WBAL’s Tackles Race and Equity
Date Posted: 3/18/2021
WBAL, Hearst’s NBC affiliate in Baltimore, streamed a 90-minute special addressing race and equity hosted by Soledad O’Brien on March 18. The special, "To Be An American: Identity, Race And Justice" features a wide array of thought leaders from across the nation. The diverse lineup of guests, from academia, literature and entertainment, shared personal stories, essays and insights to bring greater understanding to the complex topic of race, identity and belonging in the United States.
The program was produced as a part of "Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien."
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Hubbard Radio Group’s WTOP-FM booked hotel rooms for staff to ensure that the all-news station could provide important public safety, weather and traffic information. News Director Julia Ziegler said, "We see ourselves as a lifeline in emergency situations like this historic snowstorm... We become a megaphone for public officials to share life-saving information on every platform we operate: radio, web and social media. In addition, we make ourselves available to our audience via email and phone to answer people’s most important questions and sometimes just be an ear to listen. We take this responsibility seriously."
In addition to providing round-the-clock coverage, Tegna’s CBS affiliate WUSA crews helped Montgomery County, Md., residents dig out from under the snow. Watch 
Baltimore Sun Reporter David Zurawik 
Fox-owned WTTG-TV Washington, D.C.’s "Season of Wishes" highlighted local kids in the Make-A-Wish program. Eden, a five-year-old cancer survivor, took a limo ride to the studio on December 15, where she and her sister were dressed like princesses and her brother like a prince. Then, the limo took them to the Washington Ballet, the White House, the Hyatt Regency for a fairytale lunch, and the Smithsonian Castle to meet Rapunzel. WTTG broadcast the culmination of Eden’s day live at 5 p.m. She walked down a red carpet to receive her ultimate wish: a ride on a unicorn. Watch 
E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore collected 85,000 toys in the 17th annual "ABC2 It’s Kindertime Toy Drive," held November 26-December 21. In total, WMAR has helped distribute more than 800,000 toys to the children of fallen officers and firefighters. Photojournalist Pete O’Neal started the toy drive to thank the police officers and firefighters who worked to solve his mother’s murder. 
Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore’s "STEM Station" campaign culminated in the first statewide STEM Festival, held November 6-15. More than 100,000 students attended the event, which included labs, robotics and other activities revolving around STEM (science, technology, engineering, math.) The "STEM Station" campaign, launched Feb. 25 by meteorologist Ava Marie, featured weekly stories, 250 activities across Maryland and a 
Sinclair’s ABC affiliate WJLA-TV Washington, D.C., aired a segment on November 30 about a mother and her eight children living in a car. Investigative reporter Jennifer Donelan found Maria Herrera and the kids, who range in age from one-year-old twins to 15. After Herrera’s alleged abuser kicked them out of their apartment, five different organizations turned them away because of the family’s size. After the story aired, D.C.’s Department of Human Services placed them in temporary housing until something permanent is found. (Watch 
E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore regularly investigates issues at local schools, including problems with mold and air conditioning units. WMAR posts stories online under "
Delmarva Broadcasting’s "2015 Help Our Kids Radiothon" on September 9-10 
During a particularly busy evening for Washington, DC area police, WTOP Director of Traffic and Weather Operations Jim Battagliese headed to the heart of the city to report on the subsequent traffic jams. Upon surveying the tie-ups, Battagliese began assisting the police with directing traffic. A letter of recommendation from the police states, “Without being asked, and with no personal gain, Mr. Battagliese sacrificed his time to support the mission of the U.S. Park Police in a time of need.”
Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore hosted Dr. Oz’s “The Good Life” presentation on August 29 at a local mall. The presentation provided information on how Americans can achieve long term positive health results. Dr. Oz acknowledged that it’s easy to eat fast food, ignore symptoms or self-medicate, but these actions are not best for the body. He also talked about healthy school lunches and snacks at a Back to School event. Click 
Nearly 18,000 people gathered at Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park on July 25 to attend an eight-hour gospel concert put on by Radio One’s new Gospel station Praise 106.1 (W291BA/WLIF-HD2). Along with the music, by over a dozen artists, the event featured station personalities and local politicians, all pushing for peace in the streets of Baltimore. "I believe this event was a catalyst for change. When 18,000 people can gather peacefully for the purpose of prayer, praise, empowerment, and fun then I know Baltimore is on its way to healing," said Howard Mazer, Radio One Baltimore GM/VP.
E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore earned two Associated Press (AP) Awards. The "Outstanding Spot News Reporting" award recognized WMAR’s "
Hearst Television’s WBAL-AM Baltimore’s "Kid’s Campaign" helped send 400 second, third and fourth grade kids to the local Super Kids Camp to help them escape the turmoil in Baltimore after recent 
CBS Radio’s WIAD-FM Washington, D.C. partnered with Wreaths Across America to cover “Section 60” and other portions of the Arlington National Cemetery with a holiday wreath for each grave. “Section 60” is the final resting place for many Iraq and Afghanistan service members. When WIAD-FM announced that Wreaths Across America was more than 35,000 wreaths short of their goal, hundreds of citizens of D.C. helped fill the gap within three days. The wreaths are all handmade locally through the help of many volunteers.
Delmarva Broadcasting’s WDEL-AM Wilmington, Del., Feed a Friend Food Drive raised nearly $12,000. The event benefitted the Newark Area Welfare Committee, the Sunday Breakfast Mission, the Emanuel Dining Room, YWCA Delaware and the St. Paul’s Church Outreach Center. For each pledge of $11.50, a case of food was donated to those in need.
Cumulus Media’s WMAL-AM Washington, D.C. raised a record $350,000 to benefit Fisher House during its two-day radiothon. Over the last 11 years, WMAL-AM has raised more than $4.5 million to support the families of local veterans who are recovering from illness and injury. Fisher House has more than 50 group homes across America that provide a comfortable place for families to live while staying close to their recovering veterans.
E.W. Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR Baltimore collected 50,000 toys in the annual ABC2 It’s Kindertime Toy Drive. This year’s drive benefited needy families and kids of fallen firefighters and police officers. WMAR has helped distribute more than 400,000 toys in 16 years.
Cumulus Media’s WMAL-AM Washington D.C. collected a record amount of $350,000 during the station’s annual Radiothon. The two-day event benefited the Fisher House. Over the past 11 years, WMAL listeners have donated more than $4.5 million for the charity. Fisher House supports wounded warriors and their families. There are more than 50 locations across the country that provide these heroes’ families with housing as their loved ones recover.
Scripps Television’s ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore’s "In Focus" news program, which provides in-depth reporting and investigations, aired multiple reports highlighting veterans’ health care issues. As of last April, Baltimore’s VA Maryland Health Care System ranked in the top five longest average wait times for veterans new to the system who tried to get a primary care appointment. WMAR-TV spent six months collecting stories from local veterans and their families. During that period, the VA Chief of Staff addressed the issue twice, stating on Oct. 15 that 13 new doctors were hired to reduce wait times. 
Seventy iHeartMedia radio stations broadcast The Concert for Valor, held on Veterans Day at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. More than 100,000 people attended the free concert to honor the courage and sacrifice of veterans and their families. Performers included Jack Black, The Black Keys, Bryan Cranston, Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J., George Lopez, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and Carrie Underwood.
CBS-owned WJZ-TV Baltimore recently announced it will partner with The Baltimore Sun to co-host a gubernatorial debate for Maryland candidates Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown and Larry Hogan on October 7. WJZ-TV will host the hour-long event in their Baltimore studio in the morning, and the taped debate will broadcast on WJZ-TV that night at 7 p.m.
Gannett-owned WUSA-TV Washington recently launched the "Bring Them Home" project, a multiplatform initiative that aims to significantly raise awareness about missing local children. During Thursday newscasts, WUSA-TV airs photos and information about missing kids and provides the number to contact local police. Viewers are encouraged to share the information on social media or retweet WUSA-TV’s related posts. The 
Scripps’ ABC affiliate WMAR-TV Baltimore recently announced the station has launched a new, original news program, "ABC2 In Focus," during its 6 p.m. newscast. The program features original, in-depth community reports from WMAR-TV’s team of investigative journalists and producers. "We’ve noticed a thirst in the market for in-depth stories," said WMAR-TV’s News Director Kelly Groft. "We’ll always cover the news of the day, it’s just now, at 6 p.m., we’ll slow down a bit, dig deeper and ask more questions." "In Focus," promoted as "The Next Level in Local News," intends to ask the hard questions, provide relentless follow-ups and target the issues too often ignored in the Baltimore area and beyond.
affiliate WMDT-TV Salisbury, Md., hosted a primary forum in late May for candidates running in the Maryland gubernatorial race. The one-hour event broadcast live in primetime and simultaneously streamed on the station’s mobile website. WMDT-TV extended an offer to all media outlets to participate. Following the debate, a link was provided for interested viewers to replay the event at their convenience. The station followed the event by running a "Get Out and Vote" PSA, which aired on WMDT-TV and its affiliated stations, leading up to the primary election on June 24. 
Hearst Television’s WBAL-TV Baltimore partnered with Maryland Public Television to air the only televised gubernatorial debates in the market with all of the Republican and Democratic candidates. In addition to airing live on WBAL-TV, the Democratic debate streamed live online and broadcast twice on WBAL-TV’s multicast station. The Republican debate was also broadcast on the digital station. The League of Women Voters participated in the live studio audience for each debate. Questions to the candidates were provided by the debate moderators and individuals in the audience.
Hubbard Radio’s WTOP-FM Washington partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington for "Send a Kid to Camp," a one-day, on-air and online fundraising campaign to help local kids in need attend summer camp. The brief initiative raised more than $25,000, which will allow more than 100 kids to spend a week at YMCA summer camp this year. Click 
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington recently launched a year-long, multi-platform campaign called, "Changing Minds," which focuses on the issues of mental health. WRC’s Assistant News Director Matt Glassman explained the idea for the campaigndeveloped organically among reporters and staff in the newsroom. "Changing Minds" stories run throughout all WRC-TV newscasts and on every platform from on-air and online to social media and the station’s mobile app. Click 
Sinclair Broadcasting’s FOX affiliate WBFF-TV Baltimore hosted a debate for candidates running for Maryland Governor on May 27. The hour-long debate was moderated by WBFF-TV anchor Jennifer Gilbert and broadcast live at 8 p.m. The debate was simulcast on Allbritton’s ABC affiliate WJLA-TV Washington and streamed on WBFF-TV’s website. The gubernatorial candidates have also agreed to participate in a debate on Radio One’s WOLB-AM Baltimore on June 5, which will be moderated by the station’s host Larry Young.
Hubbard’s WTOP-FM Washington sponsored an online contest called "Click for a Cause," in which nonprofit organizations in the D.C. metro area could win money or PSA prizes. Listeners were invited to vote for a week in late April, and the winners received up to $10,000 dollars or $5,000 in PSA donations. WTOP-FM Director of Marketing Mary Kay Lemay told All Access, "’Click for a Cause’ provides an opportunity for all sizes of organizations to fundraise in a fun and easy way, and the social aspect allows for grassroots marketing and exposure. We at WTOP are happy to use our megaphone as a catalyst for helping some great causes." Click 
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington hosted a debate between the Democratic candidates running for Maryland governor on May 7. The debate was held at the University of Maryland, College Park, and was moderated by "Meet the Press" host David Gregory. Nextstar Broadcasting’s NBC affiliate WHAG-TV Hagerstown, Md. also broadcast the debate. A second debate will be co-produced by Hearst Television’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore and Maryland Public Television. The live debate will air on June 2.
Gannett Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WUSA-TV Washington hosted an hour-long, live debate between the candidates running for mayor of the District of Columbia. WUSA-TV’s reporter Bruce Johnson moderated the debate, which included the incumbent Vincent Gray and three of his opponents, Muriel Bowser, Jack Evans and Tommy Wells. The live debate was held less than two weeks before the primary election on April 1. Click 
Howard University’s WHUR-FM Washington broadcast live from the Anthony Bowen YMCA to raise awareness during American Heart Month. The four-hour health fair was held in partnership with the American Heart Association and provided listeners with heart-healthy tips, nutritional facts and fun exercise demonstrations featuring several on-air hosts. Video from the event is available 
CBS Radio’s WWMX-FM Baltimore hosted the 25th annual radiothon to benefit the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center. WWMX-FM broadcast live for the two-day event and featured stories from patients, their families and doctors. The radiothon raised more than $886,000. Video from the event is available 
CBS Radio Washington and Gannett-owned CBS affiliate WUSA-TV Washington partnered with Safeway and the Women Who Care Ministries to collect donations for victims of a local fire that killed a four-year-old boy and displaced 40 others. Click 
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington hosted the 22nd annual NBC4 Health and Fitness Expo in early January. The largest attended consumer wellness exposition in the country brought more than 85,000 attendees to the Washington Convention Center to learn new ways to get in shape, eat healthy and maintain an active lifestyle. WRC-TV staff were on hand to promote the event and participate in demonstrations.
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington held a telethon on November 12 to raise money for typhoon relief in the Philippines. From 11 am to 7 p.m., viewers were encouraged to call in the station’s phone bank and pledge a donation to help the millions who need safe water, food and shelter in the Philippines. The telethon raised $25,000.
Gannett’s CBS affiliate WUSA-TV Washington teamed up with the USO of Metropolitan Washington to host the fourth annual Turkey for Troops campaign to raise money to thank military families during the holiday season. WUSA-TV held a phone bank during the 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. newscasts on Veterans Day. Viewers were invited to call in with donations. In total, more than $100,000 was raised, enough money to buy 2,000 dinners for families of six.
The Howard University Radio Network’s WHUR-FM Washington broadcast the 36th annual Food2Feed radiothon to help feed families in the Washington, DC area. WHUR-FM broadcast live from the Old Post Office Pavilion for 12 hours, encouraging listeners to make monetary donations or drop off non-perishable items. The radiothon raised more than $101,000 and a tractor-trailer filled with canned food and other items. The Capital Area Food Bank and Shabach Ministries Inc. distributed the baskets of food to families in need.
Hearst’s NBC affiliate WBAL-TV Baltimore held a Coats for Kids event to provide new coats to needy children. Twenty Baltimore nonprofits submitted the names of children in the region who needed coats to the station. As part of the broader WBAL Kid Campaign, WBAL-TV raised money from viewers and then negotiated with the local Burlington Coat Factory store to purchase the 840 coats. WBAL-TV’s staff filled their orders, and then hosted an event to give away the new coats to the children.
Gannett Broadcasting’s CBS affiliate WUSA-TV Washington, D.C., partnered with FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) for its 20th "Buddy Check 9" breast cancer awareness program. WUSA-TV aired stories about local men and women who are at risk for the cancer and hosted an advanced film screening of Decoding Annie Parker, a true story about a woman who battled breast cancer, and her doctor, whose research lead to the discovery of the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. The sold-out screening netted $60,000 for FORCE.
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington partnered with the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce to host a debate between Virginia’s gubernatorial candidates, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and businessman Terry McAuliffe. The debate was moderated by NBC News’ National Political Director Chuck Todd and aired at 7 p.m. on September 25.
CBS Radio’s WPGC-FM Washington, D.C., stepped up in a big way when a record summer heat wave and a water main repair left many area residents in Prince George’s County in need of drinking water. WPGC-FM donated truckloads of bottled water to those in need. The station set up three distribution points and invited listeners to come and receive a free gallon of water. Senior citizens were served first, followed by the members of the general public. Photos from the event are available 
CBS Radio-owned WWMX-FM Baltimore’s new morning show featuring Maria Dennis, Reagan Warfield and Jon Boesche raised $871,630 during the station’s annual radiothon to benefit the young patients and their families at Hopkins Children’s hospital. The 2013 total was $4,000 more than last year. WWMX-FM has hosted the annual radiothon for over two decades. During those years, the station has raised more than $15 million for Hopkins Children’s Hospital.
Hearst-owned WBAL-FM, WBAL-AM and WBAL-TV Baltimore, Md., recently joined forces to host the 15th Annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge at Sandy Point State Park. The event challenged participants to collect pledges from their families and friends for plunging into Sandy Point’s icy waters. The Plunge raised an estimated $3 million for Special Olympics Maryland. All event proceeds support intellectually challenged athletes who participate in the Special Olympics across the state.
Fox Television’s WTTG-TV Washington, D.C., held its 11th annual "Stuff-a-Truck" food drive in partnership with Giant Food and CBS Radio stations. WTTG-TV broadcast live from Giant Food locations around D.C. to encourage donations. In 2011,"Stuff-A-Truck" generated over 62,000 pounds of food and almost $128,000 in donations for the Capital Area Food Bank.
Fox Television-owned WTTG-TV Washington broadcast wall-to-wall hurricane coverage on Monday beginning at 4 a.m. and into Tuesday. Crews were stationed in several low lying areas including Annapolis and Alexandria, and throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
Scripps’ WMAR-TV Baltimore hosted its annual Kindertime Toy Drive for Maryland families and the children of fallen firefighters and police officers. The drive has helped distribute more than 400,000 toys during its long history. The station encouraged listeners to bring new, unwrapped toys to one of several donation locations. On December 20, a caravan of emergency vehicles picked up the toys and distributed them throughout the community.
Gannett Broadcasting-owned WUSA-TV Washington, DC aired a live broadcast of a 30-minute debate between Rep. Roscoe G. Bartlett and challenger John Delaney to reach voters in Maryland’s 6th District. The discussion covered controversial issues including gay marriage, the federal government’s role in improving the economy and an upcoming ballot question that would allow some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition at Maryland schools.
NBC-owned WRC-TV Washington provided local storm coverage from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday before airing the first half hour of Today. WRC-TV returned to local coverage at 7:30 a.m. and remained on air through the late evening. Several of WRC-TV’s reporters broadcast live from nearby Delaware beaches, including reporter Wendy Rieger. Click 
Independently-owned WBOC-TV Salisbury, Maryland’s vice president and general manager, Craig Jahelka, told 
Hearst-owned WBAL-TV Baltimore provided live coverage of the storm from the streets of Ocean City, Maryland on Monday night. During the live coverage, WBAL-TV reporter Lowell Melser and photographer Mac Finney were nearly hit by a piece of metal swept up by the strong winds. Despite the traumatic experience, Melser continued reporting live, while his co-anchor in the WBAL-TV studio, Deb Weiner, used the incident to remind viewers that the storm was very volatile and could instantly create strong winds. The station had prepared reporters with cash in case ATMs stopped, booked hotel rooms with generators for news personnel and gave satellite truck operators ropes to tie down their dishes. "Everybody left home on Saturday prepared to be gone for five to seven days," WBAL’s Michele Butt told 
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment’s Baltimore/Washington D.C. cluster was busy during Hurricane Sandy. As operating manager Meg Stevens told 
Gannett’s WUSA-TV provided wall-to-wall storm coverage and served as a huge support for a local family after their power went off during the hurricane. A viewer in Clifton, VA, whose husband Steve has ALS, wrote to WUSA-TV to ask for help. The power had gone off, and Steve, who, relies on a ventilator to breathe, was at great risk with only limited generator power. WUSA-TV went to the viewer’s home and helped them contact the local power company. With WUSA-TV’s support, the power was quickly turned on. Click 
Allbritton’s WJLA-TV Washington utilized its joint news operation, NewsChannel 8, the regional cable news channel, to provide 24-hour coverage of Hurricane Sandy. On WJLA-TV, the station provided weather cut-ins every half hour, extended the midday news to an hour and aired a special afternoon newscast. Extensive storm coverage was also available on WJLA-TV’s website.
Hubbard’s WTOP-FM Washington was a key source of information before Sandy even came ashore. On Sunday before the storm, WTOP.com had over two million page views by 280,000 unique users looking for storm coverage. During the hurricane, on Monday, that number jumped to nearly three million page views from 335,000 unique users.
NAB Crystal Award finalists and NAB’s Public Service division joined Operation Interdependence for a packing party at NAB Show last month. The event was a great success, with numerous broadcasters, exhibitors and conference attendees assembling more than 500 civilian rations for service members stationed overseas. The Crystal Award finalists collected hundreds of t-shirts, candy, sports equipment, personalized cards of encouragement and other items for the packing party. Six service members based at nearby Nellis Air Force Base assisted in the packaging of individual rations. All participants were invited to sign a banner thanking America’s military men and women for their service to our country.
Brechner’s WMDT-TV Keeps Salisbury, Md., Residents Warm this Winter 
