Steve Carney

As a journalist and a news junkie, I have listened to KFWB-AM (980) for decades. I found it extremely depressing to read of its new talk format ["KFWB Adopts Talk Format," by Steve Carney, Aug.11]. Nothing could be a bigger turnoff than the two Lauras -- Schlessinger and Ingraham. Therefore that's exactly what I'll be doing now with KFWB: turning it off. Peggy Jo Abraham Santa Monica

As a journalist and a news junkie, I have listened to KFWB-AM (980) for decades. I found it extremely depressing to read of its new talk format ["KFWB Adopts Talk Format," by Steve Carney, Aug.11]. Nothing could be a bigger turnoff than the two Lauras -- Schlessinger and Ingraham. Therefore that's exactly what I'll be doing now with KFWB: turning it off. Peggy Jo Abraham Santa Monica

A motorcyclist was run over and killed after he hit some debris on the Riverside Freeway and was hurled from his bike Tuesday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported. The freeway's eastbound lanes were closed for nearly four hours after the 11:20 a.m. accident, CHP Officer Karen Bowen said. The man, whose name was withheld, landed in the second toll lane while his motorcycle skidded into the No. 1 lane, Bowen said.

A motorcyclist was run over and killed after he hit some debris on the Riverside Freeway and was hurled from his bike Tuesday morning, the California Highway Patrol reported. The freeway's eastbound lanes were closed for nearly four hours after the 11:20 a.m. accident, CHP Officer Karen Bowen said. The man, whose name was withheld, landed in the second toll lane while his motorcycle skidded into the No. 1 lane, Bowen said.

With Ruth Seymour's firing of Sandra Tsing Loh at KCRW-FM and now Bob Edwards' demotion at NPR's "Morning Edition" ("Stormy Days for NPR," by Allan M. Jalon and Steve Carney, March 29), it appears that public radio is running out of feet to shoot. Lon M. Burns Manhattan Beach

THE article "The Enduring Appeal of Frank Sinatra" (by Steve Carney, June 20) echoes just why this supreme master of his craft is indeed timeless. His appeal transcends generations and, through the largess of radio stations KLAC-AM and KSUR-AM, palpably reinforces to youth of today how the "sounds of Sinatra" are ever "now." Frank R. Wynne Los Alamitos

BILL Handel on KFI is one of the great success stories in radio ("Humor, Issues and a Cause," by Steve Carney, Aug. 15). Here's to another 10 years of funny and insightful morning programming! Maybe the boss there can put Bill's reruns on Saturday evenings -- the current fare is in need of a tuneup. Cathy Cordell Los Angeles

If you care about your privacy or your pocketbook, ask whether your rental car has electronic tracking equipment and what it's used for. The answers may surprise you -- if you can get them. Since I last wrote about this issue in 2002, more rental cars have been fitted with such systems, which can instantly relay information on your car's speed, route and position to the rental company. This is done by wireless devices and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers that pinpoint location.

Ihad to laugh when I read how KRTH "decided it can't afford to be so rigid" ["KRTH Puts a New Spin on Oldies," by Steve Carney, Sept. 14]. KRTH has one of the most rigid playlists. Considering the enormous amount of great oldies that they could draw from, it's a shame that KRTH insists on playing the same songs ad nauseum. Jerry Kazdoy Santa Clarita

The city will continue to provide emergency preparedness services to neighboring Yorba Linda for a second year, the City Council has decided. Under the agreement, Brea will provide employee education for Yorba Linda city staff members and emergency preparedness education for the public, and will update Yorba Linda's emergency response plan. The contract will bring in about $14,000 a year for Brea, officials said. Brea also provides police protection for Yorba Linda.

I wondered how long Clear Channel would let real progressive talk radio run. I hoped it would be as long as advertisers brought in revenue (and they've got plenty of advertising). But, alas, KTLK-AM (1150) is dumping one of its most dynamic and effective voices for progressive action, "Harrison on the Edge" ["KTLK Adjusts to Be More 'Live and Local,' " by Steve Carney, March 3]. That's inexcusable and disgusting, but bringing in [Alan] Colmes (gag) and Mr. KABC? LEILA NEWELL Thousand Oaks

THANK you for the article on KFI-AM's John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, who deserve the recognition ("Crusading for Truth, Justice, on Weekday Afternoons," by Steve Carney, May 6). They bring intelligence, humor and -- most of all -- a very needed sense of fair play and moral integrity to the airwaves. Hollace Brown Los Angeles John and Ken? KFI? Oh, yeah. That really boring show on that really boring radio station. Are they really still around? Don't you have anything more interesting to write about?