HEADLINERS

Clear Channel Communications is spending $4 million on its new studio and production space in Kenwood. For the master of radio consolidation, it's a signal as clear as WLW's that studio work for the company's other Midwestern stations soon may be done in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Center City Development Corp., known as 3CDC, unveiled a proposal to shift two new school sites around Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine. The Cincinnati Public Schools and private donors to a new K-12 arts school still have yet to sign on to the plan but the school board will consider it at a meeting this week.

Think hip-hop culture isn't big money? Walk into a department store and sample some of the rap-inspired clothes. Even if you haven't discovered this, Federated Department Stores has, and the Cincinnati company is reaping the benefits now, with same-store sales for the year so far up 5.9 percent.

KENTUCKY CONNECTIONS

National Underwriter magazine in Erlanger now is a key cog for Highline Media in New York, with a strategy of getting trade information to the financial-services industry. For a magazine that's been published in Greater Cincinnati for more than a century, it's a welcome growth strategy.

Omnicare Inc. of Covington is taking its bid for Baltimore-based NeighborCare directly to shareholders after the NeighborCare board rejected the $30-a-share offer. A combine would strengthen Omnicare's position in the business of providing pharmacy services to facilities for the elderly.

CONVENTION CONVULSIONS

In the midst of what should be their best time with fans in years, the Cincinnati Reds canceled the annual wintertime Redsfest celebration for the next two years. The club blamed renovation at Cincinnati's downtown convention center. Meanwhile, activity at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center has picked up some events originally scheduled for the downtown facility.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"We've put something together that is reasonable. If you look at other leagues, the model is no good. If the model is no good, it's like having a McDonald's and selling a burger for $9." This from Joe Newman, co-founder of the minor-league American Basketball Association, which has a new team - the Blaze - playing in Cincinnati this year.