Two KYW news vets offer to retire

Talk crackling through KYW Newsradio today is that business editor/anchor Don Lancer, the station's dean with 37 years of service (minus a short stint as a talk-show host), and South Jersey bureau chief Ed Kasuba, a 33-year veteran, have volunteered to retire.

The Inquirer reported on Sunday that CBS Radio - slashing jobs around the country, including a dozen at its five Philadelphia stations - had sought two newsroom "voluntary separations" by Tuesday. Layoffs were threatened, a station source said.

Those who accept a voluntary separation typically are compensated.

Kasuba, 61, shop steward of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, which represents 31 full-time and 23 part-time newsroom employees, would not comment on his situation. Lancer, 65, also declined to comment.

Discussions are continuing with the company, which has a right to refuse the offers.

"Management did not have to do this," said Kasuba, speaking in his role as shop steward, of the decision to seek volunteers. "They just as easily could have lopped off two people. By asking for volunteers, they did it as humanely as it could have be done."

KYW general manager David Yadgaroff was not available for comment.

The station today marked a partnership with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. for an online radio station called Hear Philly!

Hear Philly!, which went live this morning at www.hearphilly.com, is an online radio station containing news, tourism info and weather. In coming weeks, local listeners with HD radios can listen to Hear Philly! on WYSP-FM's HD-3 channel, 94.1.

The ad-supported broadcasts, anchored by Newsradio's Krista Jasillo, contains editorial content from GPTMC and Newsradio reporters. It is linked from www.kyw1060.com and www.gophila.com.