NAB Licensed to Serve

AUGUST 2018

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Radio and television broadcasters serve local communities every day. Stations air lifeline emergency information; support our military; raise millions for hospitals and cancer research; collect food, clothes and toys; devote air time to election coverage; and promote education. Submit your station's stories to Suzie Raven.


BROADCASTERS RAISE DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS


Hearst’s KCRA and KQCA Raise $700,000 For Wildfire Victims

Heart’s NBC affiliate KCRA-TV and MyNetworkTV affiliates Sacramento raised $700,000 for American Red Cross wildfire relief efforts in a day-long telethon held July 31. The deadly Carr Fire destroyed more than 1,000 Northern California homes and businesses. It is the ninth most destructive in California history.

WISC-TV Raises $160,000 Following Gas Leak

Morgan Murphy Media's CBS affiliate WISC-TV Madison, Wis., raised $163,000 through an 18-hour telethon held July 18 for disaster relief efforts following a gas leak explosion. The July 10 explosion killed Sun Prairie Fire Department Capt. Cory Barr, injured others, displaced 58 people from their homes and affected 50 businesses, destroying five. Money was distributed to affected families and businesses as well as the Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry and local social services organization Sunshine Place.

“This is who we are,” said Morgan Murphy Media President and CEO Elizabeth Murphy Burns. “We are members of our communities and here to inform, entertain, but mostly to serve.”


BROADCASTERS INVESTIGATE CRITICAL ISSUES



KXAS Recovers $1 Million for Consumers

NBC-owned KXAS-TV Dallas’ consumer investigative unit, NBC 5 Responds, has recovered more than $1 million for viewers and has responded to more than 16,000 consumer complaints since the unit’s launch in November 2015. NBC 5 Responds answers every consumer email and phone call. Click here to read about recent cases.

"Our consumer team has the knowledge and experience to deal with roadblocks that consumers may face when trying to fight businesses for the money or services they feel they are rightfully owed," said Vice President of News Mark Ginther. "We are proud to stand up for our viewers by providing information and taking action to help them get the resolution they need."

"Coin-flip Arrest" Uncovered in WXIA Investigation

TEGNA’s NBC affiliate WXIA-TV Atlanta discovered that officers decided to arrest or release a local citizen who they stopped at a traffic stop based on flipping a coin. The case against the woman was dropped after the prosecutor watched the body camera footage, showing the arrest decision was based on a coin-flip app (heads for release and tails for jail). Both officers were placed on administrative leave. Video of the broadcast can be watched here.

WHNT Covers Suicide Prevention

Tribune’s CBS affiliate WHNT-TV Huntsville, Ala., dedicated their June 27 newscast to the topic of suicide prevention. The Alabama Attorney General’s wife had died by suicide two weeks prior, following a struggle with mental illness and opioid addiction.

Georgia GOP Gubernatorial Rivals Debate Before Runoff

Cox Media Group’s ABC affiliate WSB-TV Atlanta hosted on July 15 the final televised debate between Georgia GOP Gubernatorial candidates Secretary of State Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle. The run off election was held July 24. During the debate, each candidate defended himself against attacks. Read more here.



COMMUNITY SUPPORT


WLZL-FM Raises Record $357,000 for St. Jude

Entercom’s WLZL-FM Washington, D.C., has raised a record-breaking $357,000 for St. Jude Children’s Hospital in a radiothon held July 19. In three years, the station has raised more than $800,000. Acting Program Director Candy Cintron praised the team effort from on-air talent, the promotions department and volunteers who answered phones.

SuperTalk Mississippi Raises $315,000 for Palmer Home

The SuperTalk Mississippi radio network raised $315,000 in its sixth annual radiothon for the Palmer Home for Children, a faith-based residential care organization. This year’s record-breaking event brings the six-year total to more than $1.2 million.

Rincon Radiothon Nets $96,000 For Kids’ Health Center

Rincon Broadcasting’s KIST-FM and KSPE-FM Santa Barbara, Calif., raised almost $96,000 through their eighth annual radiothon, held in mid-July. The event surpassed last year’s total by more than 21 percent. The money raised will help Cottage Children’s Health Center to open their renovated and expanded pediatrics hospital with a state-of-the-art design and equipment.

KOLN / KGIN Collects 265,000 Pounds of Food

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate KOLN / KGIN-TV Lincoln, Neb., collected 265,000 pounds of food in its 31st annual “10/11 Can Care-a-Van,” held June 1-8. During the food drive, the station traveled around the viewing area to collect donations for local food pantries. In 31 years, they have collected over 4.9 million pounds of food.

“The best part of this is that it truly is a ‘local’ effort,” said Community Services Director Sara Blann. “The communities plan their own events, getting community groups involved and coming up with creative ways to boost donations. We assist with promotional efforts. ALL their donations stay local.”

KRLA-AM Hosts Military Spouse Day

Salem Media Group’s KRLA-AM Los Angeles and the Rose Bowl Legacy foundation hosted its second annual “Military Spouse – Day of Pampering” on July 1. They worked with the Bob Hope USO to select 30 military spouses from across Southern California, representing all divisions of the military. The ladies received manicures, massages and a yoga session, as well as a gift bag with leggings, jewelry, sunscreen and a KRLA-branded fan.


KNXV Holds Water Drive; Supports Military Spouses

Scripps’ ABC affiliate KNXV-TV Phoenix collected 106,000 bottles of water during a drive held July 1-7. The water bottles will help those in need during the hot summer months. Read more here.

KNXV also teamed up with Sanderson Ford and Lincoln to salute Arizona veterans who are now serving the community. From almost 300 entries, a committee of community members finalized five honorees. Alan “AP” Powell, Frank Benavidez, Josh Grzywa, Patricia Hernandez and Samantha Bedore were featured on the KNXV-TV Salutes Arizona Veterans page, highlighted during a live newscast, and received a $500 gift card.


KVAL Tail-A-Thon Raises $60,000 for Humane Society

Sinclair’s CBS affiliate KVAL-TV Eugene, Ore., raised more than $60,000 in the second annual “Pet Project Tail-A-Thon” on June 22 to help the Greenhill Humane Society build new shelter facilities. KVAL also collected pet food and supplies and promoted the adoption of numerous dogs, cats and a guinea pig.


BROADCASTERS EARN MURROW AWARDS


RTDNA Murrow Award Profiles

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) recently announced the winners of the 2018 Edward R. Murrow Awards, recognizing the best journalism produced by radio, television and digital news organizations. NAB's Licensed to Serve newsletter will feature a few of the winners each month.

WREX-TV Rockford, Ill., Wins Murrow Award

Quincy’s NBC affiliate WREX-TV Rockford, Ill., won a Murrow Award in the “Overall Excellence” category for Small Market Television. The award recognized a variety of initiatives undertaken throughout the year, including outstanding coverage of Hurricane Harvey and the Heartland Church shooting. WREX-TV also made a difference in the community by promoting organ donations and highlighting a program that helped special needs students find dresses for prom.

KCRA-TV Wins Murrow Award

Hearst’s NBC affiliate KCRA-TV Sacramento won a Murrow Award for “Overall Excellence” in Large Market Television. KCRA provided top-notch coverage of critical events, including the California wildfires, recovery efforts following the fires and emergency conditions at a local power plant. They also investigated health hazards at the Sacramento courthouse and high amounts of lead found in water at a local school.

“KCRA 3 has been committed to providing our viewers with the most comprehensive news coverage for more than 60 years,” said President and GM Elliott Troshinsky.

WFAA-TV Investigative Reporting Earns Murrow Award

TEGNA’s ABC affiliate WFAA-TV Dallas earned a Murrow Award for “Criminal Caretakers,” its investigative report showing that nearly 200 certified nursing aides (CNAs) who can legally work in Texas nursing homes have serious or violent criminal histories. Arrest records include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, continuous violence against family, injury to a child, abandoning a child, aggravated robbery and aggravated sexual contact with a child. State Representative Bill Zedler and Health and Human Services have since estabilished tougher requirements for FBI background checks.

Bonneville’s KIRO-FM Seattle Wins Murrow

Bonneville’s KIRO-FM Seattle won a Murrow award for “Homeless Girls Join Their First Girl Scout Troop at Mary’s Place.” Local homeless shelter Mary’s Place hosts Girl Scout meetings on Wednesday nights for girls from ages four to 18. A 13-year-old scout said that through the troop, she has learned to be kind, respect others and to refrain from bullying. “Kids just want to have a sense of normal,” said Tanita Horton, one of the troop’s leaders. “I think that this certainly brings some of that to them.” Listen to the story.