President Donald Trump sharply confronted CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell during a 60 Minutes interview aired Sunday, repeatedly denying allegations in the gunman’s manifesto and declaring the veteran journalist a “disgrace” for reading the suspect’s words on camera.
The heated exchange occurred less than 24 hours after a gunman opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, in what authorities described as an assassination attempt targeting the president. Trump, who had just survived the attack, sat for the interview in the White House.O’Donnell read aloud passages from the manifesto in which the gunman, identified as Cole Thomas Allen, called Trump a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.”
Trump’s response was immediate and forceful.
The gunman who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Dinner wrote a letter explaining his actions and accusing "Administration officials" broadly of various serious crimes. When Norah O'Donnell read this list of crimes to President Trump, he was offended.
“I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody,” Trump said, leaning forward. “I’m not a pedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m not a pedophile.”When O’Donnell noted the quotes came from the gunman, Trump cut her off:
“You shouldn’t be reading that on 60 Minutes. You’re a disgrace. But go ahead. Let’s finish the interview.”Trump accused the network of bias, saying, “You’re horrible people,” and suggested the media was more focused on smearing him than on the security failure or the suspect’s radicalization.
He described the gunman as a “sick person” while pivoting to praise the Secret Service for neutralizing the threat.
The confrontation dominated the interview, which was conducted in a formal White House sitting room. Trump began the session relatively measured, recounting the chaos of the previous night, but the tone shifted dramatically when the manifesto was introduced.
CBS stood by its journalism, stating the gunman’s writings were central to understanding the motive behind the attack. Portions of the nearly 90-minute conversation were broadcast, with the viral clip of Trump’s outburst quickly spreading on social media. Supporters viewed it as Trump pushing back against perceived media hostility, while critics called it defensive.
The interview comes amid heightened tensions following the assassination attempt. Trump has long accused 60 Minutes of unfair coverage, including a previous dispute over editing of a Kamala Harris interview. In this session, he also discussed the need for improved Secret Service protocols and called for national unity while highlighting his administration’s achievements.
The full exchange underscored Trump’s unfiltered style in the immediate aftermath of the attempt on his life, turning a discussion of the attack into a direct clash with one of television’s most prominent interviewers.
Social media exploded Sunday night and Monday morning following President Donald Trump’s tense 60 Minutes interview with CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell, particularly the moment he lashed out at her for reading excerpts from the gunman’s manifesto accusing him of being a “pedophile, rapist, and traitor.”
The confrontation, which occurred less than 24 hours after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner assassination attempt, quickly became the dominant topic across platforms.
Conservative and Pro-Trump Reaction:
Strong Praise for Trump’s Defiance. Trump supporters and conservative accounts celebrated the exchange as vintage Trump, unfiltered pushback against biased media. Clips of Trump declaring “You’re a disgrace,” “You’re horrible people,” and “You should be ashamed of yourself” went viral, often paired with captions praising him for refusing to let O’Donnell smear him with a “sick person’s” words.
Hashtags like #TrumpFightsBack, #Disgraceful60Minutes, and #FakeNewsCBS trended. Users shared memes and edited videos highlighting Trump’s finger-jabbing intensity, framing it as a president defending his honor right after surviving an attack.
Many accused CBS of “ambushing” Trump and suggested O’Donnell’s question was an attempt to legitimize the gunman’s rhetoric. Supporters also praised Trump for pivoting to praise the Secret Service while calling out media double standards on anti-Trump content.
Liberal and Anti-Trump Reaction: Criticism of Defensiveness
Critics and left-leaning users viewed Trump’s outburst as overly defensive and unpresidential, especially so soon after the incident. Many highlighted his repeated denials (“I’m not a rapist… I’m not a pedophile”) as telling, with some calling it “clinical-grade” deflection.
Posts mocked Trump for “losing it” and questioned why he was so triggered by the gunman’s words.
Accounts shared side-by-side clips contrasting O’Donnell’s calm demeanor with Trump’s rising anger, accusing him of turning a serious discussion about the attack into a personal attack on the press.
Some fact-check posts resurfaced past allegations against Trump, arguing the manifesto question was legitimate journalism.
Broader Sentiment and Viral Moments
Neutral/Independent viewers were split: some found the exchange entertaining political theater, while others worried it highlighted deepening media-presidential hostility.
The full extended interview (nearly 90 minutes) saw heavy sharing of the manifesto segment, with CBS’s own clips garnering tens of thousands of views and heated comment sections.
Media watchdogs and journalists debated O’Donnell’s approach — some defended her as professional for pressing on motive, others said it was gratuitous given the timing.
Cross-platform trends showed the clip dominating X (Twitter), Instagram Reels, and Facebook, with millions of views within hours. Late-night commentary and morning shows amplified the divide.
Overall, the social media response mirrored America’s polarized politics: Trump’s base saw a fighter refusing to back down, while opponents saw confirmation of instability. The viral “You’re a disgrace” moment solidified as the interview’s defining soundbite, fueling endless debate less than a day after the assassination attempt.
On Saturday night, broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) and cable channels delivered rapid, extensive coverage of the armed incident at the Washington Hilton, where a gunman rushed a Secret Service checkpoint, exchanged gunfire, and prompted the swift evacuation of President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet members from the stage.
Outlets aired real-time video of attendees ducking under tables amid loud bangs, the precise Secret Service response, and Trump’s praise for law enforcement, while confirming the suspect — 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California — was in custody as a lone actor with no injuries reported.
Broadcast networks offered measured, fact-driven timelines and official briefings, while cable channels provided immersive, on-the-ground accounts with heavy video replays. Overall tone was serious and unified: relief at the quick resolution, praise for Secret Service professionalism, and minimal partisan spin as the dinner was canceled.
WATCH ▶️ President Donald Trump posted footage of the Secret Service's response to the gunman at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. Authorities believe the man, who is now in custody, likely acted alone: https://t.co/uhDTA2f1D2pic.twitter.com/U9vcw0m5xn
All three major broadcast networks provided extensive, fact-driven live coverage and rapid digital updates starting Saturday night, emphasizing a clear timeline, official statements, and video evidence of the chaos.
They described the incident as a gunman (later identified as 31-year-old Cole Allen of Torrance, California) rushing a Secret Service checkpoint near the magnetometer screening area at the Washington Hilton around 8:36 p.m., exchanging gunfire (one officer was hit but saved by a vest; the suspect was apprehended unharmed).
Attendees heard multiple loud bangs/gunshots, prompting immediate evacuation of President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Cabinet members from the stage while others ducked under tables. No attendees were injured.
ABC News framed it with dramatic but straightforward headlines like “‘Absolute chaos’: Gunman charges White House Correspondents’ Dinner checkpoint with Trump inside.” They aired multiple video segments: the moment Trump was rushed offstage, Trump’s later press conference remarks, the suspect’s identification, and a D.C. officials’ briefing. Real-time updates focused on law enforcement sources confirming the suspect was a “lone actor” armed with a shotgun, handgun, and knives. Tone: Professional, timeline-oriented, and reassuring on safety, with heavy use of video to show the swift Secret Service response.
CBS News ran live updates titled “Trump safe after shots fired… suspect in custody,” with rolling “what to know” summaries. They highlighted Trump’s post-incident comment that “it’s a dangerous profession,” detailed early security context, and aired reporter accounts of hearing gunfire. Videos included the exact moment of the stage evacuation and the suspect’s identification.
Tone: Measured and procedural, prioritizing official confirmations and no-injury outcomes while noting the event’s cancellation and planned rescheduling.
NBC News offered a detailed live blog (“Trump evacuated… suspect in custody after exchanging gunfire”) and “what we know” explainers. They featured correspondent Ryan Nobles recounting the ballroom reaction and video of Trump recalling the evacuation. Real-time elements included attendee reports of “several loud bangs” before agents moved in.
Tone: Calm, explanatory, and eyewitness-focused, stressing the lone-wolf nature and quick resolution.
Overall broadcast tone was neutral, institutional, and safety-first—relying on visuals, press conferences, and law enforcement briefings without heavy speculation.
📺Cable News Channels Coverage:
Cable outlets delivered more continuous, personality-driven real-time reporting with stronger visual loops of the evacuation footage and on-air eyewitness accounts from their own teams.
CNN focused on breaking video of the incident and Trump’s late-night press conference, including Kaitlan Collins questioning him on prior threat warnings (he said there were none). Segments covered the suspect’s hospital transfer and the event’s abrupt end.
Tone: Straight news delivery with some analytical edge, prioritizing official updates and Trump’s own words while underscoring the investigation’s early stages.
Fox News emphasized heroism and chaos in real time, with live updates like “Trump safe… following gunshots at WH Correspondents’ Dinner” and videos of the head-table evacuation. They highlighted Trump’s praise for Secret Service agents, stories of high-profile guests who had faced prior political violence, and attendee reactions (e.g., UFC’s Dana White refusing to duck).
Tone: Urgent and affirmative toward law enforcement and the president’s safety, framing the response as “fantastic” and “brave” while detailing the armed suspect’s weapons.
MS NOW leaned into personal, on-the-ground accounts from their correspondents inside the ballroom—Ali Vitali describing ducking under a table, Luke Russert calling it “very scary,” and video loops of the reported gunfire chaos. Segments included Trump and officials speaking afterward.
Tone: Visceral and immersive, focusing on the human fear and disruption for journalists and attendees, while still covering facts like the suspect’s identification and lone-actor status.
Cross-Outlet Real-Time Elements and Overall Tone:
Coverage unfolded rapidly Saturday night: initial flashes of “loud sounds/gunshots” and evacuation videos circulated within minutes, followed by confirmation of the suspect in custody, his identity by early Sunday, and Trump’s White House press room statement praising law enforcement. All outlets aired C-SPAN-style footage of the stage clearance and Trump’s remarks. The collective tone across networks was serious and non-sensationalist—united in relief that no one was seriously hurt, praise for the Secret Service’s speed, and treatment of the event as a resolved lone-actor security breach rather than ongoing threat.
Partisan framing was minimal; the story remained focused on facts, video evidence, and official updates rather than political spin.
The dinner was canceled, with the White House Correspondents’ Association planning to reschedule within 30 days.
A wave of bipartisan outrage erupted over major security loopholes at the Washington Hilton that allowed an armed gunman to enter the venue during Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where President Trump, his Cabinet, and top members of Congress mingled with journalists.
Cole Tomas Allen, 31, smuggled a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives into the hotel by bypassing exterior screenings. He later attempted to rush a magnetometer checkpoint leading into the ballroom, opened fire on officers, and was taken down by security. No one inside the ballroom was injured, and the Secret Service stated that President Trump, who has survived two prior assassination attempts, was never in direct danger.
Critics from both parties slammed the fact that guests could check into the hotel and attend pre-dinner events without weapons screening, photo ID verification, or a confirmed attendee list. The building remained open to the public, with metal detectors and full screenings only at an interior checkpoint on the floor above the ballroom — standard practice for past dinners.
FLOTUS Fear
“While the security perimeter outside of the ballroom worked, and the Secret Service and Federal Law Enforcement acted swiftly... the fact is there were numerous glaring security issues,” Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) posted on X. He highlighted the lack of control over members of Congress inside the room and called for a full after-action review of how the gunman moved from his hotel room into a supposedly secure area with multiple weapons.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) echoed the concerns, writing: “No security screening was required to enter an event featuring the President of the United States, the Speaker of the House, Cabinet Secretaries, and Members of Congress? This failure of even the most basic security protocols... demands an immediate investigation.”
In a manifesto recovered after the incident, Allen himself mocked the “insane” lack of security. “If I was an Iranian agent... I could have brought a damn Ma Deuce [heavy machine gun] in here and no one would have noticed s–t,” he wrote. He described a pervasive “sense of arrogance” at the hotel, noting he entered armed without anyone viewing him as a threat.
President Trump and his allies pointed to the incident as validation for his plan to build a highly secure ballroom at the White House, arguing the current system is inadequate for high-profile events.
White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang praised journalists for their “calm and courage” on Sunday morning, following a shooting incident at the 2026 White House Correspondents’ Dinner the previous night.
In a statement posted on X, Jiang, who also serves as CBS News senior White House correspondent, described the event as “a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance.”
“Last night’s shooting at the Washington Hilton was a harrowing moment for everyone in attendance,” she wrote. “We express our deepest gratitude to the U.S. Secret Service and all law enforcement personnel who ensured the safety of everyone in the ballroom and beyond. Their actions protected thousands of guests, and we wish a full and speedy recovery to the officer who was injured in the line of duty. We are grateful everyone in attendance was unharmed, including the president, the first lady and the vice president.”
CBS News’ @weijia, White House Correspondents' Association president, described sitting next to President Trump the moment SWAT officers pulled the president off the dais at Saturday night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner after shots were fired. “It all happened so fast,” she… pic.twitter.com/Z3U4lh26K6
“Our dinner exists to celebrate the First Amendment and the hard daily work of the journalists who defend it. Last night, those journalists showed exactly the kind of calm and courage that work demands, jumping into reporting immediately after the incident unfolded. We are proud of everyone in that room.”
The news broke late Friday afternoon that Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and iHeartMedia Inc. are in preliminary discussions about a possible merger that would combine the nation’s largest satellite radio provider with the biggest U.S. radio station owner, Bloomberg News reported.
The talks remain in early stages and could fall apart, according to people familiar with the matter. Both companies declined to comment.
A deal would create a major audio powerhouse with more than $12 billion in combined annual revenue, blending SiriusXM’s subscription business and Pandora streaming service with iHeartMedia’s vast broadcast radio network, podcasts, and digital audio platforms. It comes as traditional audio companies face intensifying competition from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and other digital giants for listeners and advertising dollars.
Charlamagne tha god
Music industry veteran Irving Azoff and Apollo Global Management are reportedly involved in facilitating the deal. While talks are early and no agreement is guaranteed, iHeart shares surged on the news.
This potential consolidation reflects the broader industry pressure on traditional radio amid streaming competition, advertising challenges, and the need for greater scale in digital audio.
Investors responded sharply Friday. SiriusXM shares fell nearly 5% to close at $26.61. iHeartMedia stock surged more than 35% to $5.42 before trimming some gains after the bell.
The discussions surface as SiriusXM prepares to report first-quarter 2026 results on April 30. The company is working to prove that a modest rebound in self-pay subscribers in late 2025 was sustainable, even as it shifts emphasis toward advertising, podcasts, and connected-car features.
For full-year 2025, SiriusXM posted roughly $8.5 billion in revenue and generated $1.26 billion in free cash flow, with a 2026 target of about $1.35 billion. iHeartMedia reported $3.865 billion in 2025 revenue, flat from the prior year, but saw 14% growth in its Digital Audio Group in the fourth quarter, driven by podcasting. The company carries significant debt, with net debt at $4.54 billion at year-end.
A merger would strengthen advertising scale, diversify revenue streams across subscriptions, broadcast, and digital audio, and provide greater leverage against streaming competitors. SiriusXM recently expanded its ad business by securing exclusive U.S. representation for YouTube’s audio ad inventory.
However, significant hurdles remain. Any combination would likely draw antitrust scrutiny.
While SiriusXM has been concentrating on reducing churn among its satellite radio base, it still expects flat revenue for the upcoming year. However, podcast ad revenue grew over 41 percent in 2025, after double-digit growth in 2024. IHeartMedia saw a similar growth pattern in its fourth-quarter earnings, with podcast revenue up 24.5% year over year and total revenue up just 0.8 percent.
With terrestrial and satellite radio leaking listeners to streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, scale becomes a survival strategy. On the radio side of the equation, the merger would bring together iHeartMedia’s approximately 860 radio stations and SiriusXM’s music and spoken word channels. SiriusXM says it had around 33 million subscribers as of last year.
iHeartMedia’s debt load and softer broadcast radio performance could complicate integration. SiriusXM must still convince investors its recent subscriber stabilization is not temporary.
The development highlights the ongoing consolidation pressure in the audio industry as companies seek size and efficiency to compete in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The FCC has approved a $6.2 billion merger between TV station owners Nexstar and Tegna, while its Republican chair, Brendan Carr, is exploring new rules that would make it easier for local stations to override network programming without facing contract penalties — a move critics say is designed to mute content from networks perceived as liberal.
The merger, approved March 26, would create the nation’s largest TV broadcaster, with Nexstar controlling 259 stations reaching about 80% of U.S. households. Carr has openly pushed to strengthen local broadcasters’ leverage against national networks such as NBC and ABC, which President Trump and conservatives have long accused of bias.
Now, Carr told POLITICO he wants to restore an earlier era in which local stations had greater ability to preempt network shows. He is considering FCC measures, including a regulatory presumption protecting affiliate agreements, that would shield stations from financial penalties or loss of popular programming when they choose to drop network content.
In September, Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting refused to air ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live for nine days after Kimmel’s criticism of the killing of pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk, drawing praise from Carr and other Republicans.
Conservative advocates argue the changes would allow stations to better reflect local values. Daniel Suhr of the Center for American Rights said preemption gives affiliates “real leverage” against “offensive or insulting” content from Hollywood and New York.
Democrats sharply disagree, viewing the moves as political censorship. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said the agency’s interest in preemption amounts to a “censorship backdoor” after public backlash blocked earlier efforts against Kimmel. She criticized the FCC’s “obsession with how broadcasters cover this administration.”
Current network-affiliate contracts often impose financial penalties or risk loss of key programming (such as NFL games) if stations preempt shows too frequently. Carr has criticized these agreements as overly restrictive and has pressed network executives on what he called “onerous” demands.
The combined Nexstar-Tegna entity would gain significant influence to test any new preemption flexibility. FCC spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment on the plans or political implications.
The developments reflect a broader push by the Trump administration and its appointees to reshape the media landscape in favor of local and conservative-leaning broadcasters.
Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic delivers a massive, record-shattering box office opening despite mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the title role, the film opened to an estimated $97 million domestically from 3,955 theaters over its first three days (Friday–Sunday), with some estimates pushing toward $100 million. Worldwide, it has already grossed more than $217 million in its opening frame, including strong previews.
This performance easily sets a new all-time record for the biggest opening weekend of any music biopic, comfortably surpassing Straight Outta Compton ($60 million in 2015) and Bohemian Rhapsody ($51 million in 2018). It also marks one of the strongest non-sequel launches of 2026 and the biggest opening day of the year so far, with $39.5 million on Friday alone.
International audiences drove much of the momentum: Universal reported approximately $120.4 million from 82 territories, with the film breaking musical biopic opening records in dozens of markets, including strong showings in the UK, France, Mexico, Italy, and Germany. Audience enthusiasm has been the key differentiator. While critics gave the film a low Rotten Tomatoes score in the high 30s to low 40s, often calling it more of a greatest-hits compilation than a deep character study, moviegoers have embraced it wholeheartedly.
The film boasts a remarkable 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (Popcornmeter), one of the highest ever for any biopic, along with strong CinemaScore grades. Fans have praised Jaafar Jackson’s transformative performance and the film’s celebration of Michael’s music and legacy.
This is a major victory for theatrical cinema and Lionsgate in a challenging post-streaming era, where original mid-budget event films have struggled. The success demonstrates the enduring global power of Michael Jackson’s iconic status and the appetite for big-screen musical experiences. It also gives Lionsgate significant breathing room after years of navigating industry headwinds.
With word-of-mouth strong and repeat viewings already reported overseas, Michael is positioned for a potentially impressive long-term run as it continues rolling out in additional markets, including Japan in June.
Geofencing and Privacy Rights Face Major Scrutiny in Virginia. Geofencing warrants, a law enforcement technique that draws virtual perimeters around crime scenes to collect smartphone location data from everyone nearby, are under intense legal and legislative pressure in Virginia, spotlighting clashes between public safety and Fourth Amendment privacy protections.
At the center of the debate is a high-profile U.S. Supreme Court case originating from a 2019 armed bank robbery in Midlothian, Virginia. Police used a geofence warrant to obtain Google location data for all devices within roughly 150 meters of the crime scene during a specific time window. That data helped identify suspect Okello Chatrie, who was later convicted. Chatrie argues the warrant was an unconstitutional dragnet search lacking particularized probable cause.
The Supreme Court is now set to hear arguments in Chatrie v. United States, with the ruling expected to set nationwide standards for whether such reverse location searches violate privacy rights.
Critics, including the ACLU and privacy advocates, call geofence warrants digital dragnets that can expose sensitive movements, such as visits to churches, medical offices, or political meetings, without individualized suspicion. They compare it to searching every home in a neighborhood because one crime occurred there.
Law enforcement and prosecutors defend the tool as a narrowly targeted, effective method for solving crimes when other leads are unavailable, arguing users voluntarily share location data with tech companies and thus have no strong expectation of privacy.
Separately, Virginia has moved to strengthen consumer protections. In April 2026, Governor Abigail Spanberger signed legislation banning the sale of precise geolocation data under the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act. The ban takes effect July 1, 2026.Background on the Case
The original robbery occurred at a federal credit union, where the suspect was captured on video. The geofence warrant returned anonymized data on multiple users, which investigators narrowed to identify Chatrie. Lower courts issued split rulings, with the Fourth Circuit ultimately upholding the conviction.
The Supreme Court’s decision could reshape how police across the country use location data from Google, Apple, and other providers. The developments place Virginia at the forefront of a national debate over balancing effective policing with digital privacy in an age when phones constantly track user movements.
Nedra Talley-Ross, the last surviving original member of the legendary 1960s girl group The Ronettes, has passed away at the age of 80.
The news was shared Sunday Nedra K. Ross:
“At approximately 8:30 this morning our mother Nedra Talley Ross went home to be with the Lord. She was safe in her own bed at home with her family close, knowing she was loved. Thank you Lord. There will be a Celebration of Life in the future and I will post information when plans have been confirmed.”
Born Nedra Yvonne Talley on January 27, 1946, in New York City, she was of Black, Puerto Rican, and Irish descent. As a teenager, she formed The Ronettes with her cousins Ronnie Spector (Veronica Bennett) and Estelle Bennett.
The trio, known for their striking style, towering hair, and powerful vocals, became one of the most iconic acts of the era under producer Phil Spector’s guidance.Their “Wall of Sound” productions delivered timeless hits such as “Be My Baby,” “Baby, I Love You,” and “Walking in the Rain,” which helped define early 1960s pop and R&B.
While Ronnie was the lead singer, Nedra’s rich harmonies were essential to the group’s lush, dramatic signature sound.
The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.After leaving the group in the late 1960s, Talley-Ross stepped away from secular music to focus on her Christian faith. She recorded several contemporary Christian albums as Nedra Ross, with notable success. Her 1978 release Full Circle, produced by her husband Scott Ross, was among her most popular.
Scott, a former DJ and longtime 700 Club interviewer, passed away in 2023.In recent decades, she made occasional appearances celebrating The Ronettes’ enduring legacy and lived in Virginia Beach, where she also worked in real estate.
With her passing, an entire chapter of rock ’n’ roll history closes. Nedra Talley-Ross will be remembered for her powerful voice, pioneering presence in one of music’s most influential girl groups, and her quiet strength in both the spotlight and her personal faith journey. Tributes from fans, musicians, and the music community are pouring in across social media.
Mark Robertson, a radio legend in Savannah and the Lowcountry, has passed away at age 73.
In a heartfelt social media post on Saturday, 98.7 The River announced the news, noting that Robertson died peacefully just after midnight following a courageous battle with late-stage (stage four) pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed in April 2026, only months after retiring.
Robertson spent 48 remarkable years behind the microphone, becoming a trusted and beloved voice across the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry. He debuted at 98.7 The River in 1977 (originally on predecessor station KIX96) and built a lasting career that touched generations. For decades, he hosted the popular The Mark and Sandy Morning Show, waking up listeners with his warm personality, engaging conversation, and community spirit. Many relied on him as a daily companion during their morning commutes, sharing news, music, trivia, traffic, and light-hearted moments that defined local radio.
He retired in July 2025 after nearly five decades on air, marking the end of an era for Savannah radio. Tragically, his retirement was short-lived as he faced his health battle just a few months later.
Ralph Gunderman, the warm and versatile voice actor and performer best known as the longtime announcer for NBC’s Dateline and a frequent contributor to comedic bits on Late Show with David Letterman, died on March 1 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. He was 77.
His death was due to complications from pneumonia, a family spokesperson said.
A Cleveland native, Gunderman moved to New York in 1981 and built a prolific four-decade career as a freelance national voice-over artist. His distinctive voice was heard on thousands of commercials, network promos, and narrations before he retired in 2021.
On CBS’s Late Show, he was a key member of a small ensemble of actors—alongside Sara Krieger, Sam Fried, Robb Webb, and J.R. Horne—who supplied the voices for Letterman’s signature fake “announcements” and parody commercials woven into the monologues.
Gunderman also lent his talents to film (Red Betsy, 2003), animated television (Our Cartoon President), and video games (Star Wars: The Old Republic).Born the fourth of seven children on September 6, 1948, in Cleveland, Gunderman discovered his passion for broadcasting and performance while working at college radio station WRHA at the University of Akron. Still an undergraduate, he spent the summer of 1969 as a deejay at WING in Dayton, then returned to Akron’s WCUE. After graduating in 1970, he transitioned to television in Cleveland, working at WKBF and serving as a booth announcer at WEWS.
Deeply committed to his profession, Gunderman served on the national boards of both SAG and AFTRA. Yet his greatest personal joy remained live theater, where he earned leading roles in acclaimed productions including Cyrano, The Ruling Class, El Grande de Coca Cola, and Talley’s Folly.
➦In 1791...Samuel Morse was born Samuel Finley Breese Morse (Died – April 2, 1872). He was an American painter and inventor.
After having established his reputation as a portrait painter, in his middle age Morse contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs. He was a co-developer of the Morse code, and helped to develop the commercial use of telegraphy.
In 1825 New York City had commissioned Morse to paint a portrait of Lafayette in Washington, DC. While Morse was painting, a horse messenger delivered a letter from his father that read, "Your dear wife is convalescent".
The next day he received a letter from his father detailing his wife's sudden death. Morse immediately left Washington for his home at New Haven. By the time he arrived, his wife had already been buried. Heartbroken that for days he was unaware of his wife's failing health and her death, he decided to explore a means of rapid long distance communication.
While returning by ship from Europe in 1832, Morse encountered Charles Thomas Jackson of Boston, a man who was well schooled in electromagnetism. Witnessing various experiments with Jackson's electromagnet, Morse developed the concept of a single-wire telegraph. The original Morse telegraph, submitted with his patent application, is part of the collections of the National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution. In time the Morse code, which he developed, would become the primary language of telegraphy in the world. It is still the standard for rhythmic transmission of data.
➦In 1927..In Pacific Coast Biscuit Company launched KPCB in 1927 from Seattle. Queen City Broadcasting took over the station in 1935, changing the call letters to the KIRO. The station boosted its signal to 1,000 watts in 1937, and CBS soon moved its Seattle affiliation to KIRO. On June 29, 1941, KIRO's new 50,000-Watt transmitter on Maury Island became operational.
During the radio’s golden age in the 1940s and 1950s, KIRO recorded countless hours of CBS programming for time-delayed broadcast. Many of these discs are the only extant recordings of CBS’ news coverage of World War 2, according to Faded Signals.
Bonneville International purchased KIRO-AM-FM-TV in 1964. By this time, KIRO-AM was carrying a full-service format of news, talk and middle-of-the-road music. In 1973, it dropped CBS and affiliated with Mutual. The station became “KIRO Newsradio 71” in 1974, replacing most music programming with news and talk. The station spent the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s at the top of Seattle’s radio ratings.
On August 12, 2008, KIRO began simulcasting their programming on sister station KBSG-FM, which dropped their long-running classic hits format. This began the transition of KIRO Newsradio from AM to FM. To complete the transition, KIRO switched to a sports radio format (as 710 ESPN Seattle) on April 1, 2009, and began carrying Seattle Mariners games, beginning in the 2009 season. KIRO also simulcasts the Seattle Seahawks games with KIRO-FM, and has extensive team-related programming throughout the year. KIRO-FM continues the news/talk format.
Bonneville sold KIRO-TV to Belo in 1995 and then sold KIRO-AM-FM to Entercom. Bonneville bought back the stations in 2007.
➦In 1932...Kemal Amin "Casey" Kasem born in Detroit (Died at age 82 – June 15, 2014). He was the host of several music radio countdown programs, notably American Top 40 from 1970 until his retirement in 2009. He also provided the voice of Norville "Shaggy" Rogers in the Scooby-Doo franchise from 1969 to 1997, and again from 2002 until 2009.
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