Air America, the long-suffering progressive talk radio network, abruptly shut down on Thursday, bowing to what it called a “very difficult economic environment.”

The chairman of Air America Media, Charlie Kireker, said in a statement that the company would file under Chapter 7 bankruptcy “to carry out an orderly winding-down of the business.”

In a troubled time for advertising-driven media businesses, “our painstaking search for new investors has come close several times right up into this week but ultimately fell short of success,” Mr. Kireker said.

read full article: Air America, the Talk Radio Network, Will Go Off the Air
nytimes.com

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Media Businesses : Air America, the Talk Radio Network, Will Go Off the Air

Sanity prevailed, and those in the NBA office exhaled.

Phoenix’s Steve Nash overtook Houston’s Tracy McGrady in the fan voting Thursday to earn the second West All-Star berth at guard. McGrady has played 45 minutes all season, a total Golden State guard Monta Ellis has equaled or exceeded in 23 games this season (sorry, Monta, you still won’t be an All-Star).

Alas, Philadelphia guard Allen Iverson was able to hold on to second place and be named an East starter. But Iverson at least has gotten into 19 games this season, and he just might be so humbled by the fans selecting him that he won’t complain at all about the All-Stars having to practice before the Feb. 14 game in Dallas.

So only one All-Star position has been pilfered from a much more deserving player. Then again, the chances of the formerly durable Iverson getting hurt between now and All-Star Weekend are very possible. So commissioner David Stern better have his list of possible injury replacements in his jacket pocket. In the meantime, here’s a look at who should be named All-Star reserves when they are announced next Thursday. NBA head coaches must have their ballots in early next week, and they can’t vote for players on their own teams.

Coaches must vote for a center, two forwards, two guards and two other players at any position. A coach is permitted to slide a player over to a position he sometimes plays even if he doesn’t start there.

The starters in the East are Orlando’s Dwight Howard at center, Cleveland’s LeBron James and Boston’s Kevin Garnett at forward and Miami’s Dwayne Wade and Iverson at guard.

read full article: 2010 NBA All-Star Starters Announced, What About the Reserves?
nba.fanhouse.com

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NBA Basketball : 2010 NBA All-Star Starters Announced