From coast-to-coast, radio and TV stations are spearheading efforts to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina and the devastating floods which followed the storm. Pictured are Gary Moore of KLOS-FM and Dallas Raines of KABC-TV welcoming motorists who lined up at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles to donate money to the Red Cross for hurricane relief. The NAB announced late yesterday that stations across the nation have committed to raise a minimum of 100 million bucks for the relief effort - - the "BroadcastUnity for Katrina Relief" initiative. NAB itself has donated one million to the Red Cross and next Friday (Sept. 9) has been designated "BroadcastUnity Day" for fundraising efforts. Other broadcasters have been telling RBR/TVBR of their efforts. In Great Falls, MT, Scott Hershey and Bubba of Cherry Creek Radio assembled this audio montage to appeal for donations. [AUDIO CUT] Clear Channel Communications launched StormAid.com and began airing PSAs on over 1,000 radio and TV stations urging listeners and viewers to go there to make donations to the Red Cross. The site also contains updates on relief efforts from the company's stations in markets across the country. Numerous radio and TV stations have told RBR/TVBR of their relief efforts. Send yours to [email protected].

---

Granite Broadcasting said its TV stations in eight markets are working with the Red Cross, utilizing live telethons, PSAs and news coverage to raise donations and inform their communities of relief efforts.

The nationally-syndicated "Bob & Sheri" radio show announced a "Beads for the Bayou" campaign to send Mardi Gras beads to listeners who donate to the Red Cross via bobandsheri.com.

In Raleigh, NC, WRAL-FM & TV and WRAZ-TV partnered with the Red Cross today for "Operation Storm Relief," with all three stations urging people to bring cash and check donations to three collection centers in the Triangle area. "We anticipate a sustained disaster relief effort, unlike any other in our history, lasting many months," said Triangle Red Cross Executive Director Barry Porter.

"Good Day New York" on WNYW-TV Fox-5 is hitting the streets of New York today in partnership with AmeriCares to raise money for the non-profit disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization.

KLAS-TV Las Vegas, owned by Landmark Communications, reported yesterday afternoon that it had raised over $300,000 after operating a phone bank with the Red Cross since 4:00 pm on Tuesday. The effort continues through today's evening newscast.

Listeners to Radio One's KKBT-FM "The Beat" Los Angeles are being rewarded with a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts for each contribution of $10 or more to the Red Cross as the station broadcasts live today from a Krispy Kreme location in Gardena.

Emmis' KZLA-FM Los Angeles is asking listeners to fill a truck with bottled water, pre-packaged foods, diapers and baby food/formula to be send to the Gulf area. The event has been dubbed "LA for LA" - - Los Angeles for Louisiana. Emmis' four Indianapolis radio stations sponsored an all-day Hurricane Relief Dive in front of corporate headquarters yesterday. KMTV-TV Omaha had raised nearly $50,000 in two days and KOIN-TV Portland had raised more than $71,000. The Smulyan Family Foundation is matching employee contributions dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000. Meanwhile, Emmis has accounted for all but a few of its employees in New Orleans, but doesn't believe that those who haven't been reached are in danger - - just cut off from communications. Email access for WVUE-TV employees has been re-established.

The Tucson Broadcasters Association has most of the Arizona city's radio and TV stations joining together today to conduct "drive-thrus" collecting money for the Red Cross.

Recalling the aid that their region of North Carolina received after Hurricane Isabel two years ago, Max Radio's WCXL-FM & WCMS-FM Elizabeth City-Nags Head have been doing live remotes at local businesses to raise cash for the Red Cross and are conducting silent auctions next week of items donated by local merchants.

Salem's Los Angeles radio stations are urging listeners to make donations to Feed the Children to assist storm victims, directing them to a toll-free phone number.

Hearst-Argyle's KHBS/KHOG-TV Ft. Smith-Fayetteville, AR conducted an all-day telethon yesterday, hoping to raise more than the $170,000 that the stations had collected for Asian Tsunami victims earlier this year.

Infinity's WNKS-FM Charlotte and the syndicated Ace & TJ morning show have been collecting supplies in the station's parking lot since Monday morning. A convoy of 10 semi trucks headed off yesterday for Alexandria, LA, a major staging point for relief efforts.

The five-station Results Radio Network in Central Upper Michigan, owned by Lakes Radio, has teamed up with the local YMCA for a huge public auction tomorrow which will raise money for the Red Cross.

Citadel Broadcasting's radio stations in the Flint and Saginaw, MI markets have launched "Citadel Broadcasting Power of Five" with a mission of collecting $5 from each person willing to give at locations throughout their coverage areas. Of course, many people are giving much more than a fiver.

Viacom/CBS O&O KCNC-TV Denver reports raising $216,595 for the Red Cross on Wednesday, with additional donations still coming in.

Saga's six-station Des Moines Radio Group announced a major fund-raising drive for the Red Cross. Beginning tomorrow, coupons will be available at 11 Metro Dahl's Foods locations for customers to scan in an extra $5 for hurricane relief. The stations will stage drive-by fundraising events at all Dahl's locations next Thursday.