Local Stations #BroadcastGood

Every day of the year, broadcasters play a unique and critical
role in their communities and nationwide.
Read stories on the many ways local stations #BroadcastGood below and see more stories on:

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WSLS Supports Roanoke Community

Graham Media Group’s WSLS Roanoke, Va., has supported the community in many ways in 2020. Some of their initiatives include:

• Clear the Shelters: An NBC initiative and partnership with multiple area animal shelters to help animals get adopted.

• Polar Plunge: A partnership with Special Olympics in Southwest Virginia during one of their major fundraisers, which raised $8,500.

• Home for Good: A partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build a home for a family.

• Find Your Money: In July, WSLS helped viewers claim $169,000 in unclaimed property.

• 30 Days of Hope: An initiative highlighting foster children available for adoption.

@WSLS

KSL-TV | Bonneville International

A Healthy Mind Campaign

Most people understand the importance of a healthy diet, exercise and physical check-ups. However, KSL Bonneville Salt Lake believe minds deserve the same care and attention, especially since Utahns are experiencing an epidemic of mental illness, depression, suicide and opioid misuse. That’s why KSL and Bonneville Salt Lake stations joined the state of Utah, Intermountain Healthcare and several other community partners to help bring viewers and listeners the information and resources they need to fight these very real but solvable problems. KSL devoted 1,830 minutes of airtime, along with over 1,050 minutes of promotional time, at a value of $450,000 for the A Healthy Mind Matters campaign, thereby taking positive action to help make certain these issues don’t devastate the lives of local families, friends and loved ones.

@KSLcom

KETV | Hearst

Providing a Lifeline During and After Flooding

In March 2019, KETV, Omaha, aired lifesaving coverage of historic flooding and worked with first responders on evacuations. Its Dual-Pol Super Doppler was the only live Doppler in the region after the National Weather Service’s equipment was damaged. KETV also used new technology. TVU units provided footage on the ground and a drone captured aerial views when roads became too dangerous. As damage spread, KETV warned viewers against scams, provided information on free water tests, and held local government accountable. Stories helped mobile homeowners get rent relief for periods they could not access their homes.

Following the flood, KETV partnered with the Red Cross and The Salvation Army on two telethons, raising a total of $168,000. A statewide telethon, #NebraskaStrong, hosted by the Nebraska Broadcasters Association, the Nebraska Governor’s Office and the Red Cross raised $442,000 in 18 hours.

In 2020, roads remain closed, and farmlands retain flood water. KETV continues to cover the aftermath, including FEMA meetings about changes to the local landscape that wiped out entire communities. They also air positive stories of families finally getting back into their homes. KETV has dedicated $5 million worth of airtime to flood coverage, exemplifying their dedication to serving Omaha.

@KETV

WFIE-TV | Gray Television

Sunrise School Spirit Challenge

For over five years, WFIE-TV has joined the Sunrise School Spirit challenge to collect goods for the Tri-State Food Bank. The efforts of high school students have resulted in 605,970 meals -- 721,166 pounds of food. WFIE-TV’s 14 News joins the school-wide pep rally to celebrate the students' hard work. The kids compete with other schools to collect the most food, the total weight of the food and the most creative donation display. In 2019 alone, the students in nine high schools raised 225,106 pounds of food, equaling 187,588 meals’ worth, totaling $364,672.

The partnership with the Tri-State Food Bank has helped to provide food across portions of three states and 33 counties, flowing even beyond the stations’ 21 county viewing area. The station works with school districts, public, private and parochial schools, with a portion of the proceeds staying in each school’s neighborhood.

@14News

WTSP-TV | TEGNA

Fighting for Firefighters' Health Benefits

Firefighters in Florida have been fighting for health care benefits since 2003. As the most recent bill stalled in the House of Representatives in March, WTSP-TV increased its reporting and coverage on the issue. As a result, legislative support increased and within a month, the bill doubled the number of cosponsors. The bill was heard and passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate and became a law in July 2019. Within a few weeks, the first lawsuit was filed when a firefighter was denied benefits. The court ruled in the firefighters’ favor.

WTSP-TV’s team spent over 100 off-air hours making calls, writing emails and speaking to sources to help the firefighters. Throughout the year, WTSP-TV continued reporting on an issue that has changed the lives of these first responders across the state.

@10TampaBay

WRAL-FM | Capitol Broadcasting Company

25 Years of Radiothon for Duke's Children

Over the past 25 years, WRAL-FM MIX 101.5’s radiothon raised over $19,000,000 for the kids and has now become the single largest fundraiser for Duke Children’s. This year, the MIX 101.5 Radiothon continues to build off that 25-year tradition for a two-day, 26 hours broadcasted event that raised over $600,000. The money goes towards anything from research that directly benefits these kids down to buying paints, colored pencils, or crayons so they can do art therapy while in the hospital. Each year MIX joins forces with different local businesses creating “magic hours” to double listeners’ donations. For the second year, we incorporated a “text to donate” feature allowing another way for listeners to donate. This excellent community service initiative is something the hospital relies on year after year and proves the power in radio and giving back.

@WRAL

WLFZ, WDBR and WTAX | Saga Communications

Annual Radiothon to Help Critically Sick Children

In 2019, WLFZ, WDBR and WTAX teamed up for the annual radiothon to raise money for St. John’s Children’s Hospital and the Children’s Miracle Network in Springfield, Ill. This annual Radiothon provides funds to help buy specific items that the NICU and PICU need at the hospital. St. John’s Children’s Hospital cares for critically sick children, as well as babies that are born very prematurely, and this fundraiser has proven to be a huge help. With over $1.5 million raised in the past 13 years, WLFZ, WDBR and WTAX understand sharing stories about the community and giving back to those in need.

@1037WDBR

Beasley Media Group

Eighth Annual Secret Santa Event

On December 5, 2019, Beasley Media Group’s KISS 95.1 WNKS, Power 98, WPEG, Country 1037 WSOC, V 101.9 WBAV and K 104.7, WKQC hosted the eighth annual Secret Santa event to raise money for the local kids at Levine Children’s Hospital. This initiative is an all team effort to tell the stories of families and children who rely on Levine Children’s hospital for care and health needs. The purpose of this annual event was to collect donations and generate awareness in their community and to raise money for this local hospital that helps so many children and their families throughout the year. The stations’ dedicated live broadcast for Secret Santa day helped make the holidays brighter for so many children who had to stay in the hospital during December. From July 2019-December 5, 2019, they ran over 200 recorded promos and 340 live liners combined on all of their stations to promote Secret Santa. This airtime value exceeded over $250,000. The funds raised help purchase necessary hospital equipment to care for the children with life-threatening illnesses and maintain resources for the families such as laundry services, provide comfortable beds. Donations also take care of the expenses that the families have incurred while their children are getting the most incredible attention at the hospital. The Charlotte Beasley Media Group family is an integral part of playing “Santa” by having the opportunity to deliver the toys and gifts to all of the children staying in the hospital for the holidays.

@BeasleyMedia

WAVE | Gray Television

Putting More Books in the Hands of Children

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library of Louisville was founded in 2016 through a partnership between the Junior League of Louisville, WAVE 3 News and the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation. Its mission is to put more books in the hands of Jefferson County children in an effort to foster a child’s love of reading and to prepare them for kindergarten. Improving early education in the community will contribute to the lifelong success of Jefferson County children. Through this initiative, $181,916 worth of books have been collected to benefit the 1,686 children enrolled in the program.

@wave3news

KSFI-FM | Bonneville International

Think Pink Kick Cancer

In the summer of 2019, Utah had one of the lowest mammogram rates in the country, with a high percentage of an advanced breast cancer diagnosis. After receiving this news, KSFI knew it was time to step in and go beyond the traditional awareness campaign. This initiative was even more critical to the KSFI family when a mammogram showed KSFI-FM’s on-air personality Rebecca Cressman had stage 2b breast cancer. Rebecca’s diagnosis led KSFI-FM to partner with the Utah cancer control program and advertising clients to develop and deliver an on-air and on-site breast cancer screening campaign that would run August through October. Throughout the campaign, KSFI aired daily on-air mammogram education messages for a total of 868 minutes, and the spots were written and voiced by Rebecca and valued at over $75,000. From diagnosis through chemotherapy, Rebecca continues to share her experiences with bravery with support from KSFI and listening #TeamRebbeca allies.

@fm1003

Nexstar Media Group

BorderReport.com: Untold Stories from the U.S.-Mexican Border

In 2019, several Nexstar TV stations including KTSM El Paso, KVEO Brownsville, KXAN Austin, KRQE Albuquerque and KSWB San Diego launched BorderReport.com, a one-of-a-kind website with a mission to provide real-time delivery of untold local stories about people living, working and migrating along the U.S.-Mexico border. The reporting for the site ranges from daily reporting on border wall construction and immigration issues to larger stories about crime, economy and culture in border communities. BorderReport.com consistently breaks exclusive stories, such as court battles over the border wall or policy changes affecting asylum-seekers.

In the fall of 2019, a team of BorderReport.com journalists embarked on a technologically innovative, 10-day reporting tour of the U.S.-Mexico border, starting at the Pacific Coast and ending at the Gulf of Mexico, allowing audiences to see the journalists’ live reporting as they drove along the border. In all, the tour produced 10 hours of livestreaming and 140 television live shots. Nearly 2 million people watched the live reporting on Facebook. The team also produced a 30-minute television program about the journey, making for a total of 20 hours of airtime at a value of $504,000. The tour enlightened Americans and furthered BorderReport.com’s mission to find untold local stories about the U.S.-Mexico border.

@BorderReportcom

WVLT | Gray Television

Forget Me Not 5K

WVLT has been involved in the Forget Me Not 5K for the past five years through its partnership with University of Tennessee (UT) Athletics. The yearly race raises money for Alzheimer's care and research through The Pat Summit Foundation, which was created by the late UT head coach Pat Summit. In 2019, WVLT increased its support with a promotional campaign and extensive news coverage to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease, explain local care options, and encourage viewers to get involved. Twenty-five WVLT employees participated in the race as runners and as volunteers. WVLT journalists reported live before the race and produced a news story that ran later that night. WVLT also created two spots that explained the event, its mission, and its importance to East Tennessee. Over 650 people participated in the race, which raised a record $28,000 for The Pat Summit Foundation.

@WVLT

KAIT-TV | Gray Television

Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon

KAIT-TV’s small town community is home to one of the largest fundraisers in the nation for Make-A-Wish. It's made possible by hundreds of tireless volunteers holding buckets on the sides of streets, collecting a few dollars at a time. One day out of the year in the middle of February, KAIT and the Jonesboro Radio Group host the Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon. The money raised grants the wishes of children in their community.

The wish kids become a big part of the fundraising efforts. They become local celebrities, and people rally behind them. As the big day comes to a close, volunteers hurry back with their totals to announce them live on KAIT. In 2019, the station raised over $408,000 – enough to grant over 40 wishes. The station has seen numerous wishes granted in the 22 years since the Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon began. They never cease to inspire.

@Region8News

WMIT | Billy Graham Evangelistic Association

Hope to the Hungry Campaign

Thanks to the listeners of WMIT-FM, a one-day fundraiser in December 2019 pledged to provide 70,652 meals to residents of rescue missions through the station’s second annual “Hope to the Hungry” campaign. The Light FM partnered with eight local rescue missions raising $140,789 to feed those in need during the Christmas season. This campaign not only raised awareness about the ongoing fundraiser but also highlighted the hunger crisis in the listening area, further connecting our listeners to the need. This fundraiser is a proven example that sharing the stories within your community leads to helping those in need and bringing the community together.

@The_LightFM

Cox Media Group Miami

One Purpose One Goal Serving Humanity

At Cox Media Group Miami, it is an understanding that there is a power in teamwork to provide the best community service and make a significant impact on the city’s communities. In 2019, the four-station brands came together to not only identify causes and issues close to listeners’ hearts. Still, they were determined to identify ways in which these stations could address community needs. From bringing awareness to the human trafficking epidemic to beach cleanup and conservation efforts to highlighting amazing women in the community, these four stations, WHQT, WEDR, WFLC and WFEZ, came together to help the needs of their local communities. When it comes to serving the community, these stations understand that actions speak louder than words and the only thing louder than music is the passion this team has for serving south Florida.

@COXMG

WCTE (PBS) and WHUB | Cookeville Communications

A Partnership Between Local Radio and Local Public TV

WCTE and WHUB understand that working together strengthens a community and ensures that listeners are informed and engaged. Over the last five years, WCTE PBS has partners with WHUB News to think outside the box for ways that both stations could expand and inform their respective audiences. Through the show “WCTE PBS: On the Radio,” host Becky Magura interviews local leaders, non-profits and highlights local events that take place around the upper Cumberland portion of Middle Tennessee. This show is followed by Get Ready to Learn with host Cindy Putnam to showcase WCTE’s education work, PBS Kids programs, and provide opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. Because of this show partnership, these stations have been able to broadcast information vital to these local communities. More recently, during an F4 tornado, the radio stations were able to share widespread information on where to go for shelter, food and clothing donations and share with the public a forum to share their grief and how to give counseling to their children and families that were affected. WCTE and WHUB working together have strengthened and kept this community informed and engaged. WHUB and WCTE partnerships are all about service to the community. WHUB’s motto is “Where Community Always Comes First!”

@NewstalkTheHub

WVNS-TV | Nexstar Media Group

Covering the 24th Annual World Scout Jamboree; Fill-the-Boot-for-Food Drive

In July 2019, WVNS-TV began a monumental undertaking, after months of planning. Scouts from across the globe converged on the Summit Bechtel National Scout Reserve for the 24th Annual World Scout Jamboree. More than 50,000 scouts gathered at the site, and WVNS-TV was the only television station allowed unrestricted access during the entire event. The Summit and Boy Scouts of America agreed to allow WVNS-TV an embedded spot among the chaos and energy of the Jamboree. In the years leading up to the World Scout Jamboree, the Summit Bechtel Reserve had gained a notorious reputation. The site was secluded, unwelcoming to locals and generally regarded as a waste of land. The station’s coverage of the event changed the community’s perception of the reserve. Its reporting focused on how the reserve contributes millions of dollars to the local economy and the positive impact the World Jamboree had on local business. For a total of 13 hours, the station told stories not just about the reserve, but about the scouts of 152 nations coming together, putting their differences aside and simply being scouts.

During WVNS-TV’s Fill-the-Boot-for-Food Drive, the majority of its staff put their efforts toward feeding our neighbors by raising money for the United Way of Southern West Virginia and the Greenbrier Valley. They braved the heat to collect money and make sure food pantries across our region were stocked. Three teams of on-air talent, sales executives, managers, and photojournalists were stationed at major intersections. With the help of law enforcement and first responders, those teams collected the loose changes and stray dollars that would come together to raise $21,647; all of that money bought the canned goods and supplies necessary to help those in need.

@WVNS59News

KARE | TEGNA

"LOVE THEM FIRST: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary"

Lucy Laney Elementary resides in north Minneapolis and is on the list of the state’s failing schools. Ninety percent of its students live at or below the poverty line and 90% are students of color. Yet, under the leadership of Principal Mauri Frestleben, the school saw gains on the state’s standardized test scores. KARE 11 reporter Lindsey Seavert and photojournalist Ben Garvin embedded into Lucy Laney Elementary for one year, examining the institution of public education and its racial inequities from the inside out. This unprecedented access granted a look into the world that most never see. After delivering over 11 individual news stories in one year, KARE 11 spearheaded the creation of a full-length feature documentary, “LOVE THEM FIRST: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary” was created in hopes to help revolutionize education for children of color, which focused on the achievement gap story.

@kare11

WLBT-TV | Gray Television

Providing Critical Safety Information

WLBT provided critical safety information as the historic Pearl River Flood devastated Jackson, Miss., in February 2020. The area received 10–12 inches of rain in three days and more than 20 inches in the first six weeks of 2020 – more than half of a typical year’s total. The flood displaced hundreds of families and forced emergency personnel to work around the clock for two weeks. WLBT interrupted programming to provide river crest information in real time, carried live news conferences multiple times daily and pushed life-saving emergency news alerts to cell phones. The station broadcast live on location during curfews, as neighborhoods became dark, cold, wet and dangerous. News crew had shots fired at them while telling the stories of displaced residents.

@WLBT

WJRT-TV | Gray Television

School Spirit Campaign

WJRT launched its School Spirit campaign in 2008, with live shots at local schools during the Friday morning newscasts. Soon after, WJRT began a partnership with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. In the weeks and months leading up to WJRT’s visit, the schools raise money and donations for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. At the end of the year, the school with the most donations wins the coveted School Spirit Cup. WJRT’s School Spirit program has helped contribute more than 6 million pounds of food to people in our communities. It also inspires kids to become engaged in their community and give back to their neighbors. In many cases, the kids involved in School Spirit use the Food Bank services.

@ABC12WJRT

WSBT | Sinclair Broadcast Group

I Love to Read Challenge and Operation Education

WSBT created the “I Love to Read Challenge” over 30 years ago. Each February, they partner with local schools to get children excited about reading through competitions and challenges. WSBT anchors read at a school each weekday that month and tape the visits to air during newscasts. Teachers receive information daily from WSBT to encourage them throughout the competition. In total, WSBT and partners have donated over $225,000 to the program and have encouraged kids in 168 classrooms to read 3 million minutes.

WSBT launched Operation Education in 2019. The station devotes more than 40 hours each week to researching and investigating stories about education and produces at least two relevant stories each week for the 6 p.m. newscasts. Topics include student homelessness, length of lunch hours, active shooter training and innovative teaching techniques.

@WSBT

WKXC | Beasley Broadcast Group

Guitar Pull

WKXC provides the largest single donation of the year to the United Way of the CSRA generated from the KICKS 99 Guitar Pull. November 2019 marked KICKS 99 Guitar Pull’s 22nd year featuring six of Nashville artists on stage together for an intimate, acoustic show. In the past, the event included Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts and so many more. This event sells out 6,000 seats in minutes each year. In the coming years, WKXC will continue to serve its community in any way possible, including the KICKS 99 Guitar Pull concert. The event includes having ticket giveaways through the community. The whole community comes together around this event to provide the largest single donation to the United Way every year. The United Way of Augusta uses these funds during the holidays and throughout the year to create change and transform lives throughout the community.

@KICKS99

Salem Media Group

The Gift of Giving

For many, Christmas is a time of year when families reunite, people set aside differences and children dream of what lies under the tree on Christmas morning. Sadly, for many Atlanta area residents, Christmas is a difficult time of year when families and WFSH-FM wanted to create a community project that would help individuals feel the holiday cheer and help listeners give back to their community. Starting in 2006, the Christmas Wish aims to empower listeners and local businesses to experience the gift of giving through personal connections. Listeners are encouraged to submit a story of a friend, family member, co-worker, or anyone they know that needs help during the holiday season. Through this grant wish program, individuals can provide support to local community members and ensure that everyone has a holiday season to remember with a little more cheer. Most recently, in 2019, 104.7 The Fish executed 38 events in 22 days and acted as a catalyst to empower listeners, clients and the Atlanta community to raise over $500,000 in services, gifts and funds to support over 750 Atlanta families.

@SalemMediaGrp

WCVB | Hearst Television

Using the Power of Television to Enrich the Community

During the year, WCVB used the power of television to advance many causes to enrich the community. WCVB opened doors to its 2,000 square foot production studio to use as a meeting space for community nonprofits for a series of awareness and fundraising broadcasts. In partnership with Home Base, WCVB broadcasted the “Helping Veterans Heal" televent on Veterans Day. The event raised $375,000 and connected veterans with critical services. The "Fighting Hunger" televent aired during September’s Hunger Action Month and put the spotlight on food insecurity, faced by one in 10 viewers. Over $325,000 was raised with the help of the Greater Boston Food Bank. WCVB's day-long focus on "Financial Literacy and Guidance" provided help for people having trouble making ends meet in a state known for its high cost of living. Over 400 viewers received information from financial coaches dealing with credit score, bill collectors and more. Finally, WCVB’s annual blood drive, coordinated with the American Red Cross of Massachusetts, collected 61 units of life-saving plasma.

@WCVB

KSL-TV | Bonneville International

Utah Gives Back

In 2019, KSL held the fifth annual Utah Gives Back campaign, which is something everyone here at the station is incredibly proud to produce! Utah Gives Back spotlights a different charity, organization, or individual who is making a difference every weekday to give listeners an inspiring story and showcase Utahns making positive change in the community. Along with the radio campaign, there is a day of service where the KSL staff and listeners get together to do an ambitious service project to help the community. In 2019, we painted the downtown Rescue Mission, fed the homeless, planted hundreds of trees, went Christmas shopping with hundreds of low-income kids, and more. With over five years of this campaign, KSL has highlighted more than 250 organizations that are giving back and making a difference in the community. Utah Gives Back has become an integral part of carrying out our stations’ mission to provide leadership that builds up, connects, informs and celebrates Utah’s communities and families.

@KSLcom

WCTV-TV | Gray Television

Kindness Day

WCTV Kindness Day is a station-wide endeavor, four years in the making. It’s an annual project, that connects our viewers with our neighbors in need. Its success is based on the principles that WCTV’s staff is our most important resource. The true magic of Kindness Day started at 5 a.m. on December 5 when the morning anchor team tossed to the late evening team, staffing the live remote and initiating the collections. Live shot after live shot, our viewers got to experience the entire WCTV family throughout the news broadcasts, the scheduled cut-ins, and additional live cut-ins airing in place of commercial inventory. Viewers donated 3,888 pounds of food. Throughout the day, viewers also dropped bags upon bags of groceries, which filled huge boxes, and in turn, a big truck. The team helped collect 78 bikes donated by viewers. Viewers also donated enough toys to fill 12 collections boxes.

@WCTV

KTRE-TV and KLTV-TV | Gray Television

Project Tornado

For over 30 years, KLTV's Chief Meteorologist Mark Scirto has educated students in East Texas on severe weather and tornado safety through a unique experience called Project Tornado. During the months of March and April (severe weather season for East Texas), Mark visits a variety of local schools to make his safety presentation. The students learn about disaster preparedness, tornado safe spaces, what to do if they live in a mobile home, the difference between various warnings/watches. and so much more. The station has seen this knowledge come full-circle when adults who experienced Project Tornado as a child tell us about a time they used the knowledge they learned in a time of tragedy.

With the launch of East Texas Now (a new digital news streaming service KLTV provides its viewers), the station was able to include any classroom that wanted to be a part of the Project Tornado experience. Along with Mark's regular classroom visits in 2019, the station was able to include thousands of students from around East Texas through its digital stream. This streaming event provided one of the most successful days for East Texas Now in 2019, bringing in 28 different schools and streaming on over 12,000 digital devices.

@KLTV7

Local Stations #BroadcastGood

Every day of the year, broadcasters play a unique and critical role in their communities and nationwide.Read stories on the many ways local stations #BroadcastGood below and see more stories on: Twitter » Facebook » Instagram »

WSLS Supports Roanoke Community

A Healthy Mind Campaign

Providing a Lifeline During and After Flooding

Sunrise School Spirit Challenge

Fighting for Firefighters' Health Benefits

25 Years of Radiothon for Duke's Children

Annual Radiothon to Help Critically Sick Children

Eighth Annual Secret Santa Event

Putting More Books in the Hands of Children

Think Pink Kick Cancer

BorderReport.com: Untold Stories from the U.S.-Mexican Border

Forget Me Not 5K

Have-A-Heart Wish-A-Thon

Hope to the Hungry Campaign

One Purpose One Goal Serving Humanity

A Partnership Between Local Radio and Local Public TV

Covering the 24th Annual World Scout Jamboree; Fill-the-Boot-for-Food Drive

"LOVE THEM FIRST: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary"

Providing Critical Safety Information

School Spirit Campaign

I Love to Read Challenge and Operation Education

Guitar Pull

The Gift of Giving

Using the Power of Television to Enrich the Community

Utah Gives Back

Kindness Day

Project Tornado

Every day of the year, broadcasters play a unique and critical
role in their communities and nationwide.
Read stories on the many ways local stations #BroadcastGood below and see more stories on:

Twitter » Facebook » Instagram »