DEA Honors John and Margo Catsimatidis, WABC Radio’s ‘Back the Blue’ Team for Standing With NYPD Detectives
By Robert Pearl
The Detectives’ Endowment Association honored 77 WABC Radio owners John and Margo Catsimatidis (pictured above) as its 2026 People of the Year, recognizing their longstanding commitment to New York’s law enforcement community and the influential role of WABC’s “Back the Blue” team in bringing the voices and concerns of police officers and detectives to the public.
The awards dinner, held October 8 at Russo’s On The Bay in Howard Beach, Queens, marked the 109th year of the DEA, which represents the men and women of the NYPD who investigate the city’s most serious crimes. DEA president Scott Munro and the association’s leadership welcomed law enforcement representatives, supporters and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating service, sacrifice and the partnerships that sustain the department’s mission.
For the DEA, recognizing the Catsimatidis and WABC was about more than media visibility. It acknowledged the importance of having influential business leaders and broadcasters willing to stand publicly with the men and women who protect New York, particularly at a time when the challenges facing law enforcement remain a subject of intense public debate.
“Back the Blue” honorees included WABC personalities Sid Rosenberg, Dominic Carter, Rita Cosby and Greg Kelly, whose programs and commentary give law enforcement issues a prominent place in the station’s coverage. Through interviews, news discussions and dedicated segments, the team helps bring the realities of police work, the sacrifices of officers and the concerns of their families to a broad audience.
Munro emphasized the importance of that platform, noting that WABC provides detectives with a voice and helps communicate their experiences to New Yorkers. He also praised John and Margo Catsimatidis for their philanthropy, civic leadership and longstanding support for police and community initiatives.
John Catsimatidis, the self-made businessman whose Red Apple Group interests include supermarkets, energy and real estate, has built WABC into an important part of his New York business portfolio. His weekday program, “Cats & Cosby,” features Rita Cosby, while “The Cats Roundtable” airs on weekends. Margo Catsimatidis has also played a significant role in the couple’s business and charitable endeavors.
Their support extends well beyond broadcasting. For decades, the couple has supported the Police Athletic League, including holiday initiatives for children, and contributed to charitable, civic and medical causes. Their work reflects an understanding that public safety involves not only policing but also investing in young people and strengthening the communities officers serve.
During his remarks, John Catsimatidis recalled the couple’s longstanding involvement with youth programs and the importance of giving children opportunities to succeed. Such efforts, alongside their backing of law enforcement, demonstrate how private-sector leadership can complement the work of public servants.
Rosenberg, host of “Sid & Friends in the Morning,” praised the Catsimatidis and spoke directly about the difficulties officers face. He stressed that detectives and police officers deserve recognition, fair treatment and the support of public officials as they confront the risks inherent in their work.
The evening also recognized actor, producer and singer Donnie Wahlberg with the Detective Steven McDonald Humanitarian Award. Best known to many viewers for portraying NYPD Detective Danny Reagan on “Blue Bloods,” Wahlberg has supported the DEA and its Widows’ and Children’s Fund. Unable to attend because of filming commitments, he delivered a video message expressing gratitude and directing attention to detectives and the families of fallen officers.
The association presented its inaugural President’s Award to Steven Palladino, its director of interagency community partnerships, honoring his service, philanthropy and commitment to detectives and their families. Munro cited Palladino’s work helping raise more than $200,000 for line-of-duty families over the preceding two years.
The program included the NYPD Honor Guard, Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, the national anthem, invocation and dinner, bringing together members of law enforcement and their supporters.
As New York marks the 25th anniversary of September 11, the gathering carried particular significance. The DEA continues to remember detectives and other NYPD members killed that day, as well as those who later died from illnesses related to their service.
The awards underscored a central message: law enforcement cannot stand alone. Support from community leaders, charitable partners and a prominent media organization such as WABC helps ensure that detectives’ work, sacrifices and concerns remain part of the public conversation. For the DEA, the Catsimatidis and the “Back the Blue” team represent partners willing to use their resources and reach to stand alongside New York’s Finest.
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.
November 1. RAAN says the move “follows the growing demand from stations looking to bring Cohen’s distinctive voice and insider perspective to their listeners.” Red Apple Media owner and CEO John Catsimatidis comments, “Michael worked for the president for over a decade and has a unique perspective on how Trump thinks when we do opinion pieces. ‘When You Know, You Know…’ is an opportunity for stations to add a distinctive personality and compelling content that hyper-engages listeners and attracts advertisers.”
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.
aggression in Ukraine and helping bring the country back after COVID.” Biden tells Catsimatidis he believes the current political climate has made it difficult for people to judge his father’s presidency clearly, but said historians will eventually take a different view. “I think the historians will look at my dad’s presidency as an incredible success,” Biden said. The interview also touches on Hunter Biden’s recovery, the attacks he faced during his father’s presidency, the future of the Democratic Party, immigration, veterans, addiction and whether he would ever consider running for public office.
generated a lot of buzz on YouTube and social media as the complete interview aired on Cohen’s WABC program at 5:00 pm on Sunday (8/23). Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for lying to congress and failing to report millions in income and testified against Trump in congress and in court. 
income testified against Trump in congress and in court. But Cohen says he’s spoken with Trump several times over the past year and the president agreed to do the interview. WABC says, “The coming-together of these two political heavyweights comes at a particularly intriguing time. Cohen and Trump have been publicly at odds for years, making this unexpected sit-down impossible to ignore. Whatever the answer, Cohen interviewing Trump is sure to generate attention and plenty of questions about what happened to one of the most complicated relationships in modern politics.”
Harris joined Red Apple Media on May 4 as VP of news for WABC and the new Worldwide News Network, which launched May 23. Six weeks later, Red Apple promoted him to SVP of news and programming, expanding his authority across WABC, WWNN and Red Apple Audio Networks. On August 12 – roughly 100 days after his hiring – company CEO / owner John Catsimatidis announced Harris’s departure. Catsimatidis stated he had requested Harris’s resignation following a dispute involving a longtime employee returning from medical leave. Red Apple later attributed the separation to differences involving “leadership style.” Harris said he had decided to return to his longtime independent business developing broadcast technology products, but neither side identified a replacement nor fully explained in detail whether Harris resigned voluntarily or was dismissed.
By Walter Sabo
guests including Jerry Falwell Jr. and Anthony Scaramucci. Red Apple is also promoting the companion podcast, “When the When You Know, You Know… Unleashed” podcast saysing, “the conversations get even bolder. Free from FCC broadcast regulations and with no topics off limits, the podcast is already generating buzz among high-profile political figures eager to join Cohen for candid, unfiltered conversations that will take listeners even deeper inside the stories, scandals, and personalities shaping the headlines.”
morning drive host Sid Rosenberg. In addition to Rosenberg, this year’s class includes: Bill Ritter – journalist/ anchor – WABC-TV, New York; Rosanna Scotto – journalist/anchor – WNYW-TV (FOX 5), New York City; Dan Miner – station manager – WCKM-FM, WCQL-FM, WWSC-AM & FM, and WDKM-FM, Glens Falls; Pete Cloutier – morning co-host & sales – WCKM-FM, Glens Falls; Chuck Samuels – VP & general manager – WHAM-TV, Rochester (retired); and Bob Krummenacker – VP & General Manager – WBNG-TV, Binghamton (retired).
signals as WGN, Chicago; KMOX, St. Louis and 18 other affiliate stations. Sterling says, “There is something magical about overnight radio. It’s the one part of the day when listeners let down their guard and have real conversations. They share their stories, their questions, their experiences, and together we explore the fascinating, funny, mysterious, and sometimes unbelievable side of life. To be heard on legendary stations like WABC, WGN, and KMOX is both a professional milestone and a personal honor. I’m excited to spend the nights with listeners across America and build a community where every voice matters and every story is worth telling.”
Billionaires make predominantly good investments, which is why they are billionaires.
Jay Clark was the first program director of WABC as a talk station. He set the tone and path for modern talk radio. This week I had Jay on as a special guest on the Red Apple Audio Networks all night show, “The Other Side of Midnight.” We celebrated the anniversary, May 10, (1982) of WABC’s switch from music to talk on the giant signal at 770 AM.
format in America. KGO was the killer biller in San Francisco. The execs who ran them were mighty proud: Ben Hoberman, Ed McLaughlin, Al Racco, Chuck Debere. Yes, they ran those stations, but they also invented the caller-driven talk format. There were other winning talk stations, but they were guest centric rather than listener centric (i.e. WOR, WGN). At the time, there were 43 stations listed as “talk” stations. 43. Not many models.
Network, and Red Apple has recruited New York radio news legend Lee Harris to serve as vice president of news for WABC Radio and The Worldwide News Network. The company says, “The move positions WABC Radio and Red Apple Audio Networks for a dramatic next chapter, transforming the iconic New York news/talk station’s reach into a 24/7 global audio news presence fueled by streaming technology, smart speakers, mobile platforms, syndication, and digital distribution.” Red Apple owner John 
Catsimatidis says, “Today’s digital technology gives us the power to deliver the truth instantly, not just across America, but across Europe and around the globe. WABC Radio is already heard in all 50 states and in 178 countries through our multi-platform distribution. The Worldwide News Network is the natural next step in building a global destination for fair, balanced, no-nonsense news people can trust.” Lee Harris was the morning news anchor at 1010 WINS in New York for 30 years. Additionally, he has advised broadcasters throughout Europe and Asia, helped launch Moscow’s Kommersant FM as a U.S.-style all-news station, lectured at television and radio outlets across China through the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and served as director of integrated operations and New York bureau chief for cable startup NewsNation. Harris comments, “John Catsimatidis has never thought small, and this venture is no exception. The Worldwide News Network is an ambitious, forward-looking news platform designed for how people consume information today. I am thrilled to join Red Apple Media and WABC Radio at such a transformational moment and help build a news organization with both national strength and international reach.”
University on Long Island. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “The selection of ‘Cats’ as keynoter is in keeping with one of the major themes of this year’s edition of the iconic industry event – radio, talk media, and entrepreneurism. John Catsimatidis is presently setting the greatest example of entrepreneurism at work in giving an injection of much needed energy, focus and life to the medium of radio.” Harrison will serve as facilitator of the presentation in a Q&A / interview style format – a role he has played before with the dynamic billionaire media, grocery, and energy mogul.
Catsimatidis will be joined by more than 60 speakers comprised of legendary industry figures as well as fresh faces and rising stars. A detailed agenda including speakers and schedule – a “who’s who” of industry luminaries – will be posted in TALKERS this coming Tuesday (4/28). See the link below for the names of all speakers booked to date.
Harrison continues, “This important conference will illuminate the forward path of the expanding talk media universe, including all aspects of digital communications from AI and podcasting to streaming networks. As has been its tradition, this latest TALKERS conference will approach the onrushing future of the talk business from a radio perspective. This crucial gathering will cover the new undeniable realities of the radio business for those who not only want to survive but thrive as well. It will be about opportunities, networking, and entrepreneurism for individuals in talent, programming, sales, marketing, and management who are serious about staying in the game.”
Federation of Taxi Drivers, Fernando Mateo. The new show, “No Excuses with Fernando Mateo” airs Sundays and 6:00 pm. Station owner John Catsimatidis says, “There are 65 million Hispanics in the U.S. and New York City is home to nearly three million of this fast growing population… With Mateo as part of our on-air lineup, we can super serve the needs and interests of the Hispanic community.”
Mayor Zohran Mamdani an “America hating, Jew hating, Radical Islam cockroach running our once beautiful city.” He also addressed President Trump, asking him to “stop complimenting the mayor.” Rosenberg removed the post and stated, “To the mayor, and anyone else that I offended with my tweet on Saturday, I send out a heartfelt apology,”
the Post that he’s “been left with ‘tears in my eyes’ amid a bitter feud with his longtime ‘brother’ Rudy Giuliani — which escalated when the former mayor filed suit against him Monday.”