Wisconsin's Broadcasters

Wisconsin Station Collects 1.1 Million Diapers for Families in Need

Date Posted: 3/4/2024

Funds and donations totaling more than 1.1 million diapers were collected during the fourth annual WMTV Diaper Drive from Gray Television’s WMTV in Madison, Wis. “This initiative transcends the mere provision of diapers; it plays a crucial role in supporting children’s development, assisting families in achieving financial stability, and enabling parents to pursue consistent employment,” said Founder and CEO of the Village Diaper Bank Megan Sollenberger. “Changing diapers is more than a daily task—it’s a life-changing act. We are thrilled to continue making this profound impact together.”

“Our viewers really came through during WMTV’s Diaper Drive,” said WMTV 15 Regional Vice President/General Manager Don Vesely. “Megan and her team at the Village Diaper Bank work tirelessly to build a foundation that allows sponsors and viewers to make a difference in our community. It is inspirational when you see our community step-up and make a difference.”

Wisconsin Station Raises Over $166,000 for Neighbors in Need

Date Posted: 2/13/2024

Gray television’s WSAW in Wausau, Wis., raised $166,834 during the 2023 Share Your Holidays campaign, bringing the project’s 21-year total to $1,489,576. “I know 2023 was a tough economic year for a lot of people,” says Jeff Thelen, WSAW news anchor and campaign coordinator. “Still, there was incredible generosity shown again for Share Your Holidays. Our donations were up by more than $10,000 over 2022. It’s not surprising, because the support we’ve gotten for this effort for more than 20 years now has always been amazing.”

WBAY Collects Toys for Tots

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

Gray Television’s WBAY in Green Bay, Wisc., collected thousands of toys via the U.S. Marines Toys for Tots. The station has partnered with the program since 1988. They reported need was up significantly in 2023, with 2,400 families signed up compared to 1,800 the previous year.

WISN 12 Raises $152,000 to Feed the Hungry

Date Posted: 1/10/2024

Hearst Television’s WISN 12 in Milwaukee, Wis., raised more than $152,000 in the 12th annual Food for Families Food Drive. “For more than a decade, people have come out in droves to support those in need in our community. It’s awe-inspiring to witness each year,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “We’re so proud of this initiative with Hunger Task Force and grateful for the viewers and companies who are making sure families don’t go hungry.”

Wisconsin’s Y106.5 Raises $263,000 For Marshfield Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The 2023 Children’s Miracle Network Radiothon from Marshfield Children’s Hospital and NRG Media’s Y106.5 in Marshfield, Wisc., brought in a record $263,585. “Events like these are the reason we love doing what we do – you see businesses stepping up, and a huge outpouring of community support to help kids in the area,” Y 106.5 Program Director Big Red said. “It doesn’t get more rewarding than that!”

Northeast Wisconsin’s Fox 11 Raises 22,572 Pounds of Food for Local Pantries

Date Posted: 12/18/2023

The FOX 11 Food Project: Northeast Wisconsin Gives Thanks food drive from Sinclair Broadcast Group’s Fox 11 News in Green bay, Wisc., resulted in 22,572 pounds of food and $3,368 donated to three area pantries. General Manager Jay Zollar shared heartfelt stories from the community: “An emotional mother dropped off food, telling us that her son was a recipient of food from Paul’s Pantry before he died. She said it took two years, but she finally had the financial means to now help pay it forward.”

Milwaukee Radio Host Joins Fight Against Overdose Deaths

Date Posted: 9/4/2023

Reggie Brown, host at iHeartMedia Milwaukee radio station V100.7, is joining the “DJs Against Overdose” campaign to combat the increase in overdose deaths in the Black community. The initiative promotes the use of naloxone, a life-saving medication that quickly reverses opioid overdoses. Brown said, “Finally, the word is getting out about this lifesaver, Naloxone. I’ve seen firsthand what these opioids can do to people. Especially in my community, the Black community. Thankfully, Naloxone is now available to the public at Milwaukee Fire Stations and other locations for free, no questions asked, to save the life of someone in need. I am grateful to be working with Vital Strategies to spread the word about Naloxone to help save lives. Get, Give, Save.”

Wisconsin Station Raises More Than $53,000 in School Supply Drive

Date Posted: 8/28/2023

The tenth annual ‘Class Act School Supply Drive,’ hosted by Hearst Television’s WISN 12 and The Salvation Army raised $53,236 this year. The long-standing campaign puts essential classroom supplies into the hands of children in need across Milwaukee and Waukesha counties. Viewers of WISN 12 submitted donations online, sent money via text, and called in contributions through a phone bank. This initiative will help thousands of students who could use extra support prior to starting school.

“It’s heartbreaking to think that kids could be attending their first day and not have what they need to learn,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “Thankfully, our viewers made sure that thousands of students in our area will not be put in that situation.”

Milwaukee Station Stuffs the Bus with 74,000 Meals

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

Audacy Milwaukee radio station 99.1 The Mix held a Stuff the Bus event November 23 to benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which provides meals to children, seniors, veterans and families. They gathered donations during to provide at least 74,515 meals this holiday season.

WISN Raises Over $130,000 for Holiday Meals

Date Posted: 12/9/2022

The 11th annual “Food For Families Drive,” from Hearst Television’s WISN 12 in partnership with Hunger Task Force, generated $131,258 in donations to provide healthy holiday meals for families throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Since the campaign launched in 2012, WISN 12 and Hunger Task Force have helped bring in $1,613,376 for holiday meals.

“Year after year people open up their hearts to those in need,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager, WISN 12. “Lives are being affected in significant ways and we are so very grateful. Our longstanding partnership with Hunger Task Force means a lot to us and to so many people who are helped by this community effort.”

WAYY Raises Funds for Playground Equipment

Date Posted: 7/21/2022

Backyard Dreams, a charity from Mid-West Family Broadcasting’s WAYY Sports Talk 105.1 and The Dan Kasper Show, made a $1,000 donation to a local elementary school in Eau Claire, Wis., for playground equipment. Backyard Dreams is an organization to provide and promote opportunities for anyone to have a chance to play and to help raise awareness for those in need. The station raised donations from listeners and events like the Kasper Classic Golf Outing.

Milwaukee Stations Raise $20,000 to Help Ukraine

Date Posted: 3/22/2022

Several Milwaukee broadcasters joined together in “MKE for Ukraine” an effort to raise money for humanitarian relief in Ukraine. The one-day online fundraiser, organized by OnMilwaukee.com, raised $20,000 for UNICEF’s Humanitarian Relief in Ukraine and surrounding countries.

Multiple media outlets participated, including Bustos Media, CBS58 (WDJT-TV), Clear Channel Outdoor, Good Karma Broadcasting, iHeartRadio, Milwaukee Magazine, Milwaukee Radio Alliance, Milwaukee World Festivals, Inc, Pabst Theater Group, Wisconsin Center District and 88Nine (WYMS-FM).

Life 102.5 Listeners Support Local Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 2/24/2022

Each year, Madison’s Life 102.5 listeners donate needed items for a children’s hospital for Valentine’s Day. For the last five years, Life 102.5 listeners have shown love every Valentine’s Day to the kids and their families at the American Family Children’s Hospital. This year the hospital needed a full restock of many items including Legos, markers, activity books and baby items. Listeners stepped up donated more than 700 items off the hospital’s registry.

WISC-TV’s News 3 Now Telethon Raises More Than $34K to Help Keep Wisconsinites Warm

Date Posted: 2/9/2022

When many in southern Wisconsin struggled to keep their homes heated during frigid temperatures this winter, WISC-TV’s News 3 Now in Madison stepped in to help. News 3 Now partnered with the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund for a “Day of Warmth” telethon and donation drive on Thursday, February 10, raising $34,264 to help those in need. A total of 90 cents of every dollar donated will be used to help those in crisis this winter.

Eau Claire Station Helps ‘Backyard Dreams’ Come True

Date Posted: 12/7/2021

Eau Claire radio station WAYY Sports Talk 105.1 created the “Backyard Dreams” charity to help fulfill the wishes of local children and adults. In December, “Backyard Dreams” helped a 14-year-old boy with rare eye disease realize his dream of seeing LeBron James play basketball. The station provided the boy and his family tickets to the L.A. Lakers versus Milwaukee Bucks basketball game and arranged early access to watch the players warm-up, plus signed Giannis Antetokounmpo jersey.

“Backyard Dreams” also recently worked with a local business to create the “Dan Kasper Brat,” named after the host of “The Dan Kasper Show.” Portions of the proceeds went to The Miracle League. The effort raised thousands of dollars.

Madison Radiothon Collects Toys for Local Kids

Date Posted: 12/6/2021

Madison radio station WIBA-FM recently partnered with Blain’s Farm and Fleet for the annual Operation Toy Drive event to make sure every child in southern Wisconsin has something under the tree this holiday season.

Listeners were encouraged over a two-day radiothon to stop out to Blains Farm and Fleet in Verona and Madison, purchase a gift, and drop it in the Kids Helping Kids bins near the exits of the stores.

All donated toys were distributed to deserving families in southern Wisconsin by local law enforcement officers including Madison Police Department and Dane County Sherriff’s Office.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

WISN Raises Funds for Families Affected by Waukesha Parade Tragedy

Date Posted: 12/2/2021

Communities across southeastern Wisconsin have come together to help those affected by the incident that occurred at the Waukesha Christmas Parade. Following a donation effort hosted by Milwaukee TV station WISN 12, $256,198 was raised to benefit the families impacted by this tragedy.

WISN 12 held a phone bank Nov. 29-30 and an online fundraising drive to accept donations from viewers throughout southeastern Wisconsin. This effort is part of the ‘United For Waukesha Community Fund,’ a collaborative partnership between the Waukesha County Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County. All donations were matched by the Fotsch Family Foundation – a Waukesha County-based private foundation.

Milwaukee Station Host Annual Food Drive

Date Posted: 11/29/2021

The ‘Food For Families Drive,’ organized by WISN 12 in Milwaukee and Hunger Task Force, has raised $141,633. The campaign, which has occurred annually for the last 10 years, ensures that families across southeastern Wisconsin have healthy meals for the holiday season.

The 2021 ‘Food For Families Drive’ took place from Nov. 15-24. Viewers made online donations to help those who need extra support over the holidays. WISN 12 concluded the donation drive with a phone bank held at the station on Nov. 24.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

WLAX-TV in La Crosse Donates $5000 to Local Food Bank

Date Posted: 11/23/2021

La Crosse TV station WLAX-TV is donating $5,000 to The Hunger Task Force of La Crosse through the Nexstar Media Charitable Foundation.

For 23 years, The Hunger Task Force has provided a safety net of emergency food to a network of local food pantries and meal programs serving western Wisconsin. It is the only free and local food bank in the La Crosse area and charges nothing for the food it distributes and delivers.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

WLUK-TV Helps Fight Hunger with Food Drive

Date Posted: 11/15/2021

Green Bay’s Fox 11 teamed up with local food pantries to help fight hunger November 9-11. The “Fox 11 Food Project: Northeast Wisconsin Gives Thanks” food drive brought in more than 20,000 pounds of food and $4,400 to help families in need. Through drive-up donation sites and daily live reports, Fox 11 helped make a difference for those in need.

Milwaukee stations host event to increase breast cancer awareness for women of color

Date Posted: 10/12/2021

A radio and TV station in Milwaukee held a successful event to increase breast cancer awareness among women of color.

V100.7’s (WKKV-FM) Sista Strut was held Saturday at the Marcus Center of Performing Arts Peck Pavilion with support from Fox 6 (WITI-TV). Thousands of breast cancer survivors and their supporters came out from across southeastern Wisconsin to celebrate survival and increase education among their friends and loved ones.

The event featured a concert with music and local celebrities from Fox 6 (WITI-TV) and V100.7.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

WGBA-TV Features Local Advocacy Leader

Date Posted: 10/12/2021

E.W. Scripps Company’s NBC26 Green Bay, Wis., introduced viewers to Milly Gonzales, executive director of HELP of Door County, who helps provide the community with programs and resources for domestic abuse victims. "My mission is to make sure that I am advocating for victims of domestic violence, that I am advocating for those that are most marginalized in the community and my culture," said Gonzales. Gonzales credits her ability to speak her mind and passionately advocate for those in need to her family and upbringing, as her mother is a political asylum refugee from El Salvador. “I think especially as a Latina, we’re born to advocate, you know being able to serve people within our family, especially as a first-generation American, knowing that that’s something that I feel I was always gifted with and the reason why I advocate is because my mother, my grandmother and my tías have always advocated for me, for us and for our community,” said Gonzales.

WISN raises $130K for hurricane victims

Date Posted: 9/14/2021

Milwaukee TV station WISN-TV partnered with the American Red Cross to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Ida.

The ‘WISN 12 Hurricane Relief Drive’ raised $130,505 from local viewers to deliver urgent assistance for those affected by the natural disaster.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters.

WISN raises $58k for local students

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Date Posted: 9/6/2021

Milwaukee TV station WISN-TV collected more than $58,000 in school supplies to help local students at the beginning of the school year.

WISN 12’s “Class Act School Supply Drive” delivered essential school supplies to children in the Milwaukee area who need them most. The money was raised online and through text messaging.

From Aug. 24 through Sept. 2, WISN-TV and the Salvation Army conducted a fundraising drive so that local students would have backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, and other classroom necessities before the beginning of the school year.

Read the full story from the Wisconsin Broadcasters.

WKLH Raises Over $300,000 In One-Day Radiothon

Date Posted: 12/1/2020

Saga Communications WKLH-FM Milwaukee raised more than $300,000 to benefit Children’s Wisconsin on December 1 during the newly created 12-hour event, "WKLH Giving Tuesday: A Holiday of Miracles."

“Our listeners really stepped up and together we were able to make our first Giving Tuesday: A Holiday of Miracles a great success,” said Morning Host Dave Luczak.

The station typically hosts "Miracle Marathon for Children’s Wisconsin" in May, which has raised over $26 million collectively. In a year of necessary pivots, WKLH and Childrens created a new event to air during Giving Tuesday.

More Than 500 Kids Gather Treats From WWIS Event

Date Posted: 10/31/2020

WWIS Radio in Black River Falls found a way to share Halloween spirit in the community by hosting a drive-thru trick-or-treat event. The station helped prepare goodie bags for the WWIS Radio and Hansen’s IGA Drive Thru Trick or Treat Event on Halloween. There were also giveaways including gift certificates and coffee mugs.

WKKV Hosts "Your Vote is Your Voice" Voter Education Special with VP Candidate

Date Posted: 10/25/2020

iHeartMedia’s WKKV-FM Milwaukee will host "Your Vote is Your Voice," a special broadcast featuring Senator and Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris, on October 27. The special will focus on the importance of voting, what to expect at the polls, deadlines for voting absentee and feature a question and answer portion (Q&A) moderated by Claire Woodall-Vogg, executive director of the Milwaukee Election Commission.

"The 2020 presidential election may be the most consequential in our country’s history," said Brown. "It’s important to make sure all our voices are heard, and we want to ensure that our listeners are equipped with the information they need in terms of deadlines, what to expect at the polls, rules of voting absentee and more."

WWIS Lanches ‘People Helping People’ Campaign

Date Posted: 10/15/2020

WWIS Radio in Black River Falls is promoting small town pride with its “People Helping People” campaign.

Through the rest of the year, the stations are promoting reminders to local communities of what small business do for the area. In partnering with local businesses, WWIS Radio is helping promote small town America with giveaways, a drive thru trick-or-treat event, coloring contests, a scavenger hunt, holiday meal giveaways, and more.

“The primary reason for this campaign is because this year has been defeating for so many people and businesses,” wrote General Manager Mary Gerdes. “Our hope is that by running this campaign people have something to look forward to that is fun and exciting for the community and businesses.”

Station Addresses Pandemic-Related Hunger

Date Posted: 10/12/2020

Midwest Communication’s WIXX-FM Green Bay is working Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Associated Bank to provide 101,000 meals for Wisconsin families in need.

According to statistics provided by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, the number of food-insecure people in Wisconsin is up by 36 percent, affecting an additional 200,000 people, including 77,110 children. Forty percent of people accessing food pantries supplied by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin are first-time visitors.

“We realize what a significant impact the pandemic has had on the hunger situation in Wisconsin and we felt compelled to help,” said Corey Carter, WIXX Brand Manager.

WIXX will air a significant on-air and digital campaign encouraging people to donate online via a secure either on behalf of a local partnering business or in general on behalf of WIXX.

WISN-TV Hosts Community Policing Panel

Date Posted: 10/6/2020

Hearst’s WISN-TV in Milwaukee hosted a panel discussion about the intersection of community and policing during the Social Justice Summit 2020.

The station collaborated with Nō Studios to bring together a diverse and dynamic panel for “The ‘Project CommUNITY Special: A Panel on Community and Policing” which aired Friday. The program was aimed at advancing a critical conversation about local and legislative solutions for building a more constructive relationship between law enforcement and marginalized communities.

“From those who enforce the laws to those who are impacted by them – this panel amplifies voices who all seek a similar outcome,” said Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “It’s not a debate. We need change. We’re proud to partner with Nō Studios to help identify the best path forward for that change.”

Founded by Academy Award winner and Wisconsin native John Ridley, Nō Studios is a member-driven physical space and digital platform that began a discussion about social and economic equality in 2019.

“Nō Studios is dedicated to building community through art and activism,” Ridley said. “We are pleased to partner with WISN this year on our annual Social Justice Summit as we explore topics related to policing and community, voter suppression and the role of social media in contemporary discourse.”

Good Karma to Launch Station for Milwaukee’s Black Community

Date Posted: 10/5/2020

Good Karma Brands is launching 101.7 The Truth, a local radio home for Milwaukee’s Black community. The station will launch this year and feature local shows with authentic conversations about news and current events, a celebration of Black culture, information created by and for the Black community with an emphasis on empowerment, family, faith and, community.

“At Good Karma Brands, we believe every voice matters – but as the events of this past year unfolded, we realized there were underrepresented voices that had so much to say and needed to be heard,” Craig Karmazin, Good Karma Brands founder and CEO said. “We believe there is a unique opportunity for us in Milwaukee to launch a station that can make a real impact across the city, and within our company. I’m excited to see how the station grows and evolves and look forward to meeting the strong demand for compelling and targeted content for Milwaukee’s Black community.”

“As a locally owned media company, we are proud to serve our local communities – to inform and entertain our listeners, support our advertising partners, and employ teammates,” said Steve Wexler, vice president and market manager, Good Karma Brands Milwaukee. “With the launch of 101.7 The Truth, we are making good on our promise to serve our community in a deeper and more meaningful way, and to specifically serve our Black neighbors and friends who make up nearly 40 percent of Milwaukee’s population. I’m thrilled to launch this station with our talented hometown team.”

Wisconsin PBS Stations Offer At-home Learning for Fall Semester

Date Posted: 9/8/2020

PBS Wisconsin and Milwaukee PBS are partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to support at-home learning for students of all ages during the pandemic by broadcasting weekday television schedules of programming with digital resources that connect to Wisconsin’s state academic standards.

Beginning September 1, PBS Wisconsin is dedicating the 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. daytime weekday schedule on Wisconsin PBS. Milwaukee PBS is dedicating the same daytime weekday schedule on WMVT 36.2 to air educational programming that includes English language arts, social studies, science and math. On PBS Wisconsin, additional at-home Learning content is also available in the PBS KIDS broadcast blocks weekdays on PBS Wisconsin-1, and every day on the PBS Wisconsin 24/7 KIDS channel, or PBS Wisconsin-4. On Milwaukee PBS, that content is available on WMVS 10.1 and 10.3.

The special broadcast schedule is also be available to stream online along with corresponding free, curriculum-aligned digital content for any learning environment and support for educators navigating a variety of learning landscapes.

iHeartMedia Milwaukee Launches ’Brilliantly Black’

Date Posted: 8/3/2020

A group of iHeartMedia’s radio stations in Milwaukee are launching an initiative to support Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and nonprofits.

The Brilliantly Black initiative is being led by radio stations V100.7 (WKKV-FM), FM106.1 (WMIL-FM), 95.7 BIG FM (WRIT-FM), 97.3 The Game (WRNW-FM), and The BIG 920 (WOKY-AM). The initiative is modeled after a similar program at iHeartMedia Chicago in which each radio station encourages listeners to visit its website and enter keyword “brilliant” to get more information about Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and community resources. The available information includes health and wellness businesses, fashion and beauty, community and faith organizations, local businesses, and restaurants.

“I want to congratulate our team on this grassroots opportunity to support Black-owned businesses,” said Colleen Valkoun, President of iHeartMedia Milwaukee. “Please join us in supporting the Black business community. I am thrilled we can use our stations to impact and inform the public about this much-needed community resource.”

Local Black-owned businesses, restaurants and organizations are also encouraged to submit their information for inclusion on each station’s Brilliantly Black community resource website:

WMTV Raises $3.3 Million in 100 Days

Date Posted: 7/17/2020

A Madison TV station’s effort to help fight hungry during the pandemic raised $3.354 million during the campaign’s first 100 days.

NBC15 (WMTV-TV) and Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin launched the “Care Box Challenge” in a matter of days in response to increased food insecurity due to school and business closures caused by COVID-19. A donation of $10 or more fills a Care Box with healthy, fresh food and other non-perishable staples for families facing food insecurity.

“I should never underestimate the generosity of our viewers,” said Don Vesely, vice president and general manager of WMTV NBC15. “Our goal of $1 million seemed to be a stretch for a first-time fundraising effort. To finish more than three times our goal truly made an impact on our community.”

The campaign kicked off March 19 with a challenge: The first $25,000 raised was matched by the Alliant Energy Foundation. By Monday evening, March 23, the effort had raised $248,000 and the giving continued. National Guardian Life; The Evjue Foundation, which is the charitable arm of The Capital Times; and an anonymous donor, also provided matches during the campaign’s first 100 days, marked on June 26.

“The response that we’ve gotten from the public has been tremendous,” said Michelle Orge, President & CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “We are so grateful to NBC15 for playing such a critical role in helping the public understand that the need as a result of the pandemic was, and continues to be, great. Their dedication to helping our community during this challenging time is one that all of us should aspire to achieve.”

At launch time, Second Harvest staff anticipated that it would need to distribute 100,000 boxes of food over a 6-8 week period to those in need. The need exceeded that original estimate and 246,787 Care Boxes were distributed through June 26.

To help those in need, visit NBC15

WMTV Hosts Record Adopt-A-Dairy-Cow Campaign

Date Posted: 7/13/2020

Gray’s WMTV-TV Madison station’s Adopt-A-Dairy-Cow campaign raised $183,876 for the month of June, setting a record in campaign history.

The additional promotion of this event by NBC15, the generosity of local sponsors, and the outpouring of donations from our community helped beat last year’s campaign total by 366-percent.

The campaign runs each year during June Dairy Month, and is a partnership between NBC15, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, and Sassy Cow Creamery. The goal is to increase milk inventory at the foodbank to give to families in need.

“The need for food, especially milk, on the table of area homes is critical. With COVID-19 adding to the stress on food insecurity, I am thrilled that our community once again stepped up to help,” said Don Vesely, VP/General Manager of NBC15.

Each week during the coronavirus pandemic, Second Harvest has distributed about 6,000 gallons of milk. About 80-percent of the milk distributed is purchased.

“The response from the public has been remarkable,” said Michelle Orge, president & CEO of Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin. “Thanks to NBC15, our sponsors, and of course everyone who has supported the campaign, we will be able to provide a healthy product to those we serve, and help the local dairy producing community at the same time. The pandemic has hit our community hard, but because of the generosity of so many people and organizations we will be able to meet more need than ever before.”

To donate, individuals were asked to go to www.givedairy.com and select a dairy cow to “adopt.”

Radiothon Raises $25,000 for Music Venues

Date Posted: 7/11/2020

A Milwaukee radio station and TV station used a radiothon to raise $25,000 for local music venues struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

FM102/1 (Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s WLUM-FM) teamed up with Fox 6 (WITI-TV) and the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) to #saveourstages with a 24-hour radiothon on July 10-11. The money raised supports local independent music venues and NIVA members: The Rave/Eagles Club, The Pabst Theater Group, Shank Hall, Cactus Club, and The Cooperage.

Independent concert venues were among the first businesses to close during the pandemic and will be among the last to reopen. The radiothon was broadcast live from the empty stages of The Rave/Eagles Ballroom, The Pabst Theater, Shank Hall, Cactus Club, and The Cooperage. An online silent auction ran concurrently with the broadcast and included music memorabilia donated by the venues and musicians to help raise funds.

The radiothon featured special Milwaukee memories from some of the biggest alternative music artists, local celebrities talking about their favorite shows, and virtual tours of these historic venues.

There is a second chance auction being he

WXOW-WQOW Launches ‘Hometown Conversations’

Date Posted: 7/3/2020

Quincy’s WXOW and WQOW La Crosse, Wis., recently started a series titled “Hometown Conversations.” It’s an effort to host meaningful conversations in the community and work toward positive progress. The stations air versions on broadcast and post the full interviews online. Segments can be viewed here and here.

WRDN-AM Hosts Drive-Up Co-Op Meeting

Date Posted: 6/29/2020

WRDN-AM in Durand helped the members of the Dunn Energy Co-Op conduct business during a time of social distancing by broadcasting the co-op’s annual meeting in Menomonie. The meeting on June 26 was held at the co-op headquarters and those in attendance stayed in their cars and listened to the meeting through their radios. Voting was done by people honking their horns.

WOGO-AM Hosts On-Air ’Drive-In’ Graduation

Date Posted: 6/4/2020

A Chippewa Falls radio station helped its local high school celebrate its graduates while social distancing.

Steward of Sound’s WOGO-AM worked with the high school to produce the “Drive-In Graduation.” More than 300 seniors and their families lined up in decorated vehicles at the local fairgrounds. As “Pomp & Circumstance” played over the air, they drove out in a police-escorted procession through town where the community came out to yards and sidewalks to cheer on the class of 2020 as they listened to the commencement broadcast on WOGO.

WOGO aired pre-recorded addresses from the principal and class leaders during the journey to the high school to receive diplomas.

The broadcast ceremony also included a highlight reel of senior sports moments, honors for this year’s faculty retirees with a montage of thanks, and student voicemails celebrating their senior year memories. Music played during the ceremony featured numbers from the school’s music department.

As the graduates rolled through the bus loop in front of the school to receive diplomas from their gloved-and-face-shielded principal, the WOGO graduation play-by-play crew provided live commentary for every senior including awards and commendations, future plans, their advice to next year’s class, and teacher comments.

WOGO also provided audio to the school’s live video stream so grandparents, friends, and relatives could both watch and listen. Coverage also included video from a live drone.

VCY America Honors High School Graduates

Date Posted: 6/1/2020

VCY America hosted a 2020 graduation special honoring high school seniors.

The special aired Sunday and included a call-in portion allowing high school seniors to give a one-minute challenge to their class. There was also a segment for parents and grandparents to call in with a one-minute challenge to the graduates.

The unique broadcast also included a commencement address delivered to seniors by Ken Ham at Answers in Genesis.

In addition to the radio broadcast, the network aired a special modified TV release on Tuesday on WVCY Channel 30 and streamed at vcyamerica.tv.

iHeart Madison Stations Deliver Four Trailers of Food

Date Posted: 6/1/2020

Madison’s six iHeartMedia radio stations gathered four trailers full of food during a food drive in May.

Listeners left donations at Metro Market and Pick N’ Save stores and the stations delivered the food to Selfless Ambition and the Goodman Community Center where they will be shared with families who need it.

ESPN Wisconsin Radiothon Raises $205,000 for Pandemic Relief

Date Posted: 5/27/2020

Milwaukee Bucks guard Pat Connaughton hosted Capture Sports Marketing’s Athletes Doing Good Radiothon on ESPN Wisconsin and raised a total of $205,859 for COVID-19 relief during the 11-hour event held Thursday.

The $205,859 includes a match of all donations from Herb Kohl Philanthropies. The money will be donated to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin and Connaughton’s With Us Foundation.

Funds were raised through donations, a silent auction and the purchase of buy-it-now items. Fans can still donate or purchase two canvases of Connaughton from this year’s dunk contest, with one of him dunking over Giannis Antetokounmpo and one of him dunking over Christian Yelich, through Monday. Each canvas purchased will be autographed by either Antetokounmpo or Yelich and will contain a personal message and autograph from Connaughton. Canvases can be bought, and donations can be made here.

The radiothon aired on 94.5 ESPN Milwaukee (WKTI-FM) and 100.5 ESPN Madison (WTLX-FM) from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Connaughton was joined on-air by Bucks teammates Donte DiVincenzo, Kyle Korver, Khris Middleton and Antetokounmpo, Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, general manager Jon Horst, and head coach Mike Budenholzer, along with numerous other guests from across the sports world including Aaron Rodgers, Matt LaFleur, Craig Counsell, Greg Gard, Josh Hader and Yelich.

WRJO-FM Raises $40,000 to Feed Children

Date Posted: 5/23/2020

Eagle River radio station WRJO aired a concert featuring local artists to benefit a charity that feeds school-aged children from food insecure homes in the Northland Pines School District.

The concert aired May 23 and raised more than $40,000 for “F.O.R.K” (Feed Our Rural Kids). About half of the funds raised came from a $20,000 match provided by Margaret Baack and Mike McAdams of Land ‘O Lakes.

Performers included Bret and Frisk Miller, Scott Kirby, Michael Saint, Pete Stoltman, Chris McFarland, Mark and Michelle Zanoni, Mark Wayne, Gerry Plank, and Taylor Rae Bolte. The event was held at Eagle Waters Resort in Eagle River by host Laura Koranda.

“The night was a complete success, and everyone involved is looking forward to another concert next year.” Heartland Director of Programming Mike Wolf said.

F.O.R.K. works with people, businesses, and organizations within the greater Northland Pines community to ensure that all children in feed of nutritional support are identified and provided with assistance.

La Crosse Radio Station Fundraiser Helps Caregivers, Pandemic Research

Date Posted: 5/19/2020

The La Crosse Media Group embraced the spirit of Giving Tuesday on May 5 by hosting a mini radiothon with Gundersen Health System to raise $21,300 to support caregivers and local COVID-19 research.

The La Crosse Media Group in La Crosse consists of KICKS 106.3 (WQCC), Magic 105 (WLXR), Classic Rock 100.1 (WKBH), Me TV FM 102.7 (KQEG), and Today’s Talk 1490 (WLFN). All five stations contributed airtime leading up to the event, including podcasts with Gundersen Medical Foundation Director of Development as well as a doctor who turned his cancer research lab into one conducting COVID-19 research.

The stations shared stories from the frontlines and encouraged listeners to not only donate, but to show support as well. At 4 p.m. on that day, those living in the Coulee Region were asked to step outside and make some noise in s show of support for healthcare workers.

Wisconsin Stations Team Up to Celebrate Hometown Heroes

Date Posted: 5/15/2020

Midwest Communications radio stations in central Wisconsin and WAOW-TV in Wausau are running a Hometown Hero campaign to honor and celebrate front line workers. The stations are offering a prize package to winners to help them cover food, expenses, and entertainment, while they are doing what they do.

The Midwest Communications stations involved in the campaign are WIFC, WDEZ, WSAU-AM/FM, WOZZ and WRIG.

Details are available here.

WKOW-TV Generates 18,000 Meals

Date Posted: 5/14/2020

Quincy’s ABC affiliate WKOW-TV Madison raised nearly $30,000 for food pantries through an 18-hour text-a-thon.

The Feeding Hope event in May 14 was in partnership with the Community Action Coalition and was aimed at supporting local food pantries struggling to meet increased food demands due to the pandemic.

The $30,000 raised translates to more than 16,000 pounds in wholesale food value.

The total cash and food donations received during the Feeding Hope initiative will provide close to 18,000 meals to those struggling with food insecurity.

“We are overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of our community,” said Anna Engelhart, Station Manager of WKOW. “We cannot thank everyone enough for their participation in helping those in need.”

Woodward Radio Stations Provide Pandemic Relief Initiatives

Date Posted: 5/12/2020

A group of radio stations in Appleton and Green Bay are providing a variety of initiatives for listeners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

105.7 WAPL is offering “Get a Little, Give a Little” for listeners to get a chance to win a WAPL rewards call and T-shirt, which also includes a $50 station donation to Feeding America of Eastern Wisconsin.

In the Corona Cash Sweepstakes on 95.9 KISS FM (WKSZ) listeners get a chance to win $100 to help with bills, groceries, home schooling, or home office supplies.

Razor 94.7 (WZOR) is marking Mental Health Awareness Month by hosting a live Instagram mental health check in to help listeners keep mentally healthy. The station also created a mental health pages on its website with local and national resources.

All six Woodward stations are providing local graduates with “Senior Shout Outs.” Families and friends are encouraged to submit a picture of their senior with a shoutout message to be shared. WHBY will also air some of the class speakers’ speeches.

WJMT Collects $11,000 for Food Bank

Date Posted: 5/8/2020

Merrill radio station Bluejay 96.3 (WJMT) hosted a concert of pre-recorded performances to raise money for local food pantries during the pandemic.

The three-hour “Hometown Concert for the Cause” aired May 8 and featured performances from Merrill area singers, students, the city band and songs from some of Merrill’s most popular rock ‘n’ roll and country bands from the 60s and 70s.

The station collected more than $11,000 at multiple live remote broadcast locations. The money was distributed to the city’s food pantries.

WLDY-FM and WJBL-FM Give Away Grocery Gift Cards

Date Posted: 5/1/2020

A pair of radio stations in Ladysmith is giving away food to help those affected by the economic downturn resulting from the pandemic.

WLDY and WJBL hosted a Facebook giveaway that started with five $100 grocery gift cards. It grew to 15 $100 gift cards as the grocery store matched the stations’ five gift cards and other a local accounting firm pitched in another five cards.

WMTV Feeds Families Affected by COVID-19

Date Posted: 4/2/2020

Gray’s NBC affiliate WMTV Madison, Wis., partnered with the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin to help those in affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The "Care Box Challenge" is raising funds to provide 100,000 “Care Boxes” to families in need. Each box contains 25-30 pounds of nutritious food. In the first week, the campaign raised more than $250,000. WMTV also launched PSAs to help combat COVID-19.

Durand radio station connecting listeners through COVID-19 crisis

Date Posted: 3/23/2020

Zoe Communication’s WRDN-AM Durand, Wis., is helping listeners through the COVID-19 crisis by providing official updates, helping local businesses, and forming social connections.

The station also facilitated milk and cheese curd donations for families and local school districts.

The station is providing updates with local city, county, school district, and health officials on daily basis. It’s also promoting restaurants providing take out services to encourage support from listeners.

WRDN is also airing a local in-studio show on weekends and using social media to promote social connections.

WITI Collects 10,000 Coats for Milwaukee Kids

Date Posted: 1/22/2020

Nexstar’s Fox affiliate WITI-TV Milwaukee collected more than 10,000 coats during the 35th annual “Coats for Kids” fundraiser, held November 13 – December 9. For the second consecutive year, WITI also partnered with Operation Warm to collect money to purchase new coats and raised nearly $35,000.

Gray Stations Collect 300,000 Meals

Date Posted: 1/22/2020

Gray Television’s Fox affiliate WSAW-TV and CBS affiliate WZAW Wausau, Wis., collected more than $100,000 during the 17th annual “Share Your Holidays” campaign, held November 29 – December 30. The funds will be donated to The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place food bank.

Throughout the campaign, WSAW-WZAW staff participated in several events to help drive donations, including collecting donations during a holiday parade, pumping gas at a donation drive and raising funds during a phonebank.

iHeart Wish-A-Thon Raises $252,000

Date Posted: 12/15/2019

iHeartMedia’s WRIT-FM Milwaukee raised $252,000 during its Wish-A-Thon, held December 12 - 13 to benefit Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. Over the last 11 years, WRIT’s radiothon has raised over $1.7 million.

“We’re so proud of the entire 95.7 BIG FM team, as well as our wonderful partners at Make-A-Wish, for another incredible Wish-A-Thon,” said Program Director Brett Andrews. “This year, we combined our on-air, digital, and social media assets to raise money for these amazing children and their families.”

WMIL Radiothon Means $238,000 For St. Jude

Date Posted: 12/6/2019

iHeartMedia’s WMIL-FM Milwaukee raised over $238,00 during the annual radio for St. Jude Children’s Hospital, held December 5 - 6. On-air personalities encouraged listeners to donate on-air and online throughout the two-day event. Over the last three years, the station has raised almost $700,000 to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

The Family Radio Network Raises $15,700 For Local Families

Date Posted: 12/5/2019

The Family Radio Network’s WEMY-FM Green Bay, WEMI-FM Appleton, Wis., WGNV-FM Wausau, Wis., and WSTM-FM Sheboygan, Wis., held its first Christmas Blessing fundraiser to benefit families across Northeast and Central Wisconsin on December 3. During the daylong fundraiser, stations encouraged listeners to help provide Christmas trees and grocery cards to 95 families. The stations raised over $15,000 in total.

WISN-TV Raises $133,000 to Fight Hunger

Date Posted: 11/26/2019

Hearst Communication’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee and Hunger Task Force partnered for the eighth consecutive year on the “Food for Families Phone Bank,” held November 26 – 27. The event brought in $133,000, which will provide more than 1,000 meals for families in need. Since 2014, over $825,000 has been raised for families in need across Milwaukee and its surrounding areas.

Quincy Media’s Telethon Helps Family Farmers

Date Posted: 9/30/2019

Quincy Media’s Wisconsin stations - ABC affiliates WKOW Madison, WAOW Wausau, WXOW La Crosse, WQOW Eau Claire and NBC/CBS affiliate KBJR Superior - and Farm Aid raised more than $40,000 during an 18-hour telethon on September 21 to provide support and relief for local family farmers. Family farmers in the Upper Midwest are facing intensifying corporate consolidation, a multi-year downturn in the U.S. agricultural economy, rising production costs, and diminished crop yields from extreme weather.

“Farming is an important part of Wisconsin’s culture, and dairy farms in particular are an important economic engine that power this state,” said WKOW News Director Ed Reams. “Our partnership between Farm Aid and Quincy Media will help bring attention to these challenges and allow the great people of Wisconsin the opportunity to reach out to help.”

WISN Helps 120 Veterans Visit Memorial

Date Posted: 6/29/2019

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee raised $59,000 during the “Honor Flight 50: A Mission of Thanks” telethon on May 29. The funds will help send local 120 veterans on a “Stars and Stripes Honor Flight” to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II, Vietnam War, Korean War, Air Force, Marine Corps War, and 9-11 memorials.

WISN Donates 8,000 New Books to Kids

Date Posted: 5/6/2019

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee announced on March 26 that for the fourth consecutive year, they have partnered with Disney Publishing Worldwide, Disney|ABC Television Group and First Book for the “Magic of Storytelling” campaign, providing 8,000 books to four organizations in the area. WISN, with support from Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning, delivered the brand new books to children at the Penfield Children’s Center, Woodlands East School, and Next Door Foundation in Milwaukee, along with Greater Waukesha Literacy in Waukesha.

“These books will open kids up to a world of wonder, possibility and imagination,” says Jan Wade, president and general manager of WISN 12. “They’re on an important journey toward discovering the power of reading. It’s very rewarding that we get to play a small part in that.”

This initiative has provided roughly 31,500 brand new books to children in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Racine counties since 2015.

“The Magic of Storytelling is a nationwide effort that has a significant impact locally,” says Ben Lorber, director of programming and public affairs for WISN 12.

WISN Collects 119,000 Pound of Food to Support Relief Efforts

Date Posted: 3/30/2019

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN Milwaukee collected 210,322 meals for Wisconsinites facing hunger during February and March. In collaboration with Feeding American Eastern Wisconsin, WISN’s ‘Peanut Nut & Jelly Challenge’ and ‘Scouting for Food’ initiatives collected 119,000 pounds of food and over $37,000 in donations. Over 60 schools and companies donated jars of peanut butter and jelly to benefit the Milwaukee and Appleton food banks during the ‘Peanut Butter and Jelly Challenge.’ Local Boy Scout troops also participated.

“The WISN 12 family loves being part of these efforts and thanks the community for their generosity in coming together to make a positive impact,” said President and GM Jan Wade.

WMIL-FM Raises $225,000 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

iHeartMedia Milwaukee’s WMIL-FM raised over $225,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in a radiothon held December 6 – 7. “The FM106.1 team is so full of passion and love for the kids of St. Jude and the listeners respond each year in such a big way,” said Market President Colleen Valkoun.

WEAU Creates Memorial Scholarship

Date Posted: 12/19/2018

Gray’s NBC affiliate WEAU-TV Eau Claire, Wis., raised $83,000 on December 4 in memory of three fourth grade Girl Scouts and a parent who were killed by an impaired driver as they volunteered for a highway cleanup. The money will be used for a memorial scholarship in their honor.

“WEAU adopted the mantra ‘Community First’ in 2009,” said Creative Services Director Andrew Felix. WEAU’s commitment to community goes beyond a slogan; it reflects how we operate as a station.”

More Than 80 Radio and TV Stations Air Debates in Wisconsin Ahead of Midterms

Date Posted: 11/3/2018

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Foundation sponsored two debates in state-wide races. The October 19 event featured gubernatorial candidates Gov. Scott Walker and State Superintendent Tony Evers and the October 13 debate between U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Tammy Baldwin and State Senator Leah Vukmir. Baldwin and Vukmir discussed health care, marijuana legalization, immigration, tariffs and the U.S. Supreme Court. Viewers submitted questions on climate change and abortion using #wbadebate. Gray’s CBS affiliate WSAW Wausau produced the debate with panelists from Wausau stations WSAW; Midwest Communication’s WSAU-AM/FM; Quincy’s ABC affiliate WAOW; and Rockfleet Communications’ NBC affiliate WJFW. More than 80 radio and television stations aired each debate.

“Wisconsin Strong” Radiothon Helps Storm Victims

Date Posted: 10/3/2018

E. W. Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee raised more than $40,000 for the American Red Cross during its “Wisconsin Strong – Storm Relief” radiothon on August 31 to aid victims impacted by historic flooding across Wisconsin. Sister station WKTI-FM assisted in the efforts. The money went to shelters, food and clean-up kits.

WKOW Madison Aids Wisconsin Flood Victims

Date Posted: 10/3/2018

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. During the devastation of Hurricane Florence in other areas of the country, flooding due to unprecedented rainfall caused widespread damage in South Central Wisconsin.

“This disaster hit us hard here at home, but our viewers and community organizations still stepped up to help their neighbors,” said WKOW News Director Ed Reams.

iHeart Milwaukee Hosts Hurricane Relief Event

Date Posted: 10/1/2018

iHeartMedia Milwaukee partnered with Tribune’s Fox affiliate WITI-TV on a Hurricane Florence Disaster Relief Phone Bank on September 19 for the American Red Cross. “It’s great when multiple media outlets come together for the common good,” said iHeartMedia Market President Colleen Valkoun. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by Hurricane Florence and we’re happy to help support the mission of the American Red Cross.”

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

Date Posted: 10/1/2018

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee raised $90,000 for hurricane relief efforts during a helpline held September 18 in partnership with the American Red Cross of Wisconsin. The money raised through this helpline will assist the Red Cross in providing shelter, food, supplies, and other forms of support.

“Our hearts go out to everyone impacted by Hurricane Florence. We’re all overcome with sadness to see the destruction that this has caused, yet deeply moved by the kindness displayed by our viewers,” said President and General Manager Jan Wade. “As the storms pass and the rebuilding begins, efforts like this helpline will empower Red Cross in their important mission.”

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation Plans Debates

Date Posted: 9/30/2018

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Foundation announced on August 15 that it will continue its 30-year tradition of holding statewide political debates that will be made available to Wisconsin radio and television stations. Gubernatorial candidates Gov. Scott Walker (R) and challenger Tony Evers (D) are invited to participate in a debate hosted in the Madison market. This debate, originally scheduled for October 5, was rescheduled for October 13. U.S. Senate candidates Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) and challenger Leah Vukmir (R) are invited to an October 13 debate held in the Wausau/Rhinelander market. Viewers can ask questions via social media during both hour-long debates.

WISN-TV Raises $66,000 in School Supply Drive

Date Posted: 9/4/2018

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee, Wis. partnered with Saga’s WKLH-FM and the Salvation Army to raise $66,000 in its sixth annual “Class Act School Supply Drive,” held August 21 – 22. Donations to the campaign’s “Stuff the Bus” initiative filled a school bus, ensuring that 4,400 backpacks were filled with supplies. “This initiative has a big impact on the lives of local kids, giving them supplies they need to start the school year equipped to learn,” said WISN President and General Manager Jan Wade.

Madison Radio Airs GOP Debate

Date Posted: 9/4/2018

Back Porch Broadcasting’s WORT-FM Madison, Wis., partnered with local newspaper Isthmus, The Progressive magazine, and the Madison Public Library on a debate held August 8 for all Democratic candidates for the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. The eight candidates participated in a meet and greet before the hour-and-a-half long debate.

WISC-TV Raises $160,000 Following Gas Leak

Date Posted: 7/27/2018

Morgan Murphy Media’s CBS affiliate WISC-TV Madison, Wis. raised $163,000 through an 18-hour telethon held July 18 for disaster relief efforts following a gas leak explosion. The July 10 explosion killed Sun Prairie Fire Department Capt. Cory Barr, injured others, displaced 58 people from their homes and affected 50 businesses, destroying five. Money was distributed to effected families and businesses as well as the Sun Prairie Emergency Food Pantry and local social services organization Sunshine Place.
“This is who we are,” said Morgan Murphy Media President and CEO Elizabeth Murphy Burns. “We are members of our communities and here to inform, entertain, but mostly to serve.”
“We were compelled to act, and the response was astonishing,” said Colin Benedict, vice president of news for Morgan Murphy Media and WISC news director. “So many people in our viewing area asked us what they could do to help, and we tried to serve as a connection to those in need.”

WTMJ-TV and Call for Action Expose Counterfeit Prescriptions

Date Posted: 7/1/2018

Scripps’ NBC affiliate WTMJ-TV Milwaukee exposed a local pharmacy for selling fake pills, following a phone call received by WTMJ’s non-profit partner Call For Action. Volunteers at Call For Action learned that the online pharmacy would close in mid-July as a result of a DOJ action for selling counterfeit drugs. The pharmacy promised consumers they could purchase up to a year’s worth of prescriptions before the close, but the WTMJ story warned viewers to be wary.

WBA Foundation Expands Debates to Statewide Primaries

Date Posted: 4/1/2018

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation (WBA) announced on March 19 that it will offer hour-long debates to radio and television stations across the state for live or delayed broadcast this election season. Democratic candidates for governor will debate July 13 at the studios of Gray’s NBC affiliate WMTV-TV Madison. The Republican candidates for U.S. Senate will debate July 21 at the studios of Gray’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV Wausau. The WBA Foundation will also hold debates for the general election candidates in both races.

“The high level of interest in this year’s elections prompted us to organize debates for the hotly-contested statewide primaries,” said WBA Foundation President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. “We are proud that Wisconsin’s broadcasters can bring the citizens forums that can help them be informed voters.”

WISN Hosts Food Drives

Date Posted: 3/31/2018

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee partnered with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee Bucks station, encouraging viewers to donate some of the most needed items – peanut butter and jelly – during a month-long food drive in February. The equivalent of 125,830 meals was collected.

In March, WISN-TV partnered with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and the Boy Scouts to encourage viewers to fill bags that were left on their door with non-perishable food items. The boy scouts then went door to door to collect the food. The equivalent of 115,233 meals was collected.

WNCY-FM Raises $315,000 in Green Bay

Date Posted: 3/1/2018

Midwest Communications’ WNCY-FM Green Bay raised $315,000 in its annual radiothon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, held February 8-9. In 21 years, WNCY-FM has raised nearly $5 million

WTMJ-AM Supports Honor Flights

Date Posted: 2/27/2018

Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee raised $54,000 on February 27 for Honor Flights, allowing 150 Vietnam veterans to visit Washington, D.C., to see the Vietnam War memorial. Afternoon host John Mercure led a three-week on-air campaign to raise funds, that culminated in three-hour radiothon and a pre-game fundraising party with the Milwaukee Bucks where guests met Vietnam veterans. “The WTMJ Cares campaign led by John Mercure is another example of how live, local radio impacts people and a community,” said Vice President and General Manager Tom Langmyer.

WMTV-TV Madison ‘Share Your Holidays’ Sets Record

    View Video
Date Posted: 12/31/2017

Gray’s NBC affiliate WMTV-TV Madison, Wis., collected a record 4.18 million meals for the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin during the 2017 “Share Your Holidays” campaign held throughout November and December. The food bank serves approximately 500 people each month. Watch the video here.

WSAW-TV and WZAW-TV Raise Over $95,800 for The Salvation Army and The Neighbor’s Place

Date Posted: 12/1/2017

Gray-owned WSAW-TV and WZAW-LD, the CBS and Fox affiliates, respectively, in Wausau, Wis., held their 15th annual “Share Your Holidays” campaign on December 1. With WSAW-TV and WZAW-LD staff walking the Wausau Holiday Parade to collect nonperishable food items and monetary donations, the stations raised a record-breaking $95,811 to benefit the food pantries at The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place. The previous record of $90,942.72 was set in 2016.

Scripps’ Stations Host Radiothon

Date Posted: 8/28/2017

Scripps’ WTMJ-AM and WKTI-FM Milwaukee raised $69,000 on August 28 during a telethon for the American Red Cross.

Milwaukee Station Hopes Murals Will Spark Dialogue

Date Posted: 7/19/2017

Milwaukee Public School’s WYMS-FM Milwaukee has used grant money to commission local artists to paint murals aimed at spurring community conversations. Artist Stacey Williams-Ng will work on the first mural from July 31 – September 10. Katie Mullen and Jordan Pintar will work on the second mural from September 1 – October 6. “We want these pieces to propel dialogue,” said Marketing Director Alyssa Feuerer. By seeding thought-provoking messages through the city, we hope to encourage people to be more accepting and empathetic with their neighbors.”

iHeartMedia Wisconsin Helps Flood Victims

Date Posted: 7/14/2017

iHeartMedia’s WISN-AM, WMIL-FM, WRIT-FM, WOKY-FM, WRNW-FM and WKKV-FM Milwaukee collected enough water on July 14 to fill five large semi-trucks for flood victims. Recent flash floods contaminated water wells, leaving residents without drinking water and electricity. “The iHeartMedia Milwaukee team and our listeners are committed to the people in the Milwaukee community. They saw their neighbors in need and jumped to action in a matter of hours,” said iHeartMedia Milwaukee Operations Manager Kerry Wolfe.

WSAW and WZAW Help Raise $331,285 for Families of Shooting Victims

Date Posted: 7/12/2017

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and Fox affiliate WZAW-TV Wausau, Wis., raised $331,000 for the families of the victims of a deadly shooting in the Wausau community. On March 22, 2017 four people lost their lives in three separate but connected shootings in three local communities. Central Wisconsin Media Partners and River Valley Bank organized Victims Family Fund the day after the deadly shootings. WSAQ-TV and WZAW-TV provided public service announcements and WZAW dedicated time in their newscasts to remind viewers how they can help support the Victims Family Fund. The campaign, originally slated to run from March 23 - April 30, was extended an extra month thanks to an influx of contributions. All money was given directly to help the surviving families of the four victims.

Eau Claire, Wis., Stations Provide Critical Tornado Coverage

Date Posted: 5/18/2017

Local television stations in Eau Claire, Wis., provided critical coverage during a May 13 tornado that killed one person, injured others and caused millions of dollars in damage. A trailer park was destroyed, leaving dozens without homes. Gray Television’s WEAU-TV Creative Service Director Andrew Felix offered TVNewsCheck an account of WEAU’s live warnings, three hours of nonstop coverage and promotions for a fundraiser held in the aftermath. One viewer later said, “I was watching you guys [at WEAU] faithfully there, and you kept saying to take cover, so I did.”

Quincy Media’s ABC affiliate WQOW-TV also provided continuous live coverage of the tornado onair and via social media. They reported live from the destroyed trailer park, aired a video of the tornado submitted by a viewer and produced a 30-minute prime time special after the storm. “We were pretty proud of it. We’re a small station, with a small staff,” News Director Dan Schillinger told TVNewsCheck. “But our team rose to the challenge of covering a disaster and performed like big-market pros.”

WIIL-FM Raises Funds to Fight Cancer

Date Posted: 3/4/2017

Alpha Media’s WIIL-FM Waukegan-Kenosha, Wis., raised $127,385 in an event benefitting the St. Baldrick’s Foundation on March 4. The volunteer-powered organization is one of the nation’s top providers of childhood cancer research grants. Tom Kief, co-host of WIIL’s “The Tom and Emily Morning Show,” personally raised nearly $34,000. “95 WIIL ROCK is proud to continue the St. Baldrick’s partnership, and I’m personally proud of Tom for his commitment to making a great event,” said Alpha Media Waukegan-Kenosha Market Manager Karl Wertzler.

WNCY Raises $300,000 St. Jude

Date Posted: 2/14/2017

Midwest Communication’s WNCY-FM Appleton, Wis. raised a record $300,000 in its 20th annual “St. Jude Radiothon,” held February 9-10. This brings the 20-year total to $4.6 million.

Record Participation for Wisconsin Broadcasters Association’s ‘Awards for Excellence’

Date Posted: 1/27/2017

Wisconsin radio and television stations submitted a record number of on air, digital and social media projects for consideration for the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) Awards for Excellence. The 1,783 submissions - up from 95 in 2015 - came from 101 radio stations and 34 television stations. The Awards for Excellence will be presented at the WBA Awards Gala on May 6. “The Awards for Excellence have evolved so much over the years to recognize all the new tools our members are using to connect with local audiences,” said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind. “The awards give everyone a chance to see the best of what’s happening in local broadcasting.”

WSAW-WZAW Sets New ‘Share Your Holidays’ Record

Date Posted: 12/28/2016

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV and WZAW-TV Wausau, Wis., shattered records by raising more than $90,000 in its “Share Your Holidays” drive, held December 2 – 22. The campaign benefits the food pantries at The Salvation Army of Wausau and The Neighbors’ Place. The previous record was $63,432. In 14 years, the campaign has raised more than $500,000.

Wisconsin Radio Delivers 2,000 Gifts

Date Posted: 12/27/2016

Evangel Ministries WEMI-FM Appleton, Wi. collected more than 2,000 Christmas Care shoe box gifts in the 19th annual ‘Christmas Care’ drive, benefitting 35 local crisis programs and emergency rooms. Shelter staff and hospital emergency room workers watch carefully for patients who are in crisis or lack adequate clothing. A staff member at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Green Bay described one event: “A tall, elderly man who had fallen came in for our help and he ended up staying overnight. He was upset with the thought of spending Christmas in the hospital. There was a Christmas Care gift marked ‘for a tall man’, and we gave that to him. He was tearful - and told us it was the only present he had gotten in years - he was delighted by the gift, and said that this made his Christmas. Thank you!”

WRIT-FM Fundraiser Breaks Records

Date Posted: 12/2/2016

iHeartMedia’s WRIT-FM Milwaukee raised a record $293,500 during its eight annual Make-A-Wish® Radio-A-Thon, held December 1 - 2. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. “95.7 BIG FM is proud to share stories of hope, courage, and holiday spirit during our Make-A-Wish Radio-A-Thon,” said Vice President of Programming Brett Andrews.

WBA Foundation to Sponsor U.S. Senate Debate

Date Posted: 10/14/2016

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation sponsored a debate between incumbent U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and Democratic challenger Russ Feingold on October 14. The hour-long debate, produced by Sinclair’s Fox affiliate WLUK-TV Green Bay, aired on 84 radio and TV stations across the state. “The WBA Foundation is honored to continue our more than 25-year tradition of these important debates as part of the civic and political process,” said WBAF President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind.

Milwaukee Station Airs Special About Violence

Date Posted: 9/6/2016

Weigel Broadcasting Company’s CBS affiliate WDJT-TV Milwaukee aired a one-hour commercial-free special report on September 6 to address the gun violence and unrest in the city. The broadcast included a roundtable discussion with five families who have lost loved ones to gun violence, plus remarks from Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, County Sheriff David Clarke and community leaders.

WTMJ-AM Airs Two-Hour “Community Conversation”

Date Posted: 8/17/2016

Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee held a community conversation regarding social unrest on August 17, following violence and protests over the shooting death of an armed black suspect by local police. The special served as a forum for local residents, clergy, politicians and police to discuss life in the most challenged areas of the city. “The violence that erupted this week is a reminder of the struggles many face in our community. WTMJ Radio will lead the way for a productive listening session, where leaders can get together and offer solutions. Now is not a time for finger pointing, it’s a time to listen,” VP/GM Tom Langmyer said. In addition to being aired on WTMJ, it was streamed on the station’s website and via “Facebook Live.”

WBA Foundation to Sponsor U.S. Senate Debate

Date Posted: 8/13/2016

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation will sponsor a 2016 U.S. Senate debate between incumbent U.S. Senator Ron Johnson and Democratic challenger Russ Feingold will be held on October 14. The hour-long debate will be offered statewide to Wisconsin television and radio stations for live broadcast and re-broadcast. “The WBA Foundation is honored to continue our more than 25-year tradition of these important debates as part of the civic and political process,” said WBAF President & CEO Michelle Vetterkind.

WKOW-TV Raises Racial Awareness

Date Posted: 7/22/2016

Quincy Media’s ABC affiliate WKOW-TV Madison aired a 90-minute, commercial free documentary titled “Our Wisconsin: Equity & Justice For All?” on July 22. The program examined the disparities between white and black people, including infant mortality, student performance and graduation rates, unemployment and poverty. “Because our audience is predominantly white, we decided to make our documentary the ‘black voice’ that many Wisconsinites never hear,” said WKOW-TV anchor Greg Jeschke. The special also aired on ABC affiliates in Wausau, La Crosse and Eau Claire.

WSAW Shows VA Denies a Third of Emergency Claims

Date Posted: 7/7/2016

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV Wausau, WI aired “NewsChannel 7 Investigates | VA Denying Nearly 1 out of Every 3 Veterans’ Emergency Claims.” WSAW-TV discovered a VA executive admitted there are a large number of denied veterans’ emergency treatment claims. The VA Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Health for Community Care, Dr. Baligh Yahia, testified before a Veterans’ Affairs subcommittee in February. Yahia told members of Congress, during the 2014 budget year, approximately 30 percent of the 2.9 million emergency claims filed with the VA were denied. Of those 870,000 denied claims, Yahia said 89,000 were late. Another 98,000 were not emergencies. There were 140,000 claims denied because a VA facility was determined to have been available. In addition, 320,000 more claims were denied because the veteran was determined to have other health insurance that should have paid for the care.

Radio Takes on Heroin

Date Posted: 6/3/2016

Midwest Communications’ WTAQ-AM Green Bay, WHBL-AM/FM Sheboygan and WSAU-AM Wausau partnered on “Heroin In Wisconsin: Save Our Families,” a live, five-hour special that aired from 6 – 11 a.m. on May 6. Morning show hosts engaged listeners in a conversation about opioids and provided in-depth coverage on Wisconsin’s growing addiction problem. The stations also worked with state and local law enforcement to raise money for heroin and opioid treatment facilities. Al Peterson of NTS Media said it is “a great example of local radio using its resources and airwaves to address a major issue facing their listeners and communities.”

WTMJ Raises $250,000 to Fly Vets to DC

Date Posted: 5/11/2016

Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee sponsored two “Stars and Stripes Honor Flights” that flew 140 veterans from Milwaukee to Washington D.C. in May. During “WTMJ’s Operation Parallel,” afternoon host John Mercure talked with veterans about what a trip to their war memorial would mean to them. Operation Parallel’s two radiothons raised $250,000 to fund the flights. “We are humbled by the absolutely incredible support of WTMJ Radio,” said Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Vice President for Public Relations Karyn Roelke. “Many of our veterans have already told us that, aside from their wedding day and the birth of their children, their Honor Flight day was the best day they have ever had.”

WLUK-TV Investigates Tax Dollars Spent on Lambeau Field

Date Posted: 5/10/2016

Sinclair’s Fox affiliate WLUK-TV Green Bay aired “Excess Lambeau Sales Tax” on May 10, showing that municipalities in Brown County are not spending the $17.4 million in encumbered tax dollars left over from the Lambeau Field renovation project. The excess funds are meant to support local communities, but WLUK found that only 11 of 25 local governments have spent or allocated most of the money.

WSAW Investigates Opioid Abuse

Date Posted: 5/10/2016

Gray Television’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI aired a three-part series, "News Channel 7 Investigates: Northern Wisconsin Opiate Oppression," beginning May 23. Reporter Matthew Simon examines the opiate crisis across north central Wisconsin. New information shows despite pill drop off sites, Marathon County residents believe that the opiate epidemic is still entrenched in the state.

WKBT Continues the Compassion Project

Date Posted: 3/8/2016

Morgan Murphy Media’s CBS affiliate WKBT La Crosse, WI launched “The Compassion Project” after a viewer criticized anchor Jennifer Livingston for her weight, telling her she was a bad role model for her children and the community. Livingston’s on-air response went viral and triggered an unprecedented response in the community and across the country. This led to the creation of “The Compassion Project,” a coalition of local law enforcement, schools, healthcare and social service agencies. The alliance continues to meet regularly and has launched numerous local initiatives to address bullying.

WBAY Raises $1.2 million for Cerebral Palsy

Date Posted: 3/7/2016

Media General’s ABC affiliate WBAY-TV Green Bay raised $1.2 million in the 62nd annual CP telethon, held March 5-6. The telethon supports the CP Center’s programs for kids and adults with cerebral palsy and a range of disabilities. The organization serves about 2,000 families and is working to expand its services.

WISN Airs Debates for City, County and State Races

Date Posted: 3/5/2016

Hearst-owned ABC affiliate WISN Milwaukee and the Marquette University Law School to air debates between candidates in several races.They will produce and air the mayoral debate March 11; the statewide Wisconsin Supreme Court debate on March 15; the debate for Milwaukee County Executive aired on March 9. All events also streamed online and on the 12 News Mobile App.

WBFM-FM Raised $35,000 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 3/4/2016

Midwest Communication’s WBFM-FM Sheboygan, Wis. raised $35,000 for St. Jude in a radiothon held March 10-11. St. Jude continues to be on the cutting edge of research into childhood diseases and also provides families with free, on-site housing while their children battle severe illnesses.

Wisconsin Radio Raises $437,000 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 3/1/2016

Midwest Communications’ Wisconsin stations hosted successful radiothons for St. Jude Children’s Research hospital. WNCY-FM Oshkosh raised a record $274,000 in its 19th annual fundraiser, held February 11 -12. WDEZ-FM Wausau raised a record $163,000 for the children.

WEAU Raises $313,000 for Cerebral Palsy

Date Posted: 2/16/2016

Gray Television’s NBC affiliate WEAU Eau Claire, Wis., raised a record $313,000 in the 36th annual United Cerebral Palsy Star Fest Telethon, held Jan. 31. WEAU continued to collect donations online. The telethon supports the hundreds of children, adults and families dealing with the challenges of disabilities in the 12-county area of West Central Wisconsin served by UCP.

WSAW-TV Wausau Collects Record $63,000

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

Gray’s CBS affiliate WSAW-TV Wausau, Wis.’s 12th annual "Share Your Holidays" campaign, held December 4-18, raised a record $63,000 for the Salvation Army and Neighbor’s Place food pantries.

WMYX-FM Stuffs a Bus With 100,000 Meals

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

Entercom’s WMYX-FM Milwaukee collected more than 100,000 meals in the 18th annual "Stuff the Bus" food drive, led by morning show hosts Wes and Elizabeth on November 25. Five Milwaukee County Transit System buses were stuffed with food, including 235 turkeys, during the 12-hour live broadcast. The drive benefits Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

Wis. Radiothon Breaks Records

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

Mississippi Valley Broadcasters’ WQCC-FM La Crosse, Wis.; KQEG-FM La Crescent, Minn.; and WKBH-FM West Salem, Wis. raised a record $103,500 for Children’s Miracle Network in a radiothon, Oct. 22-24.

Wis. Broadcasters Support New Fisher House

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) partnered with Iraq veteran and WI Department of Veteran Affairs employee Dan Buttery on "Operation Welcome Home." Buttery has spent six years raising money for a Fisher House in Milwaukee. Fisher House offers free lodging for military families while a loved one receives medical treatment. Broadcaters’ support for his efforts include:

• iHeartRadio provides regular access to on-air talent, live interviews and event promotion.
•E.W. Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee. Wis. Emmy-winning reporter John Mercure embedded with Buttery’s unit during an Iraq deployment and has supported Fisher House.
• Tribune Broadcasting’s Fox affiliate WITI-TV Milwaukee Morning News anchor and Wisconsin National Guard member Chip Brewster has covered his story.

WTMJ-AM Fund Honor Flights for Vets

Date Posted: 1/14/2016

E.W. Scripps’ WTMJ-AM Milwaukee raised funds to send Korean War veterans from Milwaukee to Washington, D.C. to visit their memorial. Many of the local veterans have never visited the Korean War memorial. Host John Mercure aimed to raise $100,000 to pay for two flights. Listen to this audio clip.

WMTV ’Goes Orange’ to Fight Hunger

Date Posted: 10/19/2015

Gray Television’s NBC affiliate WMTV Madison, Wisc., hosted a "Go Orange" campaign on September 3. The initiative brought in 72,000 meals for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southern Wisconsin. WMTV asked viewers to take a selfie while wearing orange and post it to Facebook with the #Orange4SHFB hashtag.

WKLH-FM Raises $1.3 Million for Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 6/4/2015

Saga Communication’s WKLH-FM Milwaukee morning hosts Dave Luczak and Carole Caine raised a record $1.3 million in their annual fundraiser before the Memorial Day weekend. During the 36-hour radiothon for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, the morning show broadcast live from the hospital, speaking about available programs. Since its with patient families and hospital staff inception in 1998, the radiothon has raised over $22 million.

Family Radio Network Helps the Homeless

Date Posted: 5/6/2015

Northern Wisconsin’s WEMI/WEMY, owned and operated by the Family Radio Network, raised over $343,000 worth of hygiene and cleaning products during their 23rd annual “Help for the Homeless” collection. Collected supplies were donated to 79 local crisis programs.

WNCY-FM Raises $260,000 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 3/13/2015

Midwest Communications’ WNCY-FM Green Bay raised $260,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in its 18th annual "Y100 St. Jude Kids Radiothon," held Feb. 12. The station raised $55,000 more than it did in 2014 and has over $4 million in the past 18 years.

WTAQ-FM Green Bay Host Raises Over $12,000 For Cancer Non-Profit

Date Posted: 1/20/2015

Midwest Communications’ WTAQ-FM Green Bay, Wis. host Jerry Bader raised more than $12,000 during his annual fundraiser for Families of Children With Cancer, Inc. in northeast Wisconsin. The Families of Children with Cancer, Inc., is a nonprofit support group for patients, families and long-term survivors of childhood cancer. Members of the Green Bay Fire Department, served bowls of their famous “firehouse chili” to all who stopped by to donate.

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Airs Gubernatorial Debate

Date Posted: 10/2/2014

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation sponsored debates on Oct. 10 and 17 between Gov. Scott Walker and challenger Mary Burke. The debate aired on stations throughout Wisconsin. "We are very excited about our new debate plan and the changes that have been made to the program and believe the end result will be beneficial to our viewers, listeners, members and the gubernatorial campaigns," said WBA President and CEO Michelle Vetterkind.

WBA Hosts Special Event for WWII Veterans on 70th Anniversary of D-Day

Date Posted: 8/11/2014

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association (WBA) hosted a special event in the Wisconsin State Capitol rotunda on June 6 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy and to recognize the sacrifices of Wisconsin’s veterans from that day and others. WBA partnered with the six Wisconsin Honor Flight Hubs and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs to mark the important day. The event featured presentations on behalf of the state to World War II veterans, including those who fought on D-Day. Honorees shared their personal accounts from World War II. WAB produced an hour-long program with all the event highlights, as well as an hour-long documentary, "They Fought for Freedom," which highlighted all six Wisconsin Honor Flight Hubs and Wisconsin’s World War II veterans.

Mid-West Family’s Stations Raise $680K for Children’s Hospital

Date Posted: 6/9/2014

Mid-West Family’s WWQM-FM and WJQM-FM Madison, Wis., hosted the 10th annual American Family Children’s Hospital Radiothon. The three-day, 39-hour radiothon broadcast live from the lobby of the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison and featured the inspiring stories of patients, families and staff at the hospital. The 2014 radiothon raised more than $680,000, a new record for the stations.

WWQM-FM’s Benefit Concert Raises $15,000 for Local Hospital

Date Posted: 4/13/2014

Mid-West Family Stations’ WWQM-FM Madison, Wis., hosted the "Q106 Storytellers Jam 15" to raise money for the local American Family Children’s Hospital. The concert, which featured The Cadillac Three, Chuck Wicks, Chase Rice and "mystery artist" Gary Allan, raised more than $15,000 for the hospital.

WNCY-FM Green Bay Collects $204,000 for St. Jude

Date Posted: 3/17/2014

Midwest Communications’ WNCY-FM Green Bay hosted the station’s 17th annual radiothon to support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospitals. The event raised more than $204,000 for the local St. Jude Hospital. WNCY-FM has raised more than $3.8 million since the radiothon began 17 years ago.

WISN-TV Helps Milwaukee Viewers Understand New Health Care Laws

Date Posted: 3/17/2014

Hearst’s ABC affiliate WISN-TV Milwaukee held a Health Care Coverage Hotline to assist viewers in southeastern Wisconsin with questions about health care changes due to the new Affordable Care Act. WISN-TV’s News Director Chris Gregg explained, "We want to be a resource to our viewers, provide them with an opportunity to clear any confusion on this complex subject." WISN-TV’s anchors encouraged viewers to call in with questions, and experts from the Milwaukee Enrollment Network were available to provide information.

Three Milwaukee Radio Stations Partner to End Local Violence

Date Posted: 10/4/2013

Following a summer with a heightened level of violence, three urban music radio stations in Milwaukee, Saga Communications’ WJMR-FM, Clear Channel’s WKKV-FM and Courier Communications’ WNOV-AM joined together to launch the "Urban Radio United for Peace" PSA campaign. Laurie Jones, WJMR-FM’s brand manager said, "Our stations share many listeners. So it makes sense for the stations to be united and consistent in our message. As listeners flip around the dial, they are going to hear our message, regardless of which station they tune into."

WITI-TV Raises $125,000 for Tornado Victims

Date Posted: 6/7/2013

Independently-owned WITI-TV Milwaukee worked with the American Red Cross to host three phone banks following the tornadoes in Moore, Okla. Over the course of those phone banks, WITI-TV’s viewers donated $125,000 to the Red Cross’s relief efforts.

Madison Radio Airs GOP Debate

Back Porch Broadcasting’s WORT-FM Madison, Wis., partnered with local newspaper Isthmus, The Progressive magazine, and the Madison Public Library on a debate held August 8 for all Democratic candidates for the Wisconsin gubernatorial primary. The eight candidates participated in a meet and greet before the hour-and-a-half long debate.

Journal Broadcasting Collects 19,000+ Toys for Milwaukee Kids

Journal Broadcasting Group’s WTMJ-AM Milwaukee held its 7th annual Kids 2 Kids Christmas campaign, urging parents to take their children shopping to select and purchase toys for less fortunate kids. The Salvation Army distributed the toys to children across southeastern Wisconsin. This year, Kids 2 Kids collected more than 19,000 toys.

Nicolet Broadcasting Promotes Classroom Innovation in Wisconsin Schools

Nicolet Broadcasting Inc. will kick off its annual "Technology to the Classrooms" spring campaign on its four Door County, Wis., radio stations, WBDK-FM, WRLU-FM, WRKU-FM and WSBW-FM. Nicolet has partnered with area Rotary Clubs and others to host a series of presentations in which school officials explain the need for new technology in local schools. During the programs, partners sell raffle tickets for a $3,500 flat screen television, with proceeds going to fund new technology. Nicolet hopes "Technology to the Classrooms" will educate the public and support schools’ efforts to innovate.

Journal Broadcasting’s 2012 Election Coverage

Journal Broadcasting’s "2012 Red, White and Blue Election Initiative" provided election news on TV and news-talk radio stations in the 30 days before the election. These stations aired at least 10 minutes of prime time coverage of federal, state and local candidates each weekday, posted election news online and on social media and aired "Get out the Vote" PSAs: KIVI-TV and KNIN-TV Boise; WFTX-TV Fort-Myers, Fl.; WSYM-TV Lansing, Mich.; KTNV-TV Las Vegas; WTMJ-TV and WTMJ-AM Milwaukee; KMTV Omaha; KMIR-TV Palm Springs, Calif.; KTTS-FM and KSGF-AM/FM Springfield, Mo.; KGUN-TV, KWBA-TV and KQTH-FM Tucson; KFAQ-AM Tulsa; and KFDI-FM and KLIO-AM Wichita.

Baldwin-Thompson Debate Earns Strong Ratings for WTMJ-TV

Journal Broadcasting Group’s WTMJ-TV Milwaukee aired a senatorial debate between Tommy Thompson and Tammy Baldwin. The one-hour debate averaged a 6.6 rating between 7:00 and 8:00 pm, reaching the equivalent of 62,700 households. About 293,000 households tuned in to an earlier town hall debate on all four Milwaukee affiliates.

Wisconsin Station Supports Local Breast Cancer Nonprofit

Milwaukee Radio Alliance’s WLDB-FM Milwaukee hosted the 4th annual "Jane & CV Call to Care Radiothon" on October 5 to benefit After Breast Cancer Diagnosis (ABCD), a local nonprofit that is fighting the battle against breast cancer. Morning show hosts Jane & CV broadcast live from the WLDB-FM studios, soliciting listener donations and auctioning off prizes throughout the 13-hour radiothon.

Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Hosts Recall Debate

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association hosted a special gubernatorial recall debate between Gov. Scott Walker and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on May 25. The hour-long debate was held in Hearst’s WISN-TV studios in Milwaukee and televised across the state. Several local television news anchors questioned the candidates along with the debate moderator, John Laabs, the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. Click here to listen to an audio clip of the debate. WISN-TV hosted a second debate on May 31 moderated by the station’s Mike Gousha.

Coats for Kids Continues to Keep Green Bay’s Children Warm

Cumulus Broadcasting joined LIN Media’s WLUK-TV Green Bay, Wis., and the Salvation Army to collect new and used coats for needy children across Northeast Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. The annual Coats for Kids campaign enjoyed another successful drive as approximately 11,349 coats were collected throughout the area. Click here to view WLUK-TV’s coverage of the campaign.

WEMI-FM, WEMY-FM Provide Christmas to Those in Need

WEMI-FM and WEMY-FM Provided Christmas in a Shoebox for 2,700 Wisconsinites
Evangel Ministries’ WEMI-FM Appleton/Oshkosh, Wis., and WEMY-FM Green Bay sponsored the Christian Family Radio’s 13th annual Christmas Care Campaign that benefited more than 40 local crisis agencies and emergency rooms. The stations invited residents to fill a wrapped shoe box with new gifts – toys, toiletries, books, candy, etc. – for someone in need. By the conclusion of the campaign, more than 2,700 brightly decorated Christmas Care shoe box gifts were delivered.

WMVS-TV and WMVT-TV Inspire Young Authors

The "Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest," an effort sponsored by WMVS-TV and WMVT-TV in Milwaukee, Wis., since 1994, is inspiring kids to be authors. The annual program kicks off in the classroom, where teachers are provided information from the stations on how to start a Reading Rainbow Writers Club. To date, 44 schools are using the contest as a classroom activity and another 11 as an after-school club. In 2008, the stations received nearly 1,200 story entries from students in kindergarten to third grade. Twenty winning submissions were chosen, to which the stations added sound effects and aired together as a 30-minute special. The stories were also broadcast separately as interstitials during the year. Promotional spots for the contest feature the winning children individually, each holding up his or her story with a voiceover that says, "Some of the best stories in the world are written by children. So what are you waiting for? Tell us your story." The spots play 365 days a year. In addition to the Reading Rainbow project, the stations offer community workshops directly addressing issues of family literacy. This service helped more than 5,000 people in 2007. Ten workshops are conducted in English and 10 in Spanish each year.

WJJQ-AM/FM Supports Child-centered Activities

The community’s children are at the heart of a longtime partnership between WJJQ-AM/FM in Tomahawk, Wis., and the Tomahawk Optimist Club. Each year, the station sponsors an "Optimist Club Radio Day," where proceeds from advertising are given to the club to help support its many child-centered activities. The ads sold for the fundraiser feature members of the Optimist Club, many in their 80s or older. To help raise awareness, the station runs news stories and promotions about the club and the event starting seven weeks in advance. Since the beginning of the "Radio Day" campaign more than two decades ago, about $50,000 has been raised to support the youngest members of Tomahawk. "WJJQ is at the very heart of the community," said Allan Prosser, president of the Tomahawk Optimist Club. "When we combine our efforts, we are able to raise thousands of dollars in this small town that is then returned to the community to provide for our youth. That is how we kept this community growing."

WSSP-AM Hosts Second Annual Toy Drive

Keeping spirits bright at the local Children’s Hospital, WSSP-AM in Milwaukee, Wis., conducted its second annual Toy Drive for Children’s Hospital. The station collected toys to be delivered to the young patients at Brewtown Children’s Hospital the week before Christmas. Rather than put the toys in Santa’s sleigh, WSSP Programming Director Ryan Maguire said that the station “completely filled” a 26-foot moving van with donated toys. In total, the Toy Drive raised more than $10,000 in cash and toys, more than doubling the total of last year’s inaugural event.

WMGN-FM Helps Local Cancer Center

Gilda’s Club, a place where people facing a diagnosis of cancer can share their hopes and fears, is opening its doors to the community of which WMGN-FM in Madison, Wis., is a part. Once plans were underway for the new facility, which is a part of an international nonprofit organization founded in memory of comedian Gilda Radner, the station organized the three-day “Magic 98 Concert for Gilda’s Club” to help bring in the funds needed to break ground. For the “concert,” the station aired recordings of nationally known artists live in concert between special guest appearances and call-ins from Gilda’s friends throughout the country. After the success of the inaugural event, the station held a second “Concert for Gilda’s Club” radiothon one year later. Highlights included an on-air call from Gilda’s brother, Michael; a candid interview with WISC-TV’s Toni Morrissey about her skin cancer diagnosis; and listeners’ stories. The two events, which raised nearly $250,000 for the new facility, involved months of planning and a commitment by WMGN staff to log in long hours. “WMGN has been great,” said Cindy Alvarez, chair of the board for Gilda’s Club Madison Wisconsin. "We are very thankful for their continuing support and talent. The “Magic 98 Concert for Gilda’s Club” was given first place honors by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association for making a significant community impact.

WISN-TV Involves Students in Political Process

As part of its commitment to 2008 political coverage, WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Wis., asked students from Marquette University, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to be political correspondents. The project, "Student Commitment 2008," involves six university advisers and 33 students currently studying journalism, political science and communications. The young journalists, who represent an important voting population in the 2008 elections, broadcast their work through several venues, including news reports, radio podcasts, blogs and videocasts on a student-driven political Web page on the station’s site. Station staff meets with the students at least once a month. On February19, 2008, during the Wisconsin primary, the students added content to a live stream of WISN’s coverage. "I love the multi-media aspects of this initiative," said Cheryl O’Brien, a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee senior in broadcast journalism. "We are the future in journalism, and this really gives us an opportunity to report the news, participate in the political process and hopefully make a difference."

WIZM-AM Aids in Flood Recovery

When record flooding claimed lives and property, WIZM-AM in LaCrosse, Wis., organized a community fund drive, which generated more than $395,000 in individual and corporate donations in a single day. The station enlisted the help of all local radio, television and newspapers for the 12-hour event, which provided emergency assistance to area flood victims through the American Red Cross. Shortly after the flood hit, WIZM began airing announcements encouraging listeners to help. A heavy schedule of news stories and interviews highlighted the most urgent needs. On the day of the collection, WIZM personalities filled buckets with monetary donations from the community from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Three remotes featuring donors and volunteers aired every hour throughout the day. The next morning, the station conducted a follow-up interview with the local Red Cross. The relief funds provided shelter, food, water, clean-up supplies and comfort kits to those in need. WIZM was a 2008 National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award winner.

WTMJ-AM Hosts ’Teddy Bear Patrol’

To provide children comfort when they need it, WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee, Wis., hosts an annual "Teddy Bear Patrol" campaign. The effort encourages listeners to donate stuffed animals for local police, fire departments and emergency medical services to distribute to children in crisis situations. In 2007, the station organized 84 collection sites and enlisted the help of 77 schools throughout the state, resulting in the collection of more than 6,000 teddy bears. The station supported the "Teddy Bear Patrol" initiative with a multi-tiered marketing campaign, which included live and recorded public service announcements, placement of collection bins, email newsletters sent to 17,000 "Loyal Listener Club" members, newspaper advertisements, Web site promotion, inclusion on WTMJ’s interactive phone line, news releases and a targeted direct mail campaign to schools. Since it began in 1993, WTMJ’s "Teddy Bear Patrol" has collected and distributed more than 70,000 teddy bears. Wisconsin Broadcasters Association awarded WTMJ with Best Support of a Community Event for the Teddy Bear Patrol in 2007.

WLUK-TV Recognizes Importance of Education

To highlight the importance of education, WLUK-TV in Green Bay, Wis., recognizes the city’s top teachers and students each school year. Eight local teachers who have made a difference in the classroom are awarded the station’s Golden Apple Award. To ensure widespread participation, the station produces and broadcasts public service announcements encouraging students to nominate their favorite educator. The station’s anchors then head into the schools to tape the winning teachers with their students. Each winner is profiled in a two-minute news story, and the station airs a one-hour live telecast of the black-tie awards banquet. WLUK also pays tribute to top students with its "Best of the Class" awards, in which the station invites 108 high schools to send their valedictorians to a ceremony held at the Green Bay Packers’ football stadium, Lambeau Field. Each valedictorian is videotaped in cap and gown, from which the station’s editors develop 30-second vignettes that air 150 times. In addition, all the stories and videos featuring the award-winning teachers and students are posted on the station’s Web site.

WQRB-FM Helps Area Dogs

Tails were wagging when WQRB-FM in Eau Claire, Wis., lent its talent and air power to help the area’s four-legged friends at the 21st annual Humane Society Annual Fido Fun Run. The station, which emceed the event from start to finish, ran more than 150 public service announcements over a four-week period to promote the two-mile walk to raise funds and awareness for the Humane Society. More than $15,000 was raised for the dogs, many of which were at the event for prospective pet owners to meet and adopt. On-air personalities encouraged listeners to obtain donations for each mile walked and the station used its Web site to provide links to pledge and registration forms as well additional information about the Humane Society. An on-air interview with the director of the local Humane Society before the event also helped to bring animal lovers together for the sake of their best friends.