An evangelical Christian talk show host who questioned the beliefs of the Catholic church and entertained a caller's question about whether the late Pope John Paul II would go to heaven has been fired.

Marty Minto, 39, a senior pastor at a New Castle, PA church, was fired last week after three years as a host on WORD-FM in Pittsburgh. He said he was told that he was alienating listeners. Last week, Minto questioned some of the Catholic church's beliefs, such as purgatory, and fielded a question from a caller who asked whether the pope would go to heaven.

Interep announces "Radio's Reinvention"

Interep announced it will hold its second annual Radio Symposium on Thursday, June 16th, 2005. This year's event, entitled "Radio's Reinvention: A Symposium in Three Acts," will address current opportunities and challenges facing the radio industry, including competitive forces, the advertising climate, pricing and

Inventory issues, research, programming developments, and other relevant issues. The 2005 Radio Symposium's day-long agenda will feature commentary by radio group heads, ad agency executives and top financial analysts

In the media sector, as well as leaders in media sales, marketing and research. Online registration for the event will begin 5/2 at www.radiosymposium.com.

WQXR to manage Interep's Concert Music Network

Interep has engaged WQXR-FM NY the radio station of The New York Times and the nation's most-listened-to classical station, to be the exclusive manager of its Concert Music Network, the network of commercial classical music radio stations throughout the country. The agreement was announced by Tom Bartunek, President of New York Times Radio, and Ralph Guild, Interep CEO. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The agreement grants WQXR, a Concert Music Network affiliate, the right to be the exclusive representative of the Network for advertising sales, affiliate relations, and project development. The Network has historically been an outlet for national programming as well as a highly targeted vehicle for national advertisers; besides WQXR, the network includes stations in LA, DC, Chicago, Boston, and Dallas, among other markets.

Interep represents its classical radio station clients in the Concert Music Network for spot and wired network scatter plans.

Radiothon 2005 benefiting the CJ Foundation for SIDS kicks off

The 16th Annual WFAN Radiothon, benefiting the CJ Foundation for SIDS, Tomorrows Children's Fund, and the Imus Ranch, is being held yesterday and today. Over the years, the Sports Radio 66AM WFAN-AM NY event has raised millions of dollars for charity. This year's show is being broadcast all day from the Hackensack University Medical Center yesterday and from the NY Stock Exchange this morning.

The Radiothon leads off with the Imus in the Morning show, followed by Joe

Benigno and Sid Rosenberg, and then the popular Mike (Mike Francesa) and the Mad Dog (Chris Russo) show takes over. The Radiothon continued throughout yesterday evening and began again today with Imus.

The Radiothon is telecast during the Imus Show on MSNBC, providing for national exposure. For more info, and to pledge, visit www.cjsids.com or call the Foundation at 888-825-7437.

CJ Foundation Chairman and Infinity CEO Joel Hollander tells RBR/TVBR: "When people talk about radio being besieged, now let's look at it-WFAN is going to raise over three million dollars in 28 and a half hours. It's a pretty loyal, branded, very active audience for some unbelievable charities."