Another nail in the coffin of The Mic

Well, it's (sadly) official: Brian Turany, program director at The Mic and "patron saint of progressive radio in Madison" has been laid off from his job.

I got the tip-off about it early this morning, and confirmed it with Turany himself just recently. Lee Rayburn, broadcasting on his internet show today, has also talked about this unfortunate development.

This is another major blow to the station, in my opinion, and I'm honestly not sure that its corporate masters intend for it to survive. Between the loss of Lee Rayburn's show, the Thom Hartmann shuffle, and the addition of conservative financial guy Dave Ramsey--things don't look good. Clear Channel is, after all, apparently in the midst of some massive downsizing and homogenization, so I suppose this isn't a huge surprise. But it's a major loss. I can only hope that Turany is able to go on to something bigger and better, a position that truly fits his great talents and ambitions.

For now, fans of The Mic are surely headed for some great wailing and gnashing of teeth--and I can't blame them at all.

UPDATE: Read my more in-depth look at the issue and an interview with Turany here.