Radio and television broadcasters constantly serve local communities. Stations air lifeline emergency information; support our military; raise millions for hospitals and cancer research; collect food, clothes and toys; devote free air time to election coverage; and promote education.

Submit your station's public service to Suzie Raven.

WSB Helps Rescue Hostages

Cox Media Group’s ABC affiliate WSB-TV Atlanta helped Cobb County police rescue two hostages held in a bank on July 7. Brian Easley called WSB and told Assignment Editor Stephanie Steiger, “I have a bomb and I’m holding people hostage.” Steiger listened to Easley's complaints about the Department of Veterans Affairs for 45 minutes while WSB conferenced in a police negotiator. Chief Mike Register said Steiger did a "great job" keeping Easley calm. Police used the information from the call to make a rescue.

WSB did not report the story on air or via social media during the call. "These hostages and that man's safety were our first concern,” said News Director Misti Turnbull. “We were behind our competition in reporting the story publicly, but 'winning' the reporting race was not the priority at that moment."

WRAL Heroin Documentary Gets Personal

Capitol Broadcasting’s NBC affiliate WRAL-TV Raleigh aired an hour-long documentary, “Searching for a Fix,” on August 1. The documentary shared personal stories of how heroin addiction devastates people and families across North Carolina. It featured emergency medical personnel and law enforcement officers who deal with daily overdoses, and recovery experts and policymakers who are searching for solutions. “In all of my years of documentary production, they were the most gut-wrenching and deeply personal interviews I’ve ever done. They were emotional, moving and eye-opening,” said Producer Clay Johnson.

KSHB-TV Helps Police Rescue Girl

E.W. Scripps’ NBC affiliate KSHB-TV Kansas City used its helicopter to help rescue a three-year-old girl who disappeared during a carjacking on July 12. KSHB Pilot Greg Bourdon and Photojournalist James Moore found the girl and directed police officers to her location before an Amber Alert could be issued.

WFTV Catches a Con

Cox Media Group’s WFTV-TV Atlanta Consumer Reporter Todd Ulrich exposed an air conditioning company for upselling unnecessary repairs. Ulrich set up hidden cameras that showed the company claiming to find mold that did not exist when doing routine maintenance. “He was really instilling fear that if I didn’t do something I was going to be sick,” said one homeowner. “This investigation really resonated with some viewers,” said Paul Greely of TVNewsCheck.

KELO Investigates College Grants

Nexstar’s CBS affiliate KELO-TV Sioux Falls, S.D., investigated the “GEAR UP” program. The U.S. Department of Education awarded South Dakota $62 million in 2005 to help prepare Native American students for college. The state was required to match every federal dollar. The issues KELO uncovered included a lack of data proving that any Native American student attended college due to GEAR UP.

WSB "Care-a-Thon" Raises $1.75 Million

Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/FM Atlanta raised a record $1.75 million in the 17th annual WSB "Care-a-Thon," held July 28. The 37-hour radio event supports research and programs at the Aflac Cancer & Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

WPEG-FM Raises $30,000 for Salvation Army

Beasley Media Group’s WPEG-FM Charlotte raised $30,000 when its morning show host “No Limit Larry” held a 28-hour radiothon on July 13 for the Salvation Army’s summer overflow shelter. The Salvation Army helps homeless women and children with immediate needs for shelter, food and social services. On-air personalities slept outside of the Salvation Army during the broadcast to demonstrate their commitment.

Tampa Radio Believes in "BNice"

Beasley Media Group’s WPBB-FM Tampa aids listeners through the “#bNice” campaign. Morning show hosts Chadd & Kristi recently gathered hundreds of dollars worth of supplies for a local domestic violence shelter after learning of the shelter's need. They also treated a little girl, Alidy, who had tragically lost her father, to an amazing Disney-filled day. In May, Chadd & Kristi delivered treats to firefighters during one of the worst fire seasons in memory.

WBRZ "Stuffs the Bus" With $40,000 Worth of School Supplies

Manship Stations’ ABC affiliate WBRZ-TV Baton Rouge stuffed four school buses with nearly $40,000 worth of school supplies they collected during the 10th annual “Stuff the Bus” campaign, held July 12. The drive benefited many students and teachers, including those still recovering from the 2016 flood.

KSAS-TV Collects Food

Sinclair’s Fox affiliate KSAS-TV and MyNetworkTV affiliate KMTW-TV Wichita partnered with the local soccer team FC Wichita to hold a supply drive in mid-July to benefit two local charities. The stations collected 530 pounds of food for the KS Food Bank and a variety of supplies for Catholica Charities, including microwaves, toasters, crock pots and silverware.

WCZY Radio Provides Critical Flood Coverage

Latitude Media’s WCZY-FM Mt. Pleasant, Mich., provided critical coverage as eight inches of rain flooded the area June 23 – 25, causing over $100 million in damage. WCZY provided information on the 130 roads that closed due to pavement crumbling beneath the water, in addition to broadcasting updates from the head of the emergency management team. On June 26, WCZY collected donations for the local American Red Cross chapter to assist people staying at a temporary shelter. “Although our staff is small, they really shined big for our community during this unprecedented crisis,” said Owner Bob Peters. “This is why local radio is so important to the communities we serve and why my wife and I are so proud to be local broadcasters.”

iHeartMedia Wisconsin Helps Flood Victims

iHeartMedia’s WISN-AM, WMIL-FM, WRIT-FM, WOKY-FM, WRNW-FM and WKKV-FM Milwaukee collected enough bottled water on July 14 to fill five large semi-trucks for flood victims. Recent flash floods contaminated water wells, leaving residents without drinking water and electricity. “The iHeartMedia Milwaukee team and our listeners are committed to the people in the Milwaukee community. They saw their neighbors in need and jumped to action in a matter of hours,” said iHeartMedia Milwaukee Operations Manager Kerry Wolfe.

KNXV-TV Phoenix Hosts Water Drive

Scripps’ ABC affiliate KNXV-TV Phoenix partnered with White Water Bottling Company and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance for a water drive on July 20 that resulted in more than 1,500 cases of water being donated to the food bank. “Arizona is a fantastic place to live, but we all know that the heat can be deadly during the summer months,” said News Director Chris Kline. “Helping St. Mary’s get enough water to help our neighbors in need aligns with ABC15’s goal of making Arizona a better place to live.”

WSAW and WZAW Raise $331,285 for Shooting Victims' Families

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and Fox affiliate WZAW-TV Wausau, Wis., raised over $331,000 for the families of the victims of a deadly shooting in the Wausau community. On March 22, 2017, four people lost their lives in three separate but connected shootings in three local communities. Central Wisconsin Media Partners and River Valley Bank organized the Victims Family Fund the day after the deadly shootings. WSAW-TV and WZAW-TV provided public service announcements, and WZAW dedicated time in their newscasts to remind viewers how they can help support the Victims Family Fund. The campaign, originally slated to run from March 23 - April 30, was extended an extra month thanks to an influx of contributions. All money was given directly to help the surviving families of the four victims.

WXYZ Examines Detroit Riot 50 Years Ago

Scripps’ ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV Detroit aired a commercial-free documentary on July 23 called “12th and Clairmount” about the 1967 Detroit riot. WXZY, The Detroit Free Press and Bridge Magazine collaborated to produce the documentary, which features WXYZ archival film on the five-day rebellion and highlights the racial and economic tensions that led to the uprising. In the week prior to the airing, WXYZ presented daily special reports on the uprising in the 5 p.m. newscast. “It’s so important that we reflect on the past and learn from those experiences if we’re going to move our community forward,” said General Manager Mike Murri. “Improving our community is core to our mission at WXYZ and the mission of our Detroit 2020 project … to unify our region and inspire people to act.”

WMAZ Partners on Reporting Initiative

TEGNA’s CBS affiliate WMAZ-TV Macon, Ga., created a local reporting partnership with Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Knight Foundation awarded Mercer University a $2 million grant to expand local television news reporting, enhance their innovative journalism education model and increase community engagement initiatives. The Center for Collaborative Journalism will add a full-time reporter who will work with WMAZ and students to produce local stories that will appear onair and online.

“Like the Center and Knight Foundation, we believe that quality, trusted, fact-based journalism can make a difference and serve the greater good,” said WMAZ President and General Manager Jeff Dudley. “It is our hope that through this partnership, students feel better prepared to start their journalism careers while understanding the important role we play in our communities.”

Charlotte Radio Engages Teens

Beasley Media Group’s WSOC-FM, WNKS-FM, WKQC-FM, WPEG-FM, WBAV-FM, and WBCN-FM Charlotte partnered with the Teen Health Connection to host the Youth to Youth Southern States Conference's "Extreme Skill Workshop" on July 18. Beasley Media Charlotte's Krista Stout and Chele Fassig hosted a session entitled “Social Impact of Local Radio on Youth.” They talked about how local radio, combined with social media, has the unique power to enhance community participation and create positive messages to help with cyberbullying and self-esteem.

WWSI Hosts Immigration Phone Bank

NBC’s Telemundo affiliate WWSI-TV Philadelphia hosted its third live, informational phone bank on July 20 to answer viewer questions about immigration-related topics. The phone bank featured 18 Spanish-speaking legal experts who provided free, confidential advice and counsel to local callers. “One measure of a television station can be how it leverages its resources to help just one local viewer, or 100,” said Paul Greeley of TVNewsCheck.