WABC Radio Gala Recognizes 25th Anniversary of 9/11
By Robert Pearl
WABC Radio brought together broadcasting legends, entertainers, civic leaders and political figures Friday night at Cipriani 42nd Street for its 9/11 & Freedom 250 Gala, commemorating 25 years since the September 11 attacks while also recognizing America’s 250th anniversary.
Prior to the program, was a live broadcast from Cipriani’s as the room filled with guests. John Catsimatidis, owner/operator of WABC and Red Apple Media, co-hosted with veteran broadcaster Rita Cosby and former Gov. David Paterson, welcoming a stream of high-profile guests.
As attendees entered the landmark venue, the evening quickly became a reunion of New York radio, entertainment, public figures and political candidates, blending remembrance, patriotism and live performance. Among those in attendance were many notables including former Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, WOR talk host Mark Simone, and WABC personalities Dominic Carter, Lionel, Joe Concha, Dr. Marc Siegel, Dick Morris, Michael Cohen and Walter Sterling. (Pictured above from l-r are: Simone, Lionel, and Sterling.)
John and Margo Catsimatidis took the stage during the program, joined by Red Apple Media president Chad Lopez, hosting an evening benefiting Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Police Athletic League and the George Pataki Foundation.
Former New York Governor George Pataki, honored for his leadership following the September 11 attacks, received the “Leadership Crisis Award.” Pataki reflected on the loss, resilience and unity that followed one of the darkest days in the city’s history. He recalled New Yorkers and Americans standing “shoulder to shoulder” in the aftermath and urged the country to remember the unity that emerged from the tragedy.
Veteran columnist and New York media icon Cindy Adams received a Lifetime Achievement Award, deadpanning, “It’s about time.”
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, recognized with the “Guardian of New York Award,” delivered remarks and a prayer, praising the city’s first responders, health care workers, civic leaders and others who have helped New Yorkers through times of crisis.
The gala closed on a powerful patriotic note as Lee Greenwood performed his signature anthem, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” bringing the crowd together for a fitting conclusion to an evening dedicated to remembrance, resilience and freedom.
Robert Pearl is a Brooklyn-based journalist who writes about New York City media, politics, and culture. He can be emailed at pearlknows@yahoo.com.
keep his interview with a Senate candidate off the air shows just how far this Administration’s campaign of censorship and control has gone. This is now the second time in a matter of months that a late-night host has disclosed they had to bury an interview because of FCC intimidation, and there is no way to know how many other editorial decisions across the country have quietly been shaped by this same pressure. No host, local affiliate, or network should have to weigh federal retaliation before booking a guest for a newsworthy interview. Any attempt to pressure broadcasters into self-censorship undermines both press freedom and the public’s right to hear from candidates in their communities seeking public office.
up $1.6 billion (+0.9%) from the firm’s April 2026 estimate of $184.5 billion and approximately 9% year over year from 2025. BIA predicts that 6.5% of that ad spend will go to over-the-air radio and digital radio – about $12.2 billion. BIA says the increase is driven primarily by higher political ad spending heading into the midterms, along with continued strength in mobile.
while playing venues such as the Bitter End and TV shows like “Midnight Special,” the band has gained a multi-generational fan base over the past six years due in large part to exposure on talk radio. Talk show hosts have been attracted to Gunhill Road’s engaging themes, sharp lyrics, and provocative YouTube videos that tackle the hottest issues of the day. These include the rise of idiocy, scourge of scammers, threat of censorship, dangers of AI, noise of politics, cruelty to animals, aging, and more. Since 2020, more than 1,500 talk shows, stations, and networks have aired Gunhill Road songs in whole or part, extracted segments for bumpers, and interviewed a member about its provocative messaging.
Now, Papa will rejoin Lund daily from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm for “Lunch with Papa” – part of Lund’s 10:00 am to 2:00 pm show. Additionally, Papa will present “Niners Updates With Greg Papa” twice weekly that will air during KNBR’s morning drive and afternoon drive shows. Cumulus regional VP Larry Blumhagen says, “Greg Papa is a Bay Area icon in sports broadcasting. His name and voice are synonymous with sports in this market. That connection is even stronger when speaking about the San Francisco 49ers. We are excited to have Greg back on air sharing his insights about all things Niners, and more!” Papa comments, “I’m thrilled to be back on ‘The Sports Leader’ and even more thrilled to be working with my good friend John Lund again. Let’s do this!”
Vikings. The host of the program will be WSCR-FM, Chicago personality David Haugh and will feature a panel of NFL experts including former Bears coach Dave Wannstedt, former Packers kicker Mason Crosby, former Lions (and Packers) offensive lineman T.J. Lang and former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway. It will aur Sunday mornings on WSCR-FM; WXYT-FM, Detroit; WSSP-FM, Milwaukee; and WCCO-AM, Minneapolis. In addition to the Sunday morning broadcasts, video episodes will drop early on YouTube every Friday evening. Audacy sports format VP Mitch Rosen says, “The NFC North features some of the most passionate fanbases and intense rivalries in all of football. By combining David Haugh’s signature hosting with the firsthand perspective of four iconic division figures, ‘Inside the North’ delivers unmatched context and insider access to these markets every single week.”
at 76 after a battle with cancer. Stone hosted the station’s “Open Line” show from 8:00 am to 11:00 am daily. KSCJ program director Justin Barker tells KTIV-TV, “Charlie was always a consummate professional and did everything to the best of his ability, lit up every room and had great charisma and great talent to be able to talk to anybody, to be able to welcome anybody.” 
platforms, AM/FM radio, including over-the-air and radio streams, accounts for 70% of the time spent with ad-supported audio sources in the car. Edison says, “Podcasts rank a distant second, accounting for 11% of ad-supported in-car audio time. Streaming music accounts for a significant amount of in-car audio time, but most of that listening is ad-free. When we filter consumption by ad-supported platforms, streaming music comes in third at 10%. Music and music videos on YouTube close out the fourth slice of the pie at 7%. Note that Share of Ear captures listening by everyone in the car, not just the driver.”
When in doubt, I recall smart quotes from people in our business who are successful, well paid, kind, and future oriented. I have always focused on what’s next rather than what’s been. These observations drive good results:
wide range of disciplines, from News Programs, Documentaries, and Talk Programs to On-Air Talent, Craft, and Entertainment. Specialized category groups spotlight groundbreaking work in Digital, Podcast, and Audio Book content, while Programming Formats and Promotion/Open & ID recognize the creative standards and imaging innovation driving radio forward.” New York Festivals EVP Rose Anderson says, “Here’s to Radio – the original social media. Awards do more than keep score: they honor creative excellence, mastery of craft, they can change your life, and they offer an opportunity to take your place in industry history!” 
last week after motorcycle crash. A Facebook tribute from the station for 64-year-old Steve Gretsch said, “Steve wasn’t just part of KLFD. In a lot of ways, he was the voice of it — mornings, local sports, more commercials than any of us could count. If you called in, if your kid’s game got a shoutout, if you just needed to know what was happening in this town — chances are, Steve told you.”
iHeartMedia’s WFLA, Tampa and is also heard on WIOD, Miami. It features Gorman (left) and Dana McKay (right) with news anchors Nathalie Rodriguez and Chris Trenkman. iHeartMedia NTS brand coordinator and SVP of news and AM programming Florida Region Grace Blazer says, “Ryan and Dana bring an authentic connection to Florida and a unique ability to tackle the biggest stories of the day in an entertaining way. We’re thrilled to bring the show to Orlando and continue WFLA’s legacy of delivering trusted news and engaging content.”
moments of silence honoring those killed on September 11, 2001, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, as well as those who have died from 9/11-related health effects. WINS reporters will be stationed throughout the region, including at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Atlantic Beach, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field ceremonies, and the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund, providing live reports and updates throughout the morning. Audacy adds, “With the 25th anniversary marking a significant milestone in the city and nation’s remembrance of 9/11, 1010 WINS will offer extensive on-air reporting, interviews and eyewitness coverage from across New York.”
Larry Elder. Salem says, “The special tells the story of how Charlie started Turning Point USA in his parents’ garage and built it into one of the largest youth organizations in the country, becoming the most consequential conservative voice of his generation. The program will tell Charlie’s remarkable story largely through his own voice, including rare audio from his first interview with longtime Salem host Dennis Prager when Charlie was just 22 years old.” Salem CEO David Santrella adds, “There was nobody quite like Charlie. He connected with young people in a way few others could and turned that connection into a movement.”
broadcast families, and awards $10,000 to each recipient for college tuition. BFoA president Tim McCarthy states, “This initiative reflects the BFOA’s growing commitment to strengthening the future of the radio and television industries by investing directly in the next generation of broadcasters. We could not be happier with our first two recipients, both of whom received glowing recommendations from their professors. Nathaniel and Inoa exemplify the caliber of communications students we want to attract to broadcast radio and television.”
registered cruise passengers, business owners will pitch their ventures live to a panel of judges for a shot at life-changing promotional prizes. Urban One CEO & president Alfred C. Liggins III says, “My mother, Cathy Hughes, started Urban One as a small business, so supporting entrepreneurs and founders is in our foundational DNA. By partnering with the National Urban League on ONE Voyage Experience, we are doubling down on our steadfast, lifelong commitment to small businesses, Black entrepreneurship, and unstoppable economic empowerment.”