Broadcasters Braced for Hurricane Florence

Broadcasters provided wall-to-wall coverage of Hurricane Florence, which made landfall on the coast of North Carolina on September 14. The storm killed at least 50 people, with some areas receiving up to 30 inches of rain. Radio and television stations in the Carolinas ramped up coverage ahead of the storm, disseminating vital information around the clock.

Nearly one million more residents in the Charlotte, Greensboro and Raleigh areas of North Carolina tuned into local newscasts on broadcast TV stations the week Hurricane Florence approached the East Coast and made landfall in the Carolinas than the previous week, according to data from ratings measurement service Nielsen.

“These Nielsen ratings again highlight the critical ‘first informer’ role of local broadcasting during emergencies,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “As we've seen time and again, communities across the country rely on their local radio and TV stations for timely and lifesaving information. We applaud broadcasters who were in the path of Hurricane Florence for their continuous efforts to inform listeners and viewers.”

Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugate tweeted: “Tracking #Florence? Keep a radio in your Disaster Kit. Why, you have cell phone right? Until cellular services goes out, happen to me during Hurricane #Irma. No power, no Wifi, no cellular data. Radio was my only source for news and updates.”

WCTI Covered Hurricane Florence Despite Flooded Building

Sinclair’s WCTI New Bern, N.C., showed creative dedication, continuing to provide news coverage of Hurricane Florence to their viewers despite their building flooding. Without power, a building or studio, the station utilized Facebook to carry their coverage until the station got back on the air.

WGHP Holds 13-Hour Telethon, Raises $122K for Hurricane Florence Victims

Tribune’s Fox affiliate WGHP-TV High Point, N.C., raised $122,000 for hurricane relief efforts in a 13-hour telethon held September 19. “The Salvation Army is extremely blessed by our generous community and great partners like WGHP who helped us accomplish an amazing goal today,” said Captain Matt Hedgren of the Salvation Army.

WISN-TV Raises $90K for Hurricane Florence Relief Efforts

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Read Testimonials From Local Residents Amid Florence

The Columbia Journalism Review highlighted the indispensable role of local weather reporters during Hurricane Florence, including several statements from local residents. Myrtle Beach resident Karen Goodwin evacuated with her eight-year-old granddaughter, who carried with her a kids’ hurricane tracker provided by Raycom's NBC affiliate WMBF-TV.

WKOW Madison Aids Wisconsin Flood Victims

Flooding caused by unprecedented rainfall resulted in widespread damage in South Central Wisconsin. Quincy Media’s ABC affiliate WKOW-TV teamed up with the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross to hold a live telethon on September 6 that raised almost $130,000 for flood relief.

“Wisconsin Strong” Radiothon Helps Storm Victims

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Telemundo Miami Hosts Senate Debate With Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott

Telemundo-owned WSCV-TV Miami hosted a U.S. Senate debate on October 2 between Sen. Bill Nelson and Gov. Rick Scott. It was the only debate aired in Spanish.

Scripps, Dispatch Expand Political Coverage Ahead of Midterms

All television stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Company will devote 100 minutes within their newscasts each week to political coverage, ranging from one-on-one candidate interviews to in-depth focus pieces. Read more

Dispatch Broadcast Group’s WBNS-TV Columbus, Ohio and WTHR-TV Indianapolis, Indiana will devote extensive additional resources to enhance their coverage of the midterm elections. "It is our commitment to deliver expanded, multi-platform, political coverage to our communities we serve," said Dispatch Broadcast Group executives Larry Delia and John Cardenas. Read more

Michigan Stations Plan Gubernatorial Debates

Democrat Gretchen Whitmer and Republican Bill Schuette will appear in two gubernatorial debates this month. Nexstar’s NBC affiliate WOOD-TV Grand Rapids will host the first debate on October 12. Graham’s NBC affiliate WDIV Detroit will host the second on October 24. Each debate will air live and stream online.

WCVB-TV to Host Live, Senate Debate

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CBS to Air Debates in Pennsylvania

• In Pittsburgh, CBS-owned KDKA will host a debate on Monday, October 8 from 7-8 p.m. between Congressional 17th District candidates Keith Rothfus and Conor Lamb.
• On Friday, October 12, KDKA will host a debate between Senator Bob Casey, Jr. and his opponent Lou Barletta. The broadcast will air from 7-8 p.m.

WKMG-TV Increases Scholarship to $150K for Homeless Teen

Graham Media Group’s WKMG-TV shared the story of Savohn Thomas with employees of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, hoping to help Thomas secure a work-study position. Instead, their outreach resulted in the school more than tripling his $40,000 scholarship. Thomas received a scholarship that would cover the entire cost of tuition through graduation, totaling $150,000.

Thomas found himself homeless and moving from one place to another at the start of his senior year of high school. At times, he even spent nights at a bus stop. Thomas also had to walk almost 20 miles to make it to class at Cypress Creek High School. "School was always a drive for me because it took time out of the times like being helpless, and it gave inspiration," Thomas recalled. Watch the video here.

Cox Tulsa Adds a STEM-Focused Educational Event

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Entercom Stations Host Mental Health Special

Entercom hosted on September 9 “I’m Listening,” a two-hour live, commercial-free broadcast special across all of its stations, to raise awareness around mental health and suicide prevention as part of its multi-platform “I’m Listening” campaign. Listeners could participate through a live call-in option and interactive website. On-air personality BJ Shea of KISW-FM Seattle hosted the special, which included medical experts, musicians and celebrities sharing personal stories.

Radiothons Raise Money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals

Several radiothons supported Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals during the week of September 3:

• Community Broadcasters’ WWKT-FM, WFRK-FM, WSIM-FM and WPDT-FM Florence, S.C., raised $114,000 in three days.
• Cumulus’ KSKS-FM Fresno, Calif., raised $183,000 during its 20th annual radiothon, almost $14,000 more than last year, during its 30-hour event.
• Univision’s KXTN-FM San Antonio raised nearly $60,000 in its 15th annual “Tejanos for Kids” radiothon, featuring local artists who shared their personal experiences.

KNXV-TV Phoenix Collects Bikes for Kids in Foster Care

E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate KNXV-TV teamed up with Earnhardt Auto Centers throughout the month of September for the “Recycle Your Bicycle” campaign, which renovates used bikes to donate them, like-new, to Arizona foster children. During a phone bank held September 26, they collected $22,355 for bike supplies like tubes, tires, new seats and cleaning supplies.