As the death toll continues to mount, with at least 120 killed and more than 170 people still missing on July 10 from devastating Texas floods, a number of broadcast station groups have announced efforts to raise money for those impacted by the disaster.

Gray Media, Graham Media Group, E.W. Scripps and Sinclar are among the broadcast station group owners who have announced efforts to raise and donate money as their stations and other broadcasters continue to provide critical information about the disaster.

A few highlights of those efforts include:

• Sinclair has launched Sinclair Cares: Texas Tragedy Relief, a national fundraising campaign in partnership with the Salvation Army, to support those affected by the devastating flooding across Texas. It said 100% of funds raised will provide critical emergency assistance including mobile feeding units, meals, hydration, shelter, clean up kits, hygiene kits and emotional care to survivors and first responders. Sinclair noted that its stations in San Antonio (KABB and WOAI) and Austin (KEYE) have been reporting on the story since the flooding began on July 4, delivering continuous coverage on Friday and Saturday, expanding newscasts into Sunday, with KABB and WOAI airing 52 hours of live coverage and KEYE also adding extended live coverage. To further support the ongoing effort, Sinclair has deployed 10 journalists and additional resources from other markets to assist with comprehensive coverage across all platforms. More information is available at SinclairCares.com.
• In response to the devastating floods that swept through Central Texas and the Hill Country, Graham Media Group and Gray Media have joined forces to launch an urgent donation drive supporting local relief and recovery efforts. The campaign raised more than $120,000 in donations in its first 24 hours, including a $25,000 donation from Gray. Graham is making an additional $15,000 donation to the campaign. Through this collaborative campaign, Graham ’s KSAT in San Antonio and KPRC in Houston and Gray stations across 113 U.S. markets aim to generate donations that deliver vital resources—including food, housing and financial aid—to impacted communities. The station groups said 100% of funds raised will support on-the-ground efforts in flood-affected regions Donate at www.togetherfortx.com
• The Scripps News Group and the Scripps Howard Fund have raised more than $75,000 to provide relief for those impacted by the devastating floods in Central Texas. Scripps reported that since its campaign launched on July 7, support has poured in from across the nation, with more than $50,000 donated by hundreds of people from more than 25 states. E.W. Scripps has also contributed $25,000 to bolster the relief efforts. Scripps reported that the floods are now the deadliest instance of inland flooding in the U.S. since 1976, when Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon flooded, killing 144 people, according to a new report. To give: Text FLOODING to 50155 or visit scrippsnews.com/relief.
• The Broadcasters Foundation of America is also making one-time, emergency grants to broadcasters who need financial help recovering from a natural disaster or acute emergency is extending that help to broadcasters impacted by the Texas flood. It said there are two ways to apply for an emergency grant: Personal Application - Broadcaster applying for themselves following an emergency or an Employer Application - General Manager, Market Manager, or HR representative applying on behalf of your employees following an emergency. Applications can be submitted here.

TV Tech will add more examples as we collect them.

WASHINGTON—America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) has presented the 2025 Pillar of Public Service Award to Larry D. Unger, president and CEO of Maryland Public Television (MPT), for his remarkable work in education, public safety and community connections, in service to the people of Maryland.

The Pillar of Public Service Award recognizes the contribution of an extraordinary leader and innovator in one or more of public television’s three essential public service missions: education, public safety, and community connections.

“Larry’s exceptional work at Maryland Public Television has raised the bar of service and innovation many times during his 28-year tenure,” said Kate Riley, president and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations. “Larry and his talented team at Maryland Public Television have dramatically demonstrated the power of public television to deliver a broad range of essential local public services across the state of Maryland.”

Riley added that “Larry’s commitment to public service has been unwavering and essential to the success of the statewide network’s exceptional education services including Thinkport and the new Maryland Center for Media Literacy & Education; the innovative creation of the Maryland State Ad Agency; the critical public safety role MPT plays in the state; and the enhancement of community connections through engaging events and landmark local programs that bring pride to all Marylanders such as State Circle, Maryland Farm & Harvest, Outdoors Maryland, Chesapeake Bay Week and Chesapeake Collectibles.”

“I’m grateful for this special recognition from APTS,” said Larry Unger, president and CEO of Maryland Public Television. “During my time in the banking industry, I never imagined having the opportunity to change career paths and work with the talented and dedicated people in public television. What I’ve experienced at MPT and across the public media system are individuals dedicated to creative excellence, service and making their communities a better place. I’m proud of the positive impact our work continues to have and thankful to all those who I’ve had the honor to collaborate with over nearly three decades.”

Larry D. Unger is the fifth president in the more than 55-year history of Maryland Public Television (MPT). MPT, a $37.9 million noncommercial broadcasting operation headquartered in Owings Mills, Maryland, is a state licensee member of PBS.

Unger first joined MPT in 1997, bringing to the organization nearly three decades’ experience in the local financial services community. After serving as the statewide broadcaster’s vice president of administration and finance, chief financial officer, and executive vice president and chief operating officer, he was named MPT’s president and CEO in July 2011.

Within the public television industry, Unger is an at-large trustee of America's Public Television Stations. He is also a former member of the National Educational Telecommunications Association board of directors, a board member and former cochair of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives, and former trustee and former chairman of American Public Television (APT), the largest syndicator of programming for U.S. public TV stations.

Prior to his MPT career, Unger served for 11 years as a senior-level executive at Baltimore Bancorp and its main subsidiary, The Bank of Baltimore. In his final position there, he was executive vice president of both entities, with responsibility for all consumer-related activities, including the branch system, retail lending, bank card and investment services. He managed more than $600 million in loans, nearly 600 employees and $1.75 billion in deposits.

Unger holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Baltimore, where he also earned a certificate in financial management. He completed the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, the pre-eminent executive management school for the financial services industry. Unger served for six years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

The 2025 Pillar of Public Service Award was presented to Larry D. Unger during the APTS Public Media Summit on Monday, February 24, 2025.

ATLANTA—In addition to providing critical information about hurricanes Helene and Milton in its ongoing news coverage, Cox Media Group (CMG) has announced that it has raised nearly $1 million in hurricane relief and that its TV and radio stations have been providing food, water and necessities for impacted people and communities.

Those relief efforts have also included bringing mobile charging stations into communities for affected people to charge their cellphones and other devices.

“These efforts by our CMG family highlight the indispensable role of our stations—and our entire broadcasting industry—as we work together to make a powerful and positive impact on the communities we live in and serve,” CMG President and CEO Dan York said. “As importantly, none of this would have been possible without the incredible support from our local partners and audiences. The response of our viewers and listeners has been nothing short of remarkable.”

Examples of the relief efforts include:

• CMG Radio Tampa Bay (97X, 107.3 The Eagle, 101.5 The Vibe, Magic 94.9, 102.5 The Bone and 105.5 WDUV) raised nearly $950,000 during its Hope After Helene fundraising event. The collaboration included local businesses and listeners across central and south Florida. The proceeds went to Metropolitan Ministries, which provided food, water and other essential assistance to the victims of Hurricane Helene. This effort was aided by PSAs and other promotional support across CMG’s radio stations in Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando. CMG Radio Tampa Bay is now raising funds for those impacted by Hurricane Milton.
• CMG Orlando (WFTV and CMG Orlando Radio-WDBO 107.3 FM & 580 AM, Star 94.5, 98.9 WMMO, Exitos 96.5, WWKA-K92.3FM) provided mobile charging stations across multiple counties to help hundreds of people without power recharge their cell phones, laptops, tablets, portable batteries and other devices.
• CMG Radio Miami (HITS 97.3, Easy 93.1, Hot 105, 99 JAMZ) initiated Hurricane Helene/Milton Drop Off Relief. All CMG Miami radio stations provided on-air, social media and on-site components via all four stations to request listener help, collecting everyday essential items to benefit Tampa residents effected by severe weather conditions. As a result, two 18-wheeler semi tractor trailers—collectively carrying 80,000 pounds of water and everyday items—were delivered to the Tampa area. Another semi tractor trailer filled with thousands of emergency meal kits was provided to Tampa-area residents, in partnership with CMG Radio Tampa Bay’s 101.5 The Vibe.
• CMG Charlotte (WSOC-WAXN) aired a one-hour fundraising special on both of its TV stations to benefit the Red Cross and its efforts in Western North Carolina. A QR code was used to make it easier for the audience to give.
• CMG Atlanta (WSB-TV and CMG Radio Atlanta’s 10 stations) deployed its Convoy of Care. Thirteen tractor-trailers delivered thousands of pounds of nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, flashlights, batteries, personal hygiene kits, baby supplies, pet food and pet supplies to victims of Hurricane Helene in three southeast Georgia cities. Additionally, the Convoy of Care donation link has raised more than $33,000 to date. The Convoy of Care is a collaboration between WSB-TV, CMG Radio Atlanta, law enforcement, Caring for Others, and the Georgia Motor Trucking Association.

WASHINGTON—The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation has announced the winners of the 20th edition of the Celebration of Service to America Awards.

These local broadcasters will be honored for outstanding community service at the Celebration of Service to America dinner June 12 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington. The awards are sponsored and produced by NABEF with major support from the National Association of Broadcasters, Bonneville International and Hearst Television.

[Read: NABEF Reveals 2017 Service To America Honorees]

“Local broadcasters play a crucial role in informing, supporting and strengthening communities across our country,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “This year’s winners represent the ethos of broadcasting and the industry’s unwavering commitment to public service. We look forward to honoring these outstanding stations in the nation’s capital.”

President’s Special Award

The NABEF President’s Special Award recognizes extraordinary achievement by an individual broadcast station or group of broadcasters.

In recognition of broadcasters’ service to before, during and after historic hurricanes and wildfires in 2017, broadcasters in Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as those in California, Montana, Oregon and Washington, will receive special honors. Broadcasters nationwide will also receive recognition for their support of local communities during these events.

Service to Community Award for Television – Ownership Group

TEGNA, “Selling Girls”

Category Finalists:

• Hearst Television, “State of Addiction”
• NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, “NBC and Telemundo Owned Stations Information Beacons for Communities Affected by Natural Disasters”
• Nexstar Media Group, “Founders Day”
• Univision Communications, “Unidos por los Nuestros” – Disaster Relief Campaign

Service to Community Award for Television – Large Market

Tribune Media’s KDVR of Denver, “FOX31 Problem Solvers: Serving Those Who Serve”

Category Finalists:

• CBS Corp.’s KCBS(TV) Los Angeles, “Stephanie’s Day”
• Hubbard Broadcasting’s KOB(TV) Albuquerque, N.M., “#ABQ4ward”
• CBS Corp.’s WCCO(TV) Minneapolis, Minn., “WCCO(TV)’s Pulling Together”
• Univision Communications’ WGBO(TV) Chicago, “Fin de DACA – End of DACA”
• Graham Media Group’s WKMG(TV) of Orlando, Fla., “WKMG – Driving Change Campaign”
• Raycom Media’s WOIO(TV) Cleveland, Ohio, “2 Strong 4 Bullies”
• Capitol Broadcasting’s WRAL(TV) of Raleigh, N.C., “Searching for a Fix”

Service to Community Award for Television – Medium Market

Gray Television’s WJRT(TV) of Flint, Mich., “ABC12 Diaper Drive”

Category Finalists:

• Gray Television’s KWTX(TV) Waco, Texas, “Service to Veterans” and “The Rhett Revolution”
• Raycom Media’s WAFB Baton Rouge, La., “Donna Britt Day 2017”
• Gray Television’s WMTV(TV) of Madison, “NBC15 Share Your Holidays Campaign to Eliminate Hunger”
• Raycom Media’s WVUE(TV) of New Orleans, “Medical Waste”

Service to Community Award for Television – Small Market

Gray Television’s WCTV of Tallahassee, Fla., “WCTV Peanut Butter and Jelly Jam”

Category Finalists:

• Hubbard Broadcasting’s KAAL(TV) of Rochester, Minn., “ABC 6 News Weather Lab”
• Sinclair Broadcast Group’s KRCG(TV) of Columbia, Mo., “Stop Bullying Mid-Mo”
• Gray Television’s WEAU(TV) of Eau Claire, Wis., “Tornado Relief Fund”
• Quincy Media’s WREX(TV) of Rockford, Ill., “Hooked: The Opioid Epidemic Hits Home”

Service to Community Award for Radio – Major Market

KJLH Radio’s KJLH(FM) of Los Angeles, “102.3 KJLH Women’s Health Expo”

Category Finalists:

• Cox Media Group Long Island, “Battling Breast Cancer”
• KTMY(FM) Coon Rapids, Minn., “Project Down and Dirty,” Hubbard Broadcasting
• Cox Media Group’s WFLC(FM) of Miami, “Hits 97.3 Campaigns for Conservation”
• iHeartMedia’s WNIC(FM) of Dearborn, Mich., “Jay’s Juniors with 100.3 WNIC”

Service to Community Award for Radio – Medium Market

Federated Media’s WOWO(FM) of Ft. Wayne, Ind., “Penny Pitch”

Category Finalists:

• iHeartMedia’s WGY(AM), WRVE of Schenectady, N.Y., “The River 19th Annual Cares for Kids Radiothon”
• Connoisseur Media’s WPLR(FM) New Haven, Conn., “The 99.1 PLR Chaz and AJ Toy Drive”
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s WWOZ(FM) New Orleans, La., “School Groove”

Service to Community Award for Radio – Small Market

Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri’s KTXY(FM) Columbia, Mo., “Y107 Miracles for Kids Radiothon”

Category Finalists:

• Zimmer Radio of Mid-Missouri’s KCLR(FM) of Boonville, Mo., “Clear 99 Honor Flight Radiothon”
• Aloha Station Trust’s WFRE(FM) and WFMD(AM) Frederick, Md., “WFRE St. Jude Radiothon”