When news broke that the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was shutting down, KDKA immediately recognized the magnitude of the moment.
This was not a routine media story. It was a civic event, one that struck at the heart of Pittsburgh’s identity and history. We’re talking about a newspaper that has been around since before George Washington was president.
From the outset, KDKA treated it that way, making the development the clear focal point of its coverage rather than a box to be checked.
In doing so, the Audacy news/talk station provided a textbook example of what strong local radio still does better than anyone else. Plans were adjusted. Segments were reworked. The script? Thrown out the damn window. Listeners tuning in were met with context, clarity, and continuity as the story unfolded, not a rushed summary squeezed between previously scheduled topics.
That willingness to pivot is not always easy. Programming decisions are often locked in well ahead of time, and talent is prepared for specific conversations. However, major local stories demand flexibility. KDKA showed that sometimes the smartest move is throwing the plan out the window and trusting the newsroom and hosts to follow the news. This was one of those moments, and the station never hesitated.
A significant part of that coverage came from afternoon host Colin Dunlap. Drawing on long-standing relationships within the Post-Gazette, Dunlap obtained the video message sent by the paper’s parent company to employees announcing that operations were ceasing. That piece of content mattered. It brought listeners inside a moment that otherwise would have remained private and opaque.
Hearing that message helped humanize the story. It moved the conversation beyond headlines and corporate statements. It allowed the audience to better understand the emotional and professional impact on the journalists and staff affected. That kind of access comes only from years of connection, and Dunlap used it perfectly.
While the on-air work stood out, the behind-the-scenes effort was just as impressive. Producers, editors, and digital staff hustled throughout the day to get material into the public’s hands. Video clips were posted quickly. Audio segments were shared. Digital articles filled in gaps and expanded on-air discussions. Social media feeds stayed active and relevant as new details emerged.
That kind of coordination does not happen by accident. It requires preparation, communication, and a shared understanding that this story mattered. In an environment where resources are often stretched thin, KDKA’s staff showed what’s possible when everyone is aligned around a major local event.
There is also a broader takeaway here for stations across the country. Local radio does not win by pretending big stories are inconvenient. It wins by embracing them fully. When something significant happens in your community, audiences expect you to be all in. KDKA was, and listeners noticed.
The coverage reinforced why legacy brands still carry weight. Trust is built when audiences know where to turn in moments where credibility matters. By owning the Post-Gazette story, KDKA reminded Pittsburgh that when news breaks, this is the place to be.
Barrett Media’s mission is to educate, celebrate, and challenge the broadcast industry. I will be the first to admit that I do not always do a great job with the celebrating part. Education and challenge tend to come more naturally. This situation, though, deserves recognition.
KDKA owned the story. It served its audience. It demonstrated the value of local news/talk radio at a time when that value is often questioned. Kudos to the team at the Audacy station for showing how it’s done.
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Garrett Searight is Barrett Media’s News Editor, which includes writing daily news stories, features, and opinion columns. He joined Barrett Media in 2022 after a decade leading several radio brands in several formats, as well as a 5-year stint working in local television. In addition to his work with Barrett Media, he is a radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster. Reach out to him at Garrett@BarrettMedia.com.
