Bastrop Fire

[Maize Brothers]

So it's been 5 days since the fire in Bastrop broke out, and there's not been much mention of local radio's response.

This morning, in my RadioInk Headlines email, the top story focused on the chief engineer at Emmis, who's home was destroyed in the fire. Why aren't we doing anything to help this man, and the thousands of others, affected by this tragedy?

I do not work at Emmis and do not know the man. However, radio owes a great deal of gratitude to engineers. There has to be something we--the readers of the SA/Austin board--can do to help this man and his family.

Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[fredcantu]

With no disrespect at all intended to the Emmis chief and his loss, I am certain he is in a much better financial situation than the many working poor who live in the charred area. I have seen first-hand some the tiny hand-built homes that are hidden in the pines in Bastrop County. Some lack insulation and some even lack indoor plumbing. I'm sure they intended to have those "niceties" someday but they had medical expenses or other tragedies get in the way. Those are the people who are not going to have the wherewithall to rebuild and are going to need our help even more to rise from the ashes.

 

[beaun]

That is sad indeed. Speaking of local radios response - KLBJ 590/99.7 was all over the fires Sunday night and all day Monday. It was live, local and very well done. For a holiday weekend, they showed why they buck the trend of news talk stations going down in the ratings.

 

[bturner]

KLBJ always seems to do a good job when it matters most.

I recall when Hurricane Rita threatened Houston, I was here in Houston at a station trying to get any information possible. Our local stations weren't providing it, but a call to KLBJ gained far better information that anybody in Houston had on the air. They knew more about traffic conditions and availability of gas in Houston than the Houston stations ever reported.

As I escaped the metro I learned of shortcuts, knew where the traffic was bogged down, etc.

It is obvious KLBJ has not forgotten what it means for radio to serve (their community).

 

[Maize Brothers]

Can't argue with KLBJ's coverage of the fire. They are a top notch outfit. Even 1200 WOAI in SA did a pretty solid job covering the wildfires around here this week. Nothing on the level of the mess near Austin, but still a great job.

 

[Faraway]

As they should be, WOAI was the only station (radio) reporting on the Stone Oak fires on Labor Day. All live. Wasn't Joe Pags but it was someone. Live. Taking lots of calls and talking to there reporters. KTSA was running some best of Mark Levin deal. With no local news. Guess they shut down on holidays.

 

[CTHank]

Not surprised by WOAI being active during the fire, one thing I have to give them credit for is they will put feet on the ground when something big breaks in SA, (at least if it happens during the day....) KTSA hasn't had a real news presence in town for what seems like years now, on weekends and holidays their broadcast schedule seems like one big infomercial and I don't think they have much staff left.

 

[1st of 5]

KTSA dropped the ball again during the Camp Bullis wildfires this week. While WOAI had Pags hosting live reports and taking local residents phone calls, Sean Rima at KTSA was yacking on about the daily internet gossip silly watercooler topic of the day, totally oblivious of what was the biggest news event in the city since 4:30PM. Maybe Rima does his show from an off location underground windowless bunker with no TV, radio or Inet monitors to watch. Sometime later KTSA had a few brain cells left to finally revert Rima's show to a poor copy of WOAI's wildfire coverage. KTSA is no longer what it used to be, news-wise or enterainmentwise. I don't care much for WOAI, but at least they had LIVE news and info about the emergency situation, which was very helpful and informative.