That's the word from listeners. Trying to confirm, but so far encountering management Cone of Silence. Hartman, of course, has been a staple since KFAN switched on in 1991. Darren "Doogie" Wolfson is his producer.

There have been many rumors about deep cuts at KFAN parent Clear Channel. It's another media tale of overleverage plus advertising meltdown.

Update: Got through to non-management staffer. Swears it's not a joke: "We wouldn't joke around about something like that." Still pursuing definitiveness.

Update II: Strib's Judd Zulgad is going with it in an unsourced story.

According to Zulgad, Dan "Common Man" Cole will go from noon to 3, at least today, while Dan Barreiro — who became KFAN's main man when he and Hartman split in 2001 — will go 3 to 7.

Like Tommy Mischke's recent firing, Hartman's excision represents another big-name but non-drivetime personality getting the axe. Because of their tenure and past success, those guys earn good money, but in lower-revenue slots. Cole is in the same category, but I'd suspect his salary-to-revenue ratio is better.

According to Zuglad, Hartman has a contract through 2011, which makes you wonder just how much the station is saving. The talk will naturally turn to WCCO-AM, where station poohbah and former Hartman employer Mick Anselmo is looking for a noon-3 p.m. host. I suppose replacing Mischke at KSTP is also a possibility — the station told Tommy he was being let go for cause, not cost.

But would any station want to spend Hartman-level coin in this climate? I guess prices can always come down, assuming Chad doesn't have other plans and non-competes don't interfere.

Update III: I have confirmation I can believe in, from someone who knows.