, and Dee Snider. The complete schedule is available at www.wmmr.com where you can also find information on the star-studded lineup appearing at the MMRBQ 40th birthday party, taking place May 18.