The Sydney press reports that John Laws won't be returning to the airwaves this year after 2UE kiboshed any chance he had of appearing on the 2SM network or any other station. Full story.

triple j’s free Unearthed iPhone application has now made it easier to find your new favourite band. The app is the first in Australia to allow music downloads to your iPhone and it gives triple j access to another platform to promote up and coming Australian artists. Both the App and the downloads are completely free. More details. 

Austereo Melbourne Creative Director Paul Chappell has resigned.  He's leaving to join the content production company Catfish.

Dan King, ex-B105 breakfast Imaging Producer and Voice Over guy will begin a new role as the Show Audio Producer for ARN's Johnno & Danno show in 2010. He has been keeping busy with his own production company on the Central Coast for the past 6 monthsbut told JJ that he is now happy to get back into a metro environment and is very excited about looking after a national networked show for mcm entertainment out of Sydney. 
 
Traffic Jams a new web solution for broadcast-specific, target-oriented traffic themes has now launched. It's free to register and you can download original compositions with integrated traffic sound effects to add to your station traffic updates. More details.

1206 2CC has announced that Alan Jones and Ray Hadley have joined their weekday lineup.  The Ray Hadley Morning Show will be broadcast on 1206 2CC Monday to Friday between 9am and 11am. Alan Jones returns to the 2CC line up with a daily one hour highlights program of his 2GB Sydney breakfast show.

Four people on board a single-engine plane including 2CH/2GB PD Ian Holland, were forced to make an emergency landing in Mittagong.  They all escaped with minor injuries. Full story.

Al Kirton GM of NQRADIO.com.au advises that Cairns announcer Richard Osborne is the new Saturday presenter alternating between 4KZ and 4AM. Both stations will commence broadcasting the Alan Jones hour from 2GB in late January. Also McNeil Keenan is the new breakfast presenter at KOOL-FM replacing Chris Miller.

2DAY FM's Jackie O has spoken candidly to New Idea out about the problem-plagued year that has left her devastated. Full story.

Ash Bradnam has still not returned to NOVA 106.9 Brisbane breakfast although the station  have stated that they will continue to support him on his "road to recovery".  Filling in for Bradnam will be Melbourne comic Dave Thornton from January 18.

Meecham Philpott has left 4MK Mackay and is taking up a new breakfast position with ABC radio in Mackay.

Steve Segale has joined Perth's 96fm as Music Director/Afternoon Announcer.

Good to hear that Melbourne broadcaster Kevin Hillier is shwing his Bulldog spirit and is "back and fighting."  Kev told JJ "Had a pretty bad Xmas. Spent it in hospital 8 days all up 4 in ICU (pneumonia) pretty bad was touch and go for a while. Back home now and getting better all the time."

Brent Bultitude has been named as 2HD's new breakfast host, starting on Monday 11th January.  He takes over from Luke Grant, who left the station last month.

Leroy Brown is leaving Light FM Melbourne and returning home to Adelaide to host breakfast on Life FM.

Bryan Madigan from Sydney’s 2MMM has joined SEA FM 91.9 Sunshine Coast as new afternoon announcer/AMD.

Peter Canell ex-2LF Young is moving to 2CC/2CA Canberra to work in the Production Department.

Canberra talk back station 1206 2CC has been telling listeners to tune in this Monday morning for a ‘big announcement’.  2CC has been quietly expanding its operations with the recent launch of Hot Country 97.5FM.  It’s expected that 2CC will announce extra additions to its 2010 lineup.

Austereo has appointed its Head of Content Guy Dobson as its new CEO.  Dobson has replaced Michael Anderson. Anderson advised last July that he would not renew his contract past June 30, 2010 but said he would step down earlier if a suitable replacement was appointed. Guy studied at Radio School in Brisbane before securing his first radio position as an On- Air Announcer in Gladstone at age 17. More details.

“Lehmo” (Anthony Lehman) has been confirmed as the new MIX 101.1 Melbourne co-host for Brigitte Duclos, replacing Tom Gleeson who left the show at the end of 2009.  The new show will commence on the 18th of January.  Lehmo is no stranger to early morning radio, having hosted Adelaide’s SAFM breakfast show, and later working with Wil Anderson on Triple M’s National Drive Show. An avid Hawthorn supporter, he is a panelist on Channel Ten’s ‘Before The Game’ and a stand up comedian. Mix101.1 General Manager Steve Rowe says Lehmo is an ideal replacement for Gleeson – “He has wanted to make Melbourne a permanent home, he has solid radio experience, comedy and a passion for AFL. He has filled in for us on occasions in the past, so we know he is a good fit for the show”.

Jess Gale is back on the radio.  After several years based in Melbourne she is now the co-host of the new 7HOFM breakfast show alongside Kevin 'Johnno' Johnson.

triple j has appointed Chris Scaddan as its new Manager. Previously triple j’s Program Director, Chris moves into the position immediately. Linda Bracken, triple j’s previous Manager took up the role of Head Multi-Platform and Content Development for ABC Radio in September 2009.

Lynda Edmunds has taken over as News Director for Prime Radio Queensland.  Lynda replaces Nicky Fisher .

Leigh Ryan, ex-Star FM Wagga, is now on afternoon/drive at 3BA Ballarat.

John Laws was due to be interviewed on 2GB but stand-in morning host Ben Fordham was forced into an embarrassing on-air apology after station management canned his planned special guest minutes before he was due to go to air. Full story. But despite that drama, John Laws says he is preparing for a radio comeback. He is believed to be close to signing with Super Radio Network boss Bill Caralis, who owns 38 stations across NSW, among them Sydney's 2SM. Full story.

Chris Smith remains on unpaid suspension from 2GB and may not return in 2010.  Full story.

Shaun Gough (photo) has taken on the role of Head of Music Triple M Sydney and Melbourne.  As a result, Mike Fitzpatrick is now the new Content Director at Melbourne's Triple M.  In other 2010 news,  James Brayshaw and Billy Brownless will be doing drive Tues, Wed & Thurs from March 23.

Rachael Finch, Miss Universe Australia, has spoken for the first time of reuniting with boyfriend Angus 'Boubs' O'Loughlin, vowing to do whatever it takes to make their long-distance relationship work. The Townsville beauty, aged 21, told The Sunday Mail that Angus, a SEA FM Sunshine Coast radio announcer, was the love of her life. Full story.

Nova 106.9 Brisbane's Tim Blackwell got married to Monique Pickles in December in Sydney.

Australian Independent Radio News (AIR News) has celebrated it's 5th birthday.  Originally targeted at community radio stations, AIR News has managed to settle into the commercial marketplace too with Flow FM across most of South Australia, some of the Northern Territory and Victoria, as well as through Albany WA commercial outlet Gold MX. More details.

Kevin Somerville has joined the team at 2ST Nowra as a floating shift presenter.