Savage Clarifies Autism Rant.  Talk Radio Network syndicated host Michael Savage issues a clarification of his take on autism after his on-air statements angered some parents and autism advocates.  On his July 16 program Savage called autism “a fraud” and also stated, “You know what autism is?  I’ll tell you what autism is.  In 99% of the cases, it’s a brat who hasn’t been told to cut the act out. That’s what autism is.”  In a press release, Savage says, “My comments about autism were meant to boldly awaken parents and children to the medical community’s attempt to label too many children or adults as ‘autistic.’  Just as some drug companies have overdiagnosed ‘ADD’ and ‘ADHD’ to peddle dangerous speed-like drugs to children as young as 4 years of age, this cartel of doctors and drug companies is now creating a national panic by overdiagnosing ‘autism,’ for which there is no definitive medical diagnosis!
    “Many children are being victimized by being diagnosed with an ‘illness’ which may not exist, in all cases.  Just a few weeks ago doctors recommended dangerous anti-cholesterol drugs for children as young as 2 years of age!  Without any scientific studies on the possible dangers of such drugs on children, corrupt doctors made this controversial, unscientific recommendation.
    “Increasingly, our children are being used as profit centers by a greedy, corrupt medical/pharmaceutical establishment.  As the brother of a severely disabled person who suffered and died in a New York ‘snake-pit’ of a ‘mental hospital,’ I know first-hand what true disability is.
    “To permit greedy doctors to include children in medical categories which may not be appropriate is a crime against that child and their family.  Let the truly autistic be treated. Let the falsely diagnosed be free.”
    Telesouth Communications has dropped the Michael Savage show from its seven-station “Supertalk Mississippi” network because of Savage’s comments.  It’s also being reported that AFLAC and Home Depot have pulled their advertising from the show.

Sean Hannity Deal Is Inked.  The new syndication deal for superstar Sean Hannity is complete and as has been reported for some time now it is a three-way deal between Hannity’s own company, ABC Radio Networks and Premiere Radio Networks.  ABC Radio Networks will syndicate the show to Citadel-owned stations and, beginning in December, Premiere will syndicated it everywhere else.  Premiere will lead the sales effort for the program.  According to the Wall Street Journal, the contract is reportedly worth $100 million over the course of five years but Hannity will also make more money on top of that through sharing in the profits of the program.

Russ Martin Arrest Details Come Out.  It turns out the person KLLI-FM, Dallas is accused of assaulting is his 27-year-old fiancé.  Apparently, Martin became extremely upset when his fiancé informed him she failed to handle a matter with an IRS agent as Martin had asked.  The woman alleges Martin said the IRS is trying to take everything he owns and proceeded to kick her, push her, pull hair out of her head and brandished a pistol.  Police are corroborating the injuries and a judge has issued a 61-day protective order and revoked Martin’s concealed carry permit.  According to station officials, Martin is off the air for now but they are stopping short of saying he's been suspended.

WLS’ Agar Takes on Barack Obama.  Pokes fun at him, that is.  Stating that the late night TV comedians are afraid to poke fun at Obama, WLS, Chicago mid-morning talk host Jerry Agar and his comic troupe Jerry’s Kidders are up for the challenge.  Agar tells TALKERS magazine, “Our position is that no presidential candidate is above the mocking criticism that has become a part of American culture and communication.  If the late night TV guys won’t do it, we will.”  Agar and his Kidders began with a one-hour assault on 7/21.

Ami Humphries Passes Away.  The wife of Talk Radio Network host Rusty Humphries died on 7/17 after long battle with an undisclosed chronic illness.  Ami Humphries and Rusty have two daughters.

Harris Moves to AM Drive.  KDWN, Las Vegas moves talk host Heidi Harris to morning drive and picks up Take on the Day’s Dr. Laura Schlessinger for Harris’ former mid-morning slot.  Dubbed “Heidi Harris & The KDWN Morning News,” the station reports the show will give listeners everything they need to start the day informed and entertained.  Harris is joined by news anchors John Shaffer and Charlotte Burke, reporters Brian Ping and Sabrina Sabbagh, and KDWN Team Traffic members Mark Thomas and Mitch Kelly.

 WPRO Adds Saturday Sports Show.  The Providence talk outlet brings market sports veteran Scott Cordischi back to the station for a Saturday morning sports talk show, “Scott Cordischi on Sports.”  Additionally, the station recently announced it will be the Rhode Island affiliate for New England Patriots football this season.

WWRL Names Errol Louis Morning Host.  WWRL, New York brings the New York Daily News political columnist aboard to host the morning drive show.  Louis is also a featured CNN contributor and a keen observer of New York and national politics.  He tells TALKERS magazine, “I am thrilled to be working with one of the finest broadcast teams anywhere, with people who know the importance of bringing news and opinion to the public that is timely, accurate, useful and provocative.  Make no mistake about it: WWRL will be breaking and shaping news and politics each and every morning.  Stay tuned.”

FAIR Announces Immigration Talk Radio Rally.  The Federation for American Immigration Reform is holding its annual “Hold Their Feet to the Fire” talk radio rally September 10 and 11 in Washington, DC.  FAIR expects this to be the largest of these events with upwards of 50 to 75 talk radio hosts expected to broadcast from Washington.  FAIR says the goal of the event is to “counteract the special interests attempting to set an amnesty agenda for the new Congress and the next president.”  Dan Stein, president of FAIR Conggressional Task Force, tells TALKERS magazine, “Powerful special interests are now in full force pushing for amnesty and foreign guest workers with no regard to the plight of the American worker, wages or a deteriorating economy.  The candidates aren’t talking about it.  Radio talk hosts representing millions of listeners will, and their collective voice is a voice that roars.”  Event manager Bob Dane can be reached at FAIR by calling 202-328-7004.