On June 17, a gunman opened fire on the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., shooting 10 and killing nine in what the shooter admitted was racially-motivated.

Broadcasters across America aired breaking news and provided listeners with an outlet for emotional expression following the tragedy. They altered programming, changed playlists and took calls from listeners, allowing them to express shock and anger.

Cumulus Charleston Vice President and Market Manager Sherry Dollar told Radio Ink that after the shooter was caught, stations made a conscious effort to promote the "Charleston Strong" message. Dollar praised program directors for connecting with listeners, by expressing genuine, raw emotion and cutting into syndicated shows to add a local element. All five stations WMGL-FM, WWWZ-FM, WNSH-FM, WTMA-AM and WSM-FM highlighted the Mother Emanuel Hope Fund, which supports the victims' families.

Other stations, including Apex Broadcasting's WMXZ-FM Isle of Palms and WXST-FM Hollywood; CBS Radio's WVEE-FM Atlanta; WHUR-FM Washington, D.C. and Cumulus Media's WWWQ-FM Atlanta, interrupted nationally syndicated programs in favor of local programming, interviewed local political and religious leaders and aired President Obama's news conference live.

Local TV Covers Hunt for Escaped Convicts

Hearst Television's NBC affiliate WPTZ-TV Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Nexstar Broadcasting's Fox affiliate WFFF-TV Burlington, Vt.; and Mount Mansfield Television's CBS affiliate WCAX-TV Burlington dedicated hundreds of hours to cover the search for convicts who escaped from Clinton Correctional Facility. WPTZ provided news in real time, working with Hearst's ABC affiliates WCVB-TV Boston, WMUR-TV Manchester, N.H. and WMTW-TV Portland, ME to cover the 30-acre region that police deemed important. Page views on WPTZ's website increased by 322 percent over last year. "It hit me—the power of what we do, people hanging on to get details. For these people, it's a public safety story." President and General Manager Kyle Grimes told Broadcasting & Cable after seeing dozens of people crowded around a television at a McDonald's. WPTZ shared this video with NAB.

Hearst Sends Kids to Camp after Riots

Hearst Television's WBAL-AM Baltimore's "Kid's Campaign" helped send 400 second, third and fourth grade kids to the local Super Kids Camp to help them escape the turmoil in Baltimore after recent riots. The six-week long Super Kids Camp provides transportation, hot breakfast and lunch, academics, sports, arts, swimming and weekly trips. WBAL raised money through a radio and TV campaign to provide scholarships to the 400 kids, reducing the cost for each family from $1,200 to $100. This will be a first-time camp experience for most of the children, as 80 percent of families in their neighborhood live below the poverty line and are eligible for free or reduced-cost school lunches. Click here to watch the video.

WDIV-TV Detroit Provides Vital Storm Information

Graham Media Group's NBC affiliate WDIV-TV Detroit provided vital information as severe storms on June 22 threatened the annual Ford Fireworks celebration, which hundreds of thousands of people attend. As the official media partner, WDIV advised event producers to begin an hour early so attendees could avoid severe weather. WDIV aired updates every 15 minutes during evening newscasts and provided continuous weather coverage when tornado warnings were in effect. At least two tornados touched down. Staff worked all night to broadcast and stream updates, warnings and damage reports, reaching 1.3 million people in 24 hours. Social media comments included:

Bette Platt: "Thank you [meteorologist] Ben Bailey, it was a long night, but know that you helped many, many people through that crazy storm."

Camille Seaberry: "Great job tonight. Appreciate being able to stay informed while the internet was down. Turned the TV right to you!"

On June 18 - a few days before the storms – a WDIV event allowed viewers to purchase discounted weather radios that are programmed to provide neighborhood-specific alerts. In six years, WDIV has distributed approximately 40,000 weather radios. "We're right here every day looking out for our viewers… To us, that is what being local is all about," said Director of Local Programming Laurie Oberman.

TEGNA Media's ABC affiliate WFAA-TV Dallas led TEGNA stations in Texas in raising nearly $43,000 for the American Red Cross and Van Community Ministries for tornado relief in Van, TX. On May 10, 145 miles per hour winds killed two people, injured dozens and damaged 100 homes. WFAA launched the #LetsHelpVan campaign in six hours, distributing promo spots, social media materials and donation information to the participating TEGNA stations: ABC affiliates KVUE-TV Austin, KIII-TV Corpus Christi and KBMT-TV Beaumont; CBS affiliates KHOU-TV Houston, KENS-TV San Antonio, and KYTX-TV Nacogdoches; NBC affiliate KCEN-TV Temple; and Fox affiliate KXVA-TV Abilene.

Graham Media Group's ABC affiliate KSAT-TV San Antonio provided wall-to-wall coverage of tornado and flood warnings on May 23. Staff worked all night and into the morning to track storms and provide tornado and thunderstorm alerts. It was all hands on deck as the station provided extended weather coverage on air, online, on mobile and on social media. As the devastation in Hays and Blanco counties became clear the next morning, KSAT aired information about road closures, power outages and community needs. KSAT raised $10,000 for flood relief for families in one afternoon. Click here for a sample of KSAT's coverage.

CBS Radio's WFAN-FM New York raised $400,000 during "Boomer & Carton's True Blue Charity Softball Game" at Yankee Stadium on June 3. More than 17,200 people attended the event, which benefits the Silver Shield Foundation, the NYC PBA Widows' and Children's Fund and the families of three slain police officers: Brian Moore, Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu. WFAN's Dan Chozahinoff told Radio Ink it was "the single greatest night in the history of WFAN." View photos here.

Troopathon Raises $280K for Care Packages

Cumulus Media's WABC-AM New York host Rita Cosby and Sonoma Media Group's KSRO-AM Santa Rosa, Calif. host Melanie Morgan hosted Move America Forward's 8th annual "Troopathon" on June 25, which raised $280,000 to send care packages to U.S. troops in Afghanistan. Guests included Geraldo Rivera, Joe Theismann, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Dennis Miller, Adam Corolla, Ted Nugent, Tony Orlando and Nancy Grace. Watch the broadcast here.

WSCV-TV Nets $4 Million for Cancer Research

NBC's Telemundo affiliate WSCV-TV Miami raised $4.1 million during a telethon for La Liga Contra el Cancer, bringing the event's 17-year total to $60 million. La Liga Contra el Cancer provides free medical screenings and treatments. "As we move into our 31st year, we remain committed to our audience as providers of journalistic excellence in our newscasts, as a preferred provider of entertainment and as a major supporter of efforts on behalf of our community," WSCV President Jorge Carballo told TVNewsCheck.

WBRZ Raises $821,000 for St. Jude

Manship Station's ABC affiliate WBRZ-TV Baton Rouge, La. hosted a live "St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway" special on June 21. Proceeds from the tickets, which sold for $100 each, raised $821,000 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Giveaways included a new car worth $50,000 and a new 3,500 square foot home built by Alvarez Construction, valued at $500,000. The event featured interviews with St. Jude patients and families, who never receive a bill for treatment.

Alex Scott Phone Bank in Philadelphia Sets $3 Million Record

CBS Television's KYW-TV and CW affiliate WPSG-TV Philadelphia's ninth annual "Alex Scott Phone Bank" on June 11 raised a record of almost $3 million for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF)'s pediatric cancer research. ALSF emerged from four-year-old cancer patient Alex Scott's lemonade stand. She died in 2004. The telethon featured KYW Meteorologist Kathy Orr's lemonade stand in Ocean City, N.J., and segments with Alex's parents, local celebrities, the Phillie Phanatic and personalities from CBS Radio's KYW-AM, WOGL-FM, WIP-FM, WXTU-FM and WRDW-FM. CBS Philly has raised $12 million for ALSF to date.

WDSU Raises $2.1 Million for Pediatric Cancer

Hearst-owned NBC affiliate WDSU-TV New Orleans raised more than $2.1 million during its 32nd annual telethon to support research and operations at Children's Hospital. To date, the telethon has raised more than $30 million. Click here to watch a video of an emotionally powerful song written for the event.

KKJO-FM Sends Pediatric Patients to Camp

Eagle Communication's KKJO-FM St. Joseph's, Mo. raised $13,000 for Camp Quality of Northwest Mo. on June 1. Camp Quality is a week-long summer camp for kids with cancer that operates solely on donations. It costs approximately $1,500 for each of the 100 campers that visit each summer. KKJO has raised more than $200,000 for Camp Quality since 2005.

WCVB Campaign Highlights Opioid Epidemic

Hearst Television's ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston launched its 13-week campaign, "5 On: Opioid Crisis," on June 17. WCVB is using news reports, public affairs programming, a series of PSAs, online resources and community outreach to cover the path to addiction (which often starts with prescription painkillers) and effective, accessible treatment options. "5 On: Opioid Crisis" covers an innovative recovery program at the Middlesex House of Corrections, a unique drug court and Governor Charlie Baker's task force. WCVB also talks with a high school athlete whose injury led to a fatal drug habit and a 21-year-old from a Boston suburb whose high school drinking progressed to prescription drug abuse and heroin addiction.

WTAE Airs Chronicle: Burning Questions

Hearst Television's ABC affiliate WTAE-TV Pittsburgh aired "Chronicle: Burning Questions" on June 24 and June 28. Its four-month investigation showed that local fire departments do not meet national standards for response times due to personnel shortages, budget issues and outdated equipment. WTAE also highlighted the National Fallen Firefighter Fund, which supports the Hal Bruno Comfort Zone Camp for kids who lost a parent in the line of duty. "This installment of Chronicle examines how volunteers are struggling to make do with a 200-year-old system, putting our communities at risk," WTAE President and General Manager Charles W. Wolfertz III told TVNewsCheck. "Our team took great care to uncover the problems firefighters face and possible solutions."

Cox Media Group Orlando hosted "Unity in the Community: Law Enforcement in Central Florida" on June 10. WDBO-FM Orlando's Joe Kelley and WCFB-FM Daytona Beach's Monica May moderated the panel, which aired and streamed live on both stations. Experts discussed local law enforcement's role in the community and answered listeners' questions. Panelists included Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Orlando Police Chief John Mina, Sanford Police Chief Cecil Smith, former Chief Judge Belvin Perry and Executive Director of Crimeline Barb Bergin.

Congressional Candidates Debate on KSL

Bonneville Broadcasting Corporation's NBC affiliate KSL-TV Salt Lake City hosted a debate on July 1 between Jason Chaffetz and Brian Wonnacott, candidates for Utah's 3rd Congressional District. Click here to see video of the candidates discussing issues raised by Utah residents and election officials. Topics in the debate included the recent Ebola outbreak, White House security, education, gun policy, foreign policy, tax reform, economic development and providing health care for veterans.

Several Debates Scheduled in Nashville

Three Nashville stations scheduled televised debates in advance of a potential runoff in the mayoral election. The first debate will air Aug. 19 on Meredith Corporation's NBC affiliate WSMV-TV. On Aug. 24, Scripps' CBS affiliate WTVF-TV will air another debate. The final debate is set for Sept. 2 on Sinclair Broadcast Group's Fox affiliate WZTV-TV. On May 21, WSMV aired a debate with all seven candidates, who covered topics such as traffic, transportation, preserving Nashville's history and gentrification.

Univision News to Host GOP Candidate Forum

Univision News and The Washington Post will collaborate on a Republican presidential candidates' forum ahead of primaries in March 2016. The collaboration will explore key players and issues through polling, joint reporting projects, video interviews, interactive graphics and digital storytelling to enhance coverage of the issues that are important to Hispanic voters.

KMGH-TV Denver Collects 40,000 Books

E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate KMGH-TV Denver collected 40,000 books in May. This is more than double its goal of 14,000. The drive was inspired by the story of local elementary school teacher Kyle Schwartz, which went viral following a segment on "ABC's World News Tonight with David Muir." When she asked students to finish the sentence "I Wish My Teacher Knew," Schwartz learned that most of her students lack access to important educational tools, including books. "When they finally get that book in their hands, when it's theirs, they've picked it out, they're excited about it. It's just this inspiring sight, they just drop and start reading because it's their own book," she said.

Univision's Month-Long Health Initiative

Univision Communications Inc., as part of its Univision "Contigo" platform, held a month-long multi-platform health and wellness campaign in June, with participation spanning its 67 radio and 60 television stations nationwide. More than 300,000 people signed up to receive weekly diet and fitness tips during the campaign. Univision's third annual "Semana de la Salud" (Health Week), held June 6-13, provided more than 9,000 free health screenings to more than 32,000 people.

WCVB Boston Announces 2015 Kirby Perkins A+ Scholarship Recipients

Hearst Television's ABC affiliate WCVB-TV Boston presented seven high school seniors with scholarships worth up to $7,000. The 17th annual Kirby Perkins A+ Scholarship honors a late WCVB reporter who developed weekly "A+" reports to profile high school seniors who overcame hardship to achieve college admission. The 2015 recipients are:

RTDNA Announces Winners of the 2015 National Edward R. Murrow Awards

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) announced the 2015 National Edward R. Murrow Award winners, recognizing outstanding radio, television and online news organizations. RTDNA selected 104 winners from 4,200 entries.

CBS News earned seven Murrow Awards: Breaking News, Continuing Coverage, News Series, Newscast, Use of Video, Writing and Best Website. CBS Radio News won for Continuing Coverage, Feature Reporting and Newscast. Overall Excellence award winners are:

• ABC News, New York (Network Television)
• ABC News Radio, New York (Network Radio)
• TEGNA Media's NBC affiliate KING-TV Seattle (Large Market Television)
• Hearst Television's ABC affiliate KETV-TV, Omaha, NE (Small Market Television)
• CBS Radio's WCBS-AM/FM New York (Large Market Radio)
• New Hampshire Public Radio, Concord, NH (Small Market Radio)

RTDNA also announced the 2015 Kaleidoscope Award winners for excellent coverage of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity. Winners include the University of Washington's KUOW-FM Seattle (large market radio) for "Two Indias: Near and Far" and General Communication's CBS affiliate KTVA-TV Anchorage, AK (small market television) for "Season of Sacrifice, Season of Hope."

WMAR-TV Baltimore Wins AP Awards

E.W. Scripps' ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore earned two Associated Press (AP) Awards. The "Outstanding Spot News Reporting" award recognized WMAR's "It's not Every Day Breaking News Comes to You," its coverage of the day a man intentionally drove a truck through the station's lobby. The "Outstanding Enterprise Reporting" award recognized the investigative piece "Sex Trafficking: From Survivor to Inside a Sting in Baltimore."

Broadcasters Air Public Service Messages

At the 2015 NAB Show in April, NAB Public Service provided non-profit partners with the opportunity to share their PSAs with radio and television stations. Local broadcasters are an invaluable resource to non-profit organizations, as they communicate critical public service messages to communities across America. NAB recently released this video of public service partners thanking broadcasters.

The University of Missouri's NBC affiliate KOMU-TV Columbia earned six first-place awards from the Missouri Broadcasters Association: Documentary Public/Affairs: "No 1 Left Behind," on homeless veterans in Missouri; Special Program: "No 1 Left Behind;" Feature Reporting: World Series coverage; Best weathercast: meteorologist Rosie Newberry; Website; and Promotion: "KOMU 8 News Promise."

KOMU earned five first-place awards from the Kansas City Press Club, which accepts entries from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Awards include: Investigative Reporting: "Target 8: Spice makers use new compounds to make product legal;" Public Service Project: "Grand Opening of Joplin Schools;" Beat Reporting: "Inside Infertility;" Sports Reporting: "Love is Blind;" and Entertainment Reporting: World Series coverage. "These awards showcase KOMU 8's commitment to journalism excellence and public service, and we are proud of and honored by this recognition from our peers across the region," said General Manager Marty Siddall.