Press Release

July 23, 2024

Media relations

Jayme Nicholas

(312) 750-7254

jayme.a.nicholas@abc.com

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ABC 7 Chicago’s Doug Whitmire Promoted to Vice President of ABC 7 Eyewitness News

ABC 7 Chicago’s Assistant News Director Doug Whitmire has been promoted to vice president of News, announced today by John Idler, president and general manager, ABC 7 Chicago. The appointment is effective Aug. 5.

According to Idler, “Doug has been a leading force in the newsroom for more than two decades and a key contributor to our success. His impeccable news judgement and in-depth knowledge of Chicago make him ideally suited to take the helm of ABC 7 Eyewitness News.”

Whitmire said, “When I walked into 190 N. State 21 years ago, I remember the sense of awe I had for ABC 7, and I’m fortunate to have the same feeling today. I am inspired by the work the team does day in and day out to serve the people of Chicago. I am looking forward to leading Chicago’s No. 1 news and the hardest working team in the business.”

Since starting at the station in 2003 as a newswriter/producer, Whitmire has been promoted throughout his ABC 7 career. In 2008, he took over as the executive producer of ABC 7 Chicago’s morning news and became the executive producer of the 10 p.m. newscast in 2014. Seven years later, he was again promoted to the position of assistant news director.

He started his television career in Toledo, Ohio, as a daily assignment reporter and producer in 2000.

Whitmire is a 10-time winner, 14-time nominee of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Midwest Regional Emmy^® Awards for his efforts in the categories of breaking news, best newscast and best coverage of a live event.

He is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and the first recipient of the university’s Excellent Alumnus Award in Journalism.

About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago 
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces “Chicago Proud,” a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago. The station also produces the highest-rated New Year’s Eve special in Chicago, holiday kickoff special “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,” syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series “Our Chicago,” which showcases the city’s diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what’s happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago’s electorate informed. ABC7’s outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.  

X:                     https://twitter.com/abc7chicago 
Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/abc7Chicago/ 
Facebook:      https://www.facebook.com/abc7Chicago/ 

Media Contact:
Jayme Nicholas
(312) 750-7254
jayme.a.nicholas@abc.com

Press Release

July 11, 2024

Media relations

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

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ABC Owned Television Stations Team Up With Array Filmworks To Present ‘Our America: Hidden Stories With Ava DuVernay’ Beginning July 14

Award-Winning Writer, Director and Producer Ava DuVernay Shares Personal Insight Into Her Highly Anticipated Film ‘ORIGIN’

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations in association with ARRAY Filmworks present “Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay,” beginning, Sunday, July 14, across ABC Owned Television Stations linear and digital platforms, and streaming on Hulu July 19. The compelling and educational one-hour special sheds light on the interconnected issues of caste through the lenses of racism, sexism and other various human hierarchies in America while drawing from thethemes in her landmark film “ORIGIN.” The special aims to engage, inform and inspire viewers to connect on a human level.

Traveling across the United States, with interviews in Los Angeles, Houston and New York, conversation highlights include the following topics:

The Making of “Origin”
In a special “On The Red Carpet” segment, DuVernay shares insights into the making of her highly anticipated film “Origin,” her inspiration, and the intended takeaways for the audience.

Book Bans
DuVernay explores the controversy surrounding the attempted ban of Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste” in Texas schools, further highlighting the public’s influence on library and textbook decisions.

Caste in America
“All of the ‘isms’ sit on top of caste.” In this segment, WABC-TV anchor Sade Baderinwa and DuVernay dissect the differences between caste, class and all the “isms” that are supported by sometimes seemingly hidden systems of dominance.

Student Roundtable
Lastly, DuVernay sits down for an enlightening roundtable discussion with current college students to gain insight into their passions and concerns and what motivates them to drive societal change.

Additionally, the special aims to educate the audience on their role in caste systems, the concept of caste, the issues of othering and belonging to racism and injustice, and the responsibility we all have as a role of individuals in effecting positive change in our communities and our country. Online, viewers are invited to use DuVernay’s free Interactive tools, which will allow viewers access to an “ORIGIN” learning companion that explores how caste shows up in health care, education, technology, the legal system, and even environmental justice. These materials supplement the educational experience, encouraging further exploration and understanding of the film’s themes.

“Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay” streams on Hulu beginning, Friday, July 19, and across the ABC Owned Television Stations streaming and digital platforms, and linear on the following dates:

Sunday, July 14
3:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles

Monday, July 15
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, July 20
11:00 a.m. PDT            ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
1:00 p.m. EDT             ABC7/WABC-TV New York
8:30 p.m. PDT             ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, July 21
4:00 p.m. CDT ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
6:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, July 27
12:30 p.m. CDT ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston

Sunday, July 28
11:30 a.m. EDT ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Sunday, Aug. 4
5:00 p.m. EDT 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia

“Our America: Hidden Stories with Ava DuVernay” is executive produced by Ava DuVernay, Tammy Garnes, Paul Garnes, Tilane Jones and Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations.

The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

About ORIGIN
Written, directed, and produced by Academy Award nominee, Ava DuVernay, ORIGIN explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience. With an expansive cast that includes Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, and Niecy Nash-Betts, the film was inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson’s novel Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. Never stop learning with the ORIGIN Learning Companion at ORIGIN101.org.

About ABC Owned Television Stations 
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno.  With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024.  They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including four stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

About ARRAY
ARRAY is a multi-platform media company and arts collective founded by Ava DuVernay focused on narrative change. The collective aims to amplify the work of underrepresented voices and stories in film through the distribution of diverse projects and the creation of original content.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

July 10, 2024

Media relations

Richard Horrmann

richard.horrmann@disney.com

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

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Wendy Granato Named ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles President and General Manager

Wendy Granato has been named president and general manager of ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles — the No.1 station in Southern California — it was announced today by ABC Owned Television Stations President Chad Matthews.

Granato arrives in Los Angeles from Houston, where she is currently the president and general manager of ABC13/KTRK-TV, also No. 1 in the market on both broadcast and digital platforms. In her new role at KABC, she will be responsible for leading and building on the momentum of this iconic station in the nation’s second largest market and the entertainment capital of the world, shaping its editorial vision and managing the strategies and teams that drive audience and growth across platforms. She assumes the position left vacant by the retirement of Cheryl Fair in March.

“Wendy is a true innovator, long championing modernization in the newsroom with a laser focus on how best to optimize programming across platforms,” said Matthews. “She is also keenly aware of what is important to viewers and is resolute in her commitment to impactful, high-quality journalism. I know she will put her trademark tenacity, passion for problem-solving and creative thinking to work to ensure that KABC continues to be the market leader in Los Angeles.”

“I’ve had ample opportunities over the years to collaborate with the KABC team. They are among the most pioneering and innovative storytellers in the business, and I’m very much looking forward to leading this remarkable team,” said Granato. “I’m particularly impressed with their forward-thinking approach to breaking news and how best to elevate it across myriad platforms. I look forward to working closely with community leaders across the city to amplify stories and organizations that make a difference in the lives of Los Angeles viewers. And I cannot wait to immerse myself in all things SoCal!”

Granato added: “On a personal note, it’s such an honor to step into the shoes of the great Cheryl Fair, who is such an inspiration to so many of us in the industry. I’m incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside her during her tenure and to continue to call her my friend.”

Matthews will oversee management at KTRK until a new general manager is named, with Granato continuing to provide support during this transitional period.

As general manager of KTRK, Granato spearheaded the launch of the station’s 24/7 news stream, delivering the most live, local coverage in the Houston market and cementing the station’s status as Houston’s leading source for local news and information across broadcast, digital and social platforms.

She has led the station through numerous weather emergencies, including Hurricane Beryl, which hit Houston earlier this week resulting in multiple fatalities, extreme flooding and power outages. In addition to hurricanes, tornadoes and freezes, the station has chronicled additional big, breaking news events of national significance like the border crisis, the Santa Fe and Uvalde school shootings, and the Astro World concert tragedy.

Under her leadership, ABC13 produces 13 hours of live news daily, including “ABC13 Weather Now,” a first-of-its-kind weather show. In addition to newscasts, the station produces 175-plus hours of premium content each year, including community specials, station drives and live events. Granato also led the station’s introduction of two advocacy journalism documentary series, “Unsolved” and “Texas True Crime,” that are so popular they’re now available on Hulu.

Prior to becoming general manager at ABC13, Granato served as the vice president of News for ABC13 for five years. In charge of all editorial decisions and operations, she was responsible for the successful merger of broadcast and digital departments, and helped the station become the No. 1 local news station in the market. Before that, she was executive producer of special projects and executive producer of the daily talk show, “Debra Duncan.”

As a leader who is passionate about innovation and investing in skills of the future, Granato is a founding director of OTV University, an educational program for all eight ABC Owned Television Stations.

During her tenure, the station has won 99 Emmys^® and 13 Edward R. Murrow Awards. Most notably, as VP of News, she was instrumental in leading the station’s Emmy Award-winning coverage of Hurricane Harvey in 2017, during which time KTRK was on the air nonstop for eight consecutive days. Most recently, the station won both a regional and national Edward R. Murrow Award in Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for its piece “Taking Back Gulfton.” She has been named to Radio+Television Business Report’s Top Local Leaders list twice, was named among the Top 30 Influential Women of Houston in 2022, and most recently named 2024’s TV Market Manager of the Year by Media Alliance of Houston.

Granato is also passionate about the station’s community outreach efforts, working closely with partners such as Black Heritage Society, Crimestoppers, Goodwill Houston, the Houston Marathon Foundation, the Houston Texans, Latino Learning Center, League of United Latin American Citizens and VOICE of Asia News. Notably, the station supports Share Your Holidays, an annual food drive benefiting the Houston Food Bank; and hosts an E-cycle Drive, a collection/recycling effort for outdated electronic equipment in conjunction with Earth Day. The station also broadcasts the city’s major events, including The Chevron Marathon, the annual July 4th Freedom Over Texas celebration, and numerous parades such as Art Car, Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, Galveston Mardi Gras, MLK, Pride and more.

Before joining ABC13, Granato was the news director for KNWS Houston. Earlier in her career, she was a news reporter and morning news anchor for KATC in Lafayette, Louisiana.

She studied at the Manship School of Mass Communication, where she received a degree in broadcast journalism from Louisiana State University.

*COPYRIGHT ©2024 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of KABC. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.

Media Contacts:
Richard Horrmann
richard.horrmann@disney.com
(818) 460-6654

Fonda Berosini
f fonda.berosini@disney.com
(818) 441-4983

Press Release

June 20, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Leslie Schwartz

leslie.schwartz.-ND@disney.com

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ABC Owned Television Stations Announces Nine-Part Special ‘Our America: In the Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton’

A trailer for the first episode can be viewed **here**.

ABC Owned Television Stations’ thought-provoking “Our America: In The Black” series returns today, Thursday, June 20, with a nine-part special, “Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton.” Hosted by serial entrepreneur, investor and author Arlan Hamilton, the special continues the conversations surrounding financial health and wellness. The first episode is available now across ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms as well as on ABC News Live.

Each episode in the series features an intimate discussion with influential guests from business, entertainment and technology. Together, they share personal stories and insights on achieving financial health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of financial education and the pursuit of financial freedom. Timed to resonate with the themes of freedom surrounding Juneteenth and July Fourth, this series addresses the pressing issue of the lack of financial freedom in America. With 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and many lacking sufficient savings, Arlan Hamilton – who transformed her life from homelessness to raising over $30 million for startups through Backstage Capital – leads conversations that aim to inspire and empower viewers.

In the first episode, “Rachel Rodgers,” Hamilton sits down with her longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Rachel Rodgers. Rodgers, who founded the multimillion-dollar company, Hello Seven, which teaches diverse entrepreneurs how to earn more money and build wealth, talks about getting into the right mindset to be entrepreneurial and the importance of bridging the wealth gap.

Additional episodes in the series will be available over the summer and will spotlight the following interviews:

Episode 2:
“Lauren Chan” – For the second episode in the series, Hamilton sits down with Lauren Chan, a size-inclusion activist who created the plus-sized luxury fashion company, Henning. Chan, who is a former Sports Illustrated model and who identifies as plus-sized, AAPI, and LGBTQ+, talks about the importance of diverse representation in fashion and positions of power.

Episode 3:
“Holly Levow” – Hamilton is joined by fellow businesswoman Holly Levow, who runs two production companies, Equitas Entertainment Partners and Catalyst Studios. Levow, whose focus is on providing opportunities, investment and support for women and nonbinary talent, speaks on the importance of uplifting female voices in a way that is beneficial to everyone.

Episode 4:
“Dean Forbes” – Hamilton speaks with CEO Dean Forbes, who heads billion-dollar software company Forterro and is the chairman of the social mobility foundation Forbes Family Group. During their conversation, Forbes speaks about his struggles climbing the economic ladder and about his effort to elevate disadvantaged people through his position of power.

Episode 5:
“Suneera Madhani” – Hamilton sits with fellow businesswoman Suneera Madhani, who serves as the CEO of billion-dollar fintech company Stax Payments and the co-creator of fintech startup Worth AI. Madhani discusses her groundbreaking tech inventions that have the power to change business transactions and her desire to disrupt norms by hiring a diverse team.

Episode 6:
“Teri Ijeoma” – Hamilton sits with CEO Teri Ijeoma, who created the acclaimed online course, Trade and Travel. Ijeoma, who has a decade of successful, million-dollar-making stock trading experiences, speaks about her journey from teacher to businesswoman and provides advice for the next generation of traders.

Episode 7:
“Crystal Alonzo” – Hamilton speaks to actress Crystal Alonzo about her career as a comedian that propelled her family out of poverty. Alonzo explains how her success, which reached a pinnacle when she became the first Latina to create and star in her eponymous sitcom, “Cristela,” was attributed to her community and her familial relationships.

Episode 8:
“Bridgid Coulter Cheadle” – Hamilton sits down with small business owner Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, the founder of Blackbird – a workspace for women of color and their allies. During their chat, Cheadle discusses the power of physical spaces in connecting a community and the importance of uplifting marginalized people.

Episode 9:
“Lamar and Ronnie Tyler” – Hamilton sits down with married couple and business collaborators Lamar and Ronnie, who co-founded Traffic Sales & Profit, a business designed to elevate Black entrepreneurs into financial success. In the conversation, Lamar and Ronnie emphasize the importance of bringing Black people into a place of financial success and advise Black businesspeople to focus on cultivating their strengths.

“Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations. The first installment of “Our America: In the Black” debuted in February and featured Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker talking about how technology can help bridge generational wealth gaps.

The Our America series is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the No. 1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Leslie Schwartz
leslie.schwartz.-ND@disney.com

Press Release

June 17, 2024

Media relations

Jayme Nicholas

(312) 750-7254

jayme.a.nicholas@abc.com

Share this release

ABC 7 Chicago Celebrates Pride With Live Broadcast From the 53rd Annual Pride Parade Sunday, June 30, at 11 A.M. on ABC7 and ABC7CHICAGO.COM

Will Also Exclusively Stream Live on ABC 7’s Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and ABC News Live on Hulu

Hosts Cody LaGrow, ABC 7’s Hosea Sanders and Tanja Babich, and Kim Hunt along with ABC 7’s Jason Knowles, reporting live on the street.caption placeholder

ABC 7 celebrates the 53^rd Annual Chicago Pride Parade with a two-hour, live parade broadcast, Sunday, June 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ABC 7’s Tanja Babich, Hosea Sanders and Jason Knowles host the Chicago Pride Parade broadcast withKnowles capturing all the action live from the street. LGBTQIA+ community advocates join the festivities, including Cody LaGrow (Emmy^® Award-winning journalist), Kim Hunt (Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and senior director of AIDS Initiative Chicago).

The parade will also exclusively stream on ABC 7’s Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku and ABC News Live on Hulu.

Members of the ABC 7 Chicago Eyewitness News team including Ravi Baichwal, Rob Elgas, Jasmine Minor and Tre Ward are scheduled to ride on the ABC 7 float.

“ABC 7 is proud of our long-standing commitment to Pride, and we are thrilled again to be the station presenting two hours of live parade coverage on multiple platforms,” said John Idler, president and general manager of ABC 7 Chicago. “ABC 7 celebrates cultural inclusion and acceptance and the vibrant LGBTQAI+ community that is so important to our city.”

The 53rd Annual Pride Parade features actress, writer and comedian Fortune Feimster as this year’s grand marshal. The 2024 parade theme is “Pride is Power.” The Pride Parade kicks off this year from Sheridan and Broadway, travels through the Northhalsted, Uptown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park neighborhoods and ends on Cannon Drive. The parade features colorful floats, decorated vehicles, musical talent, walking contingents and local government officials all in support of the LGBTQAI+ community.

ABC News Live’s Pride Parade coverage kicked off with a simulcast of KABC-TV’s coverage of LA Pride on June 9 and will culminate with “Pride Across America,” a major streaming event that spans the entire country, featuring five hours of live coverage from three of the nation’s biggest Pride marches and parades on June 30, beginning at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT. In partnership with Hulu and ABC Owned Television Stations WABC (New York), WLS (Chicago) and KGO (San Francisco), “Pride Across America” will begin with a one-hour pre-show, followed by coverage of the Pride marches and parades, and will include live special guest interviews and inspiring stories, spotlighting today’s influential LGBTQIA+ leaders.

The annual parade celebration commemorates the Stonewall Riots, which occurred June 28, 1969, in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City. Chicago’s Pride Parade takes place the same weekend in the summer, replacing what was once a fight for civil rights with dazzling displays of hope and perseverance.

About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago 
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces “Chicago Proud,” a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago. The station also produces the highest-rated New Year’s Eve special in Chicago, holiday kickoff special “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,” syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series “Our Chicago,” which showcases the city’s diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Every Friday, Windy City Weekend, entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what’s happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago’s electorate informed. ABC7’s outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.  

X:                     https://twitter.com/abc7chicago 
Instagram:        https://www.instagram.com/abc7Chicago/ 
Facebook:         https://www.facebook.com/abc7Chicago/ 

Media Contact:
Jayme Nicholas
(312) 750-7254
jayme.a.nicholas@abc.com

Press Release

May 3, 2024

Media relations

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations To Air Documentary Special, ‘Our America: Defining Courage,’ Presented by Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor David Ono Beginning Sunday, May 5

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC Owned Television Stations to present “Our America: Defining Courage,” beginning Sunday, May 5. The documentary special takes viewers backstage for an intimate journey into the making of “Defining Courage” a stage show produced by Emmy^® Award-winning filmmaker and KABC news anchor David Ono and his nonprofit production company, Story Boldly. It shares the story of the Nisei Soldiers, Americans of Japanese ancestry, who served in the segregated military units during World War II. Although considered the greatest fighting units in American military history, their efforts were overshadowed by prejudice at home. While many of the soldiers were away at battle for the U.S., their families were incarcerated in America’s concentration camps, with only a few hearing their extraordinary stories.

“Our America: Defining Courage” airs across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:

Sunday, May 5
3:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles

Monday, May 6
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, May 11
5:00 a.m. EDT ABC7/WABC-TV New York
9:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, May 12
11:00 p.m. CDT ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
11:30 p.m. CDT ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston

Monday, May 13
8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish

Saturday, May 18
12:30 a.m. EDT 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
2:00 p.m. PDT ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno

Sunday, May 19
5:00 a.m. EDT ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Additionally, special interactive tools are available online to allow viewers nationwide to further explore the history of the Nisei Soldiers, which includes a message from David Ono and features the following highlights:

ABOUT
WHO ARE THE NISEI SOLDIERS
TIMELINE
MAP OF CAMPS

The “Our America: Defining Courage” documentary special was produced by Justin Allen, former senior producer, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations, and Rachel Schwartz, director, Content Operations, ABC Owned Television Stations.

The special features music by composers Enzo De Roza and Sheridan Seyfried.

About Story Boldly’s “Defining Courage”
“Defining Courage” is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, and Outside In Theatre. Local partners for the Veterans Day performance are the Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American Veterans Association, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, National Veterans Network, and US-Japan Council. Story Boldly was founded by Ono and Emmy-winning filmmaker Jeff MacIntyre two decades ago to tell engaging stories using journalist practices to educate the public about important chapters in history and teach others how to use digital media to share stories that matter. Both are multiple Emmy Award-winning storytellers, journalists, filmmakers, and educators.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content, and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

April 4, 2024

Media relations

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

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ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco Debuts Documentary Special ‘California’s Case for Reparations’

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

ABC7/KGO-TV’s original documentary special California’s Case for Reparations, presented by Emmy^® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning ABC7 News anchor Julian Glover, aims to uplift the stories of families who could be repaired by reparations, explores the groundbreaking work of the reparations task force, and examines the package of legislation being proposed, and if there is the political will to pass it. California’s Case for Reparations is now available to stream across ABC7’s 24/7 streaming platforms and will make its linear debut on Saturday, April 6.

California made history in 2020 with the creation of the nation’s first state-level task force to study and develop reparations for the descendants of enslaved African Americans. The state made history again in 2023 when said task force released its monumental report outlining California’s Anti-Black policies that extended beyond slavery and the more than 100 recommendations for making the community whole. Today, California’s state legislature is the first in the nation to seriously consider reparations for the descendants of the enslaved. The special also looks to answer the question, “Are reparations radical?,” by revisiting the successful push for reparations by Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII.

“The fight for reparations to Black people for slavery and centuries of anti-Black policies has been decades long,” said Glover, the executive producer for California’s Case for Reparations and Race, Culture and Social Justice reporter at ABC7/KGO-TV Bay Area. “As the nation continues with this struggle, the questions remain, ‘How do we repair those Black lives? How do we make Black people whole?’ California’s Case for Reparations looks at how the state is pushing the conversation forward toward action.”

Glover’s reporting on issues of appraisal discrimination earned him a regional Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in reporting on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Emmy Award-winning documentary Our America: Lowballed profiles three separate cases of appraisal discrimination experienced by families in California and Indiana. Glover’s impactful reporting on the devaluation of Black and Latino homes spurred new state laws and led President Biden to create the Property Appraisal Valuation Equity task force to identify solutions to root out appraisal bias. In addition, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, also featured in the documentary, introduced legislation to combat appraisal bias with the Fair Appraisal and Inequity Reform legislation.

California’s Case for Reparations airs Saturday, April 6, at 8:00 p.m. PDT on ABC7/KGO-TV.

The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

About ABC Owned Television StationsDisney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”

The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content, and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

March 7, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

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ABC Owned Television Stations Present ‘Our America: In the Black’

The Special Aims To Raise Awareness of Financial Health and Wellness in the Black Community and Offers Insight Into How To Bridge the Wealth Gap Through Technology

ABC Owned Television Stations present “Our America: In the Black,” sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, beginning Saturday, Feb. 3. This thought-provoking documentary special chronicles the efforts of Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker in his national quest to raise awareness about building financial health and wellness in the Black community. In the series, Booker explores how technology can serve as a great equalizer to mitigate these disparities while engaging with individuals who are actively working toward financial literacy programs that pave the way for economic mobility and generational wealth creation. Booker is joined by Dr. Jatali Bellanton who serves as a financial expert throughout the special, offering audiences insights and tips toward what she describes as financial liberation. The documentary focuses on the stories of three individuals at different stages of their financial journey:

“Hannah” – Booker visits Los Angeles where he is introduced to Hannah, a young foster care youth, who dreams of attending Howard University and becoming a mechanical engineer. The episode also features the dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Phylicia Rashad.
“Angel Mercedes” – From New York, Booker introduces viewers to the nonprofit RISE, a national charitable institution that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
“Meagan Naraine” – Booker visits Atlanta for an opportunity to highlight the work he does with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which leverages Atlanta’s unique position as a nexus of Black enterprise and innovation to pilot strategies that could serve as blueprints for economic racial equity across the nation.

“Our America: In the Black” airs on Hulu’s Black Stories Always hub and across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:

Saturday, Feb. 3
12:30 a.m. EST             6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
3:00 p.m. PST              ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
8:30 p.m. PST              ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
11:30 p.m. CST            ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
10:00 p.m. PST            ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno

Sunday, Feb. 4
12:30 a.m. EST ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
11:00 p.m. CST ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

Monday, Feb. 5
8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish

Saturday, Feb. 10
5:00 a.m. EST ABC7/WABC-TV New York

Monday, Feb. 12
8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish

“Our America: In the Black” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations; and produced by Luke Richards, senior manager, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations; Shako Liu, senior producer, ABC Owned Television Stations; and John Garcia, producer editor, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations. Post-production services were facilitated by Robeson Parks.

The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
The eight owned ABC television stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television, reaching 23% of households and more than 34 million Total Viewers and 62 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 2.2 billion minutes streamed, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. WABC-New York has remained the No. 1 station in the country for 19 years.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

February 22, 2024

Media relations

Fonda Berosini

Disney Entertainment, Networks

Fonda.berosini@disney.com

Ambir Sniezko

ambir.sniezko@abc.com

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WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News New York Welcomes Entertainment Reporter Joelle Garguilo

ABC7/WABC-TV today announcedEmmy^® Award-winning entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo has joined the WABC-TV Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York team. Garguilo will take over for beloved veteran reporter Sandy Kenyon as he transitions to consultant for ABC Owned Television Stations. Garguilo will report alongside Kenyon for Hollywood’s Biggest Night, covering the 96^th Oscars^®. The two will be on-site at the Dolby Theater to share all things Oscars from can’t-miss moments leading up to, during and after the big event on March 10.

“Joelle Garguilo approaches every story with enthusiasm, heart and a true passion for all things entertainment and lifestyle,” said Marilu Galvez, president and general manager of ABC7/WABC-TV New York. “Those attributes make her one of the most appealing interviewers in entertainment reporting and someone I know our viewers are going to love.”

Garguilo, a native New Yorker began her career in broadcast television 15 years ago at NBC – throughout which she has interviewed hundreds of stars on the screen and stage including Oprah Winfrey, Tom Cruise, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Jim Carrey, Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Julia Roberts, Tony Bennett, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, among others.

Throughout her tenure, she held multiple roles across the network. Most recently, she worked as an on-air entertainment and features reporter for “New York Live,” correspondent for “E!” News while contributing at the “Today Show with Hoda & Jenna” and has covered some of the biggest entertainment events of this last year, including the “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” and “Mission Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1” premieres, the Met Gala, the MTV VMAs and the Tribeca Film Festival, among many others. As a contributor to the “Today Show with Hoda & Jenna” since 2021, she hosted the special segment “Scoop on the Scene,” an entertainment news segment combining entertainment news and celebrity interviews as well as co-developed and hosted the live and taped segments for “Just the Good News.”

Garguilo began her career with NBC News Mobile where she wrote, produced, edited and anchored human interest, news and features packages. From there, she joined the weekend “TODAY” show launching “POPStart” as host and producer as well as introducing “Orange Room.” Simultaneously, she was reporting for New York Live which included the opportunity to co-host Golden Globes^® live pre-show specials and co-host their SNL 40^th anniversary special. Garguilo also created “POPSTART EXTRA” for TODAY.com where she wrote, hosted and edited all digital segments.

Garguilo’s talents have earned her two Emmy Awards, one for the Magazine Program “New York Live Home for the Holidays” and a second for Outstanding Entertainment: Program Features/Segment for New York Live Features/Segments.

In addition to entertainment coverage, Garguilo has a passion for sharing lifestyle, small business, human interest and “feel good” content. Earlier in her career, she worked as a financial analyst for New Line Cinema.

Garguilo, her husband and two children reside in New York.

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
ABC7 has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for 75 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Mark,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

X: https://twitter.com/abc7ny
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abc7ny/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABC7NY/

*COPYRIGHT ©2024 American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of WABC. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

February 5, 2024

Media relations

Mike Monsell

6abc WPVI-TV

mike.monsell@abc.com

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UPDATE: 6ABC WPVI-TV Philadelphia To Produce Telecast ‘Dancing for a Cure – Live From Thon™’

Live Coverage Begins, Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m

WABC-TV New York and Other Northeast Affiliates To Syndicate

6abc WPVI-TV today announced that will once again showcase the world’s largest student-run philanthropy THON™ for its third consecutive year. “Dancing For a Cure – Live From THON”will be hosted by 6abc anchors Caroline Goggin (Goggin is a Penn State alum and danced at THON her senior year.), Walter Perez and fellow Penn State alum, meteorologist Brittany Boyer. The exclusive underwriter for the broadcast will be Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Each year, an estimated 700 Penn State students commit to dance for 46 hours to raise money to help fight childhood cancer. Last year, students raised more than $15 million, soaring past the previous year’s total. “Dancing For a Cure – Live From THON”kicks off Friday, Feb. 16, at 6 p.m., and wraps 46 hours later, Sunday at 4 p.m.

Penn State’s THON is now in its 52^nd year and is a year-round effort to raise money in the fight against childhood cancer. Each spring, new student leadership is selected. During the summer, the student volunteers conduct outreach with smaller fundraising efforts and pay visits to Four Diamonds families impacted by childhood cancer. In the fall, the planning for the dance marathon kicks into high gear. The students mobilize all the team captains, and THON Weekend begins to take shape.

THON is programmed and produced entirely by Penn State students. They configure the Bryce Jordan Center, build the stage, and also manage the concessions and handle all the custodial duties.

“The achievements of these Penn State students cannot be understated,” says President & General Manager Bernie Prazenica. “The THON student volunteers raised $13 million in 2022 … $15 million in 2023! The sky is truly the limit for these amazing students! Through 6abc and our simulcast partners in New York, Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania, we look forward to supporting the PSU students in their quest to fight childhood cancer.”

All money raised benefits Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania. THON’s first dance marathon in 1973 raised just over $2,000. Since then, THON has raised more than $219 million.

“The hard work and generosity of everyone involved with THON ensures that young people battling cancer can receive the most advanced care at our Children’s Hospital at no cost to their families,” said Dr. Giselle Sholler, Professor of Pediatrics and Division Chief – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. “The money raised for Four Diamonds helps our physicians, clinical researchers and scientists in their efforts to better understand, treat and cure pediatric cancers.”

The program will also be syndicated across the Northeast television markets including WABC-TV/New York, WTAE-TV/Pittsburgh, and WPMT/York as well as a simulcast from WATM/Altoona, State College guaranteeing access to approximately 11% of American households.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Four Diamonds, Penn State Health and 6abc to showcase the passion and dedication of the THON Community,” says Will Vincent, executive director of THON. “The work that THON does is truly so special, and seeing this community come together to fight for a future without childhood cancer is the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed. I cannot wait to share the story of THON and show the world what makes this mission and this organization so special.”

About Four Diamonds
Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer. Since its creation in 1972, Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,900 children and families by covering 100% of medical bills for every Four Diamonds family. Four Diamonds also supports a robust pediatric cancer research program at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine, which is dedicated to seeking improved treatments and cures for childhood cancer to benefit every child around the world. For more information, visit FourDiamonds.org.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures nearly half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,450 out of 2,467 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 99.3%.^†

*Based on January – December 2023 Nielsen data.
†Based on January – December 2023 Nielsen data.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Media Contacts:
6abc WPVI-TV
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com

ABC Owned Television Stations
Ambir Sniezkoambir.sniezko@abc.com