RECESSION WATCH: WWVA Radio, Clear Channel Stations Facing Lay-Offs

(01/23/2009)
USA newspapers and media outlets from big to small are suffering from the nation's financial collapse.

Major market newspapers like the LA Times, the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times are against the wall, and smaller market newspapers and TV stations are laying off employees.

The future of Clear Channel Wheeling, home to one of the nation's most famous radio stations WWVA, is in the midst of sweeping job cuts.

Clear Channel Communications Inc. told workers this week it is eliminating 1,850 jobs.

It is not known how the seven radio stations of Clear Channel Wheeling will be impacted. The stations include WWVA, WOVK, WUKL, WVKF, WBBD, WEGW and WKWK.

During the third quarter of 2008, Clear Channel reportedly lost $86.1 million, with the steepest drop in its radio operations.

Clear Channel operates more than 800 radio stations nationwide.

WESTON HOSPITAL PUTS PLANS ON HOLD

Plans for a new hospital in Lewis County have been shelved thanks to a frozen economy.

Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital administrator Dave Shaffer says the bond market right now simply isn't favorable for financing the 70-bed hospital at a projected cost of $60 million.

Plans for the hospital, which would replace the current Stonewall Jackson hospital in Weston, have been in the works for years.