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.

TEGNA Investigates Disappearance of Little Boy

TEGNA’s NBC affiliate WXIA-TV Atlanta produced a six-part investigative series, “Little Man Lost,” that delved into a cold case surrounding DeOrr Kuntz Jr. The 2-year-old boy disappeared while on a camping trip with his family in Idaho. The series first aired on NBC affiliate KTVB-TV Boise over three days in late February, with segments airing in its 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts. TEGNA stations across the country shared the series as an immersive video experience on digital platforms. WXIA investigative reporter Jeremey Campbell edited the series into an hour-long special that aired March 15 on WXIA.

Campbell received thousands of emails and Facebook comments, some with tips about the disappearance. “The response is overwhelming,” said News Director Lisa Chavez. “We actually had people in the community tell us that they were making an appointment with their TV to make sure they were home to watch.”

“TEGNA’s investigations are an important part of fulfilling our mission to serve the greater good of our communities,” said TEGNA’s Chief Digital Officer Adam Ostrow. “Most importantly, we hope these efforts generate additional clues that could help solve the mystery of little DeOrr Kuntz Jr.”

WBA Foundation Expands Debates to Statewide Primaries

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation (WBA) announced on March 19 that it will offer hour-long debates to radio and television stations across the state for live or delayed broadcast this election season. Democratic candidates for governor will debate July 13 at the studios of Gray’s NBC affiliate WMTV-TV Madison. The Republican candidates for U.S. Senate will debate July 21 at the studios of Gray’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV Wausau. The WBA Foundation will also hold debates for the general election candidates in both races.

“The high level of interest in this year’s elections prompted us to organize debates for the hotly-contested statewide primaries,” said WBA Foundation President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. “We are proud that Wisconsin’s broadcasters can bring the citizens forums that can help them be informed voters.”

Meredith’s NBC affiliate WSMV-TV Nashville aired on March 27 an investigation into three women’s accusations of sexual misconduct by State Rep. David Byrd while they were teenagers on the high school basketball team he coached. WSMV obtained a secretly recorded phone conversation in which Byrd apologized to one of his accusers. Two hours before WSMV’s investigation aired, Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell asked Byrd to resign. Lt. Gov. Randy McNally has also called for Byrd to resign.

NBC and Telemundo Help to Relieve Millions in Medical Debt

NBC and Telemundo-owned television stations have donated $150,000 to RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit working to eliminate the medical debt crisis in the country. RIP will use the station group’s donation to locate, buy and forgive $15 million of medical debt owed by individuals in 11 markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth, Bay Area, Washington, D.C., Boston, Miami, San Diego and Hartford. Additionally, NBC and Telemundo-owned stations’ consumer investigative units will report about medical debt, its effects and what people may be able to do to alleviate their situation through localized, multi-platform awareness campaigns.

"NBC and Telemundo owned stations’ commitment to helping the most vulnerable in our communities is an inspiration," said RIP co-founders Craig Antico & Jerry Ashton. "Our goal is to abolish $1 billion of medical debt in 2018, and we’re incredibly proud to have NBC and Telemundo owned stations as partners in helping us make this happen."

Raycom Stations Expose High Opioid Prescribers

Raycom’s National Investigative Team, led by Fox affiliate WVUE-TV New Orleans Investigative Reporter Lee Zurik, produced “Licensed to Pill,” a three-part series on high opioid prescribers nationwide. A week after the story aired, federal agents raided the Tennessee office of the nation’s top opioid prescriber.

“One law enforcement officer told us that our data analysis gave him a new roadmap to investigate doctors,” Zurik said.

The series was offered to all Raycom’s stations, with each part available in three different lengths. The creative services department at CBS affiliate WAFB-TV Baton Rouge also created a tool kit for the series that stations could use and customize. Findings include:

• Ten percent of America’s top 1,000 prescribers of opioids to Medicare patients are sanctioned.
• Family physicians, nurse practitioners and doctors whose specialties focus on non-narcotic therapies are some of the most prolific prescribers. Federal guidelines say they should not prescribe opioids.
• Some wrote prescriptions for so many opioids that patient’s daily supply exceeded, on average, the number of days in a year.
• Dozens of doctors sanctioned by a state medical board for excessive prescribing still hold active licenses.
• Non-cancer doctors are prescribing dangerous fentanyl spray intended for cancer patients, while taking hundreds of thousands of dollars from a controversial drug maker.

KIRO-TV Relieves $1 Million in Medical Debt

Cox Media Group’s CBS affiliate KIRO-TV Seattle relieved $1 million in viewers’ medical debt following consumer reporter Jesse Jones' investigation into the medical debt collection system. Medical debt is the top cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., with 19 percent of Americans in collections. KIRO-TV and Jones worked with RIP Medical Debt to purchase $1 million worth of medical debt for $12,000.

More than 1,000 viewers received a letter informing them that their debt was paid. The original segment on February 5 received an extraordinary response by viewers wanting to help. As a result, KIRO-TV is seeking a platform to allow viewers to donate toward helping others pay off medical debt.

“I am a cancer survivor who has survived medical debt,” said Jones. “I’ve been on payment plans. I also have a job and insurance, but there are others out there not as fortunate as I am. It’s important to me to share their stories… and make a difference.”

“We are proud to support Jesse’s commitment to consumer advocacy, and our entire news staff will continue to deliver in-depth and investigative reporting to help our viewers stay informed about major stories that impact their lives,” said Vice President and General Manager Greg Bilte.

KOAA Hosts Town Hall Meeting on School Threats

Cordillera Communications’ NBC affiliate KOAA-TV Colorado Springs hosted, aired and streamed a town hall meeting, “School Threats: A Community Action Plan,” on March 12. Education professionals and law enforcement agencies discussed threat investigations, responsible reporting and actions parents can take during a crisis. “We always watch out for our community and sometimes that means bringing the right people together to create change,” said News Director Ryan Hazelwood. “We may not be able to stop school threats but we can give parents the tools and information they need to respond.”

WJXT Hosts Live Discussion on School Safety

Graham-owned WJXT-TV Jacksonville, Fla., aired a live town hall discussion, “Generation Under Fire,” on March 14 in partnership with the Public Policy Institute at Jacksonville University. Students, parents, educators and law enforcement officials discussed how dangerous situations are handled in local school districts, and how students can get involved. View WJXT’s wrap-up discussion.

“No matter your personal feelings, there is a common thread that we at New4JAX have determined is worth spending our airtime and efforts trying to solve, and that is keeping our families safe,” said General Manager Bob Ellis.

KIRO Hosts Town Hall on Guns

Cox Media Group’s CBS affiliate KIRO-TV Seattle hosted, aired and streamed “KIRO 7 Live Town Hall: An Urgent Conversation About Guns” on March 14. The dialogue from the one-hour special provided new perspectives from a variety of viewpoints on the gun controversy, including Governor Jay Inslee, Sen. Tim Sheldon, Sen. Manka Dhingra, high school teachers, professors, students and journalists.

“KIRO 7 is committed to taking our viewers in-depth on important local issues, and delivering the story in balanced and impactful ways like we did with the Live Town Hall,” said Vice President and General Manager Greg Bilte.

Univision Miami and Miami Dade College Hold Community Town-Hall about School Safety

Univision-owned WLTV-TV and WAQI-AM Miami and its digital platforms hosted “Ni Una Muerte Más,” (Not One More Death) on March 22, a town-hall meeting to address school safety concerns. Award-winning anchor Ambrosio Hernandez moderated the event, which featured Miami-Dade Public Schools (MDPS) Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and a panel of experts, elected officials, student leaders, and parent. Panelists addressed questions from the audience and those sent via Facebook.

KIRO-TV’s Jesse Jones Inspires Free Credit Law

Cox Media Group’s CBS affiliate KIRO-TV Seattle investigative reporter Jesse Jones won his fight for "Free Credit Freezes for All" on March 13, when Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 6018 into law. Jones began producing an investigative series after credit bureau Equifax’s data breach impacted the personal and financial data of 147 million people. The company waited months to notify consumers. Within a few months, Washington residents will be able to freeze and unfreeze their credit file with the three major credit agencies without having to pay a $10 fee.

“It’s why we do this. It’s why I do this. Making real, actual, and lasting change,” Jones said.

“Every news story we report on, every investigative piece we pursue, every element of our local programming is produced with the need of the viewer as our primary focus,” said Vice President and General Manager Greg Bilte. “We couldn’t be prouder of Jesse’s team for their passion and dedication on behalf of Western Washington consumers. KIRO 7 will continue to provide the resources and platforms for Jesse and everyone in the newsroom to pursue the issues that will positively impact people’s lives.”

KSL Promotes Safe Schools

Bonneville’s NBC affiliate KSL-TV Salt Lake City aired an in-depth special report, “In Search of Safe Schools,” on March 22. It ran commercial-free for the first 20 minutes of KSL’s 10 p.m. newscast and examined nationwide and local efforts to improve school safety. KSL and Bonneville’s KSL-AM, KSFI-FM and KRSP-FM also partnered with Stand Up for a Safe Utah to promote the free SAFEUT app that lets users call or text tips of bullying, threats or other school safety concerns anonymously to school administrators. More than 15,000 parents, students and educators across Utah downloaded the app.

“Our Stand Up for a Safe Utah campaign, special KSL TV programming and support of SAFEUT is indicative of our dedication to helping our viewers, listeners and users face challenging issues when they arise,” said General Manager Tanya Vea.

KYW-TV Philly Raises $1 Million Ronald McDonald Telethon

CBS-owned KYW-TV and CW affiliate WPSG-TV Philadelphia raised $1 million in their ninth annual “Change the Luck of a Child” live telethon benefitting the local Ronald McDonald House Charities on March 27. The event featured on-air personalities from local CBS stations, including KYW-TV, KYW-AM, WOGL-FM, WPHT-AM, WXTU-FM, sports talk WIP-FM, and WTDY-FM. Special guests included Eagles Cheerleaders, plus the 76ers Dunk Team, dancers and mascot Swoop. The event has raised more than $7.4 million since 2010.

WMAS-FM Hosts Record Radiothon for Children's Miracle Network

Cumulus’ WMAS-FM Springfield, Mass., raised a record $245,367 in its Children’s Miracle Network radiothon, March 6 – 7. WMAS has raised over $4.5 million since 2002. All proceeds go to Baystate Children’s Hospital.

South Dakota Radio Raises $329K for Sanford Children’s Hospital

Townsquare’s KKLS-FM, KMXC-FM, KIKN-FM, KSOO-AM, KYBB-FM and Sioux Falls raised a record $329,000 for Sanford Children’s Hospital in the “Cure Kids Cancer” radiothon, held March 22-23. All proceeds benefit Sanford Children’s Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Local Radio Stations Raise Big Money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Scripps’ KTTS-FM Springfield, Mo., raised $162,000 during its St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon held March 1 – 2. During the event, listeners heard stories about how St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital impacts countless local families.

Cenla Broadcasting’s KRRV-FM Alexandria, La., raised $105,000 during its annual “Country Cares for St. Jude Radiothon,” held March 8 - 9.

Alpha Media’s WFLS-FM Fredericksburg, Va., raised $131,000 with their annual radiothon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, held March 1 – 2. The two-day radiothon culminated with a “Family Fun Festival” celebration on March 3.