Tragic Events Where Radio Has A Connection

The tragic nightclub fire that took 97 lives last Thursday in West Warwick, Rhode Island, also claimed one of that town's best known Radio personalities, Mike Gonsalves. Here's a little about him.

Radio towers are nothing to mess around with. Even though they are constructed to be tough and resilient, they also need maintenance and are sometimes the target of other peoples' weird obsessions.

Radio towers dot our landscape and are as ubiquitous as the hills, the valleys, the roadways, and the trees. We hardly even notice them most of the time. Yet, the radio tower continues to be the focus of some bizarre events. As evidence, I present these weird stories...

The risk of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, other natural disasters and even terrorism should make us all think about preparedness. Are you prepared for any of these situations? Do you have an Emergency radio? You should and here's why.

The recent winter storm which left 25 dead and hundreds of thousands of people without power also left many without communication or a way to receive information. Jeff Smulyan, CEO of Emmis Communications thinks the time is right to press for mandatory FM receivers in cell phones. Read more.

It's been 7 years since September 11th. If a terrorist was able to take control of one or more popular radio stations, he – or his group – could disseminate propaganda or misinformation which could ultimately cause panic, confusion, or worse. Are our radio stations as secure as they need to be? Read more. (Opinion)

Another major hurricane, Rita, is headed toward the Gulf Coast of Texas. For the latest news and information this is your best bet. Read more and get the online listen link.

Electricity, land lines, and cell phones are all susceptible to going down quickly in the event of a natural disaster or terrorist attack. That's why the Federal, state, and local governments need to incorporate Satellite Radio into all future disaster planning. Read more.

In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the radio groups serving New Orleans and the surrounding area have come together to form the United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans to provide information and news. Read more.

Nationwide, the country's largest radio chain is responding to the needs of survivors of Hurricane Katrina by rallying listeners to donate supplies and money. Read more.

Tradional Radio, AM and FM, has been under seige for the past few years by new technology, record F.C.C. fines, and a general disdain for almost everything it does from programming to contests. Yet, the record is already clear: AM and FM have proven crucial during the Hurrican Katrina catastrophe. Read more.

With Hurricane Katrina assaulting the Gulf Coast, I thought it would be appropriate to reprint a couple of pages from my book about working in Radio. Early in my career, when I was employed at WLOX in Biloxi, I was on-the-air during two different hurricanes: Freddy and David. Here's my recollection...

Peter Jennings came to be known as the news face for ABC television's "World News Tonight". But, he actually started his career in radio. Read more.

You would have never thought that good friend of yours, the trusty car radio, would or could ever bring you harm. Think again. Read more

Four DJs have died in four separate incidents in the last couple of days. You might have listened to them on the Radio at one time. Read more.

The space shuttle "Columbia" was destroyed on re-entry early yesterday, killing all 7 astronauts aboard. Here is a transcript of the last radio transmission between Mission Control and the Columbia.

Looking at the record, Radio DJs have had their share of untimely deaths - many due to auto and plane crashes, some because of suicides and even a freak accident or two. Read more.

Historic radio audio from the day Britain's favorite Princess was tragically killed in a car accident.

The space shuttle "Columbia" was destroyed on re-entry today, killing all 7 astronauts aboard. Among the many activities shuttle missions have been involved in is a program called SAREX, Space Amateur Radio Experiment. It has given students and amateur radio operators a chance to communicate with astronauts to ask questions about space and shuttle missions.

Radio has long been used as another weapon in war, mainly as a propaganda tool. From broadcasts aimed at Iraq's military by U.S. forces against Saddam Hussein to North Vietnam's "Hanoi Hannah" during the Vietnam War, Germany's "Axis Sally", and Japan's "Tokyo Rose" during World War II, Radio has been used by the good guys and the bad guys.

The personal thoughts of radio personality Corey Deitz about the moment he received the news of September 11th and how he proceeded to relay the terrible news to his listening audience.